If you have no idea what video compression is all about, chances are you’re at a loss when it comes to the different standards. In fact, even if you deal with video compression on a regular basis, the standards can become unwieldy. Fortunately, once you have some understanding of video compression standards, you should be well on your way to working successfully.
Generally speaking, each video compression standard was designed with specific details in mind. This includes everything from the bitrate to the application being used.
MPEG-1 is made for up to 1.5 Mbit per second. This is the standard for moving audio and/or images. When you see videos on the Internet, it’s safe to say that MPEG-1 is behind them.
MPEG-2 is made for anywhere from 1.5 to 15 Mbit per second. This is where DVD compression comes into play. And as you probably know, this is getting more popular with each passing day. MPEG-2 is also the standard for digital television boxes.
MPEG-4 is mainly used for web compression. This is a very high compression format that allows developers to independently control the objects within a particular framework. When it comes to complexity and advanced applications, it doesn’t get much better than MPEG-4.
Currently, MPEG-7 and MPEG-21 are under development. These will bring additional benefits to the users, but until they are fully developed, it is better to go with the three options listed above. They are the most commonly used right now, and learning about them can be a task in itself.
In general, learning these video compression standards, as well as how they work and what they offer, can be quite difficult. But of course, you shouldn’t let this stop you. Instead, take the time to familiarize yourself with the details and how you can make them work for you.