Sustainability of Digital Formats
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MPEG-2, Main Profile

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Table of Contents
Identification and description
Local use
Sustainability factors
Quality and functionality factors (video)
File type signifiers
Notes
Format specifications
Useful references
Format Description Properties
• ID: fdd000032
• Short name: MPEG-2_MP
• Content categories: moving image
• Format category: bitstream encoding, file format
• Last significant update: 2004-04-30

Identification and description Explanation of format description terms

Full nameInformation technology -- Generic coding of moving pictures and associated audio information (formal name)
MPEG-2, Main Profile
DescriptionPermits the use of Intra-coded (I) frames, predicted (P) frames, and bidirectionally predicted (B) frames. Conformance points for this bitstream exist at the following levels: Low, Main, High-1440, and High. At the Main Level, the broadcast-stream picture size is 720x576 pixels (non-square pixels), with color sampling of 4:2:0 and a maximum data rate of 15 Mb/s.
  Production phase  Generally a final-state (end-user delivery) format; may be used as a middle-state (broadcast production) format.
Relationship to other formats 
  Subtype ofMPEG-2

Local use Explanation of format description terms

LC experience or existing holdingsSee MPEG-2
LC preferenceFor file-based compressed video, conform to or approximate MPEG-2_422 (4:2:2 Profile) at Main Level (aka MPEG-2 422@ML) or MPEG-2_MP (this document; Main Profile) at Main Level (aka MPEG-2 MP@ML). Uncompressed or losslessly compressed copies are preferred to compressed (for future development).

Sustainability factors Explanation of format description terms

DisclosureOpen standard. See MPEG-2
  DocumentationSee MPEG-2
AdoptionMPEG-2_MP (Main Profile) is used by broadcasters and cablecasters, who may also use MPEG-2_422 (4:2:2 Profile). Vanderbilt University is using MPEG-2_MP (Main Profile) as the "target" for its digitization of news broadcasts.
  Licensing and patent claimsSee MPEG-2.
TransparencySee MPEG-2.
Self-documentationSee MPEG-2.
External dependenciesSee MPEG-2.
Technical protection considerationsSee MPEG-2.

Quality and functionality factors (video) Explanation of format description terms

Normal renderingGood support.
Clarity (support for high image resolution)See MPEG-2. At a given picture size, data rate, and encoding algorithm, MPEG-2_MP (Main Profile) will produce greater clarity than MPEG-2_SP (Simple Profile) but less than MPEG-2_422 (4:2:2 Profile).
Fidelity (support for high audio resolution)See MPEG-2.
Support for multiple sound channelsSee MPEG-2.
Functionality beyond normal video renderingSee MPEG-2.

File type signifiers Explanation of format description terms

Tag typeValueNote
Filename Extensionmpg, mpegThere is no explicit MPEG-2 file format; MPEG-2 content "ready to be delivered" is exchanged in files with these extensions.
Internet Media TypeSee MPEG-2 
Magic numbersSee MPEG-2 

Notes Explanation of format description terms

General 
History 

Format specifications Explanation of format description terms

URLs

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See MPEG-2.

Useful references

URLs
• See MPEG-2.

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Last Updated: Wednesday, 07-Mar-2007 12:40:16 EST