Sustainability of Digital Formats
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MPEG-2, 4:2:2 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: fdd000034
• Short name: MPEG-2_422
• Content categories: moving image
• Format category: bitstream encoding, file format
• Last significant update: 2005-02-03
• Draft status: Full

Identification and description Explanation of format description terms

Full nameInformation technology -- Generic coding of moving pictures and associated audio information (formal name)
MPEG-2, 4:2:2 Profile
DescriptionPermits the use of Intra-coded (I) frames, predicted (P) frames, and bidirectionally predicted (B) frames. The ISO/IEC specifications establish a conformance point for this bitstream at Main Level, with a broadcast-stream picture size of 720x576 pixels (non-square pixels), color sampling of 4:2:2, and a maximum data rate of 50 Mb/s. A separate SMPTE specification establishes High Level conformance, with a maximum picture size of 1920x1080, color sampling of 4:2:2, and a maximum data rate of 300 Mb/s.
  Production phase  Generally a middle state (broadcast production) format; may be used as a final-state (end-user delivery) format.
Relationship to other formats 
  Subtype ofMPEG-2

Local use Explanation of format description terms

LC experience or existing holdingsSee MPEG-2
LC preferenceSee MPEG-2

Sustainability factors Explanation of format description terms

DisclosureOpen standard. Developed by ISO technical program JTC 1/SC 29 (WG11), aka the Motion Pictures Expert Group (MPEG), Coding of audio, picture, multimedia and hypermedia information. Supplementary specification from the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE).
  DocumentationISO/IEC 13818-2:2000. Information technology -- Generic coding of moving pictures and associated audio information: Video. For a complete list of the ISO/IEC MPEG-2 specifications, see MPEG-2.

SMPTE 308M-1998. SMPTE Standard for Television -- MPEG-2 4:2:2 Profile at High Level.
AdoptionMPEG-2-422 (4:2:2 Profile) is used by broadcasters and cablecasters who seek richer color information than MPEG-2_MP (Main Profile), especially for footage that may be edited or repurposed.
  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_422 (4:2:2 Profile) will produce greater clarity than MPEG-2_MP (Main Profile) or MPEG-2_SP (Simple 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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• ISO/IEC 13818-2:2000. Information technology -- Generic coding of moving pictures and associated audio information: Video.
• SMPTE 308M-1998. SMPTE Standard for Television -- MPEG-2 4:2:2 Profile at High Level.
• See also MPEG-2.

Useful references

URLs
• See MPEG-2.

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Last Updated: 03/ 7/2007