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Let's say you're ripping a DVD to a digital file.
Among the output options you have are MPEG-2 and MPEG-4.
Which of the two should you choose?
Let's learn the difference between MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 to help you decide.
MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 are compression standards set by MPEG.
MPEG stands for Moving Pictures Experts Group.
The ISO created the group to set standards for Video and Audio compression and distribution.
The MPEG-2 compression standard was introduced in 1995.
It uses a lossy compression method to reduce video and audio file sizes.
But a lossy compression results in a loss of video quality.
However, the quality loss isn't usually detected by the naked eye.
MPEG-2 is also known as H.262.
It supports video bitrates ranging from 2 to 30 Mbps.
MPEG-2 compression works well for progressive and interlaced video.
Where is MPEG-2 used?
DVDs use the MPEG-2 compression.
Blu-rays, too, use MPEG-2.
This is because MPEG-2 can support high video bitrates.
MPEG-2 is also used as the compression standard for digital TV broadcasts.
This includes SDTV and HDTV broadcasts.
These broadcasts can be over terresterial, satellite or cable TV networks.
The main advantage of MPEG-2 compression is video quality.
You can notice good video quality in DVD movies and digital TV broadcasts.
MPEG-2 comes with any of the following extensions - .mpg, .mp2, .m2v or .mpeg.
The popular extension, however, is .mpg.
The main disadvantage of MPEG-2 is file size.
If you use MPEG-2, you'll need a large amount of storage space.
MPEG-4
MPEG-4 was introduced in 1999.
The compression standard was initially developed for Internet video.
MPEG-4 compression also works well for video playback on portable devices like mobile phones.
MPEG-4 files come with the following extensions... .mp4, .m4a, and .m4b (audiobook).
The advantage of MPEG-4 compression is you get smaller file sizes.
Smaller video files are useful for video streaming and playback on portable devices like smartphones.
Smaller file size means lower video bitrates.
Lower bitrates mean lower video quality.
But then, low video quality isn't noticeable on smaller screens like that of smartphones.
Here's a summary of MPEG-2 vs MPEG-4.
MPEG-2 offers better quality video than MPEG-4.
MPEG-2 compression is used for DVDs and digital TV broadcasts.
MPEG-4 compression is mostly used for video streaming and video for portable devices.
MPEG-2 videos have larger file sizes compared to MPEG-4 videos.
MPEG-2 videos need more bandwidth to be transmitted compared to MPEG-4 videos.
If you're preparing video for DVD or broadcast, choose MPEG-2.
If you're creating a video for the Internet mobile devices, choose MPEG-4.
