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Mpeg-4 Part 14




MPEG-4 Part 14, formally, Container Format standard specified as a part of MPEG-4 . It is most-commonly used to store Digital Audio and Digital Video streams, especially those defined by MPEG , but also can be used to store other data such as Subtitle s and still images. Like most modern container formats, MPEG-4 Part 14 allows Streaming over the Internet . The official Filename Extension for MPEG-4 Part 14 files is '''.mp4''', thus the container format is often referred to simply as '''MP4'''.


HISTORY

MPEG-4 Part 14 was based on Apple 's QuickTime container format. Although MPEG-4 Part 14 still resembles the QuickTime format, it has been improved upon in many different ways.


DATA STREAMS

Almost any kind of data can be embedded in MPEG-4 Part 14 files through ''private streams''; the widely-supported codecs are:


FILE EXTENSIONS

While the only official file extension defined by the standard is .mp4, various file extensions are commonly used to indicate intended content.

  • Audio generally uses the .mp4 and .m4a extensions.

  • --- Audio that is protected by FairPlay Digital Rights Management as sold through the ITunes Music Store uses the .m4p extension.

  • --- Audio Book and Podcast files, which also contain data such as chapter markers, images, and hyperlinks, can use the extension .m4a, but more commonly use the .m4b extension.

  • Video generally uses the .mp4 and .m4v extensions, sometimes also .mp4v.

  • 3G Mobile Phone s use 3GP , a simplified version of MPEG-4 Part 14, with the .3gp and .3g2 extensions. These files also store non-MPEG-4 data (H.263, AMR, TX3G).


The common, but non-standard use of the extensions .m4a and .m4v is due to the popularity of Apple Computer 's IPod and the ITunes Music Store .


PRODUCT SUPPORT

Most video software supports MPEG-4 Part 14, such as:



SEE ALSO



EXTERNAL LINKS