MPeg and VC-1

[Forresttheman]

I am yet to figure out what these codex means. Can someone explain what mpeg and VC-1 are??? Thanks.

[Ascended_Saiyan]

You are going to have to do a bit of reading on this one. Go to Wikipedia and look up "video codec". It is informative.

[Heresy]

The most basic explanation is that they (MPEG2, AVC/MPEG4, VC-1 & many others) are just different ways to compress the video files to fit onto media or make them smaller for transfer over the Internet, cable or satellite. They are all complex algorithms that compress the data while trying to preserve the video quality.

[Forresttheman]

Originally Posted by Ascended_Saiyan

You are going to have to do a bit of reading on this one. Go to Wikipedia and look up "video codec". It is informative.

Ok nice article... but which is better Mpeg2 Mpeg4 avc or VC1? I understanded what a codec is now i just want to know which will yeild the best PQ and SQ?

[WickyWoo]

Neither. They're just different ways of doing the same job.

The only difference comes in when you have the time to massage compressions and when bitrate is an issue

[donricouga]

Originally Posted by Forresttheman

Ok nice article... but which is better Mpeg2 Mpeg4 avc or VC1? I understanded what a codec is now i just want to know which will yeild the best PQ and SQ?

The all can yield the same PQ. These codecs have nothing to do with sound.
Anyway, MPEG-2 is older and is a bit of a pig when it comes to space.
MPEG-4 AVC and VC-1 are newer and are a more efficient in terms of space requirements.

For instance a clip encoded in mpeg-4 with average bitrate at 28 mpbs could look just as good as an mpeg-2 clip averaging 38 mpbs.

[takezo]

Originally Posted by Forresttheman

I am yet to figure out what these codex means. Can someone explain what mpeg and VC-1 are??? Thanks.

I think MPEG stands for Motion Pictures Encoding Group. Wikipedia it.

MPEG is divided into 4 layers. MPEG Layer 1, MPEG Layer 2, MPEG Layer 3, MPEG Layer 4.

MPEG Layer 1 is a video and audio format which is capped at 640x480 resolutions, MPEG layer 1 was a very early codec, and was primarily used for Video CDs (VCDs). VCDs never caught on in North America and Europe. however in Asia ( China, Japan, Korea), VCD replaced VHS. A lot of old videos are encoded in Mpeg 1, some are ripped straight from VCDs.

MPEG Layer 2 this is the most widely used video codec, It's primarily used for digital Cable and Satelight Broadcasts. It's also used in DVD. Mpeg Layer 2 has no restrictions on resolution nor bittrate, which is why SONY used it on BLU-RAY for their launch titles. MPEG Layer 2 is better at compression than layer 1, but still pretty large in size compared to MPEG layer 4.

MPEG Layer 3 this is the most famous codec used on the planet. MPEG Layer 3 is better known as MP3. This is the infamous music codec that started out as under ground but evolved to a masively mainstream audience, thanks to nappster and Apple's Ipod.

MPEG Layer 4 has been around fo a while. Divx, Xvid, VC1, AVC, AAC are all MPEG 4. Divx and Xvid have always been in the underground, used for video piracy and anime fansubs. Only recently Divx has broke into mainstream market with some devices supporing Divx logo. AVC and VC1 are being pimped out as the next gen codecs. AVC by Sony, VC1 by Microsoft. Which is better. AVC of course! This is a Blu-ray forum after all
How is MPEG Layer 4 is beter than the lower levels? Better compression. Better compression + Large space of Blu-ray = high quality video quality. It's that simple.

[HDJK]

Originally Posted by takezo

I think MPEG stands for Motion Pictures Encoding Group. Wikipedia it.

MPEG is divided into 4 layers. MPEG Layer 1, MPEG Layer 2, MPEG Layer 3, MPEG Layer 4.

MPEG Layer 1 is a video and audio format which is capped at 640x480 resolutions, MPEG layer 1 was a very early codec, and was primarily used for Video CDs (VCDs). VCDs never caught on in North America and Europe. however in Asia ( China, Japan, Korea), VCD replaced VHS. A lot of old videos are encoded in Mpeg 1, some are ripped straight from VCDs.

MPEG Layer 2 this is the most widely used video codec, It's primarily used for digital Cable and Satelight Broadcasts. It's also used in DVD. Mpeg Layer 2 has no restrictions on resolution nor bittrate, which is why SONY used it on BLU-RAY for their launch titles. MPEG Layer 2 is better at compression than layer 1, but still pretty large in size compared to MPEG layer 4.

MPEG Layer 3 this is the most famous codec used on the planet. MPEG Layer 3 is better known as MP3. This is the infamous music codec that started out as under ground but evolved to a masively mainstream audience, thanks to nappster and Apple's Ipod.

MPEG Layer 4 has been around fo a while. Divx, Xvid, VC1, AVC, AAC are all MPEG 4. Divx and Xvid have always been in the underground, used for video piracy and anime fansubs. Only recently Divx has broke into mainstream market with some devices supporing Divx logo. AVC and VC1 are being pimped out as the next gen codecs. AVC by Sony, VC1 by Microsoft. Which is better. AVC of course! This is a Blu-ray forum after all
How is MPEG Layer 4 is beter than the lower levels? Better compression. Better compression + Large space of Blu-ray = high quality video quality. It's that simple.

This is not entirely correct.

There is MPEG1. As you said, it's an old video codec. I think there is a layer for audio as well, but my memory is foggy on this one.

There is MPEG2. This video codec is still used on SD DVD.
Then there is MPEG2 layer 3, which is the audio codec known as MP3.

To avoid confusion with MP3, the association decided to skip MPEG3 and jump directly to MPEG4. One layer of MPEG4 (I think it's layer 10) is also known as AVC.
But as the other poster said, just google 'video codec' and you'll find tons of info.

[shueardm]

Mpeg 2 is still better PQ than the others , given that bit rate is not a concerning factor.

[LembasBread]

MPEG, afaik, is Motion Picture Experts Group.