Sustainability of Digital Formats: Planning for Library of Congress Collections

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MPEG-4 File Format, V.2, with AVC, Main Profile

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Format Description Properties Explanation of format description terms

Identification and description Explanation of format description terms

Full name MPEG-4 Version 2 file format with Advanced Video Coding, Main Profile
Description MPEG-4 Version 2 file format containing AVC encoded data, main profile. From the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC Wikipedia article (consulted August 1, 2010): "This profile is used for standard-definition digital TV broadcasts that use the MPEG-4 format as defined in the DVB standard. It is not, however, used for high-definition television broadcasts, as the importance of this profile faded when the High Profile was developed in 2004 for that application."
Production phase See MP4_FF_2.
Relationship to other formats
    Subtype of MP4_FF_2, MPEG-4 File Format, Version 2
    Contains MPEG-4_AVC_MP, MPEG-4, Advanced Video Coding (Part 10), Main Profile
    May contain AAC_MP4, MPEG-4 Advanced Audio Coding
    May contain AAC_MP4_LC, AAC (MPEG-4) Low Complexity Object
    May contain Additional audio, graphics, and scene graph stream types. Not documented at this time.

Local use Explanation of format description terms

LC experience or existing holdings See MP4_FF_2
LC preference See MP4_FF_2

Sustainability factors Explanation of format description terms

Disclosure See MP4_FF_2
    Documentation See MP4_FF_2 and MPEG-4_AVC.
Adoption See MP4_FF_2 and MPEG-4_AVC.
    Licensing and patents See MP4_FF_2.
Transparency See MPEG-4_AVC.
Self-documentation See MP4_FF_2.
External dependencies See MP4_FF_2.
Technical protection considerations See MP4_FF_2.

Quality and functionality factors Explanation of format description terms

Moving Image
Normal rendering See MP4_FF_2.
Clarity (high image resolution) See MPEG-4_AVC_MP.
Functionality beyond normal rendering See MP4_FF_2.
Sound
Fidelity (high audio resolution) See MP4_FF_2.
Multiple channels See MP4_FF_2.
Functionality beyond normal rendering See MP4_FF_2.

File type signifiers and format identifiers Explanation of format description terms

Tag Value Note
Filename extension See related format. 

See MP4_FF_2

Internet Media Type See related format. 

See MP4_FF_2

Magic numbers See related format. 

See MP4_FF_2

File type brand (ISO Base Media File Format) See related format. 

See MP4_FF_2

Indicator for profile, level, version, etc. 77
The profile_idc pertains to the encoding and is described as a part of Annex A of Part 10 of the standard, p. 301 as follows: "Conformance of a bitstream to the Main profile is specified by profile_idc being equal to 77. Decoders conforming to the Main profile at a specified level shall be capable of decoding all bitstreams in which profile_idc is equal to 77 or constraint_set1_flag is equal to 1 and in which level_idc and constraint_set3_flag represent a level less than or equal to the specified level."

Notes Explanation of format description terms

General  
History  

Format specifications Explanation of format description terms


Useful references

URLs


Last Updated: 08/04/2021