MPEG is an acronym for “Motion Picture Experts Group”, the team that designed the compression system. DVD Video format uses MPEG-2, which is highly compressed when compared with its original state. When played back most DVD videos still look great however, and this is due to the work that has gone into how the MPEG-2 algorithm functions.

No, the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component does not contain an MPEG-2 encoder, therefore encoding or creating MPEG-2 content is not supported. The component is only a decoder, enabling playback of MPEG-2 content.

Editing systems using "Studio Profile" MPEG-2, otherwise known as 4:2:2P@ML MPEG-2, are starting to appear (namely FAST's "six-oh-one"). This is basically the same compression scheme used in BetacamSX, a flavor of MPEG-2 using 1- or 2-frame GoPs (groups of pictures). I have no experience (yet) with such systems -- nor does just about anyone else in August of 1998 -- so it's hard to really review them in any detail.

MPEG-2 currently consists of nine parts. The first three parts are standardized since 1994, with some amendments included later on. Other parts are at different levels of completion. IS-13818-1 ("System") describes synchronization and multiplexing of video and audio signals; it is also standardised by ITU-T as H.222. IS-13818-2 ("Video") describes a generic video coding tool set, supporting interlaced scan; it is also standardised by ITU-T as H.262.

HD MPEG-2 content at 1920x1080 traditionally runs at 12-20 Mbps, while H.264 can deliver 1920x1080 content at 7-8 Mbps at the same or better quality. H.264 provides DVD quality at about half the data rate of MPEG-2. Because of this efficiency, H.264, an ISO standard, stands to be the likely successor to MPEG-2 in the professional media industry.

While the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component combined with QuickTime Pro will allow the transcode of MPEG-2 video to other formats, the ability to transcode MPEG-2 audio is not supported.

No. Xbox 360 Media Center Extender does support MPEG-2, but you can't play this content in the Xbox 360 video player . Yes. You can embed your artwork that is less than 400KB in the video files and they will be shown in the Xbox 360 video area when streaming from the Zune software.

The MPEG-2 Playback Component can play back MPEG-2 files on non-encrypted DVDs. Professionally produced, commercial DVDs (such as Hollywood movies) are usually encrypted with special anti-piracy software, called Content Scramble System (CSS). In order to view these DVDs, decryption software is required and is included in DVD players. But decryption software is not included in QuickTime or the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component.

A new version of the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component is now available for Mac OS X users. This new version includes performance enhancements and is required for compatibility with QuickTime 6.4 or later. As a past purchaser, you can download it free of charge through your Apple Store account. Just visit the Apple Store and click “Your Account” in the store menu.

Yes, the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component combined with QuickTime Pro will allow the transcode of MPEG-2 video to other formats, whether that video originates in an elementary video stream or in a multiplexed stream. However, the audio that is interleaved with the video in a multiplexed stream cannot be transcoded to other formats. Transcoding is supported for video only.

Yes, the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component is available for volume purchase directly from Apple. Pricing at any volume is $19.99 per seat. Call 800-747-7483 for details. No, the MPEG-2 playback component you purchased for QuickTime will continue to work with QuickTime 7.

The files should coded by CBR (Constant Bit Rate). (Currently, VBR (Variable Bit Rate) is not supported) In case where audio stream is MPEG AAC ADTS and rate control is CBR, bit rate should be multiples of 8kbps.

The DCM is a hardware encoder only. However, a software DVD player (working only under Win98 & Win Me) is provided with DCM, please see the Quickstart for more information.

Wiagra software, with plug-in support, lets you know, if MPEG-2 plug-in is necessary for your files. Just try to open your file and the information message will appear if the MPEG-2 plug-in is needful. MPEG-2 encoding and decoding is patented method, and as such we have to paid for its using to the patent owner.

No, QuickTime Pro is not necessary for playback of MPEG-2 content with the MPEG-2 Playback Component. You need only QuickTime 6 Player or QuickTime 7 Player and the MPEG-2 Playback Component to view MPEG-2 content. However, if you wish to transcode MPEG-2 video content into other formats, QuickTime Pro or an application built upon the QuickTime export architecture is necessary.

The MPEG-2 Playback Component can play back both elementary audio and video streams, as well as multiplexed program streams.