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MPEG-4 File Format for Advanced Video Coding (Non-FRExt Extensions, Part 15)

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Format Description Properties Explanation of format description terms

Identification and description Explanation of format description terms

Full name ISO/IEC 14496-15:2004. Information technology -- Coding of audio-visual objects -- Part 15: Advanced Video Coding (AVC) File Format (formal name); MPEG-4 AVC file format (common name)
Description

The third MPEG-4 file format developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG). The format's object-based design defines a set of tools that present binary coded representation of individual audiovisual objects, text, graphics, and synthetic objects. (See Notes below.) This format wraps Advanced Video Coding (AVC) with certain extensions, described in MPEG-4_AVC_EXT. Without those extensions, AVC may be wrapped in MP4_FF_2.

The extensions described here predate the FRExt (Fidelity Range Extensions), being finalized in 2005 and represented by four new profiles: MPEG-4_AVC_HP, MPEG-4_AVC_H10P, MPEG-4_AVC_H422P, and MPEG-4_AVC_H444P.

Production phase Generally a final-state (end-user delivery) format.
Relationship to other formats
    Subtype of ISO_BMFF, ISO Base Media File Format
    Has subtype MP4_FF_AVCE_AVCE, MPEG-4 File Format for AVC (Ext), with Non-FRExt Extended AVC Coding

Local use Explanation of format description terms

LC experience or existing holdings  
LC preference  

Sustainability factors Explanation of format description terms

Disclosure Open standard. Developed by ISO technical program JTC 1/SC 29 (WG11), aka the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG), Coding of audio, picture, multimedia and hypermedia information.
    Documentation ISO/IEC 14496-15:2004. Information technology -- Coding of audio-visual objects -- Part 15: Advanced Video Coding (AVC) File Format. See complete list of ISO MPEG-4 documents in the description of MP4_FF_2.
Adoption Unknown to the compiler of this document
    Licensing and patents See MP4_FF_2
Transparency Depends upon included encodings, but all MPEG-4 encodings depend upon algorithms and tools to read and require sophistication to build tools.
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_EXT
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 Not investigated at this time.

File type signifiers and format identifiers Explanation of format description terms

Tag Value Note
Filename extension mp4
 
Internet Media Type video/mp4
Most frequently cited MIME type; for more information see MP4_FF_2. The compiler of this document welcome comments on the use of MIME types for various MPEG-4 file formats.
Magic numbers Not found.  Comments welcome.   
File type brand (ISO Base Media File Format) avc1
ISO_BMFF includes a file type box that contains major and minor brands (identifiers); this brand is specified in Part 15, Section 5 (ISO/IEC 14496-15:2004. Information technology -- Coding of audio-visual objects -- Part 15: Advanced Video Coding (AVC) File Format, p. 13), only when certain AVC extensions are used.

Notes Explanation of format description terms

General

The four file formats associated with the ISO/IEC 14496 family of specifications are:

  • MP4_FF_1, "version 1" from the 2001 edition of Part 1
  • MP4_FF_2, "version 2," from Part 14
  • MP4_FF_AVCE, for Advanced Video Coding extensions, this document, from Part 15
  • MP4_XMT, "textual format" from Part 11

For more extensive information about MPEG-4 file formats, see MP4_FF_2

History  

Format specifications Explanation of format description terms


Useful references

URLs


Last Updated: 08/04/2021