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MPEG-4, Advanced Video Coding, Non-FRExt Extensions

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Format Description Properties Explanation of format description terms

Identification and description Explanation of format description terms

Full name ISO/IEC 14496-10:2003. Information technology -- Coding of audio-visual objects -- Part 10: Advanced Video Coding (formal name); MPEG-4, Advanced Video Coding, Extensions (common name)
Description

Extended version of the compression encoding for video documented as Advanced Video Coding (AVC) in part 10 of the ISO/IEC 14496 standard. The extensions are ones that require the use of MP4_FF_AVCE (MPEG-4 file format for extended AVC) as a wrapper, and they include independent and disposable sample boxes, sample groups, random access recovery points, or new structures in movie fragments. It is not clear to the compiler of this document what relationship may obtain between these extensions and MPEG-4_AVC_EP (Advanced Video Coding, Extended Profile); comments are welcome.

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 MPEG-4_AVC, MPEG-4, Advanced Video Coding (Part 10)
    Used by 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 through ISO technical program ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 29 for coding of audio, picture, multimedia and hypermedia information. The working group WG11 (for coding of moving pictures and audio) is also known as the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG). See the ISO Standards Catalogue for the list of standards published by ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29. See http://mpeg.chiariglione.org/standards/mpeg-4 for information specific to MPEG-4 and its many parts.
    Documentation

ISO/IEC 14496-10:2003. Information technology -- Coding of audio-visual objects -- Part 10: Advanced Video Coding. Additional information in ISO/IEC 14496-15:2004. Information technology -- Coding of audio-visual objects -- Part 15: Advanced Video Coding (AVC) file format.

See MP4_FF_2 for more information on ISO/IEC 14496.

Adoption See MPEG-4_AVC. MPEG-4_AVC_EXT may prove to be an unused option within the standard; Comments welcome.
    Licensing and patents See MP4_FF_2.
Transparency Depends upon algorithms and tools to read; will require sophistication to build tools.
Self-documentation Pertains to the file format; some relevant information in MP4_FF_2.
External dependencies None
Technical protection considerations Pertains to the file format; some relevant information in MP4_FF_2.

Quality and functionality factors Explanation of format description terms

Moving Image
Normal rendering Good support.
Clarity (high image resolution) Not investigated at this time; comments about the format are welcome.
Functionality beyond normal rendering Not investigated at this time.
Sound
Normal rendering Not relevant; some information in MP4_FF_2.
Fidelity (high audio resolution) Not relevant; some information in MP4_FF_2.
Multiple channels Not relevant; some information in MP4_FF_2.
Functionality beyond normal rendering Not relevant; some information in 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_AVCE

Internet Media Type See related format. 

See MP4_FF_AVCE

Magic numbers See related format. 

See MP4_FF_AVCE

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

See MP4_FF_AVCE

Pronom PUID See note.  PRONOM has no corresponding entry as of July 2022.
Wikidata Title ID See related format.  See MPEG-4, Advanced Video Coding (Part 10) (H.264).

Notes Explanation of format description terms

General AVC bitstreams without a specified profile or with one of three profiles listed in Part 10 (Baseline, MPEG-4_AVC_BP; Main, MPEG-4_AVC_MP; and Extended, MPEG-4_AVC_EP) are wrapped in MP4_FF_2. AVC coding with the extensions listed in this document, however, requires the use of MP4_FF_AVCE as a wrapper. The compiler of this document seeks comments and clarifications regarding the preceding statements.
History  

Format specifications Explanation of format description terms


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Last Updated: 07/22/2022