MPEG-4 is one of the latest (audio and video) compression method standardized by MPEG group, designed especially for low-bandwidth (less than 1.5MBit/sec bitrate) video/audio encoding purposes. Probably the best-known MPEG-4 video encoders are called DivX and XviD, which both are nowadays fully standard-compliant MPEG-4 encoders.
It should be noted that unlike MPEG-1 and MPEG-2, the MPEG-4's predecessors, MPEG-4 itself isn't just one unified encoding mechanism, but rather a group name for several flavors of video and audio encoding methods that share certain same characteristics. These "flavors" are often referred either as "profiles" or "layers" in MPEG-4 compression scheme and each new profile should be backwards compliant to the older, "lower" versions of MPEG-4 in terms of playback capability. MPEG-4 group has standardized several new layers - most important ones are h263+ (which is used widely in mobile phones, named as 3GP) and h.264 (often also called as AVC).
MPEG-4 Overview
MPEG-4 enables different software and hardware developers to create multimedia objects possessing better abilities of adaptability and flexibility to improve the quality of such services and technologies as digital television, animation graphics, the World Wide Web and their extensions.
The MPEG-4 format provides end users with a wide range of interaction with various animated objects.
Standardized Digital Rights Management signaling, otherwise known in the MPEG community as Intellectual Property Management and Protection (IPMP).
The MPEG-4 format can perform various functions, among which might be the following: Multiplexes and synchronizes data, associated with media objects, in such a way that they can be efficiently transported further via network channels.
Related Software
WinX DVD Ripper: Free DVD to MPEG-4 converter which is made for help users convert DVD to MPEG-4, AVI, FLV, MPEG format with no fees involved.
WinX DVD Ripper Platinum: Advanced version of WinX DVD Ripper, apart from convert DVD to MPEG-4 at fastest speed and excellent quality, also capable of converting DVD to MPEG-4, MOV, iPhone, iPod, iPad, etc. Makes perfect 1:1 copy with 5 minutes. Constantly update to defeat upcoming DVD copy protections.
WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe: easily convert MPEG-4 video to AVI, MOV, HD video, iPhone, iPad, iPod, PSP, ZUNE, etc, as well as convert them back to MPEG-4 format. Moreover, it builds 210 video and audio codec, a perfect multi-functional combination of HD Video Converter, DVD Burner & Website Video Downloader.
WinX DVD Ripper for Mac: Mac version WinX DVD Ripper Platinum, runs perfectly on Mac OS X Tiger/Leopard/Snow Leopard, convert DVD to MPEG-4, MOV that are playable on Mac computer, as well as iPhone, iPod, iPad, Apple TV, etc.
WinX HD Video Converter for Mac: Excellent HD Video Converter for Mac, compatible with Mac OS X Tiger/Leopard/Snow Leopard. Fully support convert Blu-ray video, HD camcorder video, HDTV video to MPEG-4, MOV, iTunes for playback on iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV, etc.
Related Source
MP4, H.264, AVC, MPEG, MP3, iTunes, iPod, iPhone, Mplayer, QuickTime, VLC
Related External Source
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPEG-4
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPEG-4_Part_14
