Mpeg4 is the name for the latest standard of Mpeg encoding from the Moving Pictures Experts Group (mpeg-7 and 21 notwithstanding). Mpeg is an audio/video compression standard used for video editing, digital cameras and most notably the Mpeg2 standard is used in digital broadcast TV and DVD. Mpeg2 has been around since 1994, the newer and much improved version was developed in 1998. Mpeg2 has done a great job for DTV, but in the HDTV realm there could be room for improvement. Mpeg4 promises to be stronger, more feature rich and should hopefully transmit HD material without that annoying macroblocking effect, at least that’s what we all hope. Since we see varying degrees of the macroblocking effect on HD broadcasts it seems to be as much a problem with implementation as difficulty with the uncompression throughput. Mpeg4 encoding will be recognized by the HD DVD standard, it makes perfect sense for broadcast TV to get in line as well.
The Mpeg4 coding standard is going to get a boost from DirecTV the US satellite TV service. The Satellite service already has Mpeg4 satellites in space and the network promises to start sending the signals down on Nov 1st in form of any array of local networks. The upgrade to Mpeg4 will be a welcomed one to those who are able to upgrade their satellite receiver to an Mpeg4 capable HD receiver. DirecTV had initially promised to absorb the cost themselves of the upgrade to the newer terminals, but it’s unclear exactly how this will be accomplished. The good news in all this even if you don’t subscribe to DirecTV is simply the proliferation of Mpeg4 for use with digital broadcast is a boon to everyone. The new standard will offer greater speed, flexibility and new features to broadcasters and service providers alike. And hopefully give us more, better HD stations and programming.