What is the Difference Between MPEG and MP4 and AVI?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚MPEG, MP4, and AVI are all video file formats, but they differ in terms of compression, quality, compatibility, and file size. Here is a comparison of the three formats:
- MPEG: MPEG, which stands for Moving Picture Experts Group, is an older video file format that uses MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 codecs for video and audio compression. It is suitable for creating video archives and is often used for streaming DVD contents. However, MPEG files tend to have larger file sizes compared to MP4 files.
- MP4: MP4, also known as MPEG-4, is a more recent and popular video file format. It supports compression, subtitles, multiple data types, and streaming. MP4 files generally have smaller file sizes than MPEG and AVI files, making them more suitable for sharing and distributing over the internet. Additionally, MP4 is widely supported by various software and hardware devices, making it a more compatible format.
- AVI: AVI, short for Audio Video Interleave, is a multimedia container developed by Microsoft in 1992. It uses the DivX codec for video compression and generally retains its original quality, resulting in larger file sizes compared to MP4 files. AVI files are not as widely supported as MP4 files, but they are still used for storing and editing video due to their support for a wide range of video and audio formats and variable frame and bit rates.
In summary, MP4 is the best choice for a balance between quality, file size, and compatibility. AVI is suitable for preserving original video quality but has larger file sizes, while MPEG is an older format with limited compatibility and larger file sizes compared to MP4.
Comparative Table: MPEG vs MP4 vs AVI
Here is a table comparing the differences between MPEG, MP4, and AVI:
| Feature | MPEG | MP4 | AVI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | MPEG is a set of standards for video compression, with MPEG-4 Part 14 being a sub-standard used for video compression. | MP4 stands for MPEG-4 Part 14 and is a file format designed for compressing video and audio. | AVI stands for Audio Video Interleave, a multimedia container format developed by Microsoft in 1992. |
| Compression | MPEG-4 Part 14 uses a mixture of lossless and lossy compression to achieve the most efficient compression rate. | MP4 supports more video and audio codecs than AVI, allowing for more efficient compression. | AVI has less compression potential compared to MP4. |
| File Size | Not mentioned | MP4 generally has smaller file sizes than AVI. | AVI files are larger than MP4 files. |
| Quality | Not mentioned | MP4 has inferior video output compared to AVI. | AVI has better video quality than MP4. |
| Compatibility | Not mentioned | MP4 is supported by almost all modern devices and is the most universally compatible video file format. | AVI is compatible with most major operating systems and web browsers, but is less suited for streaming and sharing. |
| Codecs | Not mentioned | MP4 supports more codecs than AVI. | AVI uses the DivX codec. |
In summary, MPEG-4 Part 14 (MP4) is a more modern and widely used format, offering better compression and compatibility across devices. AVI, on the other hand, provides better video quality but has larger file sizes and is less suitable for streaming and sharing. MPEG is a set of standards for video compression, with MPEG-4 Part 14 being a specific sub-standard used for video compression.