MPEG1MPEG2

MPEG1MPEG2 refers to the two closely related video compression standards issued by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG), specifically MPEG‑1 and MPEG‑2. Both standards are designed to encode digital video and audio streams, but they target different applications and provide varying levels of compression efficiency and quality.

MPEG‑1, released in 1993, was the first widely adopted standard for audio and video compression. It introduced techniques such as discrete cosine transform (DCT)–based block coding, motion estimation, and audio codecs including MPEG‑1 Layer II. The standard was primarily aimed at low‑bitrate applications such as video on CD, early internet video, and the original MPEG‑1 video format (often referred to as “MPV”). The typical video resolution for MPEG‑1 was 352×240 pixels (12 bit/s), with bitrates ranging from 150 to 450 kbit/s. MPEG‑1 audio provided high‑quality audio at bitrates up to 384 kbit/s for stereo listening and was used for streaming media and digital audio broadcasting.

MPEG‑2, published in 1995, expanded on MPEG‑1 by adding support for higher resolutions (up to 720×480 for SD and 720×576 for PAL/SECAM video), interlaced content, multiple audio and subtitle tracks, and variable bit depth. MPEG‑2 is the standard underlying digital television (DVB), DVD‑Video, and many digital broadcast services. It incorporates enhancements such as bi‑level thresholding, progressive scan support, and improved motion vector precision. Video bitrates in MPEG‑2 can range from several hundred kilobits per second for standard‑definition content to several megabits per second for high‑definition broadcast.

The two standards share a common frame structure and syntax, enabling hardware and software developed for MPEG‑1 to be extended or adapted for MPEG‑2. However, the two are distinct in their scope, with MPEG‑2 providing more robust support for broadcast‑grade quality, multi-language audio, and higher resolution formats. Because of its wider adoption in commercial media delivery, MPEG‑2 remains a foundational technology in broadcasting and physical media distribution, while MPEG‑1 is largely relegated to legacy applications and retro gaming consoles.