Overview of MPEG-4
...ful for specific applications, e.g. in audio-video coding, simple visual or advanced simple visual profile. Users need only implement the profiles that support the functionality required” (Koenen). The components of MPEG-4 (Apple). MPEG-4 was developed to be a “transport-agnostic multimedia … technology,” built for coding interactive multimedia to be delivered by ISP providers at any bandwidth. Not all systems are able to recognize MPEG-4 technology yet. However, software is available that implements the standard for free download, and “IP owners are committed to license their patents on terms that are fair, reasonable and non¬discriminatory. Comprehensive interoperability programs are up and running at ISMA (www.isma.tv), M4IF (www.m4if.org) and other organizations” (Koenen). What is its Functionality? MPEG-4 is not a new coding program requiring all users to purchase compatible software. It is an adaptation to years of evolution in how multimedia content is delivered. It is also progressively evolving to meet the demands of future users while continuing to work within existing environments such as MPEG-2. MPEG-4 can not only help in distributing 2D video and audio to end-users as efficiently as possible, but with MPEG-4 distributors can send out their audio and video content while coding them with state-of-the-art compression techniques, at the same time graphics, text, and other objects are coded separately. This will create a more efficient representation, and gives distributors, and users more flexibility in how they choose to handle the content. Through MPEG-4, less date is lost, even at all bandwidths and high compression rates. It is able to do this by offering “revolutionary synthetic content tools, like structured audio (a language for describing sound generation), animated faces and bodies, 2D and 3D meshes, and vector-based graphics” (“M4IF,” p.4). This option keeps a minimal amount of false or generic information from transferring through after compression, and moves past distributing typical sequences of 2D video and audio to end-users as efficiently as possible, which was not available through MPEG-4 before spring of 2003 (Windows). How can end users interact with MPEG-4? MPEG-4 is object-based, which means authors can now build multimedia scenes that revolutionize how users will interact with objects within a scene. “For example, a viewer can navigate a sporting event’s course from a 3D map, select information about aspects of the program, listen to commentary within a picture-in-picture window, and watch sponsored advertising – all within a single MPEG-4 stream supporting multiple media objects.” MPEG-4 permits the same interactive programming to be used across broad range of delivery channels. The same interactive program can be used on a DVD or streamed across a broadband network, something that has not been possible thus far (Koenen). Investment wise, is it guaranteed? MPEG-4 was designed to integrate the older technologies that are used today, like MPEG-2, and embrace the technologies of tomorrow allowing for smooth interoperability between environments. MPEG-4 also saves money for content providing businesses by eliminating the need for creating content that will function in different multimedia formats driving the price down on production costs, and with the of other MPEG standards, MPEG-4 assists companies in locating where their content has been distributed, while helping others to find content and acquire it. It makes money for those businesses by offering multiple platforms for distribution of their content, such as wireless networks, digital television, and Internet. MPEG-4 is the standard that developing companies are choosing to gain a competitive advantage by delivering their content to multiple appliances across multiple mediums. Multi-platform deployment is the of utmost importance in order to build “global Information and Entertainment brands.” While there is no way to create interactive content then deploy it on both DVDs and interactive broadcast networks with MPEG-2, MPEG-4 however has the ability to do this easily, which is an attractive feature to major motion studios (Koenen). Stay clear of Proprietary technology Some peddlers of other technologies claim that that using their solution is cheaper because the convenience of going to a “one stop shop.” By using MPEG-4 producers, and users avoid hidden costs of proprietary technology, such as “becoming hostage to third party business and pricing models; the level of risk in depending on proprietary and confidential third party technology road maps; conflicting agendas when the licensing is both a supplier and a competitor to the licensee; exploitative licensing terms such as when the license includes many more bundled features than required; single sourcing problems with respect to pricing, competition, product-sourcing, new product versions, and bug fixes” (Koenen). Where could MPEG-4 content be viewed? The use of MPEG-4 is beneficial in all genres of media content. Proof of this is evident in that “MPEG-4 is being is adopted broadly and increasingly, across traditional industry barriers.” For example, MPEG-4 has been established as the standard for low bandwidth, high-quality distribution of multimedia on wireless devices by 3GPP ...