MPEG-4 organizes its interoperability MPEG-4 Industry Forum that the development momentum of MPEG-4 multimedia decoding standards is becoming more and more fierce, because the number of companies that test MPEG-4 products is increasing. According to the MPEG-4 Industry Forum (M4IF), the Royal Philips Electronics, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Apple and IBM Company, etc., successfully completed MPEG-4 third round interoperability test. A dealer's product coding can often play with another vendor's decoder. M4IF spokesman said: "This is the first time M4IF since the test start, because we have reached a unified standard. We found that companies participating in interoperability testing have increased in large numbers. Four sales in the past two days. Commercial decision to participate in the test, more and more applications, the number of applicants. The spokesperson said that the next step will be streaming, and M4IF is still implementing a self-certification plan to enable vendors to test product adaptability. Dicas Sebastian Moeritz, president of digital image decoding, pointed out that interoperability is quite important, because MPEG-4 uses multi-vendor mode, and this mode is a characteristic of the decoding technology developed by RealNetworks and Microsoft. DICAS Decoding The company is headquartered in Berlin, which is a developer of video decoding technology. He is a member of M4IF. He pointed out: "MPEG-4 is provided by users from RealNetworks and Microsoft. If you want to get video decoding technology from Microsoft, Microsoft is your dealer. For MPEG-4, you can choose multiple vendors. "MPEG-4 is an update product of MPEG-2, which will be the first to apply to the Internet. It guarantees a better picture than the current general transmission rate is lower. MPEG-4 is expected to be used There are many devices such as TV set-top boxes and mobile phones. Moeritz expects MPEG-4 to be in use at the end of this year or early next year. The license is a factor that hinders MPEG-4 widely adopted. Sales and company is the highest voice company) Protestant has been protested by the license scheme proposed by the patent holder, but M4IF believes that the issue will be resolved. Apple is also a member of M4IF. What is MPEG-4? MPEG-4 is developed by MEPG (Dynamic Image Expert Group) A ISO / IEC standard, this committee has developed the standard - MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 for Emmy Award. These standards make interactive video on CD-ROM and digital TV. MPEG-4 is an international organization And the results of hundreds of researchers and engineers in the world. The official name of MPEG-4, ISO / IEC is ISO / IEC 14496, and finalized in October 1998, it became an international standard in January 1999. Completely The compatible MPEG-4 second edition will be registered at the end of 1999, which was officially accepted as an international standard in early 2000. Some details are still in the process of formulation.
MPEG-4 can be applied to the following three fields:
Digital TV; interactive graphics application (synthetic content); interactive multimedia (WORLD WIDE Web, the distribution and access of content) MPEG-4 provides technical standards to access product integration, distribution and content in three areas It is possible.
If you want to know more information about MPEG-4, you can access the MPEG4 home page (case sensitive): http://mpeg.telecomitalialAb.com. This page is connected to MPEG information, including MPEG-4, many Public documentation, several "often encountered issues" list and connection to other MPEG-4 web pages. The standard can be purchased in ISO, email to sales@iso.ch. MPEG-4 version 1 full software included On a CD-ROM, priced at 56 Swiss franc. You can also download: www.iso.ch/ittf - Looking for "14496-5" in the open standard.? This software is used to implement MPEG -4 compatible technology, there is no copyright restriction. (This does not mean that this software is free. The MPEG-4 stream media copyright protection standard is basically necessary to determine the contents of information such as streaming MPEG-4 image data. Copyright protection technical standards have basically finalized. The Internet Streaming Media Alliance (ISMA), which is responsible for the standard, is currently disclosed as part of the "ISMA Content Protection Specification (ICPS)" technical standard, and it has been entered the third-party evaluation phase. After the evaluation, the official version will be announced in June 2003.
ICPS is a copyright protection technology embedded in DRM (Digital Administration Permissions) system. In addition to flow in streaming, it can also be released in a file download. "Previously, products for protecting the streaming media have only two kinds. That is, Microsoft products and the United States RealNetworks products. Our goal is to formulate technical standards that do not rely on specific enterprises" (ISMA president Tom Jacobs). The content will be encrypted using the standard password AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) developed by the US NIST (National Standard Technology Research Institute). From the production of documents until it is played on the terminal, each content is transmitted in an encrypted state. "Use AES to do not worry about problems with patented usage fees and intellectual property. And since decryption processing is relatively simple, the portable information terminal can play this content" (JACOBS). In the future, ICPS is likely to be embedded in most DRM systems. For example, "Sony and the Netherlands of the DRM system, the United States Intertrust Technologies, US ContentGuard is working together to develop ICPS. And US IBM is also ISMA members" MPEG-4 extensive application 1 MPEG-4 MPEG 4 drafted very early, Started in 1993. It is the ultra-low bit rate (Bit rate) coding standard for video conferencing and video telephones. During the development process, the MPEG committee saw that the demand for multimedia video audio and the demand for the decoding of the decoding of the MPEG-4 technology was not reached, and the plan immediately modified the plan, and therefore had a breakthrough MPEG-4. definition. Its new definition is very different from the previous JPEG, MPEG-1 and MPEG-2, which is a format, a definition of a frame, not just a specific algorithm. MPEG-4 was finalized in October 1998 and was officially named International Standard ISO / IEC 14496.1999 in February 1999, MPEG-4 Verion 2), and in 2000 It became an international formal standard. The new increase is continuously added to further expand this standard and application areas. For example, in the beginning of last year, the STUDIO PROFILE is added in the increase of the STUD3 (AMD3), and the bit rate is further improved to 1.2Gbps, and the resolution is pushed to 4000 Pixels × 2000 Pixels, so The MPEG-4 standard is extended to the field of TV movie professional videos. MPEG-4 originally focused on standards that become extremely low bit rate visual audio codes. However, at very low bit rate, high compression is reached, but still completing the transmission of treble image quality, there is a need for a different kind of audio and video data to make the most efficient encoding method. This is further derived, such as being regarded as an independent object (Object), in addition to the object-based encoding, or between objects and objects can be performed Interacting, then constitutes a highly functional multimedia interactive application platform. In the future market, the application requirements of multimedia video information have been turned to content-based, retrieval, and operations. This requires conjunction with the content-based index to encoding, and information describing the video content in the compressed data.
In order to support access to dynamic video content, MPEG-4 introduces content-based video object compression encoding method, easy to operate and control objects, breaking the traditional MPEG-2 frame based on Frame-Based Compression method. Compared with the MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 standards, in addition to traditional encoding functions, MPEG-4 has more compelling features, including effective compression, access and scalability of object content, Airspace and time domain scalability and strong error correction capabilities. The MPEG-4 standard can not only provide a new multimedia information transmission standard for higher compression efficiency, but also achieve better multimedia content interactivity and all-round accessibility. The MPEG-4 encoding system is open and can be added to the new encoding algorithm module at any time. It can support a variety of multimedia applications, which can be configured on-site configuration decoders according to different applications. The flexibility of this technology application can not be imagined to the conventional compression encoding method for hardware. 2 MPEG-4 core technology The US Gaosheng Technology Group is created by the US Silicon Valley Chinese technical experts. The high-grade MPEG-4 coding algorithm developed by its scientific team is compatible with a variety of MPEG-4 formats. The coding technology effect has been affirmed by some international large companies, and a variety of patents have been applied. In addition to the MPEG-4 encoding algorithm, it is also a stage of mass production. With this chip special low power consumption and high performance multimedia computing, the system microprocessor can be achieved to perform MPEG-4 decoding purposes. This can be maintained elastic, fast and fast with the format update, and the hardware decoding chip can be saved to reduce system costs. At the end, the US Gaosheng Technology team has developed its exclusive MPEG-4 player software, which is the result of further optimization of multimedia architecture (three integer lines and three multimedia MMX pipelines) for their MP6 microprocessor chip. This will make MPEG-4 decoding more efficient, clearer, and more dynamic optimization in the user terminal displayed. 3 MPEG-4 Application Since MPEG-4 uses an object-based compression coding method, it divides images and video into different objects, separately, in addition to improving data compression, and achieving content-based interaction. This is for the value-added service industry, and MPEG-4 is effective in processing object-based multimedia compression, access and interoperability, and widely applied to online shopping, telemedicine, teaching, monitoring and visual calls. Although the MPEG-4 standard system is completely extensive, some related technologies of this standard are still developed. Recently, the actual application of MPEG-4 is used as the spindle by Simple Profile, which is the use of MPEG-4, better view and audio high compression techniques of MPEG-2, so that under low frequency transmission conditions (such as 500K-1.5Mbit / sec), The programs that are still able to provide better picture quality, the use of bandwidth is also relatively improved. This type is typical application, for example, download movie viewing from the Internet, or has recently discussed the enthusiastic MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 child window integrated applications.
Simply put, it is stacked one or several MPEG-4 sub-screens on the MPEG-2 main screen, so that when watching main screen programs (such as: play, news), you can select the content of the child screen at the same time (such as: star Player personal profile, sign language picture of news content). Television teaching is also very suitable for this application. Since this type of application is booming, the solution for such applications has also been launched, some are hardware programs, some for software solutions. The former is designed to design a MPEG-4 exclusive decoding chip, but because some MPEG-4 related technologies (such as: stream format), the mainstream has not yet emerged, which allows chip vendors to choose one. From the perspective of the cost, the system cost is also increased because of the more affix code chips. The latter software solution is decoded with existing system CPUs. This method is more elastic, and can be revised and updated according to the market demand situation, and the system cost is reduced by the province of understanding chips. At present, there are programs that manufacturers have decoded in CPU, which is more mature in US Gao Sheng Technology. Because US Gao Sheng Technology is not just MPEG-4 decoding player software, it also has high-quality encoding algorithms, high performance and low power-consuming microprocessor chip technology, and dozens of patents to protect their special technologies. . The US Gao Sheng Technology has been developed in the field of MPEG-4, in addition to the wired user terminal equipment (such as video point broadcasting and distance education, etc.) has a solution, and has deepened to HD TV, and wireless third, fourth generation Mobile phone. 4 Troupe MPEG-4 standards can be described in the four words "Broadrush". It covers a wide range of fields, has transcended a simple visual video decoding category, which is a multimedia display architecture that is subject to object content. For multimedia content creators, MPEG-4 makes multimedia content more, more elastic, and multimedia components can be more easily used. It integrates the technology and applications of today's their own development, such as Internet, animation, video, audio, interactive television, etc., and provide better resource management methods and the ability to protect copyright. For network service providers, MPEG-4 is a high transparency of highly transparency. It can be present in various forms of network, such as cable television networks, telecommunications networks, and wireless transmission, etc. by compatible communication with other international standards. Especially in applications in video audio transmission, the MPEG-4 only requires a smaller bit rate, which can achieve the same sound quality effect, which means high Frequency wide use efficiency. For terminal consumers, MPEG-4 enables consumers to interact with objects in the contents of the original creator, and experience unprecedented entertainment. Moreover, in the mobile low transmission rate network, the multimedia application is promoted. This includes interactive multimedia broadcasting and mobile communications. In response to market needs, we will see more and more flexible MPEG-4 applications. For example, mobile phones, set-top boxes, television interactions, wired, wireless multimedia content transmission, program production and value-added service industry, etc., will be MPEG-4 contributions. MPEG-4 codec technology now, we have ushered in a media revolution, it is MPEG-4, which is close to DVD with its excellent media performance, graphics quality close to CD, and higher compression ratio And quickly hot, there is a madness in the multimedia field.
So what is MPEG? We know that multimedia information mainly includes three major categories of images, sounds, and text, with video, audio, etc. The amount of information is very large. For audio processing, the bandwidth required to transmit digital images is far higher than the former, for example, the NTSC image is transmitted at a resolution of approximately 640 × 480, and its data rate is 28MB when transmitting 30 frames per second. / Second or 221MB / sec. Moreover, the 15 second uncompressed video image saved at this rate will take up the memory space of 420MB bytes, apparent that such a requirement is unacceptable to the desktop computer. Therefore, the compression encoding method of the video image MPEG will be delivered. MPEG is an abbreviation of moving pictures expert group. This expert group was built in 1988, which is responsible for establishing video and audio standards for CD, and its members are technical experts in video, audio and system. Since the ISO / IEC1172 compression coding criteria are proposed by this group and developed MPEG from the world. For today we generally refer to the MPEG-X version, a set of compression criteria for video, audio, and data issued by ITU (International Telecommunications Union) and ISO (International Standards Organization). MPEG-4 is the 4th version of MPEG, MPEG's founders are intended to develop 4 versions: MPEG-1 ~ MPEG-4 for applicable to different bandwidth and digital image quality requirements. Since MPEG-3 is abandoned, only 3 versions of MPEG: MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 are existing.
Overall, MPEG is better than other compressed / decompression schemes in three aspects. First of all, because of the start of it is a standard for an international standard, MPEG has good compatibility. Second, MPEG can provide a better compression ratio than other algorithms, up to 200: 1. More importantly, MPEG is small while providing high compression ratios. MPEG has experienced the following processes during development:
MPEG-1 is developed in 1992, designed for industrial grade standards, can be applied to different bandwidth equipment, such as CD-ROM, VIDEO-CD, CD-I. It can be compressed for the SIF standard resolution (352 × 240; for the NTSC is 352 × 288), the transmission rate is 1.5 Mbits / s, up to 4-5MBITS / S, play 30 per second 30 Frame, with a CD (referring to the laser disc) sound quality, the mass level is substantially comparable to VHS.
MPEG-2 is developed in 1994, the design goal is the image quality of advanced industrial standards and higher transmission rates. The transfer rate that MPEG-2 can provide between 3-15MBITS / SC, which is up to 720 × 486 under NTSC system, and MPEG-2 can provide broadcast level video and CD-level sound quality. The audio coding of MPEG-2 can be provided with two surround channels, as well as an aggravated bass channel, and up to 7 parties (DVD can have 8 language dubbing reasons). In addition to the specified standards for DVD, MPEG-2 can also be used to provide broadcast, cable TV, cable network, and satellite live broadcast (Direct Broadcast Satellite).
MPEG-4 has released a draft of MPEG-4 standard when MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 entered a wide range of practical applications. This standard has improved the compression algorithm: MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 compression ratio between 20 and 30 times. The common VCD discs in the market are approximately 650 MB of data, and the 74-minute movie is stored. Equivalent to the picture quality of the VHS video. And the DVD is 4.7GB of information. More than two hours of film can be stored. The compression ratio of MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 is sufficient to store media. However, it is also too low on network transmission, especially wireless communication. So MPEG-4, in order to achieve a better compression, Many new technologies and ideas are used in order to achieve better compression. MPEG-4 is the concept of the object. Compression first distinguishes the main objects in the movie. For example, in the scene of TV news broadcast, an anchor is an object, a broadcast station, a set of ongoing places, and a 3D doll next to an anchor is also an object. The sound of an anchor is also an object. In the movie in progress, the anchor will slightly move. The broadcast platform is fixed. And the foundation will sometimes play the news movie. What are the benefits of separating each item? That is to take different compression coding techniques for different object features to get the best compression. For example, the broadcast station will not be transferred in the future to save the amount of data. 3D dolls use 3D animation to apply algorithms. The anchor and news movies use MPEG-2 format. The sound uses the format of MP3. Combine these different data is integrated together. After the decoder receives the information, the data in each of the different formats will be separated. Decodes according to their respective format. According to the relationship between time and space, each item is combined. You can get the original film. In order to achieve the above compression concept, MPEG-4 introduces many new compression techniques to be applied to a variety of different objects. For sound parts, it can be divided into natural sound, voice and synthetic sound. Different algorithms are used for different vocal principles. You can get the amount of data between 2kbits / s to 64kbits / s based on the requirements of the sound quality. In terms of image, you can finely divide different characteristic objects such as natural objects, 2D images, 3D images, faces, backgrounds. 5kbits / s to 10 mbits / s can be available according to different image characteristics. The compression ratio of MPEG-4 can exceed 100 times, but still maintain excellent sound quality and picture quality. The best image quality can be obtained with minimal data, thus satisfying the need for low yield applications; in addition, MPEG-4 also enhances interactivity and flexibility of multimedia systems as an important target, so it is more suitable for Interactive AV services and remote monitoring. In order to meet the needs of various applications, the MPEG-4 standard is actually quite large, which has extensive adaptability and scalability. For its application prospects, MPEG-4 will show your hands in multiple applications, such as multimedia stream service on Internet / intranet, video on demand, visual game, low-rate mobile multimedia communication (video mobile phone, etc.), interactive Multimedia application, real-time multimedia monitoring, digital TV and play TV, virtual conference, etc.
MPEG-4 can reach two goals: a comprehensive multimedia communication and multimedia communication in low bit rates
