MP4

MP4

MP4 is an abbreviation for Moving Picture Expert Group-4. First published in 1998, MPEG-4 or MP4 was designed to encompass all the features that were part of earlier releases of MPEG files, and add a few more that would prove helpful with the advancing online technology of the day. As a standardized group of video and perceptual coding formats, MP in general quickly became a hit with the average Internet user. The introduction of MP4 made it possible for the audience to continue growing by providing quicker, faster, and higher quality broadcast media for the average user.

So great was the success of MP4 that by 1999, it was considered the gold standard for all types of streaming and broadcast applications online. The functionality of the format was such that programmers were able to easily make use of MP4 on web sites and in various other applications. Businesses found it to be a great sales and marketing tool, and residential users also had a great time viewing, swapping, and even creating their own streaming media in the MP4 format.

Because MP4 was a reliable application that required a relatively low amount of bandwidth, just about everyone could take advantage of using the tool. This was especially true as technology made it possible to create more powerful desktop and laptop systems that had a larger hard drive and could command more power. The enhancement of the speed of various types of Internet connections also helped to make MP4 more accessible to a greater audience.

How Can I Make Use of MP4

There are all sorts of ways to enjoy the benefits of MP4. First, as an online consumer, you can enjoy all sorts of movie shorts, professional and amateur, thanks to the use of this format. You can also often save these shorts to your hard drive, and share them with others via email. Some sites that make use of this streaming application also make it possible for you to send a copy of the movie short through email and directly to a friend or acquaintance.

When it comes to business applications, the use of MP4 makes it possible to hand presentations on the web site that discuss various goods and services offered by the company. The format can be used to dress up presentations for prospective clients, as well as a tool in sales and marketing campaigns. MP4 is a versatile format for both, fun as well as a business tool.

Some widely audio/video software which are compatible with MP4 are 3ivx, ALLPlayer, Amarok, Audacious Media Player, Augen Prizm, Banshee Music Player, Dell MediaDirect, Exaile, foobar2000, GOM Player, iTunes, iPods (all versions), jetAudio, J.River Media Jukebox, J.River Media Center, The KMPlayer, KSP Sound Player, Media Player Classic, Music Player Daemon, MPlayer, Nero Burning ROM (Nero ShowTime), Nintendo DSi Sound, Nokia PC Suite, Photo Channel (Wii), Playstation Portable XMB, QuickTime Player, RealPlayer, Rhythmbox, Songbird (software), VLC media player, Winamp, Windows Media Player 12, XBMC Media Center, Xine, Zoom Player and Zune.