MPEG-2 is a standard protocol that encodes moving pictures by combining both lossy video and audio compression methods to ensure compatibility with standard storage media and bandwidth capabilities. It is most often used for digital television signals in over-the-air, cable, and satellite television broadcasting systems. MPEG-2 is also often used for DVDs and other audio/video files on digital devices such as computers.
How MPEG-2 Works
MPEG-2 contains two separate but related container formats that give maximum functionality to all MPEG videos. The first container format in an MPEG-2 file, known as the “transport stream,” is used in situations where the beginning and end of the video stream are unknown, which may include digital broadcasting and magnetic tapes. The second container format in an MPEG-2 file, known as the “program stream,” is used in situations where the entire file is available, which include storage devices such as hard drives, flash drives, and optical discs.
How to Play MPEG-2
Although technology has advanced over the years, most new software types are backwards-compatible with old formats. As a result, MPEG-2 files can be played in most media player software, such as Windows Media Player and VLC Player. If the user’s media player software does not recognize MPEG-2 files, he/she may need to download and install MPEG codecs, which can be found as a stand-alone codec file or in the popular codec pack, K-Lite Codec Pack.
How to Convert MPEG-2
If the user does not wish to download and install a codec pack or wishes to play an MPEG-2 file on a device that does not support installed software, he/she can download and install an MPEG-2 conversion software, such as the MPEG-2 Video Converter on a computer, and transfer the converted file to the other device. Alternately, the user can convert MPEG-2 files with the online conversion software found here.
