Download: www2.iis.fraunhofer.de/mpeg4software.html

The multimedia standard MPEG-4 of the Moving Pictures Expert Group (MPEG) allows the creation of state-of-the-art audio and video codecs or multimedia streaming technologies. The Fraunhofer IIS now issues MPEG-4 evaluation software to create and play individual MPEG-4 files. Visit our website and find white papers, demo clips and the evaluation software.

The Fraunhofer MPEG-4 encoder/server features the creation and streaming of MP4 files with the Simple Profile (SP) or the Advanced Simple Profile (ASP) video codec and the AAC audio codec. Even further audio and video formats are supported by the Fraunhofer MPEG-4 player.

Both Fraunhofer MPEG-4 encoder/server and Fraunhofer MPEG-4 player are pure software solutions and do not need special hardware. A standard PC with at least a 1.3 GHz processor thus is able to create, stream and play MP4 files using the Fraunhofer MPEG-4 software. The software may only be used for personal and non-commercial purposes. For other areas of application please contact us directly at amm_info@iis.fraunhofer.de.

The evaluation period will expire December 31st, 2003. After this date, selected features of the software will be disabled while still allowing basic operations.

What is MPEG-4?

MPEG-4 is a multimedia toolbox developed by the Moving Pictures Expert Group (MPEG) for the need of a non-proprietary universal open multimedia standard. Its coding algorithms for natural sound and video, successors of the renowned codecs MPEG-2 (DVD codec) and MPEG-1 Layer-3 (MP3), are among the most effective available video and audio coding schemes. Additionally, MPEG-4 defines methods for representing artificial multimedia objects such as animated graphics or computer-generated speech and allows the free spatial and temporal arrangement of multimedia objects in so-called ‘scenes’. MPEG-4 can be fitted to a wide range of transmission modes and bandwidths so it can be used for most multimedia applications on nearly all transport media.