Q: What is the MPEG4IP Project?
Q: Why are standards important?
Q: Why did you choose MPEG-4 over MPEG-2 or MPEG-1?
Q: With which operating systems has this package been tested?
Q: What about Windows?
Q: Is there a way to convert a .divx file to a .mp4 file?
Q: Are the gtk and glib libraries necessary for the player?
Q: Is MPEG4IP compatible with Philips MPEG4 WebCine?
Q: Can MPEG4IP be used for live streaming?
Q: Can MPEG4IP be used for multicast?
Q: What are the licensing terms associated with this project?
Q: What is Cisco's role in this?
Q: How can I create mpeg-4 content?

Q: What is the MPEG4IP Project?
A: MPEG4IP is an open source package designed to enable developers to create streaming servers and clients that are standards-based, and free from proprietary technology.

Q: Why are standards important?
A: Proprietary implementations and extensions have forced people to stream in multiple formats.  This results in higher costs and limited choices.   Standards promote interoperability and reduce the barriers to streaming.

Q: Why did you choose MPEG-4 over MPEG-2 or MPEG-1?
A: MPEG-4 is a complementary technology to MPEG-2.  MPEG-4 is primarily targeted at bit rates from 56 Kbps to 2 Mbps, which complements MPEG-2's bit rates of 2Mbps and above.  MPEG-4 is most suitable to the current and near-term Internet, as well as the emerging wireless Internet. 

MPEG-1 is an older technology primarily targeted at CDROM/VCD delivered at 1.2-1.5 Mbps.  It lacks the wide bit-range of MPEG-4 as well as the sophisticated tools to deal with resiliency to network errors.

Q: With which operating systems has this package been tested?
A: Currently Red Hat Linux 6.1, 6.2, 7.0 and later, SuSe 9.0, FreeBSD, BSD/OS and Mac OS X. .  Others have used Red Hat 5.1 and SuSE 6.2. In general, the code should be portable.

Q: What about Windows?
A: A crude Windows version is available.  We welcome involvement in furthering those efforts but they are largely outside the scope of our own intent for this project.

Q: Is there a way to convert a .divx file to a .mp4 file?
A: Yes. 
For earlier .divx files: Divx is a raw, video only file which can be placed in an mp4 container file.   See mpeg4ip/docs/encoding/encoding.htm for details on how to use the mp4vpkt utility to produce a .mp4 file from a .divx file.
If it is a .divx file generated from Divx4, you can rename it to have a .avi suffix and try it that way. For Divx5, save it as a mp4 container, and change the suffix to .mp4.

Q: Are gtk and glib necessary for the player?
A: There is a version of the player, mp4player, that doesn't provide a GUI, and hence gtk and glib are not necessary.  Controls for this player are limited.

Q: Is MPEG4IP compatible with Philips MPEG4 WebCine player?
A: Version 0.6.2 will play Philips MP4 files locally.  We are working on the problems with other configurations. 

Q: Can MPEG4IP be used for live streaming?
A: Yes, as of version 0.7.

Q: Can MPEG4IP be used for multicast?
A: Yes.  Version 0.6  includes multicast capability which has been enhanced further in version 0.62.  We are planning on adding support for IGMP v3 for platforms that are IGMP v3 capable.

Q: What are the licensing terms associated with this project?
A:  Like most modern codecs, MPEG-4 Video and Audio codecs are almost certainly subject to patent royalities. This project does not remove any responsiblity or liability from developers or users of this kit.  Similarly, there are a variety of third party packages included in this kit. Each has it's own license. These licenses, and more legal information, can be found in the Documentation. The original code created by the project developers is distributed under the Mozilla Public License.

Q: What is Cisco's role in this?
A:  Cisco Systems is interested in standards as a way to accelerate the adoption of new technologies. The MPEG4IP project was started by Cisco's Technology Center to further the adoption of audio and video streaming standards, and to serve as a tool kit to track the ISMA (Internet Streaming Media Alliance) specifications and requirements. This is not a Cisco product and is not supported by Cisco Systems Technical Assistance Center. Please do not call them as they will not be able to help you.  If you have questions, please direct them within the open source community.

Q: How can I create mpeg4 content?
A:   See Creating compatible Mpeg-4 audio/video files with DivX 5, Virtualdub, Apple QuickTime6 and Mpeg4IP