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Converted the docs to use proper headings tags. Headings start at <H1> for sections and decrease one size for each level in the section hierarchy, thus 2.3.4 is <H3>. Headings without numbering are <H4> unless they are in a <H5> section, then <H5> also.
author diego
date Tue, 20 Aug 2002 00:33:04 +0000
parents 916f62dd0910
children c214aa9110d0
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7046:e6cab2610139 7047:4f87cd0f642f
8 </HEAD> 8 </HEAD>
9 9
10 <BODY> 10 <BODY>
11 11
12 12
13 <P><B><A NAME="formats">2.1 Supported formats</A></B></P> 13 <H2><A NAME="formats">2.1 Supported formats</A></H2>
14 14
15 <P>It is important to clarify a common mistake. When people see a file with a 15 <P>It is important to clarify a common mistake. When people see a file with a
16 <B>.AVI</B> extension, they immediately conclude that it is not an MPEG file. 16 <B>.AVI</B> extension, they immediately conclude that it is not an MPEG file.
17 That is not true. At least not entirely. Contrary to popular belief such a 17 That is not true. At least not entirely. Contrary to popular belief such a
18 file <B>can</B> contain MPEG1 video.</P> 18 file <B>can</B> contain MPEG1 video.</P>
29 <A HREF="http://ffmpeg.sourceforge.net">FFmpeg</A> and 29 <A HREF="http://ffmpeg.sourceforge.net">FFmpeg</A> and
30 <A HREF="encoding.html">MEncoder</A> can create these files.</P> 30 <A HREF="encoding.html">MEncoder</A> can create these files.</P>
31 31
32 32
33 33
34 <P><B><A NAME="video_formats">2.1.1 Video formats</A></B></P> 34 <H3><A NAME="video_formats">2.1.1 Video formats</A></H3>
35 35
36 36
37 <P><B><A NAME="mpeg">2.1.1.1 MPEG files</A></B></P> 37 <H4><A NAME="mpeg">2.1.1.1 MPEG files</A></H4>
38 38
39 <P>MPEG files come in different guises:</P> 39 <P>MPEG files come in different guises:</P>
40 40
41 <UL> 41 <UL>
42 <LI>MPG: This is the most <B>basic</B> form of the MPEG file formats. It 42 <LI>MPG: This is the most <B>basic</B> form of the MPEG file formats. It
61 resolution video, and in the header that field is set to 4:3, so that it is 61 resolution video, and in the header that field is set to 4:3, so that it is
62 played at 640x480. AVI files do not have this field, so they have to be 62 played at 640x480. AVI files do not have this field, so they have to be
63 rescaled during encoding or played with the <CODE>-aspect</CODE> option.</P> 63 rescaled during encoding or played with the <CODE>-aspect</CODE> option.</P>
64 64
65 65
66 <P><B><A NAME="avi">2.1.1.2 AVI files</A></B></P> 66 <H4><A NAME="avi">2.1.1.2 AVI files</A></H4>
67 67
68 <P>Designed by Microsoft, <B>AVI (Audio Video Interleaved)</B> is a widespread 68 <P>Designed by Microsoft, <B>AVI (Audio Video Interleaved)</B> is a widespread
69 multipurpose format currently used mostly for DivX and DivX4 video. It has 69 multipurpose format currently used mostly for DivX and DivX4 video. It has
70 many known drawbacks and shortcomings (for example in streaming). It 70 many known drawbacks and shortcomings (for example in streaming). It
71 supports one video stream and 0 to 99 audio streams. File size is limited to 71 supports one video stream and 0 to 99 audio streams. File size is limited to
116 uncommon and the Microsoft AVI specs only describe CBR audio. Most AVI 116 uncommon and the Microsoft AVI specs only describe CBR audio. Most AVI
117 encoders/multiplexers create bad files when using VBR audio. There are only 117 encoders/multiplexers create bad files when using VBR audio. There are only
118 two known exceptions: NanDub and <A HREF="encoding.html">MEncoder</A>.</P> 118 two known exceptions: NanDub and <A HREF="encoding.html">MEncoder</A>.</P>
119 119
120 120
121 <P><B><A NAME="asf">2.1.1.3 ASF/WMV files</A></B></P> 121 <H4><A NAME="asf">2.1.1.3 ASF/WMV files</A></H4>
122 122
123 <P>ASF (active streaming format) comes from Microsoft. They developed two 123 <P>ASF (active streaming format) comes from Microsoft. They developed two
124 variants of ASF, v1.0 and v2.0. v1.0 is used by their media tools (Windows 124 variants of ASF, v1.0 and v2.0. v1.0 is used by their media tools (Windows
125 Media Player and Windows Media Encoder) and is very secret. v2.0 is published 125 Media Player and Windows Media Encoder) and is very secret. v2.0 is published
126 and patented :). Of course they differ, there is no compatibility at all (it 126 and patented :). Of course they differ, there is no compatibility at all (it
127 is just another legal game). <B>MPlayer</B> supports only v1.0, as nobody has 127 is just another legal game). <B>MPlayer</B> supports only v1.0, as nobody has
128 ever seen v2.0 files :). Note that ASF files nowadays come with the extension 128 ever seen v2.0 files :). Note that ASF files nowadays come with the extension
129 .WMA or .WMV.</P> 129 .WMA or .WMV.</P>
130 130
131 131
132 <P><B><A NAME="mov">2.1.1.4 QuickTime/MOV files</A></B></P> 132 <H4><A NAME="mov">2.1.1.4 QuickTime/MOV files</A></H4>
133 133
134 <P>These formats were designed by Apple and can contain any codec, CBR or VBR. 134 <P>These formats were designed by Apple and can contain any codec, CBR or VBR.
135 They usually have a .QT or .MOV extension. Ever since the MPEG4 group chose 135 They usually have a .QT or .MOV extension. Ever since the MPEG4 group chose
136 QuickTime as the recommended file format for MPEG4, their MOV files come with 136 QuickTime as the recommended file format for MPEG4, their MOV files come with
137 an 137 an
142 <P><B>Note:</B> Most new QuickTime files use <B>Sorenson</B> video and QDesign 142 <P><B>Note:</B> Most new QuickTime files use <B>Sorenson</B> video and QDesign
143 Music audio. See our <A HREF="codecs.html#sorenson">Sorenson</A> codec 143 Music audio. See our <A HREF="codecs.html#sorenson">Sorenson</A> codec
144 section. QDesign Music audio currently cannot be played.</P> 144 section. QDesign Music audio currently cannot be played.</P>
145 145
146 146
147 <P><B><A NAME="vivo">2.1.1.5 VIVO files</A></B></P> 147 <H4><A NAME="vivo">2.1.1.5 VIVO files</A></H4>
148 148
149 <P><B>MPlayer</B> happily demuxes VIVO file formats. The biggest disadvantage 149 <P><B>MPlayer</B> happily demuxes VIVO file formats. The biggest disadvantage
150 of the format is that it has no index block, nor a fixed packet size or sync 150 of the format is that it has no index block, nor a fixed packet size or sync
151 bytes and most files lack even keyframes, so forget seeking!</P> 151 bytes and most files lack even keyframes, so forget seeking!</P>
152 152
157 <P>See the <A HREF="codecs.html#vivo_video">VIVO video codec</A> and 157 <P>See the <A HREF="codecs.html#vivo_video">VIVO video codec</A> and
158 <A HREF="codecs.html#vivo_audio">VIVO audio codec</A> sections for installation 158 <A HREF="codecs.html#vivo_audio">VIVO audio codec</A> sections for installation
159 instructions.</P> 159 instructions.</P>
160 160
161 161
162 <P><B><A NAME="fli">2.1.1.6 FLI files</A></B></P> 162 <H4><A NAME="fli">2.1.1.6 FLI files</A></H4>
163 163
164 <P><B>FLI</B> is a very old file format used by Autodesk Animator, but it is a 164 <P><B>FLI</B> is a very old file format used by Autodesk Animator, but it is a
165 common file format for short animations on the net. <B>MPlayer</B> demuxes 165 common file format for short animations on the net. <B>MPlayer</B> demuxes
166 and decodes FLI movies and is even able to seek within them (useful when 166 and decodes FLI movies and is even able to seek within them (useful when
167 looping with the <CODE>-loop</CODE> option). FLI files do not have keyframes, 167 looping with the <CODE>-loop</CODE> option). FLI files do not have keyframes,
168 so the picture will be messy for a short time after seeking.</P> 168 so the picture will be messy for a short time after seeking.</P>
169 169
170 170
171 <P><B><A NAME="real">2.1.1.7 RealMedia (RM) files</A></B></P> 171 <H4><A NAME="real">2.1.1.7 RealMedia (RM) files</A></H4>
172 172
173 <P>Yes, <B>MPlayer</B> can read (demux) RealMedia (.rm) files. Seeking works, 173 <P>Yes, <B>MPlayer</B> can read (demux) RealMedia (.rm) files. Seeking works,
174 but you have to explicitly specify the <CODE>-forceidx</CODE> option 174 but you have to explicitly specify the <CODE>-forceidx</CODE> option
175 (the format supports keyframes). Here are the lists of the supported 175 (the format supports keyframes). Here are the lists of the supported
176 <A HREF="codecs.html#realvideo">RealVideo</A> 176 <A HREF="codecs.html#realvideo">RealVideo</A>
177 and <A HREF="codecs.html#realaudio">RealAudio</A> codecs.</P> 177 and <A HREF="codecs.html#realaudio">RealAudio</A> codecs.</P>
178 178
179 179
180 <P><B><A NAME="nuppelvideo">2.1.1.8 NuppelVideo files</A></B></P> 180 <H4><A NAME="nuppelvideo">2.1.1.8 NuppelVideo files</A></H4>
181 181
182 <P><A HREF="http://mars.tuwien.ac.at/~roman/nuppelvideo">NuppelVideo</A> 182 <P><A HREF="http://mars.tuwien.ac.at/~roman/nuppelvideo">NuppelVideo</A>
183 is a TV grabber tool (AFAIK:). <B>MPlayer</B> can read its .NUV files (only 183 is a TV grabber tool (AFAIK:). <B>MPlayer</B> can read its .NUV files (only
184 NuppelVideo 5.0). Those files can contain uncompressed YV12, YV12+RTJpeg 184 NuppelVideo 5.0). Those files can contain uncompressed YV12, YV12+RTJpeg
185 compressed, YV12 RTJpeg+lzo compressed, and YV12+lzo compressed frames. 185 compressed, YV12 RTJpeg+lzo compressed, and YV12+lzo compressed frames.
186 <B>MPlayer</B> decodes them all (and also <B>encodes</B> them with 186 <B>MPlayer</B> decodes them all (and also <B>encodes</B> them with
187 <B>MEncoder</B> to DivX/etc!). Seeking works.</P> 187 <B>MEncoder</B> to DivX/etc!). Seeking works.</P>
188 188
189 189
190 <P><B><A NAME="yuv4mpeg">2.1.1.9 yuv4mpeg files</A></B></P> 190 <H4><A NAME="yuv4mpeg">2.1.1.9 yuv4mpeg files</A></H4>
191 191
192 <P><A HREF="http://mjpeg.sourceforge.net">yuv4mpeg / yuv4mpeg2</A> is a file 192 <P><A HREF="http://mjpeg.sourceforge.net">yuv4mpeg / yuv4mpeg2</A> is a file
193 format used by the <A HREF="http://mjpeg.sf.net">mjpegtools programs</A>. 193 format used by the <A HREF="http://mjpeg.sf.net">mjpegtools programs</A>.
194 You can grab, produce, filter or encode video in this format using these 194 You can grab, produce, filter or encode video in this format using these
195 tools. The file format is really a sequence of uncompressed YUV 4:2:0 195 tools. The file format is really a sequence of uncompressed YUV 4:2:0
196 images.</P> 196 images.</P>
197 197
198 198
199 <P><B><A NAME="film">2.1.1.10 FILM files</A></B></P> 199 <H4><A NAME="film">2.1.1.10 FILM files</A></H4>
200 200
201 <P>This format is used on old Sega Saturn CD-Rom games.</P> 201 <P>This format is used on old Sega Saturn CD-Rom games.</P>
202 202
203 203
204 <P><B><A NAME="roq">2.1.1.11 RoQ files</A></B></P> 204 <H4><A NAME="roq">2.1.1.11 RoQ files</A></H4>
205 205
206 <P>RoQ files are multimedia files used in some ID games such as Quake III and 206 <P>RoQ files are multimedia files used in some ID games such as Quake III and
207 Return to Castle Wolfenstein.</P> 207 Return to Castle Wolfenstein.</P>
208 208
209 209
210 <P><B><A NAME="ogg">2.1.1.12 OGG files</A></B></P> 210 <H4><A NAME="ogg">2.1.1.12 OGG files</A></H4>
211 211
212 <P>This is a new file format from <A HREF="http://www.xiph.org">Xiphophorus</A>. 212 <P>This is a new file format from <A HREF="http://www.xiph.org">Xiphophorus</A>.
213 It can contain any video or audio codec, CBR or VBR. You will need to 213 It can contain any video or audio codec, CBR or VBR. You will need to
214 have <CODE>libogg</CODE> and <CODE>libvorbis</CODE> installed 214 have <CODE>libogg</CODE> and <CODE>libvorbis</CODE> installed
215 before compiling <B>MPlayer</B> to be able to play it.</P> 215 before compiling <B>MPlayer</B> to be able to play it.</P>
216 216
217 217
218 <P><B><A NAME="audio_formats">2.1.2 Audio formats</A></B></P> 218 <H3><A NAME="audio_formats">2.1.2 Audio formats</A></H3>
219 219
220 <P><B>MPlayer</B> is a <B>Movie</B> and not a <B>Media</B> player, although 220 <P><B>MPlayer</B> is a <B>Movie</B> and not a <B>Media</B> player, although
221 it can play some audio file formats (they are listed in the sections below). 221 it can play some audio file formats (they are listed in the sections below).
222 This is not a recommended usage of <B>MPlayer</B>, you better use 222 This is not a recommended usage of <B>MPlayer</B>, you better use
223 <A HREF="http://www.xmms.org">xmms</A>.</P> 223 <A HREF="http://www.xmms.org">xmms</A>.</P>
224 224
225 225
226 <P><B><A NAME="mp3">2.1.2.1 MP3 files</A></B></P> 226 <H4><A NAME="mp3">2.1.2.1 MP3 files</A></H4>
227 227
228 <P>You may have problems playing certain MP3 files that <B>MPlayer</B> will 228 <P>You may have problems playing certain MP3 files that <B>MPlayer</B> will
229 misdetect as MPEGs and play incorrectly or not at all. This cannot be fixed 229 misdetect as MPEGs and play incorrectly or not at all. This cannot be fixed
230 without dropping support for certain broken MPEG files and thus will remain 230 without dropping support for certain broken MPEG files and thus will remain
231 like this for the foreseeable future. The <CODE>-demuxer</CODE> flag 231 like this for the foreseeable future. The <CODE>-demuxer</CODE> flag
232 described in the manpage may help you in these cases.</P> 232 described in the manpage may help you in these cases.</P>
233 233
234 234
235 <P><B><A NAME="wav">2.1.2.2 WAV files</A></B></P> 235 <H4><A NAME="wav">2.1.2.2 WAV files</A></H4>
236 236
237 237
238 <P><B><A NAME="ogg_vorbis">2.1.2.3 OGG files (Vorbis)</A></B></P> 238 <H4><A NAME="ogg_vorbis">2.1.2.3 OGG files (Vorbis)</A></H4>
239 239
240 <P>Requires properly installed <CODE>libogg</CODE> and 240 <P>Requires properly installed <CODE>libogg</CODE> and
241 <CODE>libvorbis</CODE>.</P> 241 <CODE>libvorbis</CODE>.</P>
242 242
243 243
244 <P><B><A NAME="wma">2.1.2.4 WMA/ASF files</A></B></P> 244 <H4><A NAME="wma">2.1.2.4 WMA/ASF files</A></H4>
245 245
246 246
247 <P><B><A NAME="mp4">2.1.2.5 MP4 files</A></B></P> 247 <H4><A NAME="mp4">2.1.2.5 MP4 files</A></H4>
248 248
249 </BODY> 249 </BODY>
250 </HTML> 250 </HTML>