MPEG2 is an enhanced form of
MPEG1. (It even includes MPEG1
headers in the
data stream) Major improvments include prediction modes, Intra VLC table, DC precision, and non-linear macroblock quant. These results in a higher quality
video, though at the expense of additional encoding/decoding power.
- At 1Mbps the quality is the same as a standard VHS recording
- At 3Mbps it's equivilent of professional broadcast NTSC
- At 4Mpps it's equivilent to professional broadcast PAL