MPEG-4

File Format
Name	MPEG-4
Ontology	Electronic File Formats Video MPEG-4
Extension(s)	.mp4, .aac, others

MPEG-4 is an expansive collection of standards related to a set of multimedia formats. It is developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group, codified as ISO/IEC 14496. Saying just what the "MPEG-4 file format" is, is a somewhat complicated question. Parts 12, 14, and 15 specifically refer to "file formats".

Part 3 defines compressed audio formats, including ALS and SLS.

Part 10: Refer to H.264.

Part 12: Refer to ISO Base Media File Format.

Part 14: Refer to MP4.

Part 15: Refer to AVC (file format).

Part 22: Refer to Open Font Format.

"MP4 audio players" don't always support the MPEG-4 file formats, sometimes supporting only the AAC audio encoding from MPEG-4, Part 3 (aka MPEG-4 Audio). These would more properly be called AAC files, with the extension ".aac".

MPEG-4 is encumbered by numerous patents, and (at least) commercial implementers have to secure licenses. Many of the licensing aspects are handled by a group called MPEG LA.

Links

• Wikipedia: MPEG-4
• MP4 Registration Authority
• RFC 4337: MPEG-4 MIME type registration
• RealAudio, AAC and Archivy