Integrating MPEG-4 into the internet

Abstract

The standard MPEG-4 (ISO/IEC 14496), initially made available as version 1, in October 1998, was published as an International Standard in January 1999. In addition to new compression algorithms for video and audio, the MPEG-4 standard covers new features such as VRML-like scene description together with advanced streaming and user-interaction functions. By not targeting any particular delivery technology, MPEG-4 is open to all kinds of transport or delivery mechanisms. However, when it comes to integrating MPEG-4 with Internet technology, there are still some unresolved issues that this paper is addressing. Firstly, transport solutions for MPEG-4 over IP-based networks, including the Internet, are addressed. The paper then examines the problem of application signalling and describes solutions for Stream Control, especially within the Internet context. Finally, the possibility for integrating MPEG-4 clients with an RTSP server is examined.