.mpg File — MPEG Video

MPG (MPEG) files use the MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 video container format, standardized by the Moving Picture Experts Group. MPEG-1 (1993) was the first widely successful digital video compression standard, designed for Video CD at approximately 1.5 Mbps — it also provides the foundation for MP3 audio. MPEG-2 (1995) extended the codec for higher bitrates and resolutions, becoming the standard for DVD-Video, digital television broadcast (DVB, ATSC), and satellite TV. MPEG-2 supports interlaced video essential for broadcast compatibility, multiple audio streams, and closed captioning. The .mpg extension is commonly used for both MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 program streams, while .mpeg is an equivalent alternative extension. While H.264 and H.265 have surpassed MPEG-2 in compression efficiency, MPEG-2 remains in widespread use for broadcast television infrastructure, cable TV systems, and DVD playback. Many camcorders from the 2000s produced MPEG-2 files, and the format is still used by some professional broadcast equipment. MPEG-2 patents expired between 2018 and 2024, making the format effectively patent-free.