MPEG-4 support in Axis products

Axis' implementation of the MPEG-4 image compression standard follows the ISO/IEC 14496-2 standard (also known as MPEG-4 Visual or MPEG-4 Part 2). 

While the MPEG-4 technology comes with a wide range of different coding tools/settings and options, Axis' implementation provides support for certain subsets of these tools (Profiles and levels) that define the requirements for the decoder or viewing client. Axis network video products support the Advanced Simple Profile (ASP) up to level 5 and the possibility for the Simple Profile (SP).

Motion JPEG vs. MPEG-4
An advantage with certain Axis network cameras and video servers is their ability to generate both Motion JPEG and MPEG-4 simultaneously. As the two formats, Motion JPEG and MPEG-4, usually target different applications, MPEG-4 is not expected to replace Motion JPEG. Motion JPEG is recommended for surveillance applications and recording, thanks to its ease of use, wide compatibility and high image quality. MPEG-4 is recommended for live viewing and for applications where bandwidth and storage limitations are important factors. 

MPEG-4 settings
Axis' MPEG-4 implementation enables a wide range of flexible settings for adapting to different application requirements. The system can be optimized for quality, bandwidth, network infrastructure, and compatibility with other decoders. More details are discussed below:

Bandwidth
Axis supports both constant bit rate and variable bit rate. Variable bit rate is the default setting and is recommended as it gives control over image quality. This also makes it difficult to predict what the bandwidth consumption will be. Apart from the image resolution and compression, the bandwidth also depends on the MPEG-4 settings, the image complexity, the amount of motion in the monitored scene.

When bandwidth needs to be controlled, constant bit rate can be used. The user can then give priority to either the frame rate or the image quality when there is increased motion.

Another way to control and reduce bandwidth consumption is to fix the frame rate.

Network infrastructure: 
Video streaming - Unicast
Axis provides several ways of streaming MPEG-4 Unicast controlled by RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol). The method to use depends on the requirements of the application. RTSP provides better streaming control than MPEG-4 over HTTP.

The Axis MPEG-4 implementation provides the following alternatives:
1. Unicast RTP (Real-time Transfer Protocol). The most effective method and the one with the lowest latency.

2. RTP over RTSP. This is RTP tunneled over RTSP, which can be used to exploit the fact that it is relatively simple to configure firewalls to allow RTSP traffic.

3. RTP over RTSP over HTTP. Tunneling via HTTP can be used to pass a firewall located between the camera/video server and the client.

Video streaming - Multicast
Multicast RTP has the advantage of reducing the bandwidth required for multiple clients viewing the same video stream. The disadvantage is that it will not work in large networks or over the Internet, as most network routers routinely disable multicast traffic.

Compatibility
Axis' MPEG-4 implementation may be configured for use with other decoders such QuickTime™. The Video object type can be set to either Advanced Simple or Simple (H.263 compression), or by enabling or disabling ISMA (Internet Streaming Media Alliance) compliance. 

MPEG-4 Licensing
MPEG-4 is a licensed technology. A license is required for both encoding and decoding MPEG-4 streams. Each Axis product provides one encoder license and one decoder license. Axis provides high quality MPEG-4 Decoder with each product. Further AXIS MPEG-4 Decoder 10-user license packs can be purchased from Axis. When using other MPEG-4 decoders (e.g. QuickTime), no additional licenses from Axis are required.

For Application Development Partners
Axis provides a Software Development Kit for its AXIS Media Control. The kit makes it easier for Axis' application development partners to integrate MPEG-4 viewing and recording into their software. For more on pages for Application Development Partners, click here.

See also information about compression standards. 

QuickTime is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.