MPEG and MP3 explained
MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 program streams are the formats behind Video CDs and DVDs. They are decades old and very inefficient by modern standards.
MP3 is the lossy audio format that made digital music portable. Its patents expired in 2017, which is part of why it remains ubiquitous — anyone can implement it freely.
- Where MPEG files come from
- DVD rips, old camcorders and broadcast archives.
- Where MP3 is used
- Music libraries, podcasts and voice recordings.