Fewer Bits, Bigger Bite

For as long as the factual production community has seriously dabbled in digital content (i.e., since it partied like it was 1999), MPEG2 has been the format of choice. Set-top boxes and DVD both use MPEG2, most archives that have moved into the digital age have adopted the format, and it's the standard widely used for distribution of satellite television content. But, the rise of MPEG4 threatens to overthrow the reigning format. A sleeker, smarter standard, MPEG4 promises to speed things up, shrink things down, and present fresh possibilities for interactive content.