Video format
The MPG format
MPG is the video format of Video CDs, DVDs and early camcorders. MPG files come from the MPEG-1 (1993) and MPEG-2 (1996) standards behind Video CDs, DVDs and digital TV.
When to use MPG
Use MPG when burning to DVD or feeding older broadcast and playback equipment.
It is best for DVD authoring and old broadcast hardware, and it opens on VLC, Windows Media Player and DVD players; browsers and phones generally won’t play it.
How to open it: VLC plays MPG files; Windows Media Player plays most.
| Full name | MPEG-1 / MPEG-2 Program Stream |
|---|---|
| Extensions | .mpg, .mpeg, .mpe |
| MIME type | video/mpeg |
| Introduced | 1993 |
| Compression | Lossy |
| Usually contains | MPEG-2 video with MP2 or AC-3 audio |
| Support | Legacy format |
| Typical size | DVD-quality video runs about 30–60 MB a minute |
Good at
- Supported by DVD and broadcast equipment
- Simple to edit frame by frame
Not so good at
- Two to four times larger than modern MP4
- Poor support on phones and the web
The common mistake
MPEG-2 video needs a lot of bitrate, so converting a phone video to MPG makes the file several times bigger.
Questions
What is an MPG file?
MPG (MPEG-1 / MPEG-2 Program Stream) is the video format of Video CDs, DVDs and early camcorders. MPG files come from the MPEG-1 (1993) and MPEG-2 (1996) standards behind Video CDs, DVDs and digital TV.
How do I open an MPG file?
VLC plays MPG files; Windows Media Player plays most.
How do I convert MPG to another format?
Pick the target on this page, or open the Video Converter, drop the MPG file and choose a format. It converts in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.