User`s manual

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Alcorn McBride Digital Video Machine DVM-7400 User’s Manual Rev 1.5

File Types and Storage

The Digital Video Machine plays MPEG-2 video files. These files must have a “.MPG”

extension. Please refer to the Required File Name Formats section of this manual

for details on file naming conventions.

What Is An MPG File?

MPG is short for

MPEG, which stands

for Motion Picture

Experts Group, the

organization that

codified the

audio/video

compression scheme

used in the DVM.

The DVM plays MPG files that contain digital video encoded in high-resolution by an

algorithm known as MPEG-2.

Many encoding systems produce MPEG-2 files, but not all MPEG-2 files may be

played on the DVM. Many MPEG-2 files are designed for playback in a small window

on a PC, or for transfer over the internet. These files are generally of very low

resolution at slow frame rates.

The DVM is designed to accept MPEG-2 files encoded at a resolution of 720 x 480

(NTSC) or 720 x 576 (PAL).

The DVM can play MPEG-2 files encoded at bit rates up to 15.0 Megabits per second.

Since higher bit rates equate to better picture quality, we encourage you to encode

your video at the highest bit rate supported.

How Do I Make an MPG File?

The most important step in creating video for your application is to perform the

highest quality MPEG-2 encoding of your source material.

Encoding professional-quality MPEG material is more of an art than a science. The

person encoding the material must be experienced and the hardware well-chosen, so

users deciding whether or not to encode their material themselves should put a lot of

thought into what would best suit their needs.

The quality of

encoded video

depends upon the

quality of the source

video, the encoding

system used, and the

skill of the operator.

Although encoding your own video can be cost effective, only an experienced

individual can create the highest-quality, error-free MPEG. Video material encoded

without regard to bit errors will include them and may cause glitches in the

presentation, so it is important to have the necessary tools to analyze the encoded

bitstreams and make adjustments if necessary.

A good alternative to hiring an on-staff MPEG expert (or becoming one yourself) is to

hire an experienced post-production house to encode and format your video for you.

All you have to do is to provide a Digital Betacam or D-1 master and they do the rest!

Prior Alcorn customers have had good results using the services listed on the Alcorn

McBride website at