By Mike Arsosa
MPEG-4 or MP4 is media container format that has been developed by Apple. The media container format (not to be confused with the more colloquial usage of mp4, which is being used to denote different portable media players from around the world that don't actually have a playback function for the MPEG 4 file format) has the capacity to contain different multimedia elements and unite these into one playable file.
Recently, the MPEG 4 format is being used extensively in three distinct popular domains: the first domain is in mobile phone technology, where a compressed version of the MPEG 4 format is being used to store cell phone video recordings. The second domain is in non-computer related technologies such as digital video discs, which use the media container format to enrich the features of a DVD movie. The third and of course, original usage of this media container format was for use with computers. MPEG 4 is compatible with both Apple and non-Apple devices.
One of the main things that you have to remember about the MPEG 4 format is that it is only a media container format- which means that there might be as many as five or ten different components inside one file to produce the whole. A case in point would be DVD movies. If you would notice, there are many so called features in a DVD movie, including the subtitles. This is made possible through the MPEG 4 format. It contains these different elements so that for instance, you can switch from English subtitles to Japanese subtitles or even Mandarin subtitles.
A popular use of the MPEG 4 format nowadays is storing and playing it back using a PSP. The PSP is MPEG 4 enabled and has the capacity to recognize and read the file format. However, the transfer of the files is not as simple as it seems. There are some steps that require some level of competence with the PSP and with your computer.
If you wish to transfer MP4 videos to your PSP, here are the basic steps on how to do this. Take note that it sometimes varies, but all the same, follow these steps strictly so that you would be successful with what you want to do.
1. First, make sure that the memory capacity of your PSP would be able to handle the size of the MPEG 4 files that you want to transfer. If there isn't enough memory, try deleting some files that you won't be needing to make room for the incoming MP4 files.
2. Using your adaptor or cable, connect your personal computer or laptop to your Playstation Portable. Make sure that it's a tight connection.
3. Try to find the MP_ROOT folder in your PSP directory. After this, create a new folder in the MP_ROOT folder and name the new folder 100MNVO1.
4. Simply paste the MP4 video that you want inside this folder.
5. If all goes well, the video would appear on your PSP and you would be able to do a playback function easily.
Download free mp4 videos for your PSP and other media players that support mp4 playback at mp4point.com.
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