MPG vs MP4 | Which Video is Better in 2024?

Jane Zhou updated on Mar 21, 2024 to Video Converter Tips

MP4 vs MPG often becomes a hot discussion because both formats come in handy in various situations. You only have to observe the differences clearly and use the format that best suits the situation.

MPG and MP4 are both developed by the Moving Pictures Experts Group. Talking about MP4 vs MPG, both come with specific qualities. MP4 is a container format popular for smoother playback, while MPG format is suitable for streaming DVD contents. Also, MPG uses MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 codec while various options are available for MP4.

Despite all, you must consider some pointers before selecting a format. These include accessibility, quality, compression, and many more. Here is a detailed comparison of MPG vs. MP4, assisting you in selecting which format is better for which situation and how to do the conversion between these two formats using ideal software.

Related Article>> MKV vs MP4

MPG versus MP4 | Which One to Choose?

Before reaching the conclusion of what format to choose, you need to consider both formats in light of essential factors.

Quality

For quality, the MP4 format can achieve better video quality than MPG while being at the same bitrate. Since MP4 supports more video codecs, including the advanced ones like H.265, MP4 undeniably wins the discussion in terms of quality. It is because advanced codecs will give better results.

File Size

Primarily, video quality and file size are proportional to each other. When the file size is less, the video quality also suffers, a fact accepted by many of those who work with videos. But this is not always the case.

For file size, modern video codecs such as H.265 can compress a video more, at the same quality as MPEG-1. It implies that the videos encoded in MP4 (H.265) are much smaller than those encoded in MPG using the MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 standards.

Simply put, you should prefer MP4 encoded in an advanced codec to get the best quality results at a smaller size.

Supported Video Codecs

Since the same company creates both formats, you would think that they can support the same video codecs. In this case, MP4 comes out on top by a long shot. It supports a wide range of video and audio codecs, including H.264/AVC and H.265/HEVC, whereas MPG supports only MPEG-1 and MPEG-2. The MP4 format also supports obscure codecs which are not commonly used, such as Dirac, Cinepak, etc.

Thus, you can find a lot more MP4-compatible files than MPG-compatible files. Given how codecs determine how good videos are presented, MPG is a significant setback.

Compatibility

The compatibility of a format determines whether media players support that format or not. MPG triumphs over MP4 at this point. Some traditional media players ignore the MP4 format because it primarily focuses on streaming online and internet videos. As a result, these players are unable to play MP4 format files. While in MP4 vs MPG, the latter is supported by most media players. However, it does not imply that all media players endorse this format.

Conclusion

It's difficult to declare one format as the winner in MPG vs MP4 because both have advantages and disadvantages. When it comes to studio recording, MPG is superior, while for high-quality or internet videos, MP4 comes out on top. Each format has its own set of advantages. Only you can decide which is better, depending on the situation you need the format for.

How to Convert MPG to MP4 or Vice Versa

Unique software to convert MPG to MP4 without quality loss or vice versa is EaseUS VideoKit. Because of the efficient features that speed up the conversions and a very user-friendly interface, the software makes the MP4 to MPG conversion work like a breeze. Not only does it support over 1,000 audio/video formats, which is a considerable number, but it also won't compromise the output file quality.

This best free video converter can convert more than one file at once via its batch converting feature to save your time. Besides conversion, audio extraction from videos is also possible. Even it is equipped with a media player to preview your videos easily. Also, it is all in your control to customize your video parameters as per your requirements.

Want to make this conversion? Download this software for free!

Here is a list of steps for converting MPG to MP4 video:

Step 1. Launch EaseUS VedioKit and move to the "Video Converter" tab.

Step 2. Click "Choose File" or drag and drop your video files to the area. Add another file or folder atop. 

Step 3. Select the target format that you want to convert, and define its ratio, or you can choose a specific rate under "Device" and "Web Video" for certain platforms. You can also tab the gear icon next to the file to access the same interface.

Step 4. Click "Save to" for the location, and check "Merge all files" to merge them. Choose turn on "High-speed conversion" and "GPU Acceleration" optionally.

Step 5. Press "Convert" at the right of the clip or click "Convert All" in the bottom right to convert. After that, you can find the converted file in the designated folder.

Overview of MPG

The terms MPG and MPEG are interchangeable. MPEG was shortened to MPG because some older Windows versions needed a three-letter file extension. MPG was created by the Moving Picture Experts Group, the same group that later released MP4. MPG is a standard format for storing video and audio content.

It can store metadata, audio, and video into a single file. MPG files are frequently used to create movies for online distribution. Another benefit of MPG is that it is simple to convert into other formats.

Pros:

  • A suitable format for video recording
  • Compatible with most media players
  • Offer small-sized files

Cons:

  • Support only a few codecs
  • Outdated quality

Overview of MP4

MP4 is also called MPEG-4 Part 14. It was developed in 2001 as a successor to the MOV QuickTime File Format. However, in 2003, it was re-released as the MPEG-4 Part 14 version that is known today. MP4 is a widely used video format with many functions and high compression. Not only can it save videos, but it can also save photos, audio, and subtitles.

Pros:

  • Ideal for video streaming and compressing high-definition audio/video files
  • Preferred for high-quality videos
  • Support even advanced codecs

Cons:

  • Provide a bigger file size
  • Not supported by all media players

👉Don't keep the MPG vs. MP4 knowledge to yourself. Share this article and make video format decisions a breeze for your friends as well.

 

FAQs About MPG vs MP4

Some related questions are gathered from the public.

1. Is it possible to convert MPG to MP4 without losing quality?

A good video converter will make it possible to convert between two formats without losing quality. The best one is EaseUS VideoKit. You can use it to convert more than one MPG file at the same time (batch conversion).

2. MPG vs. MP4 Quality: Which one is Better?

MP4 format supports the advanced video codecs. However, the MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 use the older ones. As these codecs affect the video quality, the MP4 takes the lead!