Differences between mp4 & 3gpp file format

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Comparison of container formats. (Discuss)

Please wikify this article or section. Help improve this article by adding relevant internal links. (February 2008)

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Comparison of video codecs. (Discuss)

Differences in MP4 & 3GPP (Audio) file formats:

1. 3GP is a simplified version of the MPEG-4 Part 14 (MP4) container format, designed to decrease storage and bandwidth requirements in order to accommodate mobile phones.
2. 3GPP stores video streams as MPEG-4 Part 2 or H.263 or MPEG-4 Part 10 (AVC/H.264), and audio streams as AMR-NB or AMR-WB or AAC-LC.^[1]
3. .3gp, .3g2 used by mobile phones can also include content not defined for .mp4 i.e. H.263, AMR.^[2]
4. In 3GPP, Compact sample sizes ('stz2') shall not be used for tracks containing H.263, MPEG-4 video, AMR, AMR-WB, AAC or Timed text.^[2]
5. All index numbers used in the 3GPP file format start with the value one rather than zero.^[1][2]
6. BIFS scene description tracks or OD Object descriptors are optional in 3GPP. This systems tracks are needed for interactivity and more complex presentation in MP4 files.^[2]
7. In 3GPP, the inclusion of MPEG-4 media does not imply the usage of MPEG-4 systems architecture.^[2]
8. The major, minor brands supported in both file formats might differ in preference & precedence over each other.^[1][3]
9. All 3GP files of Release 5 or later shall contain compatible brand ‘isom’ indicating that they conform to the ISO base media file format.^[2]

References