Program stream (PS or MPEG-PS) is a container format for multiplexing digital audio, video and more. The PS format is specified in MPEG-1 Part 1 and MPEG-2 Part 1. The MPEG-2 Program Stream is analogous and similar to ISO/IEC 11172 Systems layer and it is forward compatible.
Program streams are created by combining one or more Packetized Elementary Streams (PES), which have a common time base, into a single stream. It is designed for reasonably reliable media such as disks, in contrast to MPEG transport stream which is for data transmission in which loss of data is likely. Program streams have variable size records and minimal use of codes which would make over the air reception difficult, but has less overhead. Program stream coding layer allows only one program of one or more elementary streams to be combined into a single stream, in contrast to transport stream, which allows multiple programs.
MPEG-2 Program stream can contain MPEG-1 Part 2 video, MPEG-2 Part 2 video, MPEG-1 Part 3 audio (MP3, MP2, MP1) or MPEG-2 Part 3 audio. It can also contain MPEG-4 Part 2 video, MPEG-2 Part 7 audio (AAC) or MPEG-4 Part 3 (AAC) audio, but they are rarely used. The MPEG-2 Program stream has provisions for non-standard data (e.g. AC-3 audio or subtitles) in the form of so-called private streams.
International Organization for Standardization authorized SMPTE Registration Authority, LLC as the registration authority for MPEG-2 format identifiers. It publishes list of compression formats which can be encapsulated in MPEG-2 transport stream and program stream.
Program streams are used on DVD-Video discs and HD DVD video discs, but with some restrictions and extensions. The filename extensions are VOB and EVO respectively. Blu-ray Video discs contain streams in BDAV container, which is based on the MPEG transport stream (TS) format with an additional 4 byte time code added to the beginning of each TS packet.
Related Software
WinX DVD Ripper: Free DVD to PS converter which is made for help users convert DVD to PS, AAC, MP3, AVC, AVI, FLV, MPEG format with no fees involved.
WinX DVD Ripper Platinum: Advanced version of WinX DVD Ripper, apart from convert DVD to PS at fastest speed and excellent quality, also capable of converting DVD to PS, AAC, MP3, AVC, MOV, iPhone, iPod, iPad, etc. Makes perfect 1:1 copy with 5 minutes. Constantly update to defeat upcoming DVD copy protections.
WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe : built in hundreds of A/V codecs and equipped with DVD Burner, Website Video Downloader function. As all-in-one HD Video Converter software, it helps you transcode among HD video formats like convert AVCHD M2TS to MKV, convert Blu-ray to MKV, MKV to MP4, etc. Moreover, it is embed with numerous profile settings for Apple, Sony, Microsoft portable devices as well as iOS, Android, Symbian mobile Phones. Convert MKV to iPhone, convert MKV to iPad are good examples.
WinX DVD Ripper for Mac: Mac version WinX DVD Ripper Platinum, runs perfectly on Mac OS X Tiger/Leopard/Snow Leopard, convert DVD to PS, AAC, MP3, AVC, MP4, MOV, iPhone, iPad, iPod, etc.
WinX HD Video Converter for Mac: Excellent HD Video Converter for Mac, compatible with Mac OS X Tiger/Leopard/Snow Leopard. Fully support convert Blu-ray video, HD camcorder video, HDTV video. Support convert SD, HD video onto iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV, etc.
Related Source
MPEG, TS, M2TS, VLC, Mplayer, The KMPlayer
Related External Source
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Program_Stream
