Mars Files
Mars Extraction Files
Interesting Items About Mars Files
Q. What is the height and width of the mars video files?
A. Either 352 x 288 (CIF format) or 176 x 144 (QCIF format)
Q. In what formats can mars files be viewed in?
A. Numerous different forms using the MASH player (CIF, QCIF, ...)
Q. What file types do mars files support?
A. It is supposed to support H.261 and MJPEG. But right now (10/1998) it only uses H.261
Q. What are the mars files?
A. Basically, they are a whole bunch of RTP packets glued together. Usually the videos shown are broadcast live and this allows playback at a later time. Extra headers added to the RTP packets to synchronize the timing of the packets. There is an index file (*.idx) that points to all the packets in the data file (*.dat). A catalog file (*.ctg) is a text file that describes the different media streams that are played.
Q. Is the media board the same as the white board?
A. Conceptually, yes. Implementationally, no. The packet formats,
protocol, etc. are completely different.
Q. Do media boards have a data file (*.dat) and a corresponding index file (*.idx) ?
A. Yes
Q. Does the catalog file handle the media board files any differently?
A. No. The only difference is when you are trying to play things out of
the catalog file, if it sees a mediaboard stream, it'll create an SRM
object instead of an RTP object.
Q. What information can be extracted from the mars header files?
A.
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