.mjpeg

Extension: Motion JPEG Video

MJPEG, or Motion JPEG, is a video format that’s actually a sequence of individual JPEG images played in rapid succession to create the illusion of motion. Unlike other video formats that compress the entire video stream, MJPEG compresses each frame independently. This offers advantages such as variable frame rates—allowing for smoother action in dynamic scenes and lower rates for static ones—and easy random access to individual frames. This makes it ideal for applications where you need to quickly jump to a specific point in the video or extract still images. However, because each frame is compressed separately, the file size tends to be larger than other formats like MP4 for the same video length. This is a trade-off often made for its ease of editing and flexibility.

To open an .mjpeg file, you’ll need a video player that supports the format. Many modern media players, including VLC media player (a popular free and open-source option), Windows Media Player, and QuickTime Player, can handle MJPEG files without any issues. Online video players also often support this format. If you’re experiencing difficulty, ensure you have the latest version of your media player installed. Sometimes, a simple codec update might be necessary to ensure compatibility. If you encounter problems even after these steps, searching for a dedicated MJPEG player might be the solution. Remember, because of its larger file size, streaming MJPEG files might require a stronger internet connection than other video formats.