FOURCC for Video Compression

Four-Character Codes (FOURCC), a set of codes that are four characters in length, was introduced by Microsoft to clearly identify video data stream formats. The unique FOURCC value assigned to every compression format and pixel layout allows video frames to be passed between file and codec by ensuring the FOURCC of the source frame matches a FOURCC supported by the codec. FOURCCs describe the software technology that was used to produce multimedia data. By implication, they also describe the format of the data itself.

This article describes how FOURCC is used and provides information about how to register FOURCCs with Microsoft. To register a FOURCC code, send e-mail to mmreg@microsoft.com. Please include your name, title, company name, and phone and fax numbers. For more information, see "Registering a FOURCC Code" later in this article.

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	FOURCCs and DirectDraw
	Registered FOURCCs
	Registering a FOURCC Code
	FOURCC Data Formats

FOURCCs and DirectDraw

Microsoft DirectDraw uses FOURCC codes that are stored in file headers of files containing multimedia data such as bitmap images, sound, or video. DirectDraw-based applications use FOURCCs for image color and format conversion. If an application calls the IDirectDrawSurface7::GetPixelFormat method to request the pixel format of a surface whose format is not red-green-blue (RGB), the dwFourCC member of the DDPIXELFORMAT structure identifies the FOURCC when the method returns.

In addition, the biCompression member of the BITMAPINFOHEADER structure can be set to a FOURCC to indicate the codec used to compress or decompress an image. For more information on the use of FOURCCs to this function call, see biHeight and Video Formats in DirectShow.

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Registered FOURCCs

FOURCCs are registered with Microsoft by the vendors of the respective multimedia software technologies. The currently registered FOURCCs appear in the following list.

The following list shows the FOURCC values for DIB compression.

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Registering a FOURCC Code

Registering codes with Microsoft prevents needless duplication of work and helps development of standards. To register a FOURCC code, send e-mail to mmreg@microsoft.com. Please include your name, title, company name, and phone and fax numbers.

Use this e-mail address to register the following:

typedef struct _stateinfo {
    FOURCC    fcc;
    ....
} STATEINFO;

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FOURCC Data Formats

Data formats for FOURCC include: RBG, YUV, and compressed formats. RGB describes the colors produced by emitting light, such as on a video monitor. YUV formats can be either packed or planar. In packed YUV formats, Y, U, and V samples are packed together in macropixels and stored in a single array. Planar formats store each component in a separate array and then fuse the three separate planes to create the final image.

Tables of formats are available at the following sites:

YUV formats - http://www.webartz.com/fourcc/indexyuv.htm 

RGB formats - http://www.webartz.com/fourcc/indexrgb.htm 

Compressed formats - http://www.webartz.com/fourcc/indexcod.htm 

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