Common Intermediate Format

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Common Intermediate Format



(CIF, or Full CIF (FCIF) to distinguish it from Quarter CIF (QCIF)) A video format used in videoconferencing systems, which supports both NTSC and PAL signals, with a data rate of 30 frames per second (fps), with each frame containing 288 lines and 352 luminance pixels per line. CIF is part of the ITU H.261 videoconferencing standard.

QCIF, a related video format standard, transfers one fourth as much data as CIF. QCIF is defined in ITU H.261 as having 144 lines and 176 pixels per line, with half as many chrominance pixels in each direction. QCIF is suitable for videoconferencing systems that use telephone lines. The codec standard specifies that QCIF compatibility is mandatory, and CIF compatibility is optional.

(1999-04-22)