Common Intermediate Format

communications (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)