MPEG samples have the following properties or notifications.
| Time stamp |
Not all samples have start and stop times. The sample stop time for packet and payload data is not useful; it is usually set to the start time plus one. MPEG packet or payload data samples will have a start and stop time set if the system layer packet they are generated from had a valid PTS. |
| Discontinuity |
If there is a break in the stream (for example, a gap in the real-time data, or an error in the data or after a seek), the Discontinuity property is set. This property is propagated from the MPEG-1 splitter to the stream handlers in the first sample sent after this property is set in a sample received. This also allows for a time-stamp discontinuity. |
| End Of Stream |
This is not a sample property but a separate notification. When this is received, any buffered data must be forced through the decoder. Logically, any new data must then start with the Discontinuity property. |