## Sample Properties

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.

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