MPEG standardizes next-generation video compression to surpass VVC by 2029

The formal search for a VVC successor signals that the streaming industry is preparing for a post-2030 landscape dominated by 8K, gaming, and AI-generated content. By integrating neural network technology and low-delay constraints from the outset, MPEG is addressing the high computational costs that have slowed VVC's adoption. This roadmap forces hardware manufacturers and streaming platforms to balance current VVC deployments against a decade-long transition to even more efficient, AI-augmented architectures. The shift toward specialized standards for point clouds and avatars further indicates that streaming B2B strategies must now account for spatial computing and autonomous systems alongside traditional video delivery.

The push for a post-VVC standard arrives as the industry continues to grapple with the fragmented adoption of current codecs. While VVC (H.266) was finalized in 2020, its market penetration remains limited compared to the ubiquitous HEVC (H.265) and the royalty-free AV1. According to IP Fray reporting from October 2025, major players like Nokia, Ericsson, and the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute have already begun submitting joint research for the next-generation codec, demonstrating compression gains that exceed current standards without significantly increasing energy consumption. This early collaboration is intended to avoid the licensing complexities that hindered previous rollouts.

Simultaneously, the maturation of the ISO Base Media File Format (ISOBMFF) reflects a broader effort to harmonize streaming workflows. Per W3C documentation from mid-2024, ISOBMFF serves as the bedrock for Media Source Extensions and the Common Media Application Format (CMAF), which are essential for reducing latency in live streaming. The new 9th edition specifically improves how alpha and depth channels are carried, directly supporting the growing demand for spatial video and transparent overlays in augmented reality applications.

In the immersive media sector, the finalization of Enhanced G-PCC addresses a critical bottleneck for the automotive and robotics industries. According to MPEG technical reports from June 2025, the addition of temporal prediction to geometry-based compression allows for significantly higher efficiency when processing dynamic LiDAR sequences. This development is vital for real-time perception in autonomous vehicles, where low-latency 3D data transmission is a safety requirement. By providing a robust, interoperable framework for point clouds, MPEG is positioning its standards as the primary architecture for the emerging 'Industrial Metaverse' and high-fidelity digital twins.