MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) is the international standards body responsible for the series of compression and media coding standards that underpin the entire digital video industry, including MPEG-2, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, and HEVC/H.265. Unlike commercial vendors, MPEG differentiates itself through its open, consensus-driven development process within ISO/IEC, producing foundational technologies that enable interoperability across billions of devices. Its standards have been recognized with five Technical Emmy Awards for categories such as AVC/H.264, HEVC/H.265, MPEG File Format, MPEG-DASH, and MPEG Font Format, reflecting its enduring impact on global media delivery. MPEG continues to expand its scope into areas such as 3D graphics, haptics, and genomic data coding, maintaining its role as the primary architect of the world's media infrastructure.
MPEG issued a Joint Call for Proposals for next-generation video compression technology exceeding VVC capabilities, targeting a final standard by 2029. The organization also finalized standards for the 9th edition of the ISO base media file format, avatar representation, and enhanced geometry-based point cloud compression.
ITU and ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 29 are organizing a workshop in January 2025 to develop the next generation of video coding standards beyond VVC, with a strong focus on the role of Artificial Intelligence and advanced signal processing. This collaboration aims to shape future video codec standards for streaming professionals and may lead to formal Calls for Evidence and Proposals in 2025.
MPEG's 148th meeting advanced several new standards including AI-based Point Cloud Coding, a new part of MPEG DASH for redundant encoding, and an Enhanced G-PCC for better 3D data compression. It also ratified new CMAF brand profiles and reached milestones for conformity software and immersive video. These updates enhance compression, reliability, and support for emerging immersive video applications.
The MPEG Systems Working Group received a Technology & Engineering Emmy Award for the standardization of CMAF (Common Media Application Format). This award recognizes CMAF's significant role in unifying fragmented media formats, enabling interoperable internet video distribution across diverse devices. The standard, ISO/IEC 23000-19, is celebrated for eliminating market fragmentation in HTTP-based streaming.
At its 152nd meeting, MPEG advanced several video coding and media format standards to their final stages, including VVC, HEVC, and VSEI, and finalized a low-overhead image file format and new CMAF structural brands. Critically, the organization found evidence of video compression technologies surpassing VVC through a Call for Evidence, signaling interest in a next-generation video compression standard, potentially incorporating AI. These developments contribute to ongoing progress in video coding and media format standards essential for streaming innovation.
At its 149th meeting, MPEG promoted three key standards to Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) status: MPEG-I Immersive Audio, MPEG Immersive Video (Second Edition), and MPEG-DASH (Sixth Edition). These advancements bring significant improvements to immersive content coding, adaptive streaming, and low-latency delivery. Additionally, MPEG issued a Call for Proposals for Lenslet Video Coding and reached a Committee Draft for Avatar representation format, alongside adding new SEI Messages to HEVC.
MPEG held its 150th meeting, advancing several audio and video coding standards to Final Draft International Standard (FDIS), including MPEG-H 3D audio and MPEG-I Immersive audio reference software. They also issued a Call for Proposals for Audio Coding for Machines (ACoM) and promoted Video Coding for Machines to Committee Draft, among other initiatives. These developments focus on enhancing usability, interoperability, and laying groundwork for immersive and machine-driven audio and video applications.
MPEG held its 153rd meeting, advancing four standards including green metadata and VVC conformance, and issued a draft Call for Proposals for next-generation video compression technology beyond VVC. The meeting also saw progress in audio coding for machines, immersive audio, video-based Gaussian Splat Coding, and LiDAR Coding, as well as a genomics hackathon. These developments signify ongoing efforts in video compression, streaming efficiency, and new media formats.
MPEG held its 154th meeting, where it advanced several standardization projects, including the 12th edition of AVC and new AES-256 encryption support for ISOBMFF. The meeting also featured demonstrations of MPEG-I immersive audio and progress on AI-related coding standards like Feature Coding for Machines (FCM) and an amendment to Neural Network Coding (NNC), alongside new specifications for point cloud and Gaussian splat coding.
At its 154th meeting, MPEG advanced multiple standards including AVC 12th edition, AES-256 encryption for ISOBMFF, and the AAC Immersive Interchange Format (IIF), alongside new developments in AI-based media coding and 3D graphics. These updates enhance capabilities in video coding, content protection, immersive audio, and AI applications for streaming media. The meeting also featured demonstrations highlighting the readiness of MPEG-I immersive audio technology for deployment across various devices.
