ISO/IEC 14496-15:2022

Overview

ISO/IEC 14496-15:2022 specifies how video streams that are structured as Network Abstraction Layer (NAL) units are stored in an ISO Base Media File Format (ISOBMFF) compliant container (the basis for MP4 and related file formats). The standard defines sample entries, in-stream and file-level structures, and metadata to enable storage, interchange and streaming of NAL‑unit video such as AVC (ISO/IEC 14496‑10), HEVC (ISO/IEC 23008‑2) and newer codecs (VVC, EVC). Annex E provides sub-parameters for the MIME “codecs” parameter in accordance with IETF RFC 6381.

Key topics and technical requirements

• NAL unit storage model: rules for packaging video data composed of NAL units into ISOBMFF samples and tracks so decoders can reconstruct bitstreams.
• Sample entry types: Definitions for codec-specific sample entries (including additions like hvc3, hev3, tile-targeted types) and how they map to ISOBMFF boxes.
• Codec support: Clauses cover AVC, SVC, MVC/MVD, HEVC, layered HEVC (L‑HEVC), tiled HEVC, VVC and EVC elementary streams and sample definitions.
• Track and timing semantics: Visual width/height, decoding/composition time (DTS/CTS), sample groups, roll/rap semantics for random access, and hinting for streaming servers.
• Auxiliary structures: SEI information boxes, NAL unit map entries, tile region and tile sub-track definitions, and sample-group/metadata schemes for subpicture, layer and extraction operations.
• MIME interoperability: Annex E normative sub-parameters for using sample entries as the codecs parameter in MIME types (RFC 6381 compliance).
• Backwards/forwards compatibility: Guidance for file brands/toolsets and handling unspecified nal_unit_type values (informative annexes).

Applications and who uses it

ISO/IEC 14496‑15:2022 is used wherever NAL‑structured video needs reliable storage, interchange or streaming:

• Media packagers and file creators (MP4 packagers, encoder wrappers)
• Streaming/CDN systems and streaming-server developers (hint tracks, segmenting)
• Player and decoder implementers (reconstruction of NAL streams from ISOBMFF)
• OTT platforms, broadcasters and archival systems that combine video with audio/subtitles in ISOBMFF
• Device manufacturers and chipset/SoC vendors implementing codec support and track parsing
• Standards bodies and integrators mapping MIME codecs parameters for web and streaming delivery

Related standards

• ISO/IEC 14496‑12 - ISO Base Media File Format (container basis)
• ISO/IEC 14496‑14 - MP4 file format (derived format)
• ISO/IEC 14496‑10 - AVC/H.264
• ISO/IEC 23008‑2 - HEVC/H.265
• IETF RFC 6381 - codecs parameter for MIME types
• ISO/IEC 23090‑3 (VVC), ISO/IEC 23094‑1 (EVC) - codec references included in this edition

This standard is essential for interoperability between encoders, packagers, players and streaming infrastructures handling NAL‑based video in ISOBMFF containers.