Overview
ISO/IEC 23000-9:2008/Amd 2:2010 is an important amendment to the international standard covering the Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) application format, part of the MPEG-A family for multimedia application formats. This amendment focuses on the harmonization of MPEG-2 Transport Stream (TS) storage to enhance compatibility and efficiency in storage and playback of digital multimedia broadcast content. It provides guidelines on the structured storage and handling of MPEG-2 TS within media containers using the ISO Base Media File Format (ISO-FF).
Key Topics
- MPEG-2 TS Storage Harmonization: Defines a method for storing MPEG-2 Transport Streams sequentially as sample data, ensuring alignment with TS packet boundaries.
- Hint Track Utilization: Introduces the use of 'hint' tracks with 'hmhd' headers to guide seamless playback and streaming of stored TS content.
- Sample Format Definition: Specifies grouping of TS packets into samples based on Group of Pictures (GOP) for video content or audio frames, facilitating independently decodable media units.
- Sample Description Restrictions: Establishes constraints on sample description entries using MPEG2TSReceptionSampleEntry (code ‘rm2t’) to guarantee consistency. Includes mandatory presence of Program Map Table (PMT) and timing boxes, essential for synchronization.
- Random Access and Timing: Details how to identify random-access points within TS packets using indicators, and how to correctly reconstruct Program Clock Reference (PCR) timing for precise playback.
- BIFSBox and ODBox Syntax: Defines specific container box structures for handling Binary Format for Scenes (BIFS) and Object Descriptors (OD), including access units’ timing and random access flags.
- Media Header and Time Scale Configuration: Clarifies the media header parameters, including track header flags and time scale (set to 45,000), for accurate synchronization and playback control.
Applications
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Digital Multimedia Broadcasting Systems
This standard amendment is vital for broadcasters and streaming providers who store and transmit MPEG-2 TS streams. It ensures that multimedia content can be stored efficiently and played back smoothly with accurate timing and random access capabilities.
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Media Player Development
Software and hardware media players supporting MPEG-A formats leverage this amendment for local preview or playback of recorded or stored MPEG-2 TS content, ensuring compliance with international standards and interoperability.
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Streaming Server Implementation
Although this amendment focuses on playback rather than streaming, the defined hint tracks can support streaming server functionality by guiding transport stream generation from stored content.
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Content Packaging and Distribution
Media packaging solutions use these definitions to organize multimedia broadcast data into file-based containers, improving distribution and storage workflows while maintaining compatibility with MPEG-A specifications.
Related Standards
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ISO/IEC 14496-12:2008/Amd.1:2009
ISO Base Media File Format Amendment that introduces hint tracks, metadata support, and sample grouping relevant to this amendment’s MPEG-2 TS storage approach.
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ISO/IEC 23000 MPEG-A Series
The overall multimedia application format family under which Part 9 and this amendment fall, covering various aspects of multimedia content packaging and usage.
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ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 29 Technical Committee
The subcommittee responsible for the development of coding standards for audio, picture, multimedia, and hypermedia information, including MPEG standards.
Keywords: MPEG-2 Transport Stream storage, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting, MPEG-A, ISO Base Media File Format, transport stream playback, hint track, random access MPEG-2 TS, multimedia broadcasting standard, ISO/IEC 23000-9 amendment, MPEG-2 TS sample format, media synchronization