ISO IEC 14496-14-2020 PDF

Full title and description

Information technology — Coding of audio-visual objects — Part 14: MP4 file format. This international standard specifies the MP4 container (derived from the ISO Base Media File Format) including file structure, brands/compatibility, track and sample table organization, and provisions for fragmented files suitable for streaming and progressive download.

Abstract

This document defines the MP4 file format as a concrete usage of the ISO Base Media File Format (ISOBMFF). It describes the required top-level boxes (file type, movie, media data, and optional fragment boxes), metadata, timing and indexing information, and compatibility rules intended to ensure interoperable storage and delivery of timed audiovisual content.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: 27 January 2020 (Edition 3).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO), in conjunction with IEC (ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 29).
• ICS / categories: 35.040.40 — Coding of audio, video, multimedia and hypermedia information.
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (2020).
• Number of pages: 13.

Scope

The standard specifies how to store timed audiovisual presentations in files using the MP4 file format derived from the ISO Base Media File Format. It covers the top-level file layout (file type box, movie box, media data), registration/brand identifiers for compatibility, track and sample table structures for audio/video/text/timed metadata, indexing and timing information needed for playback and editing, and optional fragmentation (movie fragments) for streaming and low-latency delivery. The scope is interoperability of file format semantics rather than codec specifics.

Key topics and requirements

• File structure and object model: composition of files from typed boxes/atoms (e.g., ftyp, moov, mdat) and the hierarchical box model used throughout ISOBMFF.
• File Type Box (ftyp) and brands: major and compatible brands that identify conformity and intended use of a file.
• Movie and track metadata: moov (movie) box contents, track (trak) structures, sample tables (stbl) conveying sample sizes, timestamps, sync samples and chunk indexing.
• Media data placement: mdat box(s) holding raw sample data and guidance for ordering moov/mdat for progressive download.
• Fragmentation for streaming: support for fragmented MP4 (moof + mdat fragments), movie fragment metadata, and timing adjustments to enable adaptive streaming and low-latency delivery.
• Interoperability requirements: registration of brand identifiers (MP4 Registration Authority), required semantics to ensure cross-implementation playback and interchange.
• Metadata and timed text: placement and organization of auxiliary timed data (e.g., subtitles, timed metadata tracks) within the track/sample-table model.
• Guidance for streaming vs local playback: recommendations on moov placement and hint tracks for different delivery methods.

Typical use and users

Implementers of media players and authoring tools, content delivery and streaming services, device manufacturers, codec and container library developers, broadcast and OTT engineers, and digital archivists use this standard to ensure files are authored, indexed and delivered interoperably across platforms and players. It is also consulted by QA and interoperability test teams working with MP4-based production and distribution pipelines.

Related standards

Closely related documents include ISO/IEC 14496-12 (ISO Base Media File Format — the foundation for MP4), other parts of ISO/IEC 14496 that define codecs and systems, and registration/usage guidance from the MP4 Registration Authority. Related IETF and streaming specifications (for example, HLS/CMAF usages that rely on fragmented MP4) commonly reference MP4/ISOBMFF semantics.

Keywords

MP4, ISOBMFF, ISO/IEC 14496-14, file format, container, ftyp, moov, mdat, moof, fragmented MP4, sample table, brands, interoperability, streaming, MP4 Registration Authority.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/IEC 14496-14:2020 is the MPEG‑4 Part 14 standard that defines the MP4 file format — a concrete usage of the ISO Base Media File Format for storing timed audiovisual media and related metadata.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the MP4 container layout (box/atom model), file type/brand identification, movie and track metadata, sample tables and indexing, placement of media data, and support for fragmented files used in streaming and adaptive delivery. It addresses interoperability and file-level semantics rather than specifying encoding algorithms for audio or video.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Developers of players, encoders/authoring tools, media libraries, streaming and CDN systems, device manufacturers, and archivists—anyone who needs to create, parse, play back or exchange MP4 files consistently across platforms.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As published on 27 January 2020 (Edition 3), ISO/IEC 14496-14:2020 is the current edition that replaced previous editions (including 2018 and 2003). This statement reflects the ISO lifecycle information available as of March 2, 2026. Users should check the ISO catalog for any later revisions after that date.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 14 of the ISO/IEC 14496 (MPEG‑4) family and is conceptually built on ISO/IEC 14496-12 (ISO Base Media File Format). Other parts of ISO/IEC 14496 define codecs, systems and file format aspects that interact with Part 14.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: MP4, ISO Base Media File Format (ISOBMFF), ftyp, moov, mdat, moof, fragmentation, sample table, brands, interoperability, streaming.