ISO IEC TR 23008-15-2018 PDF

Full title and description

ISO/IEC TR 23008-15:2018 — Information technology — High efficiency coding and media delivery in heterogeneous environments — Part 15: Signalling, backward compatibility and display adaptation for HDR/WCG video. This technical report reviews signalling, metadata and processing approaches for delivering high dynamic range (HDR) and wide colour gamut (WCG) video in consumer distribution systems, with emphasis on VUI/SEI signalling, display adaptation and methods for SDR backward compatibility.

Abstract

This technical report surveys approaches for processing, representing and compressing HDR/WCG content for consumer distribution. It reviews relevant Video Usability Information (VUI) indicators and Supplemental Enhancement Information (SEI) messages, describes conversion steps from linear-light 4:4:4 RGB to ICTCP+PQ or Y′CbCr+HLG representations (as defined in Rec. ITU‑R BT.2100), provides high-level guidance for coding with AVC (H.264) or HEVC (H.265), and discusses post-decoding reconstruction and techniques for SDR backward compatibility (e.g., HLG, CRI/TMI SEI, and dual-layer/Scalable Main 10 approaches).

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: August 2018 (Edition 1).
• Publisher: ISO and IEC (prepared under ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 29).
• ICS / categories: 35.040.40 (Coding of audio, picture, multimedia and hypermedia information).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2018).
• Number of pages: 44.

Scope

The report provides recommended, publicly referenceable methods for handling HDR/WCG video for consumer distribution, including signalling (VUI/SEI), colour‑space and transfer‑function conversions, guidance for compressing IQT/ICTCP or Y′CbCr representations with AVC/HEVC, post-decoding reconstruction to linear RGB, and strategies for maintaining compatibility with legacy SDR decoders (examples include use of HLG, CRI/TMI SEI metadata, and dual‑layer Scalable Main 10 solutions). The document explicitly references the PQ and HLG transfer functions and ICtCp colour representation as defined in ITU‑R BT.2100.

Key topics and requirements

• Review and recommended use of VUI indicators and SEI message types relevant to HDR/WCG signalling (CRI, TMI and other SEI payloads).
• Processing chains for converting linear 4:4:4 RGB to ICTCP+PQ or Y′CbCr+HLG encodings and back to linear RGB at the display.
• High‑level coding approaches and considerations for compressing HDR/WCG signals using AVC (H.264) and HEVC (H.265).
• Recommendations and example implementations for SDR backward compatibility: HLG as a compatible transfer function, CRI/TMI SEI metadata approaches, and dual‑layer (Scalable Main 10) solutions with an SDR base layer.
• Use of CRI SEI messages and metadata to enable display‑side dynamic range and colour gamut adaptation to match display capabilities.
• Alignment and cross‑references to ITU recommendations (notably Rec. ITU‑R BT.2100) for transfer functions and colour representations used in HDR/WCG workflows.

Typical use and users

Engineers and architects working on video encoding, distribution and playback (encoder implementers, decoder/display engineers, broadcast and streaming system designers), standards bodies and test labs, and content mastering facilities. Users consult the report to implement compliant HDR/WCG signalling, ensure SDR backward compatibility, and design display‑adaptation metadata pipelines for consumer devices.

Related standards

This TR is part of the ISO/IEC 23008 (MPEG‑H) family. Closely related documents include ISO/IEC 23008-2 (HEVC / H.265), ISO/IEC TR 23008-14 (conversion and coding practices for PQ/NCL Y′CbCr 4:2:0), and the aligned ITU texts (for example ITU‑T supplements and ITU‑R Rec. BT.2100 on PQ/HLG and ICtCp). Implementers should consult SMPTE ST 2084 (PQ), ITU‑R BT.2100 and the HEVC specification for complementary normative details.

Keywords

HDR, WCG, HEVC, H.265, AVC, H.264, VUI, SEI, CRI, TMI, ICTCP (ICtCp), PQ (SMPTE ST 2084), HLG, SDR backward compatibility, Scalable Main 10, display adaptation, metadata.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/IEC TR 23008-15:2018 is a technical report offering recommendations and reviewed approaches for signalling, backward compatibility and display adaptation when distributing HDR and WCG video for consumer applications.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers VUI and SEI signalling, processing chains for converting between linear RGB and coded representations (ICtCp+PQ or Y′CbCr+HLG), high‑level coding guidance for AVC/HEVC, post‑decoding reconstruction, and example methods for SDR compatibility and display adaptation using metadata.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Video codec developers, encoder and decoder implementers, streaming/broadcast system engineers, display and firmware engineers, and mastering/content preparation teams looking to implement interoperable HDR/WCG workflows.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document was published in August 2018 as a technical report (Edition 1). Users should verify whether later editions, amendments, or newer related recommendations exist (for example updates to Rec. ITU‑R BT.2100 or newer ISO/IEC series parts) before final implementation.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 15 of the ISO/IEC 23008 (MPEG‑H) family. It is aligned with and complementary to other parts such as ISO/IEC 23008-2 (HEVC) and ISO/IEC TR 23008-14; it also has a technically aligned ITU twin text.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: HDR, WCG, HEVC, H.265, AVC, H.264, VUI, SEI, CRI, TMI, ICtCp, PQ, HLG, SDR backward compatibility, metadata, display adaptation.