ISO IEC TS 30135-5-2014 PDF

Full title and description

Information technology — Digital publishing — EPUB3 — Part 5: Media Overlay. This technical specification (ISO/IEC TS 30135-5:2014) defines EPUB Media Overlays 3.0: a usage of SMIL together with the EPUB package, style sheet and content documents to represent audio synchronized with EPUB content for timed text‑audio presentation and playback synchronization in EPUB 3 publications.

Abstract

This specification (EPUB Media Overlays 3.0) defines the Media Overlay document format and processing model used to synchronize audio with EPUB Content Documents. It specifies the SMIL element model used inside an EPUB, the required metadata, structural elements (seq, par, text, audio), conformance requirements for content and reading systems, and how Media Overlays integrate with the other parts of EPUB 3.

General information

• Status: Published / Active.
• Publication date: 2014-11-05 (Edition 1, 2014).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO) / International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC); prepared under ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 34.
• ICS / categories: 35.240.30 (IT applications in information, documentation and publishing).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2014).
• Number of pages: 28 pages (official technical specification PDF).

Scope

The scope of ISO/IEC TS 30135-5:2014 is to define Media Overlays for EPUB 3: the file structure and XML element definitions (a SMIL usage) that allow mapping and synchronizing portions of textual content to audio segments. The document is intended to be used in conjunction with the other EPUB 3 parts (overview, publications, content documents, open container format) to support timed multimedia publishing, narrated books, accessible read‑aloud presentations and other synchronized audio‑text experiences.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of the Media Overlay document structure and allowed SMIL elements (smil, head, metadata, body, seq, par, text, audio).
• Semantics for text–audio synchronization (mapping text fragments to audio clips and time offsets).
• Conformance clauses for content authors (file/metadata requirements) and for reading systems (playback, navigation, accessibility behavior).
• Integration rules with EPUB Package Document, Content Documents (XHTML), style sheets and container packaging (OCF).
• Examples and normative requirements to promote interoperability between content producers and reading systems.
• Notes about possible patent claims and implementation considerations (as typical with multimedia specs).

Typical use and users

Typical users include ebook publishers, reading system (ebook app/firmware) implementers, digital accessibility specialists, tool vendors (EPUB packagers and authoring tools), education and training content creators, and organizations producing narrated or read‑aloud publications. Use cases include read‑aloud ebooks, synchronized audio textbooks, language learning materials, and enhanced accessibility experiences for visually impaired readers.

Related standards

ISO/IEC TS 30135-5 is part of the ISO/IEC TS 30135 family (EPUB 3), which includes Part 1 (EPUB3 Overview), Part 2 (Publications), Part 3 (Content Documents), Part 4 (Open Container Format), Part 6 (Canonical Fragment Identifier), Part 7 (Fixed-Layout Documents) and related EPUB 3 deliverables and profiles. Implementers typically use this part together with the other EPUB 3 parts and with the IDPF/W3C resources referenced by the specification (e.g., SMIL and relevant RFCs).

Keywords

EPUB3, Media Overlays, SMIL, synchronized audio, read‑aloud, EPUB package, digital publishing, accessibility, EPUB 3 conformance, timed text.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/IEC TS 30135-5:2014 is the technical specification that defines EPUB Media Overlays 3.0 — the format and processing model for synchronizing audio with EPUB Content Documents in EPUB 3 publications.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the Media Overlay document structure (a restricted SMIL usage), synchronization semantics between text and audio, metadata and packaging integration with EPUB, and conformance requirements for content and reading systems. It is intended to be used alongside the other EPUB 3 parts.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Ebook publishers, reading system developers, accessibility specialists, authoring and packaging tool vendors, and educational content creators use this specification to produce and render synchronized audio/text EPUB publications.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document was published on 5 November 2014 (Edition 1) and is listed as a published technical specification in ISO/IEC records. Implementers should check the ISO/IEC catalogue or national standards bodies for any later confirmations, revisions or withdrawals before assuming a change in status.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is one part of the ISO/IEC TS 30135 (EPUB 3) series. Related parts include Part 1 (Overview), Part 2 (Publications), Part 3 (Content Documents), Part 4 (Open Container Format), Part 6 (Canonical Fragment Identifier) and Part 7 (Fixed‑Layout Documents).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: EPUB3, Media Overlays, SMIL, synchronized audio, package document, accessibility, timed text, reading system conformance.