IEC TR 63614-1:2026

Multimedia systems and equipment for metaverse - Part 1: General

IEC TR 63614-1:2026 describes general considerations to take into account for standardization on multimedia systems and equipment for metaverse, which include the concept of metaverse and the impacts of metaverse on multimedia systems and equipment.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 04-May-2026
• ICS: 33.160.60 - Multimedia systems and teleconferencing equipment
• Technical Committee: TC 100 - Audio, video and multimedia systems and equipment
• Drafting Committee: WG 12 - TC 100/WG 12
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 05-May-2026
• Completion Date: 22-May-2026

Overview

IEC TR 63614-1:2026, issued by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), addresses the foundational considerations needed for the standardization of multimedia systems and equipment used in the metaverse. The document defines core concepts such as the metaverse itself, multimedia integration, associated devices, and systems, focusing particularly on how these elements interact and evolve within digital and virtual environments. As industries increasingly move toward immersive digital worlds, standardized frameworks such as IEC TR 63614-1 are essential for ensuring interoperability, accessibility, and security in these technologies.

Key Topics

• Definition of Metaverse: The technical report explains the metaverse as a persistent, interconnected virtual space that extends or blends the real world. This digital environment supports various social, economic, and cultural activities, enabling users to interact as avatars through multimedia-rich experiences.
• Comparison to Conventional Virtual Worlds: The metaverse differs from traditional virtual worlds by offering interconnectedness, multi-functionality, interoperability, high realism, continuous identity, and supporting complex digital economies involving technologies like NFTs and blockchain.
• Devices and Systems: The standard distinguishes between legacy and metaverse-specific devices and systems. Metaverse devices are characterized by their multi-functionality, support for mixed reality (MR) and extended reality (XR), accessibility, and the ability to execute digital asset management, such as NFTs. Systems must provide seamless transitions across platforms, applications, and experiences.
• Impact on Multimedia Equipment: The evolving metaverse increases the demand for high-quality multimedia content (3D, AR, interactive audio/video). Multimedia systems must support real-time communication, advanced processing, data security, interoperability, and inclusive accessibility.
• Integration with Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI enhances metaverse systems by providing smarter avatars, automated content generation, real-time language translation, personalized experiences, improved accessibility, and robust moderation for safer digital environments.

Applications

IEC TR 63614-1:2026 serves as a foundational guide for numerous practical applications:

• Equipment Manufacturing: Manufacturers of AR glasses, VR headsets, and multimedia devices can reference this standard when developing hardware for the metaverse to ensure interoperability and user accessibility.
• Content Development: Content creators and platform providers can utilize the outlined standards to produce immersive, high-quality 3D, AR, and multimedia content that aligns with the expectations and safety requirements of modern virtual spaces.
• Network Integration: The report helps network solution providers build infrastructure optimized for seamless transitions between online environments, supporting the delivery and real-time processing of advanced multimedia content.
• Security and Privacy: Developers and system integrators are guided on best practices to implement robust data privacy, secure interactions, and compliant user management, crucial for safe digital economies and user trust.
• Accessibility Features: The document highlights the need for prioritizing accessibility, ensuring multimedia systems and metaverse devices are inclusive to all user groups, including those with disabilities.
• AI Implementation: Guidance on combining AI with metaverse environments empowers organizations to enhance user experience, improve content moderation, and enable new forms of engagement through AI-powered personalization and automation.

Related Standards

To provide a complete approach to metaverse standardization, IEC TR 63614-1 is part of the larger IEC 63614 series:

• IEC 63614-2: Classification of metaverse in terms of content, platforms, networks, and devices
• IEC 63614-3: Gap analysis regarding existing standards and metaverse industry products/services
• IEC 63614-4: Survey and analysis of AI use cases in metaverse systems and services

Other relevant references include:

• ISO/IEC DIS 24931-1: Information technology - Metaverse - Concepts, definitions, and terminology
• ITU-T FG-MV: Analysis of metaverse definitions by the ITU Focus Group on Metaverse

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Keywords: IEC TR 63614-1:2026, multimedia systems, metaverse equipment, interoperability, digital identity, AI integration, accessibility, standardization, XR, VR, AR, blockchain, digital assets, content creation, security, international standards

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC TR 63614-1 ®
Edition 1.0 2026-05
TECHNICAL
REPORT
Multimedia systems and equipment for metaverse -
Part 1: General
ICS 33.160.60  ISBN 978-2-8327-1228-3

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CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 2
INTRODUCTION . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 5
3.1 Terms and definitions . 5
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 7
4 Concept of metaverse . 7
4.1 General . 7
4.2 Metaverse and conventional virtual world . 8
4.3 Devices for metaverse and conventional virtual world . 9
4.4 Systems for metaverse and conventional virtual world . 10
5 Impact of metaverse on multimedia systems and equipment . 11
6 Metaverse systems and devices with AI . 12
6.1 General . 12
6.2 Metaverse systems with AI . 12
6.3 Metaverse devices with AI . 13
Bibliography . 14

Figure 1 – Comparison between metaverse and conventional virtual world . 9

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
Multimedia systems and equipment for metaverse -
Part 1: General
FOREWORD
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shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC TR 63614-1 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 100: Audio, video and
multimedia systems and equipment. It is a Technical Report.
The text of this Technical Report is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
100/4450/DTR 100/4472/RVDTR
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this Technical Report is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
A list of all parts in the IEC 63614 series, published under the general title Multimedia systems
and equipment for metaverse, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
– reconfirmed,
– withdrawn, or
– revised.
INTRODUCTION
The term "metaverse" originated from the science fiction novel "Snow Crash", combining "meta"
and "universe". It refers to a digital-based virtual world that extends the boundaries of the real
world, allowing users to engage in various activities, including imagination and fantasy, within
the virtual space. In the viewpoint of content/platform/network/device, the metaverse can also
be defined as a technology in which a user (using a metaverse device) can access (through
network) a virtual space (a metaverse platform) and experience all activities (metaverse
contents) through an avatar.
At the time of writing, the global industrial metaverse market is experiencing significant growth.
It is noted that the metaverse can be implemented and realized with multimedia systems and
equipment. Accordingly, there is a crucial need of standardization on the subject of metaverse
in IEC TC 100 as a leading standardization group in the area of multimedia systems and
equipment.
The IEC 63614 series consists of the following parts:
– Part 1: General;
– Part 2: Classification;
– Part 3: Gap analysis; and
– Part 4: AI use case.
This document, IEC 63614-1, describes general considerations to take into account for
standardization on multimedia systems and equipment for metaverse.
IEC 63614-2 describes the classification of metaverse in terms of C (contents), P (platform),
N (network), D (device).
IEC 63614-3 describes the gap analysis for the existing standards on metaverse and the
services/products in the metaverse-related industry.
IEC 63614-4 describes a survey and analysis on how to use AI technology for metaverse
systems and services, including the relevant examples and expected benefits in terms of service
providers and users.
___________
Under consideration.
Under consideration.
1 Scope
This document describes general considerations to take into account for standardization on
multimedia systems and equipment for metaverse, which include the concept of metaverse and
the impacts of metaverse on multimedia systems and equipment.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
– IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
– ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
NOTE The terms "device" and "equipment" are related to tools or instruments and are used interchangeably, but
they have distinct meanings based on IEV. The term "system" is a set of devices or equipment, "metaverse" is a sort
of virtual space, and "multimedia" is a set of audio, video, graphics, and data. These terms listed are used in
combination with each other.
EXAMPLE Multimedia device, multimedia equipment, multimedia system and metaverse device, metaverse
equipment, metaverse system.
3.1.1
device
material element or assembly of such elements intended to perform a required function
EXAMPLE Metaverse device.
Note 1 to entry: A device may form part of a larger device.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-151:2001, 151-11-20]
3.1.2
equipment
single apparatus or set of devices or apparatuses, or the set of main devices of an installation,
or all devices necessary to perform a specific task
EXAMPLE Multimedia equipment.
Note 1 to entry: Examples of equipment are a power transformer, the equipment of a substation, measuring
equipment.
[SOURCE: [IEC 60050-151:2001, 151-11-25, modified – Example has been added.]
3.1.3
metaverse
virtual space or space that combines the virtual and the real, organized to enable various social,
economic, and cultural activities based on technology that extends the user's five senses into
virtual space or blends with real space to enable interaction between humans and digital
information
Note 1 to entry: According to ISO/IEC DIS 24931-1, Information technology - Metaverse – Part 1: Concepts,
definitions and terminology, the metaverse can be described as an infinite and persistent set of computer-generated
virtual worlds that may be accessed via a human computer interface. It is controlled by the creator's imagination,
society, human computer interfaces, computer code and graphics. It can be accessed simultaneously by many
people, agents, or machines.
3.1.4
multimedia, adj
pertaining to the combined use of more than one type of media such as audio, text, graphics,
still and moving pictures
Note 1 to entry: The term "multimedia" is also used as a noun to designate the corresponding domain.
Note 2 to entry: Multimedia is the integration of any form of audio, video, graphics, data and telecommunication
and integration includes the production, storage, processing, transmission, display and reproduction of such
information [the scope of the IEC TC 100].
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-171:2019, 171-09-05, modified – Note 2 to entry added.]
3.1.5
system
set of interrelated elements considered in a defined context as a whole and separated from
their environment
EXAMPLE Multimedia system
Note 1 to entry: A system is generally defined with the view of achieving a given objective, e.g. by performing a
definite function.
Note 2 to entry: Elements of a system can be natural or man-made material objects, as well as modes of thinking
and the results thereof (e.g. forms of organisation, mathematical methods, programming languages).
Note 3 to entry: The system is considered to be separated from the environment and the other external systems by
an imaginary surface, which cuts the links between them and the system.
Note 4 to entry: The term "system" should be qualified when it is not clear from the context to what it refers, e.g.
control system, colorimetric system, system of units, transmission system.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-151:2001, 151-11-27, modified – Example added.]
3.2 Abbreviated terms
The abbreviated terms are given in Table 1.
Table 1 – Abbreviated terms
Abbreviated term Full term
3D Three-dimension
AI Artificial intelligence
AR Augmented reality
CPND Content platform network device
CPU Central processing unit
Digital ID Digital identity
GPU Graphic processing unit
MR Mixed reality
NFT Non-fungible token
NPC Non-player characters
PC Personal computer
VR Virtual reality
XR eXtended reality
4 Concept of metaverse
4.1 General
There are a variety of definitions of metaverse. The keywords that are most frequently used in
such definitions include the following: world, virtual, 3D, interact, space, real, environment,
users, immersive, digital, avatar, network, social, physical, online, create, people, simulation,
technology, and the Internet.
In the perspective of IEC TC 100 for standardization on multimedia systems and equipment,
the metaverse will be viewed as a technology in which a user accesses a virtual space by
metaverse devices interconnected to real space through a network and experiences an
immersive audio, video, and multimedia environment as an avatar.
A virtual space combines the virtual and the real, which is organized to enable various social,
economic, and cultural activities through an avatar based on technology that extends the user's
five senses into virtual space or blends it with real sp
...