ISO/IEC 23090-2:2023

Information technology — Coded representation of immersive media — Part 2: Omnidirectional media format

This document specifies the omnidirectional media format for coding, storage, delivery and rendering of omnidirectional media, including video, images, audio and timed text. Omnidirectional image or video can contain graphics elements generated by computer graphics but encoded as image or video. Multiple viewpoints, each corresponding to an omnidirectional camera, are supported. The document also specifies storage and delivery of overlay images or video intended to be rendered over the omnidirectional background image or video.

Technologies de l'information — Représentation codée de média immersifs — Partie 2: Format de média omnidirectionnel

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 08-Jun-2023
• ICS: 35.040.40 - Coding of audio, video, multimedia and hypermedia information
• Technical Committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 29 - Coding of audio, picture, multimedia and hypermedia information
• Drafting Committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 29 - Coding of audio, picture, multimedia and hypermedia information
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 09-Jun-2023
• Due Date: 10-Aug-2023
• Completion Date: 09-Jun-2023

Relations

• Revises: ISO/IEC 23090-2:2021 - Information technology — Coded representation of immersive media — Part 2: Omnidirectional media format
• Effective Date: 06-Jun-2022

Overview

ISO/IEC 23090-2:2023 defines the omnidirectional media format as part of the broader suite of standards for immersive media representation. Published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), this standard plays a crucial role in enabling the efficient encoding, storage, delivery, and rendering of omnidirectional media assets, including video, images, audio, and timed text. It also addresses the integration of computer-generated graphics as image or video resources and supports multiple viewpoints, each associated with an omnidirectional camera. The standard is fundamental for ensuring interoperability and high-quality user experiences in virtual reality (VR), 360-degree video, and other immersive environments.

Key Topics

• Omnidirectional Media Representation
  Supports 360-degree videos and images, including computer-generated graphics, by specifying flexible formats for capturing and presenting content from all directions.

• Storage and Signalling
  Defines how omnidirectional media and related metadata are encapsulated, signalled, and stored, with specific extensions for the ISO Base Media File Format (ISOBMFF).

• Delivery Methods
  Details mechanisms for streaming omnidirectional media using protocols such as Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) and MPEG Media Transport (MMT), meeting the requirements of adaptive bitrate and viewport-based delivery.

• Overlay Support
  Provides methods for encoding, storing, and delivering overlay images or video that appear over the omnidirectional background, enhancing interactivity and user engagement.

• Multiple Viewpoints and Viewport Management
  Enables content creators to define multiple viewing perspectives, supporting advanced uses like multi-camera VR experiences and individualized user navigation.

• Region-wise Packing and Quality Ranking
  Facilitates efficient storage and transmission by supporting region-based encoding and quality ranking, enabling dynamic focus and resource optimization.

Applications

Adopting ISO/IEC 23090-2:2023 brings significant practical value to sectors developing or using immersive media:

• Virtual Reality (VR) Solutions
  Essential for VR platforms, headsets, and applications where 360° video and audio must be delivered seamlessly for an immersive user experience.

• 360-degree Video Streaming
  Streaming services leveraging omnidirectional content benefit from standardized media formats, enabling high-quality playback across devices and reducing compatibility challenges.

• Interactive Media and Education
  Enables the integration of overlays, graphics, and multiple viewpoints for interactive training, educational modules, and museum experiences, facilitating richer storytelling and engagement.

• Entertainment and Live Events
  Elevates live sports, concerts, and events with multiple viewpoints and overlays, delivering more options for interactivity and audience immersion.

• Augmented Reality (AR) and Hybrid Experiences
  Supports the merging of real-world camera feeds with computer-generated graphics, paving the way for blended AR/VR applications.

Related Standards

For organizations looking to implement or integrate omnidirectional media solutions, familiarity with the following standards is beneficial:

• ISO/IEC 23090-1 - Immersive Media General Requirements
• ISO Base Media File Format (ISOBMFF) - Foundation for media storage and signalling (ISO/IEC 14496-12)
• Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) - Streaming protocol for adaptive media delivery (ISO/IEC 23009)
• MPEG Media Transport (MMT) - Signalling and delivery for immersive media
• CMAF (Common Media Application Format) - Profiled implementation for media streaming (ISO/IEC 23000-19)

By adhering to ISO/IEC 23090-2:2023, industries driving 360° video, VR, and immersive applications ensure future-ready, interoperable products that deliver engaging, standardized experiences worldwide.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO/IEC
STANDARD 23090-2
Third edition
2023-06
Information technology — Coded
representation of immersive media —
Part 2:
Omnidirectional media format
Technologies de l'information — Représentation codée de média
immersifs —
Partie 2: Format de média omnidirectionnel
Reference number
© ISO/IEC 2023
© ISO/IEC 2023
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
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Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
© ISO/IEC 2023 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword . vii
Introduction . viii
1 Scope. 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms, definitions, abbreviated terms and symbols . 3
3.1 Terms and definitions .3
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 11
3.3 Symbols.12
3.3.1 Arithmetic operators and mathematical functions . 12
3.3.2 Order of operation precedence . 13
3.3.3 Range notation . 14
3.3.4 Variables . 14
3.3.5 Processes . 14
3.3.6 Syntax structures . 15
3.3.7 Conventions for indicating the number of boxes in tables . 15
4 Overview . 15
4.1 Overall architecture . 15
4.2 Projected omnidirectional video/images . 18
4.2.1 General .18
4.2.2 Stitching, rotation, projection, and region-wise packing . 18
4.3 Fisheye omnidirectional video/images . 19
4.4 Mesh omnidirectional video . 20
4.5 Streaming methods for omnidirectional video . 20
4.5.1 Overview . 20
4.5.2 Tile-based streaming with viewport-specific author-driven binding . 22
4.5.3 Tile-based streaming with free-viewport author-driven binding. 22
4.5.4 Tile-based streaming with late binding . 23
4.6 Additional functionalities . 25
4.7 Conformance and interoperability . 25
4.7.1 General .25
4.7.2 Media profiles . 26
4.7.3 Presentation profiles . 28
4.7.4 Toolset brands . 28
4.7.5 Summary of referenceable code points . 28
5 Omnidirectional video projection and region-wise packing . 35
5.1 Coordinate system . 35
5.2 Omnidirectional projection formats . 36
5.2.1 General .36
5.2.2 Equirectangular projection for one sample location . 36
5.2.3 Cubemap projection for one sample location. 37
5.3 Conversion from the local coordinate axes to the global coordinate axes . 39
5.4 Region-wise packing formats . 40
5.4.1 General .40
5.4.2 Conversion of one sample location for rectangular region-wise packing . 41
6 Fisheye omnidirectional video . 42
6.1 General . 42
6.2 The FisheyeVideoEssentialInfoStruct() syntax structure . 42
6.2.1 Syntax .42
6.2.2 Semantics . 43
6.3 The FisheyeVideoSupplementalInfoStruct() syntax structure . 46
6.3.1 Syntax .46
6.3.2 Semantics . 47
© ISO/IEC 2023 – All rights reserved iii

7 Omnidirectional media storage and metadata signalling in the ISOBMFF . 52
7.1 Generic extensions to the ISOBMFF . 52
7.1.1 Indication of a track not intended to be presented alone . 52
7.1.2 Clarifications on the stereo video box . 52
7.1.3 Generic sub-picture track grouping extensions . 53
7.1.4 Media offset box . 57
7.2 Generic extensions to ISO/IEC 14496-15 . 58
7.2.1 Containing of SpatialRelationship2DDescriptionBox for HEVC tile base track and
HEVC tile tracks . 58
7.3 OMAF-specific extensions to the ISOBMFF . 58
7.3.1 Sync samples in timed metadata tracks . 58
7.4 OMAF-specific extensions to ISO/IEC 14496-15 . 59
7.4.1 Coverage information box in an HEVC tile base track . 59
7.5 Structures and semantics that are common for video tracks and image items . 59
7.5.1 Semantics of sample locations within a decoded picture . 59
7.5.2 Projection format structure . 62
7.5.3 Region-wise packing structure . 63
7.5.4 Rotation structure . 70
7.5.5 Content coverage structure . 71
7.5.6 Sphere region structure . 72
7.6 Restricted video schemes for omnidirectional video . 76
7.6.1 Scheme types . 76
7.6.2 Projected omnidirectional video box . 81
7.6.3 Fisheye omnidirectional video box . 82
7.6.4 Region-wise packing box . 83
7.6.5 Rotation box . 83
7.6.6 Coverage information box . 84
7.6.7 Mesh omnidirectional video box . 84
7.6.8 Mesh box . 85
7.7 Timed metadata for sphere regions . 87
7.7.1 General . 87
7.7.2 Sample entry . 88
7.7.3 Sample format . 89
7.7.4 Initial viewing orientation . 89
7.7.5 Recommended viewport . 91
7.7.6 Timed text sphere location metadata . 94
7.8 Signalling of region-wise quality ranking . 95
7.8.1 General . 95
7.8.2 Spherical region-wise quality ranking . 95
7.8.3 2D region-wise quality ranking . 97
7.9 Storage of omnidirectional images . 99
7.9.1 General . 99
7.9.2 Frame packing item property . 99
7.9.3 Projection format item property . 100
7.9.4 Essential fisheye image item property . 101
7.9.5 Supplemental fisheye image item property . 102
7.9.6 Region-wise packing item property . 102
7.9.7 Rotation item property . 103
7.9.8 Coverage information item property . 103
7.9.9 Initial viewing orientation item property . 104
7.10 Storage of timed text for omnidirectional video . 105
7.10.1 General . 105
7.10.2 OMAF timed text configuration box . 105
7.10.3 IMSC1 tracks . 108
7.10.4 WebVTT tracks . 108
7.11 ERP region timed metadata . 109
7.11.1 General . 109
7.11.2 Sample entry format . 109
7.11.3 Semantics . 109
7.11.4 Sample format . 110
iv © ISO/IEC 2023 – All rights reserved

7.11.5 Generating ERP region metadata . 111
7.12 Storage and signalling of viewpoints for omnidirectional video and images . 111
7.12.1 Viewpoint information structures . 111
7.12.2 Viewpoint entity grouping . 120
7.12.3 Timed metadata for viewpoints . 122
7.13 Storage of omnidirectional video in sub-picture tracks. 127
7.13.1 General . 127
7.13.2 Projected omnidirectional video . 127
7.13.3 Indication of composition pictures being packed pictures or projected pictures . 128
7.13.4 Fisheye omnidirectional video . 128
7.14 Storage and signalling of overlays for omnidirectional video and images . 129
7.14.1 General . 129
7.14.2 Overlay structure . 131
7.14.3 Overlay control structures . 132
7.14.4 Overlay configuration box . 143
7.14.5 Overlay item property . 143
7.14.6 Overlay timed metadata track . 144
7.14.7 Entity groups . 145
7.14.8 Overlay alpha auxiliary image . 148
7.15 Signalling of viewing space information . 149
7.15.1 General . 149
7.15.2 Viewing space structure. 149
7.15.3 Viewing space box . 152
7.15.4 Viewing space item property . 152
7.15.5 Time varying immersive viewing space signalling . 152
7.16 Mapping of rectangular regions to the 3D mesh . 153
7.16.1 General . 153
7.16.2 Tile mesh sample grouping . 153
7.16.3 Rectangular region structure. 155
7.16.4 Projection of a sample location onto the 3D mesh . 156
8 Omnidirectional media encapsulation and signalling in DASH . 157
8.1 Architecture of DASH delivery in OMAF . 157
8.2 Usage of DASH in OMAF . 159
8.2.1 General . 159
8.2.2 Signalling of stereoscopic frame packing . 159
8.2.3 Carriage of timed metadata . 159
8.2.4 Associating Adaptation Sets or Representations with each other . 160
8.3 DASH MPD descriptors for omnidirectional media in the namespace
"urn:mpeg:mpegI:omaf:2017" . 161
8.3.1 XML namespace and schema . 161
8.3.2 Signalling of projection type information . 161
8.3.3 Signalling of region-wise packing type . 162
8.3.4 Signalling of content coverage . 163
8.3.5 Signalling of spherical region-wise quality ranking . 166
8.3.6 Signalling of 2D region-wise quality ranking . 172
8.3.7 Signalling of fisheye omnidirectional video . 177
8.4 Carriage of images . 177
8.4.1 General . 177
8.4.2 Format and constraints for Segments. 178
8.5 DASH MPD descriptors for omnidirectional media in the namespace

"urn:mpeg:mpegI:omaf:2020" . 178
8.5.1 XML namespace and schema . 178
8.5.2 Signalling of association . 178
8.5.3 Signalling of viewpoints . 180
8.5.4 Signalling of sub-picture composition identifier and its attributes . 187
8.5.5 Signalling of overlays . 188
8.5.6 Entity to group descriptor . 190
8.5.7 Content component attribute for Representation. 192
8.6 Segment formats . 192
© ISO/IEC 2023 – All rights reserved v

8.6.1 Initialization Segment for OMAF base track . 192
8.6.2 Tile Index Segment . 196
8.6.3 Tile Data Segment . 197
9 Omnidirectional media encapsulation and signalling in MMT . 198
9.1 Architecture of MMT delivery in OMAF . 198
9.2 OMAF signalling in MPEG composition information . 199
9.3 VR application-specific MMT signalling . 199
9.3.1 General . 199
9.3.2 MMT signalling . 200
10 Media profiles . 216
10.1 Video profiles . 216
10.2 Audio profiles . 250
10.3 Image profiles . 259
10.4 Timed text profiles . 266
11 Presentation profiles . 267
11.1 OMAF viewport-independent baseline presentation profile . 267
11.1.1 General . 267
11.1.2 ISO Base Media File Format constraints . 267
11.2 OMAF viewport-dependent baseline presentation profile . 268
11.2.1 General . 268
11.2.2 ISO Base Media File Format constraints . 268
12 OMAF toolset brands. 268
12.1 Overlay toolset brand . 268
12.1.1 Overview. 268
12.1.2 ISO Base Media File Format constraints . 268
12.1.3 OMAF player operation . 269
12.2 Viewpoint toolset brand . 269
12.2.1 Overview. 269
12.2.2 ISO Base Media File Format constraints . 269
12.2.3 OMAF player operation . 269
12.3 Non-linear storyline toolset brand . 269
12.3.1 Overview. 269
12.3.2 ISO Base Media File Format constraints . 269
12.3.3 OMAF player operation . 270
Annex A (normative) OMAF DASH schema . 271
Annex B (normative) DASH integration of media profiles . 275
Annex C (normative) CMAF integration of media profiles . 288
Annex D (informative) Viewport-dependent omnidirectional video processing . 292
Annex E (informative) DASH MPD examples . 335
Annex F (informative) MMT signalling examples . 340
Annex G (normative) Expected behaviour of OMAF player . 342
Bibliography . 352

vi © ISO/IEC 2023 – All rights reserved

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical Commission)
form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are members of ISO or IEC
participate in the development of International Standards through technical committees established by the
respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical activity. ISO and IEC technical committees
collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other international organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in
liaison with ISO and IEC, also take part in the work.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described in
the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of
document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the ISO/IEC
Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives or www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO and IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any patent
rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on the ISO list of
patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents ) or the IEC list of patent declarations received (see
patents.iec.ch).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not constitute
an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related
to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade Organization (WTO)
. In the IEC, see
principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html
www.iec.ch/understanding-standards.
This document was prepared by Joint Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology, Subcommittee
SC 29, Coding of audio, picture, multimedia and hypermedia information.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO/IEC 23090-2:2021), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— The following profiles for the Versatile Video Coding (VVC) standard (Rec. ITU-T H.266 | ISO/IEC 23090-3)
have been added:
— VVC-based simple tiling OMAF video profile,
— VVC-based viewport-independent OMAF video profile,
— OMAF VVC image profile, and
— CMAF media profile for the VVC-based viewport-independent OMAF video profile.
A list of all parts in the ISO/IEC 23090 series can be found on the ISO and IEC websites.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A complete
listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html and www.iec.ch/national-committees.

© ISO/IEC 2023 – All rights reserved vii

Introduction
When omnidirectional media content is consumed with a head-mounted display and headphones, only the parts of
the media that correspond to the user's viewing orientation are rendered, as if the user were in the spot where
and when the media was captured. One of the forms of omnidirectional media applications is omnidirectional
video, also known as 360° video. Omnidirectional video is typically captured by multiple cameras that cover the
entire sphere or at least a large part of the sphere. Compared to traditional media application formats, the end-to-
end technology for omnidirectional video (from capture to playback) is more easily fragmented due to various
capturing and video projection technologies. From the capture side, there exist many different types of cameras
capable of capturing 360° video, and on the playback side there are many different devices that are able to
playback 360° video with different processing capabilities. To avoid fragmentation of omnidirectional media
content and devices, a standardized format for omnidirectional media applications is specified in this document.
This document defines a media format that enables omnidirectional media applications, focusing on 360° video,
images, and audio, as well as associated timed text. What is specified in this document includes (but is not limited
to):
 a coordinate system that consists of a unit sphere and three coordinate axes, namely the X (back-to-front)
axis, the Y (lateral, side-to-side) axis, and the Z (vertical, up) axis;
 projection and rectangular region-wise packing methods that may be used for conversion of a spherical video
sequence or image into a two-dimensional rectangular video sequence or image, respectively;
 storage of omnidirectional media and the associated metadata using the ISO Base Media File Format
(ISOBMFF) as specified in ISO/IEC 14496-12;
 storage of video or image overlays and the associated metadata using ISOBMFF;
 encapsulation, signalling, and streaming of omnidirectional media and overlays in a media streaming system,
e.g. dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP (DASH) as specified in ISO/IEC 23009-1 or MPEG media
transport (MMT) as specified in ISO/IEC 23008-1;
 media profiles and presentation profiles that provide conformance points for media codecs as well as media
coding and encapsulation configurations that may be used for compression, streaming, and playback of the
omnidirectional media content;
 toolset brands that provide conformance points for functionalities beyond plain 360° video, images and
audio.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
draw attention to the fact that it is claimed that compliance with this document may involve the use of a patent.
ISO and IEC take no position concerning the evidence, validity and scope of this patent right.
The holder of this patent right has assured ISO and IEC that he/she is willing to negotiate licences under
reasonable and non-discriminatory terms and conditions with applicants throughout the world. In this respect,
the statement of the holder of this patent right is registered with ISO and IEC. Information may be obtained from
the patent database available at www.iso.org/patents.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights other than those in the patent database. ISO and IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any
...