The expert group behind the structure of multimedia files such as MP4 and 3GP was honoured with the prestigious Technology & Engineering Emmy Award from the US-based National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The prize was presented at the 72nd Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards held last night, 4 November 2021.
The File Format Subgroup of MPEG Systems, which operates under ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 29, a joint technical subcommittee of ISO and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), was recognized for the development of International Standard ISO/IEC 14496-12, Information technology – Coding of audio-visual objects – Part 12: ISO base media file format. The award-winning format provides the structure for time-based media files such as video and audio, which facilitates interchange, management, editing and presentation of the media. Without it, the technology just doesn’t work.
Emmys are awarded for excellence in artistic, educational and technical achievements in television. JTC 1/SC 29’s MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) and JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) have won seven Emmy Awards in recent years for their revolutionary contributions to the global audiovisual industry.
Gary Sullivan, Chair of ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 29, said: “The ISO base media file format has become the bedrock underlying modern media storage and delivery, spanning both local storage and streaming services for music, video and other media.”
David Singer, who chairs the File Format Subgroup, said it is heartening to be recognized for all the intense effort that goes into this technology, without which the world would be a very different place.
“Over 20 years, a small, dedicated set of experts has curated this format, respecting and developing the initial design principles, while being flexible and responsive to the needs of industry, and the result is a format that is still in active adoption and development,” he said.
Learn more about MPEG and JPEG standards and the work of ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 29 on its dedicated website.