Overview
ISO/IEC 23000-10:2012 - āInformation technology - Multimedia application format (MPEGāA) - Part 10: Surveillance application formatā defines a file format (Surveillance AF) to store and exchange media and metadata for surveillance systems. Built on the ISO Base Media File Format, the standard provides an interoperable container structure for image, video and audio data plus associated static and timed metadata. Key surveillance features include a dedicated timedātimestamp track, fragmentation/segment linking for ring buffers and instantāreplay workflows, and explicit linking of fragments using UUIDs.
Key topics and technical requirements
- File structure & fragments: Surveillance content is organized into selfācontained fragments (Surveillance AF fragments). Each fragment has a UUID and links to predecessor/successor fragments to support chained storage (e.g., ring buffers).
- Media and metadata tracks: Media tracks (video, audio, images) can be accompanied by a mandatory timed metadata track per media track when media data is present. Fileālevel and trackālevel metadata boxes are supported.
- Time reference: Complete UTC timing must be provided using the XML Schema dateTime format with the āZā parameter and the ISO base media file format time calculations with 64ābit values.
- Derivation & codec support: The format derives from ISO Base Media File Format and restricts AVC (H.264) use to the main part of ISO/IEC 14496ā10 (excluding SVC and MVC annexes). mp4/AVC storage techniques are applicable.
- Track relationships and selection: Multiple video tracks from the same camera are placed in the same alternate group; timed metadata tracks are linked via track references. All media tracks in a connected set share the same total duration.
- Writeāwhileārecord & movie fragments: The spec enables writing and reading while recording by using movie fragments and track fragment runs, supporting predictable fragment sizes and sample counts for storage boundaryāoriented applications.
Applications and who uses it
ISO/IEC 23000ā10:2012 is intended for:
- Surveillance system vendors (NVR/DVR manufacturers) implementing interoperable storage formats
- Video management system (VMS) and playback software developers (for instant replay, forensic search)
- System integrators and installers designing ringābuffer or archival workflows
- Storage and cloud providers offering surveillance storage solutions
- Compliance, forensics and security teams needing standardized timeāstamped evidence containers
Practical uses include interoperable exchange of recorded surveillance media, synchronized timed metadata (e.g., timestamps, alarms, analytics events), multiāstream camera recordings, and architectures requiring fragment chaining or readāwhileāwrite capabilities.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO/IEC 23000-10:2012, Surveillance application format, Surveillance AF, MPEGāA, ISO Base Media File Format, timed metadata, UTC timecode, UUID, fragmentation, AVC, video surveillance file format.
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