The Media Coding Industry Forum has released its latest analysis into industry developments in Versatile Video Coding.
Following a year in which the technology expanded significantly across a number of sectors, Justin Ridge, president of the Media Coding Industry Forum (MC-IF) an principal engineer at Nokia’s multimedia research and standardisation unit, predicted growth in Versatile Video Coding (VVC) would continue throughout 2025.
Ridge highlighted three areas in which VVC is expected to make significant strides. “First, grassroots interest in the technology is likely to increase, thanks in part to FFmpeg’s integration’ he said. “With more tools making VVC accessible, independent creators and ‘prosumers’ are beginning to explore how the technology can compress files more efficiently and optimise streaming.”
This adoption will lead to greater awareness and demand for VVC capabilities, he predicted, along with simultaneous expansion into consumer electronics. Highlighting its inclusion in TV chipsets and its role in Brazil’s new TV standards, he said, “Once regional markets like Brazil adopt VVC on a larger scale, global economies of scale often follow, driving adoption in other parts of the world.”
Integrating VVC into mobile ecosystems represents another “promising frontier,” with demonstrations last year showing the technology could run smoothly on older mobile devices. “These prototypes, combined with software designed for broader use, suggest that VVC’s mobile applications could soon reach commercial deployment,” he explained.
Challenges and key considerations
There are, however, challenges to be overcome. Ridge explained that several factors must be considered carefully when deploying a new codec, particularly in industries where spectrum and bandwidth efficiency are critical. Fragmentation and compatibility are key considerations. “While VVC provides clear benefits, organisations must also consider how to maintain support for legacy systems during the transition. For example, broadcasters cannot afford to alienate audiences with older devices that lack VVC compatibility,” said Ridge.
Interoperability is also a potential hurdle, with integration of VVC into workflows logistically complex. From video production to transmission and decoding, it is imperative that the entire ecosystem supports the new codec. Ridge explained that timing is key. Organisations must align their efforts with broader industry states of readiness in order to maximise the benefits of adopting the technology.
The ROI of VVC
Commenting on the ROI potential of VVC, Ridge noted both its immediate and longer term benefits. “This technology’s coding efficiency is unparalleled, enabling organisations to achieve higher video quality at lower bitrates. This makes it possible for industry players to reduce storage and transmission costs significantly, an efficiency that translates directly into financial savings, whether through reduced storage needs or optimised spectrum usage,” he said.
A further advantage lies in VVC’s technical design, which makes it suitable for deployment across a wide range of devices, including lower-end products without “excessive battery drain.” Its ability to span applications – from immersive video to scalable formats – provides a unified solution, reducing the need for multiple specialised codecs.
MC-IF’s role in promoting growth
MC-IF aims to play a continued role in facilitating the adoption of VVC. The organisation is committed to education, said Ridge, bridging the gap between the complexity of VVC standards and the requirements of users. In providing clear guidance and addressing concerns over deployment complexity, the organisation is helping users understand how to integrate the technology into an increasing number of operations. Underlining the expanding role of video across a wide range of industries, Ridge said, “From automotive applications to surveillance and beyond, video is becoming integral to products and services that were once outside the traditional scope of video technology. By supporting interoperability and scalability, VVC offers a pathway to unlock new opportunities across these emerging markets.”
Concluding that 2025 is set to be a “landmark” year for VVC, the focus of Ridge and the MC-IF remains on ensuring it delivers on its potential to reshape the future of video.
