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41st Meeting: by teleconference, CH, January 2026 2026-03-06 18:10
Algorithm description for Versatile Video Coding and Test Model 23 (VTM 23)
Authors: Y. Ye A. Browne S. Kim Jens-Rainer Ohm
Abstract
The JVET established the VVC Test Model 23 (VTM23) software at its 32nd meeting (13-20 October 2023, Hannover). This document serves as a source of general tutorial information on the VVC design and also provides an algorithm description and encoding method description of VTM23 software. It is noted that the release of a new algorithm description and test model document and the release of a new VTM software version are not always synchronized, resulting in the potential for the two to have different version numbers. Currently, the numbering of the VTM software version is one higher than that of this algorithm description and test model document. In the main body of the text, numbering refers to the software version. The VVC has been developed by a joint collaborative team of ITU-T and ISO/IEC experts known as the Joint Video Experts Team (JVET), which is a partnership of ITU-T Study Group 16 Question 6 (known as VCEG) and the previous ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 29/WG 11 (known as MPEG). This new standard has been designed with two primary goals. The first of these is to specify a video coding technology with a compression capability that is substantially beyond that of the prior generations of such standards, and the second is for this technology to be highly versatile for effective use in a broadened range of applications. In addition to the applications that have commonly been addressed by prior video coding standards, some key application areas for the use of this standard include in particular ultra-high-definition video (e.g., with 3840×2160 or 7620×4320 picture resolution and bit depth of 10 or 12 bits as specified in Rec. ITU-R BT.2100), video with a high dynamic range and wide colour gamut (e.g., with the perceptual quantization or hybrid log-gamma transfer characteristics specified in Rec. ITU-R BT.2100), and video for immersive media applications such as 360° omnidirectional video projected using a common projection format such as the equirectangular or cubemap projection format.
Meeting Notes
JVET-AO2002 Algorithm description for Versatile Video Coding and Test Model 23 (VTM 23) [Y. Ye, A. Browne, S. Kim] (2026-03-13)

Primary editor: Y. Ye.

New elements from notes elsewhere in this report:

It is noted that the list above may not be complete; if some adoption is missing that is recorded somewhere else in the meeting notes it shall also be considered included.

It was suggested that editorial improvements would also be welcome.

Remains valid – not updated: JVET-AJ2003 Guidelines for VTM-based software development [F. Bossen, X. Li, K. Sühring]
Remains valid – not updated: JVET-T2004 Algorithm descriptions of projection format conversion and video quality metrics in 360Lib (Version 12) [Y. Ye, J. Boyce]
Remains valid – not updated: JVET-AM2005 Additions and corrections for VVC version 4 (Draft 13) [G. J. Sullivan, B. Bross, M. M. Hannuksela, Y.-K. Wang] (2025-08-01)

Primary editor: G. J. Sullivan.

Remains valid – not updated: JVET-AM2006 Additional SEI messages for VSEI version 4 (Draft 7) [J. Boyce, J. Chen, S. Deshpande, M. M. Hannuksela, S. McCarthy, G. J. Sullivan, H. Tan, Y.-K. Wang] (2025-08-01)

Primary editor: J. Boyce.

Remains valid – not updated: JVET-AJ2007 Guidelines for NNVC software development [F. Galpin, S. Eadie, L. Wang, Z. Xie, Y. Li]

Might benefit from an update in the future, regarding some details of SADL implementation.

Remains valid – not updated: JVET-AN2008 Conformance testing for versatile video coding (Draft 8) [I. Moccagatta, F. Bossen, S. Iwamura, P. de Lagrange]

Primary editor: I. Moccagatta

This was submitted to ITU consent on H.266.1 3rd ed., and has been (pre-)published. An equivalent version was under ballot as ISO/IEC DIS 23090-15 3rd ed. A DoC WG 5 N 385 on the DIS was reviewed and approved on Thursday 22 Jan. at 2010-2020. The DIS text will be sent for publication as final standard.

Remains valid – not updated: JVET-AJ2009 Reference software for versatile video coding 2nd edition (Draft 2) [F. Bossen, K. Sühring, X. Li] [WG 5 DIS N 322)]

Software relating to H.266.2 and ISO/IEC 23090-16 can be found at https://vcgit.hhi.fraunhofer.de/jvet/VVCSoftware_VTM/-/tree/2nd-edition.

Primary editor: F. Bossen.

[kept for future meetings] A request for next edition(s) of reference software(s) could be issued in the next meeting, and also CD(s) could be produced by the same meeting, as SC 29 is meeting beginning of February and could approve such projects without issuing a ballot. Issuing CD(s) by the January meeting (if mature enough) could avoid that an ISO version would lag behind an ITU version which might be submitted for consent in July 2026. Another consideration could be to start the process for ISO early enough in 2026, such that FDIS and ITU consent could be synchronized in April 2027.

Remains valid – not updated: JVET-AL2010 VTM and HM common test conditions and software reference configurations for SDR 4:2:0 10 bit video [F. Bossen, X. Li, V. Seregin, K. Sharman, K. Sühring]

JVET-AO2002 Algorithm description for Versatile Video Coding and Test Model 23 (VTM 23) [Y. Ye, A. Browne, S. Kim] (2026-03-13)

Primary editor: Y. Ye.

New elements from notes elsewhere in this report:

RPR clarification (JVET-AO0136)

MCTF (JVET-AO0136 and JVET-AO0288)

BIM (JVET-AO0288)

It is noted that the list above may not be complete; if some adoption is missing that is recorded somewhere else in the meeting notes it shall also be considered included.

It was suggested that editorial improvements would also be welcome.

Remains valid – not updated: JVET-AJ2003 Guidelines for VTM-based software development [F. Bossen, X. Li, K. Sühring]

Remains valid – not updated: JVET-T2004 Algorithm descriptions of projection format conversion and video quality metrics in 360Lib (Version 12) [Y. Ye, J. Boyce]

Remains valid – not updated: JVET-AM2005 Additions and corrections for VVC version 4 (Draft 13) [G. J. Sullivan, B. Bross, M. M. Hannuksela, Y.-K. Wang] (2025-08-01)

Primary editor: G. J. Sullivan.

Remains valid – not updated: JVET-AM2006 Additional SEI messages for VSEI version 4 (Draft 7) [J. Boyce, J. Chen, S. Deshpande, M. M. Hannuksela, S. McCarthy, G. J. Sullivan, H. Tan, Y.-K. Wang] (2025-08-01)

Primary editor: J. Boyce.

Remains valid – not updated: JVET-AJ2007 Guidelines for NNVC software development [F. Galpin, S. Eadie, L. Wang, Z. Xie, Y. Li]

Might benefit from an update in the future, regarding some details of SADL implementation.

Remains valid – not updated: JVET-AN2008 Conformance testing for versatile video coding (Draft 8) [I. Moccagatta, F. Bossen, S. Iwamura, P. de Lagrange]

Primary editor: I. Moccagatta

This was submitted to ITU consent on H.266.1 3rd ed., and has been (pre-)published. An equivalent version was under ballot as ISO/IEC DIS 23090-15 3rd ed. A DoC WG 5 N 385 on the DIS was reviewed and approved on Thursday 22 Jan. at 2010-2020. The DIS text will be sent for publication as final standard.

Remains valid – not updated: JVET-AJ2009 Reference software for versatile video coding 2nd edition (Draft 2) [F. Bossen, K. Sühring, X. Li] [WG 5 DIS N 322)]

Software relating to H.266.2 and ISO/IEC 23090-16 can be found at https://vcgit.hhi.fraunhofer.de/jvet/VVCSoftware_VTM/-/tree/2nd-edition.

Primary editor: F. Bossen.

[kept for future meetings] A request for next edition(s) of reference software(s) could be issued in the next meeting, and also CD(s) could be produced by the same meeting, as SC 29 is meeting beginning of February and could approve such projects without issuing a ballot. Issuing CD(s) by the January meeting (if mature enough) could avoid that an ISO version would lag behind an ITU version which might be submitted for consent in July 2026. Another consideration could be to start the process for ISO early enough in 2026, such that FDIS and ITU consent could be synchronized in April 2027.

Remains valid – not updated: JVET-AL2010 VTM and HM common test conditions and software reference configurations for SDR 4:2:0 10 bit video [F. Bossen, X. Li, V. Seregin, K. Sharman, K. Sühring]

Cited:
JVET-AQ2021
ARCHIVE :
JVET-AO2002-v1.docx
Decisions
JVET-AO2002 Algorithm description for Versatile Video Coding and Test Model 23 (VTM 23)
Remains valid – not updated: JVET-AL2010 VTM and HM common test conditions and software reference configurations for SDR 4:2:0 10 bit video [F. Bossen, X. Li, V. Seregin, K. Sharman, K. Sühring]
Citation