This registry is intended to enhance interoperability among
implementations and users of [WEBCODECS]. In particular, this
registry provides the means to identify and avoid collisions among codec
strings and provides a mechanism to define codec-specific members of [WEBCODECS] codec configuration dictionaries.
This registry is not intended to include any information on whether a codec
format is encumbered by intellectual property claims. Implementers and
users are advised to seek appropriate legal counsel in this matter if they
intend to implement or use a specific codec format. Implementers of
WebCodecs are not required to support any particular codec nor registry
entry.
This registry is non-normative.
Status of this document
This section describes the status of this document at the time of its publication. Other documents may supersede this document. A list of current W3C publications and the latest revision of this technical report can be found in the W3C technical reports index at https://www.w3.org/TR/.
Feedback and comments on this specification are welcome. GitHub Issues are preferred for discussion on this specification. Alternatively, you can send comments to the Media Working Group’s mailing-list, public-media-wg@w3.org (archives).
This draft highlights some of the pending issues that are still to be discussed in the working group.
No decision has been taken on the outcome of these issues including whether they are valid.
Publication as a Working Draft does not imply endorsement by the W3C Membership.
This is a draft document and may be updated, replaced or obsoleted by other documents at any time.
It is inappropriate to cite this document as other than work in progress.
This document was produced by a group operating under the W3C Patent Policy.
The group does not expect this document to become a W3C Recommendation. W3C maintains a public list of any patent disclosures made in connection with the deliverables of the group; that page also includes instructions for disclosing a patent. An individual who has actual knowledge of a patent which the individual believes contains Essential Claim(s) must disclose the information in accordance with section 6 of the W3C Patent Policy.
Each entry must include a unique codec string and a common name string.
If the codec string contains a fixed prefix with variable suffix values, the
suffix must be represented by an asterisk and the registration must link to
a public specification describing how to fully qualify the variable portion
of the string.
If the described codec requires that codec-specific bytes be provided as
part of the VideoDecoderConfig.description or the AudioDecoderConfig.description, the registration must link to
a public specification describing how to populate these fields.
If the AudioEncoderConfig or VideoEncoderConfig dictionaries are extended with members specific to the described codec, the
registration must link to a public specification describing how to populate
these fields.
Candidate entries must be announced by filing an issue in the WebCodecs GitHub issue tracker so they can be discussed and evaluated for compliance before being added to
the registry. If registry editors reach consensus to accept the candidate,
a pull request should be drafted (either by editors or by the party
requesting the candidate registration) to register the candidate. The
registry editors will review and merge the pull request.
3. Audio Codec Registry
Several registrations contain TODOs which should be replaced with links
to public specifications covering the mentioned definitions.
codec string
common name
public specification
flac
Flac
TODO (AudioDecoderConfig.description)
mp3
MP3
N/A
mp4a.*
AAC
TODO (string + AudioDecoderConfig.description)
opus
Opus
TODO (AudioDecoderConfig.description)
vorbis
Vorbis
TODO (AudoDecoderConfig.description)
ulaw
PCM u-law
N/A
alaw
PCM a-law
N/A
4. Video Codec Registry
Several registrations contain TODOs which should be replaced with links
to public specifications covering the mentioned definitions.