StandardsPlay

StandardsPlay is an international consortium that focuses on creating and maintaining a set of interoperable standards for digital media playback and distribution. Established in 2019 by a coalition of technology companies, content providers, and academic institutions, the organization seeks to reduce fragmentation in audio and video formats, ensuring that new devices and platforms can share content seamlessly. The consortium’s work also includes developing reference implementations, test suites, and certification programs that help vendors prove compliance with the shared standards.

The core objectives of StandardsPlay are to promote open standards, accelerate innovation in media technologies, and protect consumer rights. By fostering collaboration between stakeholders from hardware, software, and content industries, the consortium works to create specifications that are both backward compatible and forward‑looking. The organization has published several influential documents, including the Audio Quality Compatibility Protocol (AQCP) and the Video Encapsulation Compatibility Specification (VECS), which guide manufacturers in the design of new playback devices and media servers.

StandardsPlay actively engages with regulatory bodies and standardization federations such as ISO/IEC, ITU, and the ITU-R, ensuring that its specifications align with global best practices. The consortium publishes regular updates, technical notes, and case studies to support developers and consumer electronics companies in adopting its standards. Through its collaborative model, StandardsPlay aims to streamline the media ecosystem, reduce licensing barriers, and enhance the overall user experience across diverse technological platforms.