MPEG-7, formally known as Multimedia Content Description Interface, includes standardized tools (descriptors, description schemes, and language) enabling structural, detailed descriptions of audio-visual information at different granularity levels (region, image, video segment, collection) and in different areas (content description, management, organization, navigation, and user interaction). It aims to support and facilitate a wide range of applications, such as media portals, content broadcasting, and ubiquitous multimedia, In this paper, me present a high-level overview of the MBEG-7 standard. We first discuss the scope, basic terminology, and potential applications. Next, we discuss the constituent components. Then, we compare the relationship with other standards to highlight its capabilities. Some parts of the standard are also covered in depth in this Special Issue.
