Multiview Video Coding (MVC) is an advanced stereoscopic video coding standard designed to efficiently compress video content that includes multiple viewpoints of the same scene. This technology is particularly useful in applications such as 3D television, virtual reality, and free-viewpoint television, where viewers can experience a more immersive and interactive visual experience.

MVC works by exploiting the similarities and redundancies between different views of a scene. Instead of encoding each view independently, MVC uses inter-view prediction techniques to reduce the amount of data required to represent the video. This results in significant savings in storage and bandwidth, making it feasible to deliver high-quality multi-view content over existing infrastructure.

The standard is an extension of the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC (Advanced Video Coding) standard, which is widely used for high-definition video compression. By building on this established framework, MVC ensures compatibility with existing video processing tools and devices, while also providing the additional functionality needed for multi-view applications.

In practical terms, MVC enables the creation of content that can be viewed from different angles, allowing for a more dynamic and engaging viewing experience. This is particularly beneficial in fields such as sports broadcasting, where viewers can choose to watch the action from various perspectives, or in educational and training applications, where different viewpoints can provide a more comprehensive understanding of complex subjects.

Overall, Multiview Video Coding represents a significant advancement in video compression technology, offering new possibilities for content creators and consumers alike.