Vantage

Application Brief: Interoperable Master Format

Deliver Ingest

Interoperable Interoperable
Master Master
Package (IMP) Package (IMP)

XML XML
<xml /> <xml />

Monetize

Edit

Vantage Support for

Interoperable Master Format (IMF)
Overview Description of IMF components
Interoperable Master Format (IMF) IMF is an evolution of the Digital Cinema Package (DCP) architecture,
is a SMPTE standard for providing providing a complete file interchange unit to the distribution channel. While
a single, interchangeable master DCP is about theatrical content distribution, IMF is about providing business-
file format and structure for the es with a master format for creating multiple tailored versions of the same
distribution of content between piece of content for different audiences. It allows distribution of unique
businesses around the world. IMF versions from content owners to service providers, or distributors—and
provides a framework for creating multiple final destinations such as airlines, broadcaster, OTT (e.g. Netflix), DVD
a true file-based final master. authoring, and more.
Interoperable Master Package (IMP) For example, a widely distributed major motion picture may require dozens of
different versions in order to support multiple market segments such as
airlines, VOD providers, promo spots, or an edit for cable television. IMF
eliminates the need to create a dozen plus master copies by separating each
market requirement into individual ‘component formulas’ (Composition Play
Video Track
File(s) Lists or CPLs) that reference the available essence components (namely MXF
media files) included in an IMF package. Individual CPLs are used to create
XML Audio Track
File(s)
versions based on the master essence components for each of the differing
<xml />
market audiences.
CPL
(Composition
Playlist)
An IMF asset is not a single file. It is a standard specifying individual compo-
Subtitle
nents which together create a complete IMF package. An IMF package
CC Data Track includes the following:
File(s)

Closed • Essence wrapped into MXF track files

Caption
Data Track
• Video essence (J2K up to UHD)
File(s) • Audio essence (24bit uncompressed, any number of channels)
• Data essence (subtitles & captioning using IMSC Timed Text)1
XML XML XML • Dynamic metadata (metadata changes over time)1
<xml /> <xml /> <xml />
• Composition playlist (CPL) - a readable XML
Asset
Map
Package
List
Volume
Index
• Similar to an Edit Decision List (EDL)
• References track files via UUID instead of directory paths
Packaging data XML
• Packaging data XML (asset map, packing list and volume index)
 Vantage
IMF Brief

IMF essences are defined by application specifications Ingest IMF

that allow for different codec types, frame rates and into
resolution. Two application specifications, Application Vantage
#2 and #2 Extended 2, are applicable to the broadcast Color Bars Leader.MXF Program.MXF Credits.MXF
MXF
media market. Application #2 supports SD/HD with
JPEG-2000 Broadcast Profile; #2 Extended supports
UHD (up to 4K) with JPEG-2000 Broadcast Profile
media up to 10bit. More information on IMF can be English French English
5.1.MXF 5.1.MXF 2.0.MXF
found here 3.
Vantage support for IMF XML XML XML
Vantage can ingest an IMF CPL as a master source <xml /> <xml /> <xml />

input to create all appropriate outputs, and can create CPL CPL
English
CPL
Airline English
single segment IMF Master Packages as an output. XML 2.0.XML 5.1.XML

Vantage supports ingesting and outputting IMF

Application #2, and Application #2 Extended IMF XML XML XML
packages. <xml /> <xml /> <xml />

Asset Package Volume

Ingesting an IMF package into Vantage Map.XML List.XML Index.XML

Vantage supports multi-segment Application #2 and Interoperable Master Package (IMP)

Application #2 Extended IMF packages as inputs.
Vantage takes an IMF CPL file as an input source for a
Vantage workflow and processes it to create any output
XML
that may be required. Note: Vantage 7.0 currently does
Media <xml />
not support IMF subtitle or closed caption essence files. Processing Input CPL
Telestream is committed to IMF in the broadcast Platform Source to
Vantage
English
2.0.XML
industry, and these features will be supported in a Workflow

future release of Vantage.

Distribute
Media IMF out of Creating an IMF package from Vantage
Processing Media
Vantage
Platform Input Today Vantage supports the creation of single segment
(one video and audio file) Application #2 and Applica-
tion #2 Extended IMF packages. Vantage writes the files
Interoperable Master Package (IMP)
needed to create an IMF package into the directory
XML specified within the workflow. Files consist of a video
<xml /> and audio essence file (MXF), a CPL XML, an Asset
CPL Map XML, Package List XML and Volume Index XML.
Airline
XML Vantage 7.0 does not support the creation of IMF
subtitle or closed caption essence files. These features
will be supported in a future release of Vantage.
Some IMF processing is simple transcoding of a single
Color Bars
MXF
English
2.0.MXF essence. Other IMF processing involves rendering a
complex EDL into the target output format. Vantage
allows you to automate both types of processing.
XML XML XML For more information—or if you have a questions—
<xml /> <xml /> <xml />
contact Telestream or your regional sales manager.
Asset Package Volume
Map.XML List.XML Index.XML

Notes:
1
Not currently supported in Vantage.
2
Standard adopted by Netflix
3
https://www.smpte.org/PDA_On-demand/IMF

Specifications subject to change without notice. Copyright © 2017 Telestream, LLC.

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