[Archived] AMWA AS-11 X4
MXF Program Contribution - HD Long GOP (23.98p (24/1.001p), 59.94p (60/1.001p))


About this web page

This web page is the principal rendering / view of the AMWA AS-11 X4 Specification.

Full details of all the Components (Blocks, Notes, and the others) that form this Rules-based Specification are either shown directly on the current web page or are included in the "specification_data_files" directory that accompanies the page (with explicit links from the current page).

Important links
Specification Repository on GitHub This repository is where the entire Specification (including this file and alternative renderings / views of the Specification) is stored and version controlled
List of Releases Milestones marking significant points in the development of the Specification
Specifications Page on the AMWA Website The home of Specifications on the AMWA website
Development and Implementation Resources Provides resources such as Specification issue tracking, MXF sample files, and tools

AS-11: Media Contribution File Formats

The AMWA AS-11 Specifications define constrained media file formats for the delivery of finished media assets to a broadcaster or publisher. Each Specification is developed for a particular business purpose.

Purpose of the AS-11 X4 Specification

Aims

This Specification aims to define a file format for the delivery of finished HD inter-coded (Long GOP) TV Programmes (at frame rates of either 59.94p (60/1.001p) or 23.98p (24/1.001p)). It aims to define:

Some notes on practical use

Understanding the Specification Blocks Tree

The Rules-Based Specification Framework

This Specification has been written using a 'Rules-based Specification Framework'. In this framework, each 'constraint' or 'rule' is expressed as a 'Component' which can be unambiguously identified by its ID (the Component ID is a web address / URL; there need not be any content available at this web address). These Components assemble into 'networks' or 'webs' to form complete Specifications, with many Components being re-used across a number of Specifications. Through this approach machine processable Specifications are developed which are less ambiguous and easier to implement and test. To read a more detailed introduction to the Rules-based Specification Framework refer to Rules-Based Specifications: Modelling and Processing.

In this document the network of Blocks (and other Components) that form the Specification are shown as a 'tree': the Specification Blocks Tree. The letters in brackets above are used in the tree to identify the different kinds of Component.

Conformance

An implementation complies with this Specification if it complies with the Components from which it is constructed, as shown in the Specification Blocks Tree, subject to the following provisions:


The Specification Blocks Tree

The following icons are used in the Specification Blocks Tree:

Block iconBlock
Its meaning is defined by its contents, which can be Artefacts or other Blocks.
Parameter Key iconParameter Key
A Block whose value must be set elsewhere in the Specification (it effectively declares a "variable" or an "argument").
Parameter Value iconParameter Value
A Block which sets the value of a specific Parameter Key Block.
Note iconNote
This provides informative guidance on the implementation or application of a Block.
Artefact iconArtefact
A statement or a data file within a Block.
Note Artefact iconNote Artefact
A statement or a data file within a Note.
Parameter Value iconParameter Key iconBlock icon
An icon with a solid fill denotes constraints that are mandatory.
Non-mandatory Block icon
An icon with an outline style denotes constraints that are not mandatory.
Component metadata icon
Metadata about a Rules-based Specification Component.

Table of Terms

TermExplanation
2-byte Local Length Encoding

A syntax encoding for "Local Sets" that uses 2-byte Tags and 2-byte Lengths.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
ANC Frame Element

A KLV triplet containing one frame's worth of an Essence Element carrying ANC packets such as VANC Data Packets.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 436-1
Audio Channel

A distinct collection of sequenced audio samples that are intended for delivery to a single loudspeaker or other reproduction device.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-4
Audio Program

A collection of one or more audio channels.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 2020-1
AudioChannelLabelSubDescriptor

A subclass of MCALabelSubDescriptor used to describe an Audio Channel.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-4
AVC

Advanced Video Coding. A DCT-based video compression format.

Defined By: ITU-T Rec H.264
AVC Byte Stream Format

A format designed to enable delivery of AVC NAL units as an ordered stream of bytes or bits.

Defined By: ITU-T Rec H.264
Channel Assignment Label

A property of an Audio Layout Mode

Default Audio Layout

A property of an Audio Layout Mode

Descriptive Metadata

Generic term used for descriptive data whose purpose is to describe Essence data.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
DM Framework

A Descriptive Metadata Class that is a Subclass of Descriptive Framework.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
DM Scheme

A mechanism for defining collections of Descriptive Metadata.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
DM Scheme Label

An identifier for a DM Scheme. It is stored in an MXF file's Preface::DMSchemes property to signify the use of that DM Scheme in the file.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
DM Segment

An MXF structure used to generically contain Descriptive Metadata on a Track.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Dolby E Audio Metadata Serial Bitstream

A serial communication protocol that is used to transfer audio metadata between various products manufactured by Dolby.

Defined By: SMPTE RDD 6
Edit Unit

A temporal division of a Track.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Essence

A bitstream comprising picture, sound or data.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Essence Container

A part of an MXF file that carries one or more Essence streams.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Essence Element

The entire essence stream of a single Track.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 379-2
Essence Track

A type of Track that references Essence.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Filler

An MXF structure used to describe empty space on a Timeline Track.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
fixed_frame_rate_flag

An AVC syntax element that indicates that constraints apply to the temporal distance between the output times of any two consecutive pictures.

Defined By: ITU-T Rec H.264
Frame Wrapping

A method for dividing and interleaving Essence Elements for each frame of Picture Essence.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 379-2
Generic Container

MXF data structure used to store Essence data in an MXF file.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 379-2
Generic Sound Essence Descriptor

A Subclass of the File Descriptor. It is designed to provide generic parametric information which describes the Sound Essence.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Group of Soundfield Groups

A collection of one or more Soundfield Groups which all have the same program content or the same purpose.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-4
GroupOfSoundfieldGroupsLabelSubDescriptor

A subclass of MCALabelSubDescriptor used to describe a Group of Soundfield Groups.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-4
Header Metadata

MXF data structures that collectively describe the data in the Essence data in an MXF file.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Header Partition

The first Partition in the MXF file. This Partition always contains a copy of the Header Metadata.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Index Table

A structure in an MXF file used to efficiently access Essence data.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Index Table Segment

A part of an Index Table.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
KLV Alignment Grid

A notional byte spacing which may be used to align KLV items within a Partition.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
KLV Fill

Refers to the well-defined means of inserting empty, "fill", data in an MXF file.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Material Package

An MXF data structure that describes an output timeline of the file.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
MCA Labeling Present

A property of an Audio Layout Mode

MCALabelSubDescriptor

An abstract superclass used in the Multichannel Audio Labeling Framework, derived from the MXF SubDescriptor.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-4
Package

An MXF structure that aggregates one or more Tracks.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Partition

A portion of the MXF file. An MXF file consists of a sequence of Partitions.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Picture Essence

A type of Essence containing predominantly picture data.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Picture Essence Descriptor

MXF technical metadata that describes the Picture Essence.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Picture Track

A type of Essence Track that references Picture Essence.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Preface

The root of the Strong Reference tree of the Header Metadata.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Random Index Pack

A table that contains the byte offsets of all Partitions.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Sequence

A Structural Metadata Class that is a Subclass of Structural Component.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
SMPTE 2020-B

A method (sometimes known as "Method B") for mapping audio metadata into vertical ancillary data.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 2020-1
Sound Essence

A type of Essence containing sound data.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Sound Essence Descriptor

MXF technical metadata that describes the Sound Essence.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Sound Track

A type of Essence Track that references Sound Essence.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Soundfield Group

A collection of Audio Channels meant to be played out simultaneously through a given Soundfield Configuration.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-4
SoundfieldGroupLabelSubDescriptor

A subclass of MCALabelSubDescriptor used to describe a Soundfield Group.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-4
Source Essence

Essence data referenced by a Source Package.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Source Package

MXF data structure that describes source Essence.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Static Track (DM)

A Track carrying unchanging Descriptive Metadata.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Timecode

An annotation of elapsed time along a Track.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Timecode Component

An MXF structure that stores Timecode information.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Timecode Track

An MXF Track that stores one or more Timecode Components.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Timeline Track

A specialized MXF Track that describes a timeline by specifying an origin and rate.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Top-Level File Package

A Source Package that is internal to the file and which is directly referenced by a Material Package of the file.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
Track

MXF data structure used to describe the content structure.

Defined By: SMPTE ST 377-1
VANC Data Packet

An ancillary data packet in the vertical ancillary data space (VANC).

Defined By: SMPTE ST 291-1

Table of References

NameInformation
ITU-R Recommendation ITU-R BT.709 Parameter values for the HDTV standards for production and international programme exchange

ITU-R Recommendation ITU-R BT.709-6
Parameter values for the HDTV standards for production and international programme exchange
https://www.itu.int/rec/R-REC-BT.709
ITU-T Rec H.264 Advanced Video Coding for Generic Audio-Visual Services

SMPTE RDD 6 Description and Guide to the Use of the Dolby E Audio Metadata Serial Bitstream

SMPTE RP 2057 Text-Based Metadata Carriage in MXF

SMPTE RP 2057:2011
Text-Based Metadata Carriage in MXF
http://dx.doi.org/10.5594/SMPTE.RP2057.2011
SMPTE ST 2020-1 Format of Audio Metadata and Description of the Asynchronous Serial Bitstream Transport

SMPTE ST 291-1 Ancillary Data Packet and Space Formatting

SMPTE ST 377-1 Material Exchange Format (MXF) — File Format Specification

SMPTE ST 377-1:2011
Material Exchange Format (MXF) — File Format Specification
http://dx.doi.org/10.5594/SMPTE.ST377-1.2011
SMPTE ST 377:2004
Material Exchange Format (MXF) −− File Format Specification
http://dx.doi.org/10.5594/SMPTE.ST377.2004
SMPTE ST 377-4 MXF Multichannel Audio Labeling Framework

SMPTE ST 377-4:2012
MXF Multichannel Audio Labeling Framework
http://dx.doi.org/10.5594/SMPTE.ST377-4.2012
SMPTE ST 378 MXF Operational pattern 1A (Single Item, Single Package)

SMPTE ST 378:2004
MXF Operational pattern 1A (Single Item, Single Package)
http://dx.doi.org/10.5594/SMPTE.ST378.2004
SMPTE ST 379-2 MXF Generic Container

SMPTE ST 381-3 Material Exchange Format—Mapping AVC Streams into the MXF Generic Container

SMPTE ST 381-3:2013
Material Exchange Format—Mapping AVC Streams into the MXF Generic Container
http://dx.doi.org/10.5594/SMPTE.ST381-3.2013
SMPTE ST 382 Mapping AES3 and Broadcast Wave Audio into the MXF Generic Container

SMPTE ST 382:2007
Mapping AES3 and Broadcast Wave Audio into the MXF Generic Container
http://dx.doi.org/10.5594/SMPTE.ST382.2007
SMPTE ST 436-1 MXF Mappings for VI Lines and Ancillary Data Packets

SMPTE ST 436-1:2013
MXF Mappings for VI Lines and Ancillary Data Packets
http://dx.doi.org/10.5594/SMPTE.ST436-1.2013