New UHD and international specs released by Advanced Media Workflow Association

The AMWA has launched three key developments of the specification for AS-11 MXF for Contribution Media File Format. These are the addition of a UHD version for the UK DPP, three new international versions and migration of the specifications to a new rules-based format.

AS-11 DPP is established for the delivery of finished programmes to media companies within the UK, simplifying the process of creating and moving programme material between post houses and broadcaster playout facilities. But the future move to UHD has led to a new set of requirements from the Digital Production Partnership and the publication of a new specification for the delivery of UHD programmes.

Three new specifications for the delivery of finished programmes have been created for use in the Nordic countries, Australia and New Zealand to meet their business needs. There is also a new naming convention for the different AS-11 specifications, prefixed with AS-11 X, and these new versions are listed below.

AS-11 X1 – UK DPP UHD; AS-11 X2 – HD Intra; AS-11 X3 – HD Long GOP at European frame rates, initially for the Nordic Countries; AS-11 X4 – HD Long GOP at U.S. frame rates, initially for the Nordic Countries; AS-11 X7 – SD D10, initially for Australia and New Zealand (In Development).

These specifications have also been developed and published in the new rules-based format, unlike previous AMWA specifications which have been text based. While being easily human-readable, text based specifications do not support automated processes or allow quick and efficient adaptation for new users in the future.

These new specifications are machine readable, based on building blocks or rules for each of the video, audio (etc.) elements, which are combined into the final specification. This new approach has proven especially valuable as AS-11 has been extended to accommodate the needs of new international users. Future versions will be added as business needs arise. However, the aim is to minimise the number of these wherever possible.

Further information on the AS-11 project is available at https://www.amwa.tv/projects/AS-11.shtml