DPP issues new technical spec for broadcasters delivering UHD programmes

The Digital Production Partnership (DPP) has released a new technical specification to support the business needs of global broadcasters delivering UHD programmes.

Called AMWA AS-11 X1 – MXF Programme Contribution DPP UHD, the spec was developed in association with the Advanced Media Workflow Association (AMWA) and is intended to build on the success of AMWA AS-11 UK DPP version 1.1, the standardised delivery specification for air-ready masters that the DPP created and implemented across all of the major UK broadcasters.

AMWA AS-11 X1 brings UHD delivery to the AMWA AS-11 family of air-ready master formats, and has been written with the DPP’s international membership in mind.

“The publication of AS-11 X1 is a significant moment for the industry, showing that the DPP and its partners continue to be responsive to the industry’s developing needs,” said Rowan de Pomerai, DPP head of delivery and growth.

“UHD is ready to become mainstream and its deployment is often being driven by online and OTT platforms first. We’ve worked closely with our members to ensure that our new specification meets these needs, as well as those of linear broadcast.”

The AMWA AS-11 family of specifications define constrained media file formats for the delivery of finished media assets to a broadcaster or publisher. In order to facilitate automated workflows, AS-11 specifications have been developed as block-based, machine-readable specifications.

“We are delighted to continue our close working relationship with the DPP, providing specialist expertise on the use of technology standards to complement the DPP’s understanding of the business problem,” said Brad Gilmer, executive director of the AMWA.  “It is very rewarding to see the early work on AS-11 for the UK being used as a basis for broader adoption across the industry.”

AMWA work closely with the DPP Compliance Lab as the sole body to run a compliance testing programme for all AMWA AS-11 specifications. The DPP Lab will accept products for AS-11 X1 conformance testing from early November this year. 

Products that pass the test programme are eligible to apply for a compliance certificate from AMWA, which will provide buyers and sellers with the confidence that DPP-tested tools are technically compliant and interoperable.

AMWA AS-11 X1 – MXF Programme Contribution DPP UHD specification is first targeted at UHD deliveries to the BBC iPlayer in 2019. The DPP will also work with its other members to facilitate global implementation, providing support for the production and post-production communities as they migrate to UHD deliveries.

The DPP and its partners, including AMWA and the North American Broadcasters Association (NABA), continue to extend the AS-11 family. The next additions to the family will be AMWA AS-11 X8 and X9, which will provide HD delivery formats for the North American market.