Sustainability of Digital Formats: Planning for Library of Congress Collections

Introduction | Sustainability Factors | Content Categories | Format Descriptions | Contact
Format Description Categories >> Browse Alphabetical List

MXF Generic Container Mapped to Uncompressed Images

>> Back
Table of Contents
Format Description Properties Explanation of format description terms

Identification and description Explanation of format description terms

Full name MXF Generic Container Mapped to Uncompressed Images
Description Essence container for the MXF file format that carries uncompressed video. Although most mapping information is provided in SMPTE ST 384, a detailed listing of nine picture essence types is provided in Annex G (section G.2.25 in the 2009 edition) of SMPTE ST 377-1. Three of these feature bytestream structures described at this Web site at this time and they are represented in the Relationships section below.
Production phase Middle-state format for production, material exchange, or archiving.
Relationship to other formats
    Subtype of MXF_GC, MXF Format Generic Container
    Has subtype MXF_GC_UNC_V210, MXF Generic Container with Uncompressed Video Essence V210
    Has subtype MXF_GC_UNC_UYVY, MXF Generic Container with Uncompressed Video Essence UYVY (2vuy)
    Has subtype MXF_GC_UNC_YUY2, MXF Generic Container with Uncompressed Video Essence YUY2 (yuv2)
    Has subtype MXF Generic Container mapped to other uncompressed video encodings, not documented at this time.
    May contain HTJK, JPEG 2000 Part 15, High Throughput (HTJ2K)

Local use Explanation of format description terms

LC experience or existing holdings  
LC preference The Library of Congress National Audio-Visual Conservation Center, Packard Campus, at Culpeper, Virginia, produces MXF_OP1a_JP2_LL files as archival masters as they reformat their older videotapes.

Sustainability factors Explanation of format description terms

Disclosure Open standard. Developed by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), a member of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
    Documentation Two specifications include valuable information: SMPTE ST 384:2005. Television — Material Exchange Format (MXF) — Mapping of Uncompressed Pictures into the MXF Generic Container and SMPTE ST 377-1:2011, Material Exchange Format (MXF) -- File Format Specification, especially annex G.
Adoption See MXF.
    Licensing and patents See MXF.
Transparency See MXF.
Self-documentation See MXF and MXF_GC..
External dependencies See MXF.
Technical protection considerations See MXF.

Quality and functionality factors Explanation of format description terms

Moving Image
Normal rendering Supported.
Clarity (high image resolution) Depends upon encoding.
Functionality beyond normal rendering Not applicable.

File type signifiers and format identifiers Explanation of format description terms


Notes Explanation of format description terms

General  
History  

Format specifications Explanation of format description terms


Useful references

URLs


Last Updated: 11/23/2022