Why Is The .MXF Format Recommended By Tv Stations?

Former user wrote on 8/18/2016, 7:11 AM

I just completed a commercial for Telemundo Tv and I'm wondering, does anyone know why many tv station specs require the MXF format? You can check the commercial out here:

I'll be in production of a series of shows for Altitude Sports Channel and they require the same specs so just wondering what your opinions are on this format, and why do you think it's so revered by most tv stations?

At least the ones I've dealt with thus far anyway...

Comments

videoITguy wrote on 8/18/2016, 8:18 AM

BE very careful about your terms. The description MXF does not mean very much in itself. It can stand for a lot of things.

What you have to do is drill down to the actual spec - what codec, what container, what audio? etc...

OldSmoke wrote on 8/18/2016, 9:39 AM

Found this on Google .

videoITguy wrote on 8/18/2016, 11:55 AM

Note that the cited Wkipedia reference above even appears to be dated and not inclusive of newest info about the MXF variations.

When you look at a station spec (boadcast/cable/network company, etc.) you have to drill down very specifically to what that entity really expects. Using the term MXF is literally not enough to accomplish anything.

study:
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/showmessage.asp?forumid=4&messageid=853877

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/showmessage.asp?forumid=4&messageid=811037

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/showmessage.asp?forumid=4&messageid=806949

Logan5 wrote on 8/18/2016, 2:15 PM

I've found it has to do with their production pipeline in most cases. Some stations I send to have Sony XDCAM cameras and that gives them their native format. Other stations prefer mpeg2, etc.

Some stations servers use .mxf files (most cases XDCAM flavors...but not always*)

For example, FOX5 in San Diego requested XDCAM for the long form programing we sent.

*As mentioned posts above get the stations spec sheet.