MXF file format
| Extension | .mxf |
| Category | video |
| Programs | Avid Media Composer Sony Vegas Pro 13 Avid Pro Tools |
| Main program | Adobe Premiere Pro CC |
| Description | The SMPTE association developed the MXF file format for professional use. MXF is based on a subset of the Advanced Authoring Format (AAF) data model and is widely considered the standard for professional video editing when maintaining the original image quality is important. MXF files can be compressed using various compression methods and easily converted to common video formats. However, there have been compatibility issues with the implementation of this format by Sony, Panasonic, and Canon, making the container somewhat flawed. These issues were addressed in the 2009 release. |
| Technical details | Multiple streams that make up a video can be embedded in an MXF file. Independent streams can exist in different compressed forms. Before the development of the MXF file extension, there were significant inconsistencies between file presentations for digital video files. This posed a major challenge for professionals who needed to create high-quality videos from low-quality sources. MXF was designed to perform well on any platform, making it suitable for both current and future digital video applications. |