There currently is no dedicated IMF group active in the EBU, but IMF-related work continues to be carried in other EBU Groups, such as Video Systems & Workflows and QC.
IMF also frequently features as a topic in EBU events.
About the (now closed) EBU IMF group
The EBU ran an IMF group for several years with as aims:
- To help EBU members better understand the application, advantages and challenges of IMF.
- To help EBU Members that want to use IMF.
- To input broadcaster requirements, etc. to the IMF User Group.
- To improve the way IMF content can be QCed.
The Interoperable Master Format (IMF) is a standard that allows a single collection of content to be transformed into multiple versions, whilst sharing the same material. A good example is a movie of which three different versions are distributed: the original for television broadcast, an airline edit and a version with a different language for another territory.
The work on IMF started in the movie domain, but may also be relevant for various broadcaster use cases, such as exchange and archiving.
The HPA's IMF User Group features a list of IMF products & services.
There also is a list of IMF open source software on the IMF User Group site.
* Disclaimer The EBU is not responsible for above lists. Inclusion in the list(s) does NOT mean the EBU recommends the party or its product(s)/tool(s). Users should verify the suitability of any product/tool themselves.
Meet us at IBC 2023!
We are gearing up for a prominent presence at IBC 2023 in Amsterdam, with our stand at 10.D21, the 'IBC Tech Zone' collaboration, and a number of awards.
Submit your nomination for the Technology & Innovation Award 2019
The EBU has issued a call for nominations for the 2019 Technology & Innovation Award, given to teams or individuals for projects that are leading the way,...
PTS puts focus on cutting-edge technologies creating value in media production
This year’s EBU Production Technology Seminar (29-31 January in Geneva) will once again highlight technologies that are changing the way media content...
EBU launches NLE user group
The EBU has started a new user group for its Members to share experience and knowledge about Non-Linear Editing (NLE) systems. Input and knowledge of experts...
Tackling technical complexity at PTS 2018
Managing the complexity of IT- and IP-based systems was highlighted as one of the main challenges on the way to “smarter content production” at this year's...
EBU-TT-D subtitling fills the gap
The EBU has recently updated its EBU-TT-D subtitling format to align even better with the W3C IMSC profiles. Two new features have been added improve the...
Report: IMF has strong potential but is not on EBU Members' radar yet
The EBU has published a report evaluating the use of the Interoperable Master Format (IMF) for broadcasters. It sees strong potential for the format in...
EBU and DPP enter partnership to drive standards and interoperability
The EBU has entered into a formal partnership with the Digital Production Partnership Ltd (DPP) to drive the development and adoption of open technical...
Real-time interoperable IP production showcased at NAB 2017
The EBU has partnered with several other leading organizations to create the IP Showcase, demonstrating that real-time media production using IP networks...
Are broadcasters mastering IMF?
On 30-31 May 2017 the EBU will be holding a free workshop on the Interoperable Master Format (IMF) to help its members understand what the IMF is and how...
Aiming for the clouds – Network Technology Seminar draft programme published
From production to play-out, from drawing board to real-life deployment – this year’s EBU Network Technology Seminar lays out the IP-based production chain,...
EBUCore 1.7 online; EBUCore 1.8 on track!
The latest version of the EBU's flagship metadata specification is now available for download. It has been substantially updated to take into account the...
EBU investigates IMF QC at IBC 2016
At IBC 2016 participants in the EBU's Strategic Programme on Quality Control will visit eight vendors who provide Quality Control (QC) products for files...
The applicability of the interoperable master format (IMF) to broadcast workflows
The Interoperable Master Format (IMF) has capabilities that might make it a suitable candidate to solve many of today’s challenges in the broadcasting...
FIMS 1.3: more components for interoperable media workflows
IBC 2015 is coming soon, offering the perfect venue to update the broadcasting community on the Framework for Interoperable Media Services (FIMS) initiatives.
Progress on future requirements for media standards at SMPTE
European broadcasters contributed to SMPTE discussions on future media standards requirements.
EBU Members ready to discuss challenges around the clock
The 17th EBU Technical Assembly was held in Tromsø (Norway). More than 110 broadcast industry representatives shared their latest technical challenges...
The Interoperable Master Format is a SMPTE standard for the interchange of multi-version, finished audio-visual content. How relevant is it for broadcasters?
This report provides the conclusions of work performed in the EBU IMF-TV group with regard to the relevance of the Interoperable Master Format for broadcasters. It includes a basic introduction to IMF.
The March 2017 issue of tech-i includes FM switch-off in Norway, the launch of the EBU Multi-CDN pilot and the PEACH personalization project.
EBU tech-i magazine, Issue 28 answers the question what all the fuss around HbbTV is about, takes a look at the advantages of the IMF and much more...
EBU tech-i magazine, issue 27 includes articles on Virtual Reality, Cross-Media Production, UHD, Loudness, and much more...
This article suggests a way of adapting IMF to broadcasters’ requirements by giving an insight into possible extensions to the IMF structure.
This article — first published in the March 2012 edition of the SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal — connects the dots among SDI, AAF/MXF, SMPTE 2022, IMF and FIMS.