Air-Ready Master Files
The media industry in the UK was transformed on 1st October 2014, when every UK broadcaster made the switch to the AS-11 UK DPP file format for programme delivery.
Since then, our work has expanded to new territories and new formats, but with the same basic aim: delivering a simpler, more effective global content supply chain; by enabling interoperability in order to simplify workflows and reduce cost.
Learn more about the AS-11 specifications, the UK delivery requirements, and the Commercials & Promos delivery requirements.
Related Insight
AMWA AS-11 Specifications
The AMWA AS-11 specifications provide common formats for delivery of air-ready programme master files.
AS-11 UK DPP
Developed in conjunction with UK broadcasters, the AS-11 UK DPP file delivery specification provides a format for completed programme deliveries ('air-ready masters'). It is based on the MXF OP1A format with AVC Intra Class 100 compression for HD, and IMX at 50 Mb/s for SD. It includes a minimum set of requirements for Programme Editorial and Technical Metadata, based on EBU Core. The UK broadcasters' programme delivery requirements are all based on AMWA AS-11 UK DPP.
AMWA AS-11 X9
Developed in collaboration with NABA, AMWA AS-11 X9 provides a specification for the delivery of air-ready masters in HD, based on the requirements of North American broadcasters. A member of the AMWA AS-11 X family of specifications, the AS-11 X9 specification is based on the MXF OP1A format, with AVC High Profile GOP encoding. AS-11 X9 was published in 2018.
AMWA AS-11 X1
AMWA AS-11 X1 is designed for broadcasters commissioning UHD content. It offers a high quality yet easily playable file, suitable for broadcast and OTT workflows. It was published in 2018, and uses Long GOP AVC essence wrapped in MXF OP1A, with BT.2100 HDR, supporting HLG and PQ (HDR10), at 25/50 fps and 4:2:2 colour sampling.
AMWA AS-11 X5 and X6
AMWA AS-11 X6 offers an HD format for Commercials and Promos, harmonising the short-form specification with the rest of the AS-11 X family. It supports embedded metadata and adds a new location within the file header for the carriage of subtitle data.
AS-11 X6 is published and in use by broadcasters including Channel 4. AMWA AS-11 X5 is a UHD equivalent which is currently in draft status.
Carrying AS-11 DPP metadata in other formats
While AS-11 provides a useful format for delivery of air-ready master files, you may use different formats for versioning, international distribution, or VOD distribution. To that end, the DPP provides mappings that define agreed ways to carry AS-11 UK DPP HD metadata in other formats.
AS-11 metadata in IMF
If you’re receiving or creating IMF packages, and want to later transform them into AS-11 files, you may need to store AS-11 metadata in your IMF. Recommendation DPP003 specifies where to store that metadata such that it can be recovered for the creation of a compliant air-ready master.
AS-11 metadata in MDDF
Recommendation DPP008 endorses the use of the MovieLabs Digital Distribution Framework for business to business metadata exchange. It is a more expansive metadata set, particularly useful for delivery across multiple platforms including streaming and international.
The DPP has authored a mapping between AS-11 UK DPP HD metadata and the MovieLabs Digital Distribution Framework schemas. This enables content providers to deliver a single metadata asset, encompassing the extended information required by the contemporary platforms, whilst providing the facility to carry the metadata required to render an air-ready master to the AS-11 specification.
Software for managing AS-11 DPP metadata
AS-11 UK DPP files include a number of pieces of metadata that describe the content of the file. There are a wide range of tools available for inserting, reading, validating, and updating this metadata.
Some available options from DPP member companies are listed below.
Note: the following information is provided by the DPP based on submissions of information given by these vendors. We have not independently verified the functionality of these products. If you are a DPP member providing tools for AS-11 metadata, and wish to have your product included in this list, please contact David.
Dalet AmberFin
AmberFin offers both subscription and one-time purchase options. It allows extensive manipulation of AS-11 metadata, including:
- Read and display metadata that's embedded in an AS-11 UK DPP file
- Create an XML sidecar from metadata that's embedded in an AS-11 UK DPP file
- Create an AS-11 UK DPP file with embedded metadata - sourced from an XML file
- Create an AS-11 UK DPP file with embedded metadata - sourced from the user interface
- Update metadata in an existing AS-11 UK DPP file - by rewrapping / creating a new file
- Update metadata in an existing AS-11 UK DPP file - in place in the existing file
GrayMeta Iris
Iris offers both subscription and one-time purchase options. As an advanced quality control tool, it allows you to read and display metadata that's embedded in an AS-11 UK DPP file.
Marquise ICE
As an advanced quality control tool, ICE allows you to read and display metadata that's embedded in an AS-11 UK DPP file.
ICE can also read and display RDD6 Dolby surround metadata from the VANC data of an AS-11 UK DPP file.
Marquise MIST
MIST enables extensive manipulation of AS-11 metadata, including:
- Read and display metadata that's embedded in an AS-11 UK DPP file
- Create an XML sidecar from metadata that's embedded in an AS-11 UK DPP file
- Create an AS-11 UK DPP file with embedded metadata - sourced from an XML file
- Create an AS-11 UK DPP file with embedded metadata - sourced from a user interface
- Update metadata in an existing AS-11 UK DPP file - by rewrapping / creating a new file
MIST also offers detailed manipulation of RDD6 Dolby surround metadata included in the VANC of existing AS-11 UK DPP files, including both displaying such metadata and writing it out to XML. It also enables you to insert RDD6 Dolby surround metadata either from an XML file or entered in the MIST user interface.
Prime Focus Technologies CLEAR Media ERP
CLEAR is an enterprise resource planning system for media companies. It is available on a subscription (SaaS) basis, and offers extensive manipulation of AS-11 metadata, including:
- Read and display metadata that's embedded in an AS-11 UK DPP file
- Create an XML sidecar from metadata that's embedded in an AS-11 UK DPP file
- Create an AS-11 UK DPP file with embedded metadata - sourced from a user interface
- Update metadata in an existing AS-11 UK DPP file - by rewrapping / creating a new file
- Update metadata in an existing AS-11 UK DPP file - in place in the existing file
Rohde & Schwarz Clipster
Clipster is an advanced mastering tool. It allows you to create an AS-11 UK DPP file with embedded metadata, by entering that data into the user interface.
Venera Technologies Pulsar and Quasar
As advanced quality control tools, Pulsar and Quasar allow you to read and display metadata that's embedded in an AS-11 UK DPP file. They also enable you to test the metadata for conformance with defined rules as part of the QC process.
Pulsar is an on-premise solution, with one-time and pay-per-use pricing options.
Quasar is a cloud-based offering, with subscription and pay-per-use pricing options.
DPP Metadata Application
In the early days of AS-11 UK DPP, we stimulated adoption of the specification by offering a free desktop application for adding DPP metadata to files. This enabled production companies to create file based TV programmes containing the correct metadata for delivery to UK broadcasters.
The application was created as an interim measure until such time as vendors were able to offer this functionality within their products. It is no longer supported or updated, and you should instead use a commercially available tool, such as those listed above.
If you require a copy of the DPP Metadata Application, you can download it without support or warranty. It relies on old versions of Java which have known security vulnerabilities, and you use it at your own risk. It is also 32-bit, which means it is not compatible with the latest releases of macOS. Again, we strongly recommend using a commercially available tool instead.
We have also published a snapshot of the source code for the business logic layer of the DPP Metadata Application, which is provided for informative purposes to implementers who may find it useful. It is published using the MIT License, and again is offered without support or warranty.
The Mac and Windows installers, and the source code, are available from this link.
Get involved
To find out more or to get involved with this work, please get in touch.
If your company is not a DPP member, you can learn more about the benefits of membership, or contact Michelle to discuss joining.
If your company is not a DPP member, you can learn more about the benefits of membership, or contact Michelle to discuss joining.