The NABA – DPP Common File Format Specification was created as a result of a survey NABA conducted on the needs and issues that challenged its members in North America. A further survey of the industry was conducted by a joint initiative of NABA, SMPTE, AMWA, AAAA, Ad-ID, IABM, ANA and the EBU, confirming the ongoing challenges in program delivery as file-based media.
Based on the results of both surveys, it was determined the adoption of commonly defined, standards-based delivery specifications will reduce the number of specifications that have to be supported by the industry as well as reducing inefficiencies, complexity and errors that continue to plague media workflows.
NABA in conjunction with the Digital Production Partnership (DPP) and seven of the major North American broadcasters – ABC/Disney, Bell Media, CBC/Radio-Canada, Fox, HBO, PBS, and WarnerMedia – gathered together to develop specifications leveraging existing standards and specifications. They have agreed to a commonly developed file format, structure and wrapper based on the AS-11 UK DPP specification implemented in the UK in 2014. The outcome is new technical specifications (the first published April 2016) for the delivery of finished air-ready programs for North America.
NABA TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR DELIVERY OF “UHD Air Ready” TELEVISION PROGRAMS
NABA has re-approved the spec and created sample files, AMWA approved the underlying AS-11 X10 spec and has created the web pages. The sample files (six in total) will be updated as the number of implementers looking at them raise questions. Here is the link to the files (that are read-only). Additional sample files will be made available in future.
Background: In late 2019, NABA/DPP completed work on the latest AS-11 X10 Working Draft Specification supporting advanced media formats including High Definition/High Dynamic Range (HD-HDR) and Ultra High Definition/High Dynamic Range (UHD) both in 10-bit.
Production companies wishing to deliver to these new specifications should discuss this at the point of commission and seek formal agreement with their broadcaster at the outset of production. Not every North American broadcaster will move to these new technical specifications immediately. The transition will start as support from vendors involved in the media supply chain adopt more codecs with various networks taking delivery of programs to these specifications on a selective basis as changes to their facilities and workflows permit.
The team is also working with the Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers (SMPTE) to support specifications in SMPTE Standards for BXF (Broadcast Exchange Format) and IMF (Interoperable Master Format), and with the AMWA and BBC Rules Based Representations of the specifications.
The specifications are based on the Advanced Media Workflow Association (AMWA) AS-11 rules base specifications. This work is available through the AMWA website and work is ongoing to define the rules for these and other international file formats. Full details can be found below:
LIBRARY MASTER REGISTERED DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT (RDD)
NABA and DPP members, in conjunction with SMPTE, have completed work on Registered Disclosure Documents (RDD) for a High Definition Library Master Format for both ProRes and J2K. These Library Master specifications cover the workflows for organizations wishing to receive a single master from which all other required versions are produced, such as Air Ready Master, VOD, Netflix, Apple iTunes, Hulu and other OTT versions. These are based on SMPTE IMF Standards Application 2e for High Definition and Ultra High Definition (UHD).
Other related links:
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For more information on NABA – DPP Common File Format Specifications send your email to simplify@nabanet.com