MXF Files
The MXF format is a file extension developed by technical experts in Hollywood to reflect the growing use of digital technology in TV and movie production. It’s designed to ease interoperability between different applications and platforms.
Learn more about the MXF file below.
What is an MXF file?
An MXF (Material eXchange Format) file is a type of video file extension known as a ‘container’. Much the same as a physical container at home, the MXF file stores things. But instead of physical items, an MXF file contains digital data, including:
- Video data
- Audio data
- Timecodes
- Codec instructions
Container files such as MXF work hand in hand with a technology called codecs, which compress the data to fit into the container file. The data/footage is then imported into video-editing or production software.
History of the MXF file.
The MXF file format was developed in Hollywood by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE). Founded in the early days of cinema (1916), the SMPTE set the standards for moviemaking over the next few decades.
It developed initial guidelines on movie width and image format in the early 20th century and today maintains standards on everything from edge coding to digital sound. And it was the emergence of digital cinema which led the group to develop the MXF video file format.
The growing influence of digital technology in cinema and TV triggered a production revolution. Suddenly, multiple platforms and applications were being used to make and distribute content.
Increasingly, digital cameras captured footage and getting that footage from the camera to the video-editing software was problematic. Increasingly, ads were being made digitally, transferred to broadcasters as complete pieces of work, to insert into their schedules.
So, experts created the MXF format to counter the challenges raised by the technology to ensure interoperability of content between these different applications.
How to use MXF files.
Compress large files for storing and sharing.
Digital video files can be large. This makes transferring them from one server or application to another time-consuming. Video compression technology is designed to make these files smaller.
There are three main types of file technology:
- Containers. store digital data (video, audio)
- Codecs. compress (make smaller) that digital data
- Formats. specifications for a type of video capture
These three elements work together. MXF is a container file. So, it stores the data to transfer it to another application. To do this, it works with a codec, the technology that compresses the file. Many containers are restricted to specific codecs. But MXF is not, as it works with multiple codecs.
Transfer footage from digital cameras to production software.
Another common use of the MXF file is to transfer footage from professional digital video cameras to the video editing software. Adobe Premiere Pro, for example, supports MXF from Sony XDCAM, Canon XF and others.
Television, advertising, and movies.
Digital technology has revolutionized the creative industries. And with new mediums, both online and offline, there’s a greater need to repurpose content. Say you have a TV clip, ready to upload onto social channels, that requires file transfer software to move the clips to the right production software.
The SMPTE designed the MXF file to simplify this process by making it possible to transfer files between different formats. Because it’s not restricted to a specific compression scheme, you can use it more freely, making it easy for directors, editors, producers and other industry professionals to work.
D-cinema distribution.
Digital cinema is a relatively recent development in the history of the movies. Traditionally, movies were shown using 35mm cinema reels and projectors. Today, most theaters use a digital cinema print or DCP, made up of thousands of video files, stored in a hard drive.
The SMPTE devised a set of standards and guidelines for this, called D-Cinema. They pioneered 3D, HFR, and immersive digital sound. The D-Cinema system relies on the MXF file, which is used for the distribution of these movies to theaters.
Pros and cons of MXF files.
Like any technology, there are advantages and disadvantages to the MXF file type. We list the main pros and cons below:
Pros.
- Improved compatibility. Container files need the correct codec to transfer their data. But MXF files are not tied to a specific type of file compression and can work with multiple platforms and applications.
- Trusted and established. The MXF file was created by experts at the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. This group set the founding standards of cinema from the early 20th century to today.
Cons.
- Limited accessibility. It can be difficult to import an MXF file in a standard video player or in certain video editing software. This is because the MXF codecs are not built-in to players like VLC and QuickTime.
- Limited space. MXF files are large, but despite this, the amount of data they hold is limited — hence the need to compress them using a codec.
Find out which container file types are supported by Adobe Premiere Pro.
How to export or open an MXF file.
Generally, you’ll be exporting the file from the device or application you created it on, as the MXF file extension is a container rather than a file type.
Export an MXF file on Mac (Final Cut Pro).
To export an MXF file in Final Cut Pro on an Apple Mac, simply:
1. Select the project, clip, or range of clips in the browser or timeline.
2. Open in the timeline, then select View > select Optimized/Original.
3. Choose File > Share > Export File.
4. You’ll see a Share window. From here, you can view / modify its title or description.
5. Choose Settings in the centre of the Share window.
6. Choose Format > MXF, then choose a video codec.
7. Back to the Share window. Choose Roles > Roles as > pick an option.
8. Tap Next > choose location, the Save.
How to create and edit an MXF file.
When you shoot footage on a digital camcorder from the likes of Sony or Canon, it may automatically save the data in the .mxf file extension. This uses one of many codecs to compress the footage, so you can transfer it to another application or device.
To edit an MXF file in Adobe Premiere Pro, you’ll need to import the footage into the video editing suite following the steps below:
Import an MXF file in Adobe Premiere Pro.
To import an MXF file into Premiere Pro, on either Mac or Windows, you need to use the ImporterMXF software and the Adobe Media Encoder.
1. Transfer the files from your camera media card to your storage device, maintaining the folder structure
2. Then, open the Media Browser and drag and drop files into there.
Once you’ve imported the footage into Premiere Pro, you can use the Timeline to edit your video clips.
{{questions-we-have-answers}}
What video format is MXF?
What program opens MXF files?
Learn more about similar file types to MXF.
MP4.
Discover more about one of the most widely used video container filetypes by video content creators.
MOV.
Learn about the MOV video file, one of the best known and used container file extensions for iOS users worldwide.
AVI.
Discover more about this accessible container file and how you can playback AVI files on most media players.
DIVX.
Dive into DIVX, another type of video container file you can use for future content creation projects.
Follow the professionals of TV and cinema by using amazing video editing software for your next project:
You might also be interested in:
Video Files
Get an overview of the different video files available.
Container Format
We'll show you which container formats are available.
