The Interoperable Master Format (IMF) defines a package that includes various files such as MXF files (video, audio and supplemental data) and additional descriptive files. Based on the descriptive information, different versions can now be generated from the included MXF files. Speech and subtitle versions or shortened content versions are just two examples. Ultimately, IMF represents a type of “master format” (usually with very high technical quality), from which different versions can be generated for different distribution channels.
The standardisation of IMF was initiated by the Hollywood film industry and has thus far been mainly used by it. On-demand video platforms such as Netflix also consider IMF an advantage and therefore request this supply format. For the broadcasters, IMF could become interesting with regard to high-quality supply from external producers or as a possible archiving format.