Sustainability of Digital Formats: Planning for Library of Congress Collections

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MXF File, OP1a, Lossless JPEG 2000 in Generic Container

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Format Description Properties Explanation of format description terms

Identification and description Explanation of format description terms

Full name MXF Operational Pattern 1a (OP1a), with Lossless JPEG 2000 in Generic Container.
Description

MXF OP1a file with a video essence encoded as a series of frame images, each encoded using JPEG 2000 core coding. One expert stated that the frame images could be either fully realized JPEG 2000 files (jp2 extension), or simple JPEG 2000 codestreams.

As noted in SMPTE MXF Archive and Preservation Format Registered Disclosure Document (RDD 48), see also MXF_RDD48, "this encoding, especially in the lossless or reversible mode, is typically selected by an archive that is formatting or reformatting content as a part of its own pre-ingest or ingest activity, e.g., transferring content from a videotape carrier, or scanning film, and also prefers to store a reduced-data file as compared to an uncompressed file."

The specifics about the carriage of this encoding is detailed in SMPTE ST 422, Material Exchange Format — Mapping JPEG 2000 Codestreams into the MXF Generic Container (available from SMPTE for purchase).

ST 422 details six use cases for the carriage of lossy and lossless JPEG 2000 in the Generic Container:

  • Frame-based wrapping – “FU” Undefined
  • Frame-based wrapping – “P1” Progressive
  • “I1” Interlaced Frame Wrapping, 1 field per KLV Element
  • “I2” Interlaced Frame Wrapping, 2 fields per KLV Element
  • “F1” Field Wrapping, 1 field per KLV Element
  • “Cn” Clip-based wrapping
Production phase Middle state
Relationship to other formats
    Subtype of MXF_OP1a, MXF Operational Pattern OP1a
    Has subtype MXF_SAMMA, MXF SAMMA Profile (interim description)
    Has subtype MXF_RDD48, MXF Archive and Preservation Format Registered Disclosure Document (SMPTE RDD 48)
    Used by IMF_Package, Interoperable Master Format (IMF)
    Contains J2K_C_LL, JPEG 2000 Part 1, Core Coding, Lossless Compression
    May contain Sound essences and other elements, not described at this time.

Local use Explanation of format description terms

LC experience or existing holdings See MXF
LC preference See MXF

Sustainability factors Explanation of format description terms

Disclosure Open standard. MXF developed by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), a member of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). JPEG 2000 developed by Joint Technical Committee ISOAEC JTC 1, Information technology, Subcommittee SC 29, in collaboration with ITU-T.
    Documentation MXF: SMPTE 378M-2004, Material Exchange Format (MXF) -- Operational pattern 1A (Single Item, Single Package) (and other specifications); JPEG 2000: ISO/IEC 15444-1:2000. Information technology -- JPEG 2000 image coding system -- Part 1: Core coding system.
Adoption

MXF OP1a is supported in a number of systems; see MXF. While popular in the broadcast community, some in the archival sector are moving away towards FFV1/MKV. See From MXF/JPEG2000 to MKV/FFV1: why we’re switching to a new file format see JP2_FF for a discussion about this decision at meemoo, Flemish Institute for Archives in Belgium.

    Licensing and patents See MXF and J2K_C
Transparency See MXF and J2K_C
Self-documentation See MXF and J2K_C
External dependencies See MXF and J2K_C
Technical protection considerations See MXF and J2K_C

Quality and functionality factors Explanation of format description terms

Moving Image
Normal rendering Supported
Clarity (high image resolution) JPEG 2000 core coding
Functionality beyond normal rendering See MXF.
Sound
Normal rendering See MXF.
Multiple channels See MXF.

File type signifiers and format identifiers Explanation of format description terms

Tag Value Note
Filename extension See related format.  See MXF
Internet Media Type See related format.  See MXF
Magic numbers See related format.  See MXF
Header partition pack key (MXF) See related format.  See MXF_OP1a.
Other See related format.  See MXF_OP1a for NARA File Format Preservation Plan ID.
Pronom PUID See related format.  See MXF_OP1a.
Wikidata Title ID See related format.  See MXF_OP1a.

Notes Explanation of format description terms

General  
History  

Format specifications Explanation of format description terms


Useful references

URLs


Last Updated: 05/28/2025