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MXF File, OP1a, D-10 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 File, OP1a, D-10 in Generic Container
Description

MXF OP1a file with Type D-10 Stream Specifications as defined in SMPTE 354M, Annex F: Type D-10 MPEG-2 4:2:2P@ML stream specifications for 525/60 and 625/50 essence in the Generic Container.

Key features of D-10 video include compression compliant with the MPEG-2 video standard (ISO/IEC 13818-2 [4:2:2P@ML]) - see also MPEG-2, 4:2:2 Profile and MXF File, OP1a, MPEG-2 in Generic Container. The basic stream constraints are:

  • Bit rate: Up to 50 Mb/s constrained bytes per GOP
  • GOP structure: I-picture only
  • Maximum coded frame size: Up to 208.541 bytes net (30/1.001 I-frames/second); Up to 250.000 bytes net (25 I-frames/second)
  • Active lines per frame: 512 (525)/608 (625)
  • Sampling frequency: Y: 13.5 MHz, R-Y/B-Y: 6.75 MHz
  • Quantization: 8-bits/sample
Production phase Generally employed in post-production or editing (middle phase) and in limited modes of dissemination (final phase).
Relationship to other formats
    Subtype of MXF_OP1a, MXF Operational Pattern OP1a
    Subtype of MPEG-2_422, MPEG-2, 4:2:2 Profile
    Subtype of MXF_OP1a_MPEG-2, MXF File, OP1a, MPEG-2 in Generic Container
    May contain Audio and other essences of various types, not discussed at this time.

Local use Explanation of format description terms

LC experience or existing holdings No extensive experience.
LC preference See the Library of Congress Recommended Formats Statement for format preferences for moving image content.

Sustainability factors Explanation of format description terms

Disclosure See MXF, MXF_OP1a and MPEG-2, 4:2:2 Profile.
    Documentation See MXF, MXF_OP1a and MPEG-2, 4:2:2 Profile.
Adoption Tools such as Apple's Compressor 4.4, AWS Elemental MediaConvert, Cube-Tec's MXF Legalizer all support D-10 in MXF but it's unclear about community use as of this writing in 2025. Comments welcome.
    Licensing and patents See MXF, MXF_OP1a and MPEG-2, 4:2:2 Profile.
Transparency See MXF, MXF_OP1a and MPEG-2, 4:2:2 Profile.
Self-documentation See MXF, MXF_OP1a and MPEG-2, 4:2:2 Profile.

Accessibility Features

See MXF.
External dependencies See MXF, MXF_OP1a and MPEG-2, 4:2:2 Profile.
Technical protection considerations See MXF, MXF_OP1a and MPEG-2, 4:2:2 Profile.

Quality and functionality factors Explanation of format description terms

Moving Image
Normal rendering Supported
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 note.  NARA File Format Preservation Plan ID has an entry for general MPEG-2 Video, https://www.archives.gov/files/lod/dpframework/id/NF00337.ttl, but this is not specific to D-10. See also MXF and MXF_OP1a for NARA File Format Preservation Plan ID.
Pronom PUID See related format.  See MXF and MXF_OP1a.
Wikidata Title ID See note.  Wikidata https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28919138 entry for IMX but it seems to mostly refer to the physical cassette rather than the video compression. Comments welcome. See also MXF and MXF_OP1a.

Notes Explanation of format description terms

General Note that "D-10" or "D10" can refer to both the video encoding as well as the physical (0.5-in) tape in cassettes that carries the essence data. D-10 is also called MPEG IMX by Sony. See also Material Exchange Format FAQ (link via Internet Archive) which states "IMX is a brand name from Sony and is used to denote their products that support “MPEG D10 format and/or D10 Streaming (SMPTE 365M and 356M) at 50 Mb/s rates (and 30, 40 Mb/s too for some products). For example, the Sony MSW-2000 series is an IMX branded VTR that supports the MPEG D10 tape format. D10 Streaming is a constrained form of I-frame only MPEG2 specifying that each I-Frame has the same exact number of bytes of data. The format is very VTR friendly. This MPEG format is also the compression standard carried in SDTI-CP links (SMPTE 331M). IMX is not a file format or a compression format -- it is a brand mark." The 2007 SONY MPEG IMX Family brochure provides some helpful information about the MPEG IMX format (in addition to SONY supporting products).
History  

Format specifications Explanation of format description terms


Useful references

URLs


Last Updated: 06/02/2025

 
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