Publishing a Distribution Package Using IMF

Use Distribution Package as the Export type to deliver to broadcasters and video streaming services an Interoperable Master Format (IMF) package. An IMF package is a bundle of MXF files (video, audio and subtitle) and XML files. These XML files reference the media file and describe how they are to be used by the broadcaster \or the streaming service.

Flame and Flame Assist use the easyDCP™ plugin technology to encode a standardized IMF package. You can test this feature Flame and Flame Assist use by default a demo license that outputs a watermarked package. If you need to deliver an IMF to a customer, you must purchase a license from easyDCP GmbH.

The Distribution Package export has four built-in presets for Netflix. Use these as-is, or as a starting point for other deliverables.

Built-in IMF for Netflix presets:

To export a Distribution Package for Netflix:

  1. Right-click the sequence to export, and select Export.
  2. Navigate to the location where to export the IMF package.
  3. Set Export to Distribution Package .
  4. Select the Format Preset that matches your deliverable.
  5. Edit the Filename and click Export.

To customize a Distribution Package:

  1. Right-click the sequence to export, and select Export.
  2. Navigate to the location where to export the IMF package.
  3. Set Export to Distribution Package .
  4. Click Show Advanced Options to display the detailed export settings.
  5. Customize the Sequence Options, Movie Options, and Audio Options as needed.

    Refer your customer's delivery specs to find out the exact settings for the distribution package.

  6. Once you're done with the customization, and if you plan on reusing this customized set of option, click Save.
  7. Click Export to export the sequence.

To create an IMF package with dual sound fields audio tracks, do one of the following:

Sequence Options
Option Default Notes
Format Interoperable Mastering Format (IMF)
Composition <name> The name of the programme
Filename <name>.imp The name of the package
Content Episode (Serial Television Program) The type of content
Subtitle File Click Import, and then select a subtitle file using the Timed Text Markup Language format (TTML / IMSC 1.0).
  • Specifications for the format can be found here.
  • Find a TTML XML schema example here.
  • To convert already existing subtitle files as TTML / IMSC 1.0 or create subtitle file, you can use an application such as Subtitle Edit, a Windows-only open source application.
Package Type App2e If you are delivering IMF for Netflix, select App2e.
Video Options
Option Default Notes
Movie Format easyDCPMXF Cannot be edited.
Compression JPEG 2000 RGB 4:4:4 or YUV 4:2:2
Note: Regarding colour management tagging: Make sure that your sequences are correctly tagged since IMF packages are created in the BT.709 colour space. If your sequences are not BT.709, the available export presets perform a source to BT.709 conversion. Also, you should always strive to have only one colour space in your sequence as to avoid encoding issues.
Bit Rate Lossless If you select the Lossy option, you must also specify a data rate.
Audio Options
Option Default Notes
Sampling Rate 48000Hz Cannot be edited.
Language English (EN) The language of the audio track.
Content Content The type of content on the audio track.
Channel Mapping 5.1 Select Auto, Mono, Stereo, 5.1 or 7.1 audio channel mapping.

Use Auto when you export a multi-selection of sequences with different audio track layouts. In this mode, the layout is selected automatically based on the number of audio tracks in the sequence.

Purchasing an easyDCP License

The default Flame Family installation provides a demo license of the easyDCP encoding technology, and adds a watermark on encoded content. To produce IMF package for distribution, you need an easyDCP license.

To acquire an easyDCP license:

  1. Right-click a clip and select Export to open the Media Export window.
  2. Click Show Advanced Options, and open the Preferences menu.
  3. Check the Licensing Status field.
    • If it says Demo License, you need to request a easyDCP license.
    • If it says Full License, your product is already licensed to use the easyDCP plugin and should be exporting IMF packages without a watermark.
  4. Click Request License.
  5. In the web browser that appears, the easyDCP web page allows you to either create an easyDCP account or log in if you already have an account.
  6. Generate a license and download it on your system.

To install an easyDCP license:

For any issues or questions regarding the easyDCP license, contact easyDCP GmbH.

Parent topic: Exporting Clips and Sequences to Files