Specifications

DigiTranslator Integrated Option Guide
10
Media data and metadata enable an application that re-
ceives AAF and OMF sequence files (such as Pro Tools)
to automatically and quickly reassemble the composi-
tion. A simple metaphor for this approach is that media
data files are the pieces of a puzzle and metadata is the
set of instructions for assembling the puzzle.
In the simplest case, only an AAF or OMF sequence is ex-
changed. If this sequence points to existing media files,
the size of the sequence file is relatively small and the
export/import process is relatively fast.
AAF and OMF sequences can also have media data em-
bedded in them. This creates a single, larger file that is
slower to export and import, but which may be easier to
manage than thousands of files stored on different vol-
umes.
AAF
AAF is a sequence file format. AAF sequences are the best
way to exchange projects and maintain valuable meta-
data. An AAF sequence can refer to OMF and/or MXF
media files, or have OMF and MXF media files embed-
ded within them. There is no such thing as an AAF au-
dio or video media file. DigiTranslator 2.0 or higher is
required to import and export AAF sequences with Pro
Tools.
Pro Tools will import, play back, and export an AAF se-
quence that either links to media files or has audio em-
bedded within it.
When you import an AAF file with embedded audio
into Pro Tools, the audio will be extracted into mono
tracks using the current session’s audio file format.
MXF
MXF is a media file format. There are MXF video files
and MXF audio files, but there are no MXF sequences.
An AAF sequence may refer to or include MXF media
files, but OMF sequences cannot refer to or include MXF
files.
Pro Tools can import and play back MXF audio and
video files created in Media Station|PT or other Avid ap-
plications. To export MXF audio files from Pro Tools,
DigiTranslator 2.0 or higher must be installed.
OMF
OMF is both a media file and sequence format. OMF me-
dia files can be audio or video, and Pro Tools can import
and play back OMF audio and video. Pro Tools can also
export OMF audio, but not OMF video.
Pro Tools can import and play back OMF audio and
video files created in Media Station|PT or other applica-
tions. To import OMF sequences, or to export OMF au-
dio files and sequences from Pro Tools, DigiTranslator
2.0 or higher must be installed.
An OMF sequence cannot reference or have MXF media
embedded within it.
Pro Tools can import an OMF sequence with embedded
audio, but not embedded video.
Video files digitized in Pro Tools are technically in
the MXF format, but are intended only for use in
Pro Tools and are not tested for compatibility with
other applications.