BMF
Standardized Metadata Exchange with BMF 2.0 (Broadcast Metadata Exchange Format)
After extensive development work and analysis of use cases in close cooperation with German public broadcasters IRT has been published BMF 2.0. The new version of BMF includes new use cases, improved usability and a flexible generation of subsets or the BMF model.
About BMF 2.0
The Broadcast Metadata Exchange Format Version 2.0 (BMF 2.0) has been developed for the harmonization of metadata and the standardized exchange thereof. In particular the requirements of public broadcasters have been considered.
BMF is a rich metadata vocabulary for domains of television, radio and online. It supports the IT-based metadata exchange in a standardized format. As a lingua franca of metadata formats it facilitates the reuse of metadata implementations. Furthermore it increases the interoperability between both IT-based systems and different use case scenarios.
BMF meets real world requirements
The BMF model intends to cover the information requirements from a wide variety of domains in television, radio and online, such as production, planning, distribution and archiving. This goal has been accomplished through the accurate evaluation of different use cases.
BMF-XML Schema
Metadata in BMF are exchanged as XML documents. The structure for the BMF-XML documents is defined in an XML Schema. The XML Schema for BMF 2.0 is based on the experience of previous implementations and helpful suggestions of manufacturers.
BMF as a metadata toolset
The rich vocabulary of BMF 2.0 is a toolset for the generation of model-subsets for use cases. Only these subsets will be implemented. For the exchange of metadata for the domain of distribution in and between public broadcasters and with external cooperation partners a BMF-Subset was already developed.
New features of BMF 2.0
Semantic structures and use cases were added, amongst others:
- Description of EPG data/ program distribution/on demand media
- Grouping of items assigned to program categories
- Support for planning and realization of production
- Camera metadata
- Event and topic planning
- Ordering and delivery (transfer) of program material
Flexible and easy access to the model:
- Breakup of derivation complexity
- Faster orientation through compact documentation
- Clear and simple design rules of the BMF-XML Schema
Generation of subsets
- Process to generate a reduced XML Schema for use cases
- Greater flexibility in the customization of subsets
The XML Schema of BMF 2.0 can be downloaded from http://bmf.irt.de/en for usage at free cost.
