iXML

The iXML specification is designed to provide an unambiguous communication of file and project based metadata between various stages of workflow in production, telecine, picture editorial and audio post production. iXML is primarily designed to be used as a  RIFF (embedded tagged data) chunk inside a Broadcast Wave file (although it can be optionally included in other file types), to supersede the metadata currently written in the standard Broadcast Wave ‘bext’ chunk description field in a non-standardised way by several manufacturers. iXML is intended to offer a standardised specification to communicate all information currently in use, and to provide an extensible framework for manufacturers to add new private, or public data, and for the specification to expand in a completely forward and backwards compatible manner.

iXML uses the XML (eXtensible Markup Language) standard for communication of tagged metadata. All fields are optional when creating iXML, and readers of iXML data must not assume or require any fields to be present. The iXML concept was born during a meeting of various manufacturers, software designers and users, hosted by the Institute of Professional Sound, in London, on the 8th July 2004. The “i” in iXML recognises the part the IPS played in bringing together such a diverse blend of normally competitive manufacturers to collectively solve the increasingly difficult problem of metadata interchange, with an elegant, capable and completely public specification.

Mark Gilbert of Gallery was an early implementer of iXML and has contributed significantly to the development of the standard, including constructing and maintaining his own website to assist developers. See http://www.ixml.info/

The agreed draft specification for iXML is being considered by the AES as a potential standard. (now accepted)