At first glance, it seems that with its emphasis on Metadata, AAF is best suited to postproduction, whereas the focus of MXF upon wrapping Essence of whatever kind gives it a central role throughout the teleproduction process. However, when you start to build systems for real production workflows, it becomes clear that you have to mix together components from both the MXF and the AAF worlds. You cannot describe complex editing, effects and compositing within an MXF file, so you use an AAF file; it is not appropriate to store hundreds of hours of material in a single AAF file, so you use a collection of MXF files; and nonetheless, rights management, billing and descriptive metadata needs to flow end to end.

Metaglue has a unique perspective on systems that combine AAF and MXF to enable the metadata chain in your facility. Our tools treat MXF and AAF as equal partners for transporting and protecting your metadata - whether it is SMPTE standard or home-grown. We use XML for easy integration with web technologies and business systems. We rely on SMPTE, ISO and other standards to provide a consistent, long lived basis for interoperability. Most importantly, we deliver simple step by step tools that work together with your files through the production cycle.