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Guidelines: Embedding Metadata in Broadcast WAVE Files - BWF MetaEdit Help

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NOTE: This is a presentation of the BWF MetaEdit help resource at the Federal Agencies Audio-Visual Digital Guidelines Working Group Web site. This help resource is also a part of the BWF MetaEdit application, downloadable from MediaArea.

About this software

BWF MetaEdit was developed by the Federal Agencies Digital Guidelines Initiative, supported by AudioVisual Preservation Solutions in collaboration with Jerome Martinez of MediaArea..

  • Imports, edits, embeds, and exports specified metadata elements in WAVE audio files, including the bext chunk in Broadcast WAVE Format (BWF) files
  • Exports metadata from Format Chunks (technical metadata) and from BEXT and INFO chunks (minimal metadata) as comma-separated values and/or XML, across a set of files or from individual files
  • Evaluates, verifies, and embeds MD5 checksums, as applied to the WAVE file's data chunk (audio bitstream only)
  • Can be used to enforce the metadata guideline developed by the Federal Agencies Audio-Visual Working Group, as well as recommendations and specifications from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Microsoft, and IBM
  • Reports certain errors in the construction of WAVE files
  • Choose from Command line and GUI, for Windows/PC, Macintosh OS, Linux and more; see list of options

Use

Explanation of BWF MetaEdit Views and Documents

  • TECH. Information about each file: file size, metadata from the format chunk, existence of other metadata chunks, warnings of problems with the file.
  • CORE. Document that supports BEXT and LIST-INFO metadata exchange between BWF MetaEdit and other applications.
  • TRACE. Supports the visual inspection of the RIFF structure of an audio file.
  • Explanation of Errors and Warnings. List of possible error and warning messages.

Metadata Standards

  • Definitions and Use of BEXT metadata. Detailed information about BEXT and comparison of EBU and Federal Agencies recommendations.
  • Definitions and Use of LIST-INFO metadata. Detailed information about the Federal Agencies recommendations.
  • XML chunks. About applying the tool to the aXML, iXML, and XMP chunks columns. Double-clicking on the 'aXML', 'iXML', or 'XMP' cell for open any audio file will open a window displaying the XML data stored in the associated chunk. The user may read, write or edit data directly in this window.

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Working Groups

Still Image Working Group
This group is involved in a cooperative effort to develop common digitization guidelines for still image materials.

Audio-Visual Working Group
The group works on common sustainable technical guidelines, methods, and practices for digitized and born digital sound recordings and moving images (video recordings and motion picture film).

Last Updated: 04/23/2019