EDL (Edit Decision List)
The EDL is the oldest interchange format in editing, dating back to tape-based suites. Each line, called an event, names a source reel, an in and out timecode on that source, and where it lands on the master timeline. Because it is plain text, almost every NLE and grading system can read and write EDLs, which makes it a reliable common denominator when newer formats fail.
An EDL carries the structure of a cut but not effects, multiple tracks, or rich metadata. For that reason it has largely been replaced by AAF, FCPXML, and XML for complex projects, but it survives for simple conforms, colour round-trips, and any situation where two systems share nothing else.
Examples
- •A simple cut is exported as a CMX 3600 EDL for a colour session
- •An EDL hands a single-track sequence from an old system to a new NLE
- •A colourist conforms from an EDL when AAF import fails
In Sanbila
Sanbila reads EDL alongside FCPXML, Premiere XML, and AAF when it analyses your timeline, so the clips referenced in the cut are the ones streamed at full resolution for export, whatever format your NLE produced.
Frequently asked questions
How is Sanbila different from the proxy generator built into my NLE?+
Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro and Avid all generate proxies locally, but they keep the original full-resolution files on the same SSD — so the disk fills up twice. Sanbila stores the originals in the cloud (Cloudflare R2) and keeps only the lightweight proxies on your machine. At export, Smart Relink streams the originals back via a local WebDAV mount, so you finish at full quality without ever downloading the source files.
Does Sanbila work offline?+
Yes for editing — once a proxy is cached on your SSD, you can cut, trim, color and arrange your timeline without an internet connection. You only need network access for the initial import (uploading originals to the cloud) and for the final export (streaming originals back via WebDAV).
How much cloud storage does the free plan include?+
The free plan includes 5 GB of cloud storage and one project, with no credit card required. Paid plans start at $49 per month for 2 TB and 50 projects, going up to 25 TB on the Enterprise plan with overage billing for teams that need more.
What upload speed do I need to use Sanbila?+
Any broadband connection works for the initial upload — Sanbila chunks files into 50 MB parts and uploads in parallel, so a typical 100 Mbps fiber line uploads 1 hour of 4K H.264 footage in about 6 minutes. After upload, day-to-day editing happens on local proxies, so your connection speed only matters again at export time when originals are streamed.
Which video formats does Sanbila support?+
Sanbila handles 22+ formats out of the box: MP4, MOV, MXF, R3D (RED RAW), BRAW (Blackmagic RAW), ARRI proxies, ProRes, DNxHR, DNxHD, H.264, H.265, plus WAV and AAC for audio. Both 4K and 8K sources are supported up to 200 GB per single file (URL imports have no size limit).
Related terms
Sources
- CMX 3600 EDL format reference · Blackmagic Design
- Exporting EDL from Premiere Pro · Adobe