MXF (Material Exchange Format)
MXF is a container, not a codec. It holds the actual essence, the video and audio streams, alongside rich metadata such as timecode, reel name, and edit information. The codec inside is usually a professional one like DNxHD, DNxHR, or XDCAM, which is why MXF is common in broadcast cameras, Avid workflows, and archive systems that need reliable, self-describing files.
Because MXF carries structured metadata, it travels well through professional pipelines where automation reads file properties without opening the picture. Avid Media Composer relies on MXF for its media files, and many broadcast delivery specifications require it. The trade-off is that consumer tools handle MXF less smoothly than MP4 or MOV.
Examples
- •A broadcast camera records XDCAM MXF for a news package
- •Avid Media Composer stores its media as DNxHR MXF files
- •A delivery spec requires the master in MXF for archive
In Sanbila
Sanbila handles MXF originals like any other professional format: it stores them in the cloud, generates DNxHR proxies in the Avid MediaFiles structure when needed, and streams the originals back at export.
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
- SMPTE MXF standard family · SMPTE
- Avid media and MXF · Avid