Definition: A data model defines what information is to be contained in a database/application, how the information will be used, and how the items in the database/application will be related to each other.

Description: The MXF data model is described in detail in Chapter 13. The data model is based on the AAF data model, although many of the terms and properties have different names. Each property in the MXF data model is registered in the SMPTE Metadata Dictionary RP210. Sets of properties are registered in the SMPTE Groups Register, and the data types of the properties are registered in the Types Register. From a basic relational and syntactical standpoint, the MXF data model can be constructed by inspecting the various SMPTE registers and constructing a model of the related groups of properties used in MXF. The semantic meaning and nuances of the use of these properties are given in the written SMPTE specifications.

Why is it done this way? Partly because of the historical order in which the documents were created, and partly to create a normative document chain without circular references. To illustrate the point, consider the MXF Descriptors (see Descriptors in this chapter). In the MXF File Format Specification (SMPTE 377M), each of the descriptors specified in the document has its KLV key given in one of the tables. New descriptors are defined in other MXF documents such as the audio-mapping document, SMPTE 382M. For each of the...