The 2012 publication of the FIMS 1.0 (Framework for Interoperable Media Services) specification was a media technology milestone - duly recognized by the IBC Judges’ Prize. New services have since been added and users are starting to demand FIMS support from suppliers.
Royalty-free framework
FIMS is on schedule, with version 1.1 due for release next month. It is delivering new SOA (service oriented architecture) interface definitions for the professional media industry under a royalty-free framework, making this technology accessible and affordable. Although originally involving mainly vendors, more users are now indicating their desire to adopt FIMS, making its support a requirement in their calls for tender.
At a high level, FIMS establishes a framework within which different media services can communicate, allowing for the rapid configuration, deployment, and modification of media workflows. Some of the benefits of a service-oriented approach include improved efficiency, agility, scalability, access to best-of-breed implementations, facilitation of code reuse, and avoidance of single vendor lock-in. FIMS services are also designed to satisfy ever-shifting requirements for the preparation, transmission and ultimate consumption of media content.
FIMS 1.1 on the way
The 2014 FIMS 1.1 specification is in its final review process within AMWA and EBU before publication. It addresses four fundamental services – Transfer, Transform, Capture and Repositories. Example implementations are available in SOAP and REST. Undoubtedly the new service interface for repositories and the forthcoming solutions for quality analysis, better timecode management for partial content and metadata extraction will be accelerating factors.
The Technical Board of FIMS is responsible for developing the FIMS specifications and counts around 100 member companies. The Business Board is composed of around 20 major media companies who decide on future activities.
FIMS will be present at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, in the NAB LABS FUTURES PARK, North Hall, booth N1231, from 7 to 10 April 2014.