The AMWA and EBU Task Force has presented a preview of its FIMS v1.1 specification at the NAB. The new version of the Framework for Interoperable Media Services provides service definitions for the Capture, Transform, and Transfer of audio-visual content. FIMS v1.1 will be particularly relevant for storage vendors, while it also includes a standardised Repository interface.
SOAP & REST
The ongoing commitment of the Task Force participants' is not only expressed in the support for developing the platform by adding new functionalities, it also is reflected in the support for popular technologies. FIMS v1.0 'only' provided SOAP support, while FIMS v1.1. will add RESTful interfaces to the definitions, following the popularity of REST in the general IT industry.
NAB presentations
Many FIMS implementers are already preparing implementations of the FIMS services in REST. An overview of who has implemented what or is planning to do so, can be found at the FIMS website. Visitors at the FIMS booth in Las Vegas reported that "all vendors mention FIMS". Equally important is the uptake of FIMS at the user side, which now include ABC, A&E, Bloomberg, Deutsche Welle, ESPN, HBO, RAI, RTP and WDR.
A FIMS presentation being fimled at at NAB 2014.
More coming up
Current work in FIMS is focussing on Time Code support and Quality Analysis. The latter activity is conducted in close collaboration with the EBU QC work. For more information on FIMS, contact: Jean-Pierre Evain (EBU).