The Media eXchange Layer (MXL): Streamlining Multi-Vendor Live Video

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Publisher: SMPTE
Doc Type: Journal Article
Content Type: Original Research
Abbreviated Title: SMPTE Motion Imaging Jour.
Volume: 135, No. 2, pp. 14–22
Abstract: The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) Dynamic Media Facility (DMF) provides a layered model for software-defined production infrastructures running on commonly available IT infrastructure. The DMF seeks to enable customizable, dynamic workflows with cost-effective scalability and enhanced operational efficiency, security, and reliability to address the challenges of the evolving media business landscape. A key element of the DMF is the Media eXchange Layer (MXL), an open-source SDK for high-performance, live media interchange among containerized software media functions. MXL provides a vendor-neutral, interoperable platform with clear observability. MXL employs the lowest-latency asynchronous data transfer methods to minimize delays in the live signal chain. Shared memory is used for same-host functions, and remote direct memory access (RDMA) networking is used for cross-host communication. The Linux Foundation hosts the MXL Project in collaboration with the EBU and the North American Broadcasters Association (NABA). The MXL SDK code is available on a public GitHub repository.
Publication Date: 2026-04-01
DOI: 10.5594/JMI.2026/JORP7004
ISSN: Print: 1545-0279 | Electronic: 2160-2492
Link: https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2026/JORP7004
Author(s): Vincent Trussart
Thomas Edwards
Willem Vermost
Peter Brightwell
Keyword(s): Software, Live Production, Shared Memory, Asynchronous, RDMA, Containerization, Data Centers
Copyright: © 2026 SMPTE

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Vincent Trussart, Thomas Edwards, Willem Vermost, and Peter Brightwell; The Media eXchange Layer (MXL): Streamlining Multi-Vendor Live Video, MIJ 2026, Volume 135, Number 2 (pp. 14 to 22); SMPTE, 2026. Available at https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2026/JORP7004

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Vincent Trussart, Thomas Edwards, Willem Vermost, and Peter Brightwell; The Media eXchange Layer (MXL): Streamlining Multi-Vendor Live Video, MIJ 2026, Volume 135, Number 2 (pp. 14 to 22); SMPTE, 2026. Available at https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2026/JORP7004

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<span class="citation">Vincent Trussart, Thomas Edwards, Willem Vermost, and Peter Brightwell; <cite>The Media eXchange Layer (MXL): Streamlining Multi-Vendor Live Video</cite>, MIJ 2026, Volume 135, Number 2 (pp. 14 to 22); SMPTE, 2026. Available at <a href="https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2026/JORP7004" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2026/JORP7004</a></span>

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Vincent Trussart, Thomas Edwards, Willem Vermost, and Peter Brightwell; The Media eXchange Layer (MXL): Streamlining Multi-Vendor Live Video, MIJ 2026, Volume 135, Number 2 (pp. 14 to 22); SMPTE, 2026
doi: 10.5594/JMI.2026/JORP7004
url: https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2026/JORP7004

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Vincent Trussart, Thomas Edwards, Willem Vermost, and Peter Brightwell; <cite id="bib-10-5594-jmi-2026-jorp7004">The Media eXchange Layer (MXL): Streamlining Multi-Vendor Live Video</cite>, MIJ 2026, Volume 135, Number 2 (pp. 14 to 22); SMPTE, 2026
<span class="doi">10.5594/JMI.2026/JORP7004</span>
</li>