SMPTEs

SMPTEs refer to the standards and guidelines produced by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), a professional organization for engineers and technologists in the film, television, and digital media industries. Founded in 1916, SMPTE develops and maintains technical specifications that are used globally in production, post-production, broadcasting, and distribution. The organization operates through member volunteers and technical committees that propose, review, and publish specifications and recommended practices.

Standards are typically designated with the ST prefix and cover a wide range of areas, including timekeeping and synchronization (timecode), image and color standards, file formats, media exchange, and IP-based workflows. Notable SMPTE standards and efforts include timecode systems used in editing and playback, as well as the ST 2110 suite for transporting video, audio, and metadata over IP networks in professional environments. In addition to standards, SMPTE publishes technical papers and journals and hosts conferences and events to advance media engineering and education.

SMPTE standards have influenced interoperability across devices, software, and networks used in film, television, streaming, and related fields. Adoption of specific standards varies by region and industry sector, but SMPTE remains a central reference for technical specifications in media production and distribution. The organization continues to expand its scope to address evolving technologies, such as cloud workflows, immersive media, and high-resolution formats, while maintaining a focus on practical interoperability and professional practices.