expipx

Expipx is an open specification and set of reference implementations designed to enable efficient exchange of pixel data and related metadata in distributed media workflows. It targets real-time or near-real-time scenarios such as live streaming, remote rendering, or collaborative image pipelines, where producers generate image blocks and consumers render or process them with minimal latency.

Core concepts include a simple pixel block model, support for color spaces and alpha channels, and a flexible metadata envelope (timestamps, camera parameters, and scene notes). The protocol uses a capabilities handshake to negotiate encoding parameters, transport options, and quality of service requirements. It is designed to be transport-agnostic, with pluggable backends such as WebSocket, QUIC, and UDP-based transports.

Data integrity and resilience are addressed through sequence numbering and optional loss-tolerant modes, allowing applications to choose between strict ordering and continuous playback under network pressure. Extensible by design, expipx defines a namespace for extensions that can add new block types, compression schemes, or security features without breaking older implementations.

History and status: Expipx emerged from community-driven discussions in the late 2010s as a lightweight alternative to heavier media transport stacks. The specification and reference implementations are maintained by a cross-project community and are released under permissive licenses. Implementations exist in several languages, with ongoing efforts to standardize common APIs and bindings.

Applications and adoption: The protocol is used in experimental media pipelines, edge processing, and collaborative visualization projects. While not yet widely deployed in consumer products, expipx serves as a basis for research, prototyping, and interoperability testing among teams working with pixel-based data streams.