What is an XMP file?

[shira]

I've just upgraded to the latest version of Adobe Premier. I see that when I export to MPEG now, it creates a file type I'm not familiar with with an extension of XMP. What is an XMP file, and what function does it serve?

[redwudz]

XMP=Extensible Metadata Platform. It's a way of embedding data into a image file. Electronic still cameras do this. All the info about the photo, time, camera settings, etc., are available from the JPEG photo. I assume this is the same thing for a MPEG video.

Here's an Adobe explanation PDF link: http://www.adobe.com/products/xmp/pdfs/xmp_creativepros.pdf