What is a CMX3600 EDL?

CMX3600 is the classic plain-text Edit Decision List: a numbered list of events, each with a reel, track, transition and four timecodes (source in/out and record in/out). It's still the lingua franca for conform and color round-trips.

Can it read AAF or XML?

This tool reads text CMX3600 EDLs. AAF is a binary container and can't be parsed reliably in the browser; FCPXML/XML is a separate format. Export a CMX3600 EDL from your NLE to inspect here.

EDL inspector & viewer (CMX3600) online

Reading a CMX3600 line

Each event is: NNN REEL TRACK TRANSITION srcIn srcOut recIn recOut. Transitions: C = cut, D = dissolve (with a frame count), W = wipe. Lines starting with * are comments (clip names, locators).

Drop-frame vs non-drop

The FCM: line declares DROP FRAME or NON-DROP FRAME. Drop-frame timecodes use a semicolon before the frames (00:00:00;00). Pick the matching frame rate above so durations are computed correctly.

EDL vs XML/AAF

EDL is simple and universal but loses effects, multiple tracks and metadata. XML (FCPXML) and AAF carry far more (effects, multicam, audio), at the cost of complexity. EDLs remain the safe interchange for conform and color.

EDL inspector (CMX3600)

EDL

Events

Reading a CMX3600 line