Broadcast format for U.S.?

[Noah Kadner]

Delivery requirements vary greatly from broadcaster to broadcaster which is why there’s no preset. Ask the broadcaster- nearly all have those spelled out clearly in a PDF.

Noah

FCPWORKS – FCPX Workflow
FCP eXchange – FCPX Workshops

[Patrick Donegan]

When I produced a commercial for a ComCast station,
they provided me with a pdf of specs and upload requirements.

FCP X 10.2.2 – user since FCP 1.25
iMac mid 2011, MBA mid 2012
HVX-200, Shure wireless mic

[Jeremy Garchow]

Where are you delivering?

What format are you editing in?

[Jonny Cates]

Jeremy,

I actually edited this on my old 2009 iMac, in FCP 6 — pro res 422. I then output to a Quicktime file, then transferred that to my new iMac that has FCPX on it. I just started learning X, so I’m still in transition.

The 30 sec is for a local FOX station.

I havent done a commercial in a couple years or so, but the last time I did, I simply gave them an .mov file. They used it with no problem. However, the video then was shot standard def, 29.98 not in 24P High Def.

I don’t know what this station edits with, but in the past, .mov files have worked with the local stations around here–in this not so large market I live in.

I was just curious if there were any new standards concerning output of video files shot in 24p.

I also had some question about “field order” upper, lower, etc. for things shot in 24p, that was to be broadcast.

thanks!

Jonny Cates

[Jeremy Garchow]

I routinely deliver to Extreme Reach for spot distribution and they take 23.976 masters. Direct to a TV station I would think that you’d need a 1080i (29.97) master.

With X this is easy, simply put your 23.976 movie in a 1080i timeline and choose Share > Master File and pick your codec to share to (like ProRes). 1080i is upper field first, but X will take care of that for you.

This will add the correct 3:2 pull down, and you don’t have to worry about timing drift as a :30 second spot isn’t long enough to start exhibiting timing issues.

[Oliver Peters]

Different broadcasters will accept various formats depending on their internal guidelines. Actual broadcast formats – as opposed to production formats – are 1920x1080i 29.97 fps (59.94 interlaced fields) or 1280x720p 59.94 fps (59.94 progressive frames). Usually titles need to be 4:3 safe.

Generally if you send files that are “ready for air”, broadcasters ask for MPEG2, but sometimes also H.264 and/or ProRes.

Typically most local broadcasters do not want masters that are 24p (23.976) and if you deliver one that way the odds of it getting incorrectly converted are high. Therefore, I would recommend doing your own conversion of 23.976p to 59.94i (29.97fps) to make sure it is done properly. This means your final deliverable will have a 3:2 pull down cadence.

Oliver

Oliver Peters Post Production Services, LLC
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com