Color bars

[Alex Elkins]

If you’re in the UK the standard is to use ‘Full Frame’ bars with tone at -18dB.
Simplest way to know what you need for certain is to ask the channel for their delivery spec document – it will give you all of the information you need.

[Oliver Jones]

I suppose the best is to use “Mire et 1000 Hz PAL” (in French) in Video Generators right?

[Michael Gissing]

Actually, on beta SP the 1khz tone should be set to 0 VU. -18dbfs is only for digital scale machines, not old analog SP.

I would assume full frame 75% bars but it varies depending on broadcasters. International masters that I produce always have full frame 75% bars.

[Walter Biscardi]

[Michael Gissing] “Actually, on beta SP the 1khz tone should be set to 0 VU. -18dbfs is only for digital scale machines, not old analog SP. “

-18 is generally what you will set your FCP Bars to for setup at 0 analog. Why FCP sets up to -12 as default is beyond me.

And all the networks we deliver to require -20 for Bars on any digital master both SD and HD.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.

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