Video Specifications


File Format
Compressed in size QuickTime .mov mp4 file if possible.

The video should be delivered as a single file without cuts unless the project was edited in split reels or acts with broadcast breaks. It is always best to deliver video to match the joined delivery master.

A compressed QuickTime movie creates a smaller more manageable file for turnover to sound editorial. As long as this file type maintains good resolution.

This usually entails a specific output of a down conversion from the video project to compressed video format such as Mp4.
ALWAYS include the audio created by the video edit in the video as a sync guide track.

Aspect Ratio
Aspect Ratio 4:3 or 16:9 non letterbox. Letterbox is preferred for 2.39:1 and wider anamorphic style ratios.

Frame Rate
Please specify your project frame rate, 23.98, 29.97, 29.97drop and 24, 25 or 30. Most importantly know if your project is NTSC or True 24 to avoid .1% sync drift.

Your video file frame rate should match the frame rate of the audio OMF export.

Timecode
The video should have the program timecode "burn in window" with contiguous count (no breaks or duplications in timecode) that matches the picture edit. The burn-in window placement upper right or left and slightly indented from the top and side edge. It is extremely helpful that all parties working on the project have the same video with the same burn in window to aid in spotting and note updates. Parties include the sound editor, picture editor, music composer and director.

It is helpful to have the burn window upper right or left to avoid blocking hard sync video images.

It is required to have a TC window for ADR spotting and recording along with an audio ch1 production only and Ch2 ME

Use the standard 1 hour roll over at FFAO (first frame of action) and 2 pop 00:59:58:00 if you are unsure. Multi-reel films could be 2 hr for R2, 3hr for R3 etc. (Film standard 1hr at Academy start along with dual 35 footage is much less common)
Avoid zero hour projects if possible and note all zero hour starts will be shifted to 1hr FFOA*

Leaders
It is preferred to have a SMPTE standard Academy Leader with a single frame pop on “2” two seconds before FFOA (first frame of action) and a single frame pop “2” two seconds after the LFOA (Last Frame of Action). Each network may have a specific head leader that will sometimes vary from the academy leader standard. Please submit your projects current network delivery specification, if this is the case. It is preferred to have a SMPTE standard timecode alignment so that the roll over to 1hr is on the FFOA. The standard academy leader would start at the "picture start mark" at 00:59:52;00 the “2” pop at 00:59:58:00 and the FFOA at 01:00:00;00.

Guide Track
The video should have an audio guide track created in the video edit system. The guide track should be in sync and have the mix balance created by the picture editor. The video guide track should include the head and tail sync pop.

Multiple Film Reels
If your project is split into AB reels please include a LFOA list. The LFOA (Last Frame of Action) is distinguished from the First Frame of Black on the tail leader. This list is needed if the multiple reels need to be joined in the sound edit and mix and avoid sync slip at each reel splice.