SD Video Specs
This is for older videos that do not have an HD master. Contact support for more info on legacy video formats.
Video File
- The encode format (codec) must be Apple ProRes 422 HQ. The file must use the .mov container.
- Accepted pixel dimensions:
- 720 × 576 (PAL)
- 720 × 480 or 720 × 486 (NTSC
- The overall bitrate mode must be Variable (ie. VBR).
- Frame rate must be 23.976, 24, 25, or 29.97 frames per second. Keep the frame rate the same as the original source.
- ITU-R BT.601 colour space.
- Long GOP.
- Pixel aspect ratio must be embedded in the file to produce the desired display aspect ratio (preferably 16:9 or 4:3).
- Progressive scan vs interlaced considerations:
- Progressive scan is preferred, but only if the content was natively produced as such.
- Interlaced content is acceptable if the source was interlaced and the frame rate is either 25 or 29.97 fps. The frame rate of interlaced content must not have been changed by any subsequent processing.
- Overall bitrate must be acceptable for the encode format. This will vary based on:
- The visual content (VBR encoding will compress different material as appropriate to the content).
- The frame rate.
- The pixel dimensions.
The below table indicates example target bitrates according to these criteria.
| Dimensions | Frame Rate | ProRes 422 HQ |
|---|---|---|
| 720 × 576 (PAL) | 25 | 61 Mbps |
| 720 × 486 | 30 | 63 Mbps |
Alternatively, you can supply an MPEG-2 encode. Let us know if you don't have a ProRes master available and we can allow the MPEG-2 option!
Audio File
- Audio format must be PCM. (MP3, AAC or any other compressed formats are not accepted).
- Must have one audio track with 2 channels (ie. one stereo track).
- Sample rate must be 48kHz or any standard sample rate greater than that (eg. 96kHz). 44.1kHz is not accepted.
- Bit depth must be 16 or 24.
- Audio must be normalised to EBU R128 broadcast standards (-23 LUFS Program Loudness overall for the track).
Your Thumbnail File
Let us know in your support request the timecode (in HH:MM:SS:FF) what the thumbnail should be, and we'll handle the extraction from your video file!
Important: See Editorial Policy for quality control requirements.