XR provides multiple solutions for uploading creative assets to your account. Whether you choose to upload spots via the Media Uploader Application or through the web-based platform, all files must meet the specifications in this document before they can be accepted.
To help ensure that your files are seen and heard exactly as you intend them to be, please review and follow the detailed specifications below. Verifying the playout of your final digitized files locally prior to uploading to XR is imperative.
File Naming for Broadcast-Ready Files
The file name should be the Ad-ID with the file extension at the end (e.g., ZYWX9876000H.mpg or ZYWX9876000H.mov). If you’re not using Ad-ID, file names should follow these guidelines:
- File names can only contain letters and/or numbers (special characters are not allowed).
- HD file names must end with an “H” and the SD file name must match the HD file name with the exception of the “H” (e.g., ZYWX9876000). Note: In Canada, the “H” is not a requirement for HD content.
- To avoid any potential rejections from TV destinations, keep file names to 12 characters or fewer for HD, and 11 for SD. See sidebar for specific restrictions.
Masters uploaded for versioning or tagging do not need to conform to these naming conventions.
Restrictions
- CBS
- max. 12 characters for SD or HD
- ABC
- max. 12 characters for SD
max. 13 characters for HD - NBC
- max. 15 characters for SD and HD
- FOX
- max. 15 characters for SD and HD
- ESPN
- max. 18 characters for SD and HD
- AT&T AdWorks
- max. 20 characters for SD and HD
- Discovery
- max. 25 characters for SD and HD
Content Layout
All files must adhere to this configuration before uploading to the XR platform.
Short-form (5 minutes and under)
Long-form (over 5 minutes)
Recommended Standards and Practices
Audio Levels
TARGET LOUDNESS LEVEL SHOULD BE -24 LKFS
Minor measurement variations up to approximately ±2 dB from this value are anticipated due to measurement uncertainty, and are acceptable.
TRUE-PEAK LEVEL SHOULD BE BELOW -2 dB TP
This provides headroom to avoid potential clipping due to downstream processing.
These specifications are in accordance with ATSC RP A/85 and measured as per ITU-R BS. 1770-3.
THE TARGET LOUDNESS LEVEL SHOULD NOT BE -22 LKFS OR -26 LKFS
In order to provide consistent audio levels, any content that does not conform to the -24 LKFS loudness level may be normalized by XR to meet the loudness requirement. This internal process will shift the average loudness to -24 LKFS with no impact to dynamic range. If the content is too far outside of these requirements or cannot be normalized correctly for any reason, XR may require a re-submission.
Video Levels
When measured on a digital scale (SDI Hardware/Internal NLE meters):
Black level = 0% / 0mV
White level = 100% / 700mV
RGB = 0% - 100% / 0mV - 700mV
With 8-bit coding:
0% = Digital value of 16
100% = Digital value of 235
These specifications are in accordance with ITU-R BT.601 and ITU-R BT.709.
Safe Title Area
The safe title area is 90% of the width and 90% of the height of the production aperture. All graphics, text and frame composition elements should be placed within the safe title area to prevent key content from being cut-off. These specifications are in accordance with SMPTE ST 2046-1.
Center Cut Protection
The center cut protected area is 90% of the width and 90% of the height of the 4:3 aperture. All graphics, text and frame composition elements should be placed within the center cut protected area to prevent key content from being cut-off when downconverted to SD. These specifications are in accordance with SMPTE RP 2046-2.
Audio Specifications
AUDIO TYPE
| MPEG | PCM | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | MPEG-1 Layer 2 | SMPTE 302M |
| Channels | 2 channels | 2 channels pr 8 channels |
CHANNEL CONFIGURATION
| Stereo (MPEG or LPCM) | 5.1 Surround plus Stereo (LPCM) | |
|---|---|---|
| Channel 1 | Stereo Left | Left Front |
| Channel 2 | Stereo Right | Right Front |
| Channel 3 | Center | |
| Channel 4 | Low Frequency Effects | |
| Channel 5 | Left Surround | |
| Channel 6 | Right Surround | |
| Channel 7 | Stereo Left | |
| Channel 8 | Stereo Right |
High Definition Specifications
| MPEG (*.mpg) | ProRes (*.mov) | Avid (*.mov) | MXF (*mxf) Preferred |
|||
| Stream Type |
MPEG-2 Transport Stream (422@HL, HP@HL) |
Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) Apple ProRes 422 (LT) | AVID DNxHD HQ AVID DNxHD SQ |
XDCAM HD 422 | ||
| Video Bit Rate | 45 Mbps (constant) | Default | 50 Mbps | |||
| GOP | Long GOP | Default | Long GOP | |||
| Frame rate | 23.976 fps (1080p) or 29.97 fps (1080i) or 59.94 fps (720p) |
29.97 fps (1080i) | ||||
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 | ||||
| Pixel Aspect Ratio | Square | Square | ||||
| Width/Height | 1920x1080 (1080p) or 1920x1080 (1080i) or 1280x720 (720p) |
1920x1080 (1080i) | ||||
| Chroma | 4:2:2 | 4:2:2 | ||||
| Interlacing | 1080p (progressive) or 1080i (upper/top field first) or 720p (progressive) |
1080i (upper/top field first) |
||||
| Audio Type | MPEG-1 Layer 2 | PCM | PCM | |||
| Audio Sample Rate | 48kHz | 48kHz | ||||
| Audio Bit Depth | N/A | 16 bits or 24 bits | 16 bits or 24 bits | |||
| Audio Bit Rate | 384 Kbps | Uncompressed | Uncompressed | |||
Standard Definition Specifications
| MPEG (*.mpg) Preferred |
ProRes (*.mov) | Avid (*.mov) | MXF (*mxf) |
|||
| Stream Type |
MPEG-2 Program Stream or Transport Stream (422@ML, HP@ML or HP@HL) |
Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) Apple ProRes 422 (LT) | Avid Meridien Compressed | XDCAM IMX 50 XDCAM IMX 35 XDCAM IMX 25 | ||
| Video Bit Rate | 20 Mbps (constant) | Default | 35 Mbps (2:1) | 50, 35 or 25 Mbps | ||
| GOP | Long GOP | Default |
||||
| Frame rate | 29.97 fps | 29.97 fps or 23.976 fps |
29.97 fps | |||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3 | ||||
| Pixel Aspect Ratio | 9:10 (D1 Pixels) | 9:10 (D1 Pixels) |
||||
| Width/Height | 720x512* or 720x480 | 720x486* or 720x480 | 720x512* or 720x480 | |||
| Chroma | 4:2:2 | 4:2:2 | ||||
| Interlacing | Upper/top field first | Upper/top or lower/bottom field first or progressive (23.976 fps files must be progressive) |
Upper/top field first | |||
| Audio Type | MPEG-1 Layer 2 | PCM | ||||
| Audio Sample Rate | 48kHz | 48kHz | ||||
| Audio Bit Depth | N/A | 16 bits or 24 bits | ||||
| Audio Bit Rate | 384 Kbps | Uncompressed | ||||
*Active picture 720x480
Closed Captioning
- When sending content with closed captions, masters must be sent with a frame rate of either 29.97 fps or 59.94 fps (23.976 fps is not currently supported).
- For MPEG files, CEA-608 and CEA-708 data must be compliant and present if content is closed captioned (SMPTE 436M for MXF file types and QuickTime closed captioning track for MOV file types).
- SD formats with embedded CEA-608 closed captioning data and QuickTime closed captioning track for MOV files are accepted. Line 21 captions are only accepted on 720x486 and 720x512 formats.
- MPEG SD 720x512 with Line 21 captions must be upper/top field first.
- QuickTime SD 720x486 with Line 21 captions must be lower/bottom field first.
- The first caption should be “paint-on” and occur on or after the fifth frame of content or there must be a one-second delay if the first caption is “pop-on.”
- All content intended for broadcast in Canada must contain closed captioning.
- If content is closed captioned, it must be indicated in the metadata and should be included on the slate.
- For long-form, sidecar SCC files are accepted with drop frame timecode and with the program starting at 01:00:00;00.
Uploads
Please notify your XR Account Manager or email the Account Management team at account-management@extremereach.com with the file name once the upload is complete or if you need to send the file via an alternate method.
Any questions?
Contact us at support@extremereach.com or 800.324.5672 for a more personal discussion regarding your workflow and needs.
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