I have to output for HD TV...help?

[zekethefreak]

So I created a TV ad for my client and the contact at the TV station gave me the specs of 1080 x 920 for the dimensions. Does anyone know why not 720? Do I output it at that ratio and give them the slightly squashed video and everything turns out fine when it's broadcast? Never done this before so I am a little confused.

Thanks!

[Erik Bien]

Hi zeke,

Sounds like a typo, or somebody got a little bit confused: 1920 (wide) x 1080 (high), or 1280 (w) x 720 (h) are both considered "HD." My guess is they want 1920x1080 60i.

[zekethefreak]

Hi zeke,

Sounds like a typo, or somebody got a little bit confused: 1920 (wide) x 1080 (high), or 1280 (w) x 720 (h) are both considered "HD." My guess is they want 1920x1080 60i.

I bet she just dropped the "1" by accident. Thanks Erik!

One more question you might know, they want it saved as mpeg2 with no codec. From FCP, would I just save as quicktime then choose the mpeg2 option?

[Janke]

they want it saved as mpeg2 with no codec.

Mpeg2 is a codec...

More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mpeg2

[cgbier]

MPEG2 can be output from FCP via Compressor. The result will be two files (video and audio) that have to be knitted together again. Ask your clients if they can use XDCAM EX or HD files. You can export these directly from FCP via QT Conversion as one single file.

[Erik Bien]

Some other random tips:

• Make sure it's EXACTLY 30/60/however many seconds long, TO THE FRAME (1800 or 3600 fields at 59.97).
• It's common (but not always required) to have the first and last frames full black with no sound.
• Audio peaks should not exceed -10dB, but you want most of your audio around -20dB (loud, but not TOO loud).
• Add "broadcast safe" filters (available in FCP) to ensure your luminance and color levels are within spec.

[cgbier]

Add "broadcast safe" filters (available in FCP) to ensure your luminance and color levels are within spec.

Out of curiosity: That filter simply cuts off whatever is out of range (even though there still is some information). Wouldn't it be better to do a "real" color correction with the Color Wheels or even in Color?

In any case, I had "Show Excess Luma" turn on for the canvas when working in FCP Classic. Window > Arrange > Color Correction shows the Video Scopes for monitoring.

[Erik Bien]

Wouldn't it be better to do a "real" color correction with the Color Wheels or even in Color?

Undoubtedly. Bearing in mind I am NOT a post-production expert, I think it was/is recommended more as a "belt and suspenders" safety net to avoid having a spot rejected for QC in case you didn't notice something out of range.

[Janke]

Audio peaks should not exceed -10dB, but you want most of your audio around -20dB (loud, but not TOO loud).

What? -20dB isn't loud.

The EBU standard* sets peaks to -6dB, and all TV spot audio is heavily compressed, thus reaching to -6dB virtually all the time...

(*Check what standard your broadcaster uses, set peaks accordingly.)

[cgbier]

Funny, the XF100 manual says to not let get your audio peaks above -18dB

[Janke]

Yeah, looks like there are many "standards"...

As I see it, in the digital domain, 0dB the absolute maximum peak level the recording equipment can handle, and you should of course never record that high - a little bit more, and it breaks up. So, you should record well below that, usually (as posted many times here), setting peaks at around -12 dB.

However, the delivery format can have higher peaks, and so it does, at least per EBU standards (peaks at -6dB, the 1000 Hz test tone is standardized at -18dB).

Those "delivery peaks" are controlled in post production, not during recording, thus the level can be higher. You immediately notice any clipping during the post session, and can correct it - which is impossible with a "broken" original recording.

[cgbier]

True.