FTP distribution of TV spot

Pcamp wrote on 9/3/2010, 9:25 AM
I am making a 30 second PSA and 2 min VNR for a charitable organization. They will be offering it to stations and networks around the world on an FTP site. I plan to post SD -PAL & NTSC mpg2 and mp2 widescreen files. Any ideas on the file format to offer the HD version in. From what I have researched so far - it seems different stations may prefer different formats. I'd like to target the 2 or 3 most common formats but not sure what they are.
Thanks!
Paul

Comments

corug7 wrote on 9/5/2010, 8:25 AM
That's a tough one. I do this on a regular basis and there are often specific things each station needs done with the video in order for them to be able (or willing) to play it. Some want the spot only, with one frame of black at the beginning and end. Others want a leader with bars and tone, slate, and black, and a black tail. Then you have the different formats. For a recent commercial that we posted, my delivery formats were MPEG-2 HD, MPEG-2 SD, IMX 50, and h.264. It is very important for me to note that most broadcast media servers are very picky about the media they are fed and there are often specific settings that must be set. For example, some will only play MPEG-2 transport streams (as opposed to program streams or separate elementary streams) with specific PIDs set for audio and video. Some can only use closed GOP streams.

Perhaps the best thing to do is offer a few options. If you have the bandwidth available and the space on your FTP, I would offer one or two editable formats (such as an MPEG-2 MXF and maybe a cineform version since the decoder is readily available), and a couple delivery formats like an MPEG-2 TS at around 24 Mbps, main profile at high level, with closed GOP structure and MPEG-2 audio at a bitrate between 192 and 384 kbps, and an h.264 at maybe 15 Mbps with audio at 192 kbps. If you have access to setting the level and profile on your h.264 I believe you will want high profile at 4.1 level, with your GOP set to every 1 to 2 seconds.

You will want to include a readme text file explaining that you have done your best to meet the needs of most HD broadcasters but that you cannot possibly forsee the needs of everyone, thus you have included editable files for those that need to create their own media for thier servers. The other option is for you to be at the broadcasters beck and call, which is not a place you want to be.

Good luck.

Corey
Pcamp wrote on 9/5/2010, 9:41 AM
Hi Corey
Thank you for the excellent response! What you say makes sense to me and I will be able to make use of your suggestion and experience.
It seems like this kind of ftp distribution is becoming popular.
Paul
corug7 wrote on 9/6/2010, 8:30 PM
My pleasure to help, Paul. FTP and Sharesites are the way of the future for sure. It is much less expensive than sending hard copies.