Regions Covered
✔ Japan
To maintain a consistently high quality product, XR requires all material to be supplied to the following specifications:
Requirements at a glance
| Unique identifier(s): | CM Code, see Other Important Information for details. |
| Pre/post roll required: | Yes |
| HD/SD: | HD |
| Audio: | ARIB TR-B32 |
| Clearance: | Managed locally, see Clearance |
Content Layout
Slate
A slate is mandatory for this region, display the following information:
Optional slate information
- Product Name (max 20 characters)
- Creative Agency (max 20 Characters)
- Production Company (max 20 Characters)
- Notes/Remarks
- Creation Date
File Specification
| Format | XDCAM 1080/59.94 | Apple ProRes 422HQ 1080/59.94 |
| Container | MXF | MOV |
| Video Codec | XDCAM 422 | Apple Quicktime ProRes 422 (HQ) |
| GOP | Long GOP | - |
| Profile | MPEG-2 422P@HL | HQ |
| Frame Size | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Frame Rate | 29.97 FPS (Drop Frame Timecode) | 29.97 FPS |
| Scan Type | Interlaced, Upper/Top Field First | Interlaced, Upper/Top Field First |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| Pixel Aspect Ratio | Square Pixels (1.0) | Square Pixels (1.0) |
| Video Bit Rate | 50Mb/s CBR | - |
| Chroma | 4:2:2 | 4:2:2 |
| Audio Codec | Integer (Big/Little Endian) PCM | Integer (Little Endian) PCM |
| Audio Bit Depth | 24bit | 24bit |
| Audio Sample Rate | 48kHz | 48kHz |
| Audio Bit Rate | Uncompressed | Uncompressed |
Video Levels
All video signals should comply with ITU-R BT.709-5 and video signals should not exceed the specified limits.
Video levels should not exceed 700mV, or fall below 0mv
Title Safety
ARIB TR-B4
All graphics, text, and frame composition elements should be placed within the safe title area to prevent key content from being cut off.
Audio Levels
ARIB TR-B32
- Reference Level : 1kHz@ -20dBFS
- Integrated Loudness Program : -24 LKFS
- Maximum True Peak : -1dBTB
- Maximum Momentary : n/a
- Maximum Short Term Momentary (3 Sec) : n/a
- Relative Gating : -10 LU
- Absolute Silence Gate : -70 LKFS
IMPORTANT Notes Regarding Audio Silence
- There must be a MINIMUM of 15 frames of audio silence at the start and end of the commercial
- Trace audio within the first or last 15 frames is a QC fail.
Audio Channel Configurations
| Channel # | Audio |
| 1 | Full Mix Left |
| 2 | Full Mix Right |
| 3 | Mute |
| 4 | Mute |
| 5 | Mute |
| 6 | Mute |
| 7 | Mute |
| 8 | Mute |
| Channel # | Audio |
| 1 | Left Front |
| 2 | Right Front |
| 3 | Center |
| 4 | LFE |
| 5 | Left Surround |
| 6 | Right Surround |
| 7 | Full Mix Left |
| 8 | Full Mix Right |
Subtitles
Subtitles/Closed Captions for the hard of hearing can be added to your commercials for an additional fee. Please get in touch if you would like more information.
Audio Description
Audio Description isn't currently supported in this region.
Clearance
Clearance (known as "KOSA") is handled exclusively between the Media Agency and each broadcaster individually. We suggest contacting the either the Creative agency or the Media Agency involved for further detail on this process.
Other Important Information
Photosensitivity Epilepsy (PSE) Testing
In order to comply with local broadcaster regulations all commercials for this region must have a valid PSE test certificate which has been produced in accordance with ITU-R BT.1702, and using a recognised PSE algorithm (such as Harding FPA V3.4 or equivalent). XR can perform these tests on behalf of the advertiser, but asset must be supplied 3 working days prior to the first air date.
CM Code
The CM code is a unique 10-digit code that is given to every commercial:
- The first four digits of this code have a unique code for each advertiser, and are managed by an organization called "CCC" (CM Code Control Center) in Japan. If the advertiser does not have this 4-digit code, they must first register with CCC.
- The remaining 6 digits are usually handled by brand agencies.
- It is impossible for XR to freely create and provide the code.
- "I", "O", and "-" (hyphen) cannot be used as they will be confused with numbers. " "Blanks (spaces) are also not allowed.
- CM codes must be unique and duplication is prohibited.
- We recommend that you coordinate with the target advertiser's Japanese brand agency (or Japanese media agency) to obtain the correct 10-digit CM code.
CM Name
- For the CM Name, the only characters that can be used are double-byte characters specified by JIS-X0208.
- A maximum of 30 full-width characters should be used (including spaces).
- Other characters (for example, Latin characters other than alphabetical characters, Roman numerals, circled characters, etc.) cannot be used.
- As a general rule, the name should be prefixed with the "product name" so that the content of the commercial material can be identified. (Product names can be shortened as long as the product category is understood).
- Restrictions regarding the use of full-width symbols, etc. are listed in the appendix "Handling of full-width symbols, etc. in JIS-X0208". Characters that are greyed out in this appendix cannot be used.
- In the process after the broadcaster receives the media file, the material will be identified using the ``10-digit CM code'' and ``CM name,'' so the ``CM name'' must include the product name.
- Please note that there may be a misunderstanding that the "CM Name" does not need to include the product name because there is a "Product Name" field in the optional items. The product name must be included in the "CM name".
- The CM name must be the same as the "CM name" listed on the "CM connection sheet" submitted by the Japanese media agency to the target broadcaster in advance.