Performance Marketing Video File Specifications

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.

Please be aware files requiring color correction for RGB issues, audio normalization, file format conformance or the addition of slates will be subject to additional charges to the customer.

File Naming for Broadcast-Ready Files

The file name should be the Ad Code with the file extension at the end (ZYWX9876000H.mxf or ZYWX9876000H.mov).
If you’re not using Ad-ID, file names should follow these guidelines:

• File names can only contain letters and numbers. No special characters or spaces.
• HD file names must end with an “H” but cannot end with “HH”.
• In Canada, the “H” is not a requirement for HD assets.
• Keep file names to 12 characters or fewer to avoid potential rejections from TV destinations.

Masters uploaded for versioning or tagging do not need to conform to these naming conventions.

Restrictions

• ABC and ESPN allow up to 13 characters
• NBC and FOX allow up to 15 characters
• DIRECTV allows up to 16 characters
• CBS allows up to 20 characters
• Discovery allows up to 25 characters

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

Stereo and 5.1 Plus Stereo

High Definition Specifications

Standard Definition Specifications

*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.