Bars & Tone and Universal Counting Leader

S

split2nd

Member
I just finished Music Video Project and im wondering about the broadcast specifications I need to have it in to get to place like MTV.

1. In the begining Do I need the bars and tone followed by counting leader? If so, for how many secs long each?
Alos after counter do I go straight into video?

2. Do i need anything at the end of video?

3. And is there any testing software or thing I can do to make sure colors and audio are broadcast OK?

Any help will be appreciated!
 
first, the academy leader or countdown isn't necessary. the format is hardly universal between vendors but the following is what i do. you'll notice i deliver broadcast programs with dropframe timecode.

00:58:00;00 -- black
00:58:30;00 -- ntsc smpte color bars (be sure to import as 601, not RGB)
00:59:30;00 -- black
00:59:40;00 -- slate
00:59:50;00 -- black
01:00:00;00 -- program start

and nothing at the end of program but black. the more the better, but a minute will suffice.

you will need a waveform monitor to see if your program is broadcast legal. software will only give you an idea as they usually only sample the spectrum of available data. the waveform monitor (ideally over SDI) will show you everything.

240034a9.jpg


last, the slate. each client has different requirements. it would be a good idea to ask MTV for a delivery specification sheet. but most slates are as follows...

Client's Company Name
Project Name
"Program Title"
Running Time
Date
Audio Channels
Video Specs
Your Company Name​

for example, i recently delivered the following...

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Movie Title DVD

"Reflections on Movie Title"
TRT -- 37:12
dd/mm/yy

Ch. 1 - Stereo Comp
Ch. 2 - Stereo Comp
Ch. 3 - M&E
Ch. 4 - M&E

NTSC DFTC TEXTED 16x9
Sabi HD post-production​

some clients also require a textless pass (all graphics, titles and lower thirds removed) with splits...

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Movie Title DVD

"Reflections on Movie Title"
TRT -- 37:12
dd/mm/yy

Ch. 1 - VO (voice over)
Ch. 2 - DX (dialogue)
Ch. 3 - FX (effects)
Ch. 4 - MX (music)

NTSC DFTC TEXTLESS 16x9
Sabi HD post-production​
 
Last edited:
i have a question, I'm submitting a music video to MTV pretty soon, and the specs are the same. My question is that the timecode they ask for is as follows: hours:mins:seconds:frames, now according to Zaks specs i'm supposed to have 58 mins of black?

I'm pretty sure that's incorrect but I've seen it in a few places and need to get it cleared up. Thanks!
 
Johnny Utah said:
i have a question, I'm submitting a music video to MTV pretty soon, and the specs are the same. My question is that the timecode they ask for is as follows: hours:mins:seconds:frames, now according to Zaks specs i'm supposed to have 58 mins of black?

I'm pretty sure that's incorrect but I've seen it in a few places and need to get it cleared up. Thanks!
Click to expand...

No, the time count 'up' from 58 minutes, to 1:00:00;00 for the program start. So only 30 seconds of black before the color bars, which last 60 seconds... then 10 seconds black, 10 slate, 10 of black, then
program.
 
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