Broadcast Specifications

Commerical broadcasters have techincal requirements for the submission of media. These ensure that programs for different sources all look the same when broadcast.

• The tape timecode must be continuous and in the Drop Frame format. Both LTC and VITC must match. There must be timecode from the beginning of the tape to at least one minute beyond the end of program material.
• The beginning of the tape will include at least one minute of SMPTE color bars along with 1 KHz audio tone on channels 1 and 2 (audio tone should be 0 VU for analog recording formats and –20 dBFS for digital recording formats).
• Program material must be followed by a minimum of one minute of black. Video levels will not exceed 100 IRE.
• For analog formats, average audio levels should approach, but not exceed, 0-VU.
• For digital formats, audio peaks should approach, but not exceed, -10Db.
• Audio should be mixed at mono to channels 1 and 2.
• Record in SP (Standard Play) mode only.

• Color Saturation levels must not exceed 200 IRE units.
• There must be no Gamut errors.
• Titles and text must stay within the Safe Title Area. No text can violate the outer 20% of the screen.
• Font size must not be below 22 scan lines.
• Lower 3rd titles must not be below the bottom safe title line.

Include the following formatting prior to the beginning of your program:

1. Bars and tone for ONE (1) minute
2. Identifying slate for TEN (10) seconds, including:
   1. Series title
   2. Episode number
   3. Program title
   4. Producing company/group/institution
   5. Date produced
   6. Total running length of program to the nearest second
3. Black for THIRTY (30) seconds prior to program start