Which codec to use for broadcast? at DVinfo.net

Bryce Comer · March 10th, 2011, 11:02 PM

Hi all,
Well i'm in a bit of a fix. I have been asked to supply some footage for broadcast but wasn't given any details of what codec to use. I know they want it in a .mov but what codec should i use for this? I need to get this uploaded to their ftp site tonight, & there is no-one i can contact to find this info out. I was just hoping someone may be able to point me in the right direction with this. I have never supplied footage for broadcast before & have no idea what is needed.
Thanks in advance,
Bryce

Gary Nattrass · March 11th, 2011, 03:39 AM

Simple answer is to ask them for their delivery specifications, most broadcasters will be able to do this for you but if you can't get that info then you need to upload it at the best quality possible.

What was it shot on as that may be the format they require, is it HD or SD?
I shoot on P2 so the transcoded .mov files will be 1920x1080i 25np at 100mbs which may be too large for an FTP site but DV will be a lot smaller and it may be that something like pro res 422 would be acceptable to them.

Sorry can't be much help here as you really need to get the broadcaster to specify what they need!

Bryce Comer · March 11th, 2011, 04:23 AM

Thanks Gary,
Yes i had asked for specs, but the guy i was dealing with didn't have them & things were getting very late. I have uploaded a file, that while it is in .mov, & not the HDV that it was shot in, i encoded at roughly the same bit rate, so i'm hoping it will be ok.
I will make sure i have the specs next time if ther is a next time!!
Bryce

Gary Nattrass · March 11th, 2011, 05:36 AM

If it was HDV then a .mov file at about the same resolution is as good as you can get, when I was on HDV which is not a broadcast format here in the UK I would deliver a file at 1920x1080i 25p at 25mbs.

March 10th, 2011, 11:02 PM	#1
Bryce Comer Trustee Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rossland, British Columbia Posts: 1,024	Which codec to use for broadcast? Hi all, Well i'm in a bit of a fix. I have been asked to supply some footage for broadcast but wasn't given any details of what codec to use. I know they want it in a .mov but what codec should i use for this? I need to get this uploaded to their ftp site tonight, & there is no-one i can contact to find this info out. I was just hoping someone may be able to point me in the right direction with this. I have never supplied footage for broadcast before & have no idea what is needed. Thanks in advance, Bryce __________________ There's never enough hours in the day!

March 11th, 2011, 03:39 AM	#2
Gary Nattrass Trustee Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cornsay Durham UK Posts: 1,992	Re: Which codec to use for broadcast? Simple answer is to ask them for their delivery specifications, most broadcasters will be able to do this for you but if you can't get that info then you need to upload it at the best quality possible. What was it shot on as that may be the format they require, is it HD or SD? I shoot on P2 so the transcoded .mov files will be 1920x1080i 25np at 100mbs which may be too large for an FTP site but DV will be a lot smaller and it may be that something like pro res 422 would be acceptable to them. Sorry can't be much help here as you really need to get the broadcaster to specify what they need! __________________ Over 15 minutes in Broadcast Film and TV production: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1044352/

March 11th, 2011, 04:23 AM	#3
Bryce Comer Trustee Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rossland, British Columbia Posts: 1,024	Re: Which codec to use for broadcast? Thanks Gary, Yes i had asked for specs, but the guy i was dealing with didn't have them & things were getting very late. I have uploaded a file, that while it is in .mov, & not the HDV that it was shot in, i encoded at roughly the same bit rate, so i'm hoping it will be ok. I will make sure i have the specs next time if ther is a next time!! Bryce __________________ There's never enough hours in the day!

March 11th, 2011, 05:36 AM	#4
Gary Nattrass Trustee Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cornsay Durham UK Posts: 1,992	Re: Which codec to use for broadcast? If it was HDV then a .mov file at about the same resolution is as good as you can get, when I was on HDV which is not a broadcast format here in the UK I would deliver a file at 1920x1080i 25p at 25mbs. __________________ Over 15 minutes in Broadcast Film and TV production: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1044352/