Cable Commercials

MichaelS wrote on 4/9/2007, 10:38 AM
I do commercials for a variety of local cable companies. Quite frankly, I'm amazed at the lack of knowledge by those responsible for encoding and getting the commercials on the air. Every system is different...and each is constantly finding shortcuts that make their job easier, but diminishes the quality of our finished product. This morning I was told to stop sending DV tapes and to put all commercials on regular DVDs (not as an avi, but as a compressed mpg2). They will now rip and recompress for their system. (Kick me in the gut)!

In the past, I have always produced commercials to "broadcast" specs. I'm now wondering is this the best way for cable. Should I let them go RGB Studio or what?

I'd like some opinions from others who produce similar material as to what specs they use...levels, broadcast colors, etc for video and levels, compression etc. for audio. What do you do?

As always, thanks.

Comments

mountainman wrote on 4/9/2007, 11:21 AM
Yikes, are you sure they are going to recompress? Might be worth a visit to the cable company and find out what specs they are going to use. Then compress your disk to their specs. Then they wont have to recompress. Not a perfect solution by any means, but better than getting a double hit..
I always send mine at broadcast spec. Its out of my hands after that.
I've found it's better to be at :29 ish rather than 30. Keeps them from getttng cut off when cablecast. JM
richard-courtney wrote on 4/9/2007, 7:35 PM
Are you sure they don't want it on a DVD-ROM as a MP@ML mpeg2 data file?

Some are now loading them into a server.
JARiffe wrote on 4/10/2007, 3:39 AM
I used to work for a cable system as a production manager. When our system moved to digital insertion, all spots, infomercials and local access programming was encoded to MPEG2 as it was being digitized into its server. When I went freelance a couple of years ago, I did a couple of spots for them. I gave them a MiniDV dub of the spot plus a data CD with the completed spot (bars, tone, slate and spot) as an AVI file. As memory serves me, the guy at the cable system used the AVI file.

But every cable operation is different with regard to technical requirements, so your mileage may vary.
TheHappyFriar wrote on 4/10/2007, 7:17 AM
keep it highest quality possible. IE if they're re-compressing your mpeg-2's (that the demanded), give them REALLY HIGH quality mpeg2's. The client won't give a darn if they're recompressing it if it looks like crap. Have the highest quality so the client (someone's gonna get pissed eventually) can SEE that it's not you, it's the commercial/control room guys at the cable station.
mjroddy wrote on 4/10/2007, 9:28 AM
I too am obligated to send over MPEG2 files, though not on a DVD standard. I send the MPEG2 file. I encode it at 17 Mbps. I think they "flip" it down to 7.
rs170a wrote on 4/10/2007, 10:25 AM
My local cable company switched to server playback (MPEG-2) about 2 years ago.
I went down there, took a look at their system and what it needed, came back to the office, ran a few test samples and now have a Vegas template specifically for anything going to them.
I now bring a hard drive down to their place. Much easier (and cleaner, in case they mess up the transfer) than doing a print-to-tape and having them re-encode it.

Mike
kplo wrote on 4/10/2007, 1:16 PM
TIme-Warner in the LA market still wants BetaSP.
Fortunately, Charter Cable accepts data files on disc.
I send a 15-17Mbps Mpeg2 stream for encoding (with bars&tone, slate, etc.) and they do a really good job. The compressionist can be your best ally in getting a spot to air with decent quality.
Good communication with him/her is definitely recommended.
I render the file with digital levels (black at "0") and a broadcast limit filter in Vegas 4.0e.
They add the setup as they encode. The "flip" is 7 if you're lucky!
They phone the spots over to an outfit called Adlink...kind of a distribution center for the cable companies (also your advertising competitor if you buy time for your clients). Here's where the problem really is. If they leave your spot alone and just insert it, your ok.
HOWEVER: They'll sometimes flip the spot again...down to as low as 3.6Mbps. Can you say fuzzy?
Anyway, sorry for the rant...hope this helps.
Ken
mjroddy wrote on 4/10/2007, 5:34 PM
Hey Ken.
Glad to hear the good words about LA's Charter. That's where I work. Well, I work out of Riverside, but I'm in LA's "district."
I'm glad you're having good luck with Sang, Jose and crew.