FCC Regulations

drummerboy747 wrote on 9/11/2007, 10:57 PM
Hello,
I would like to know if anyone can help me on how to make sure my videos meet FCC regulations. I film with the sony HDR FX1 and edit with sony vegas video 6.0 I want to start producting commercials for local businesses, but don't know how to make sure my videos meet the FCC guidelines. How do I use my videoscope? Any advice, or help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Chuck

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 9/12/2007, 4:09 AM
Probably the best thing to do is to get in touch with the broadcast techies at the stations that are likely to play your commercials. Each station probably has it's own requirements and interpretation of what meets regulations. Produce a couple of sample clips and ask them what's wrong, what needs to be fixed, and what's ok.
TheHappyFriar wrote on 9/12/2007, 7:09 AM
it's the TV stations problem with the FCC. You make the commercial & make it broadcast legal so they don't have to. They should have the equipment to do it anyway though. Many, MANY production companies (including big places!) don't do things broadcast legal!
Former user wrote on 9/12/2007, 7:23 AM
Sure, if you want to depend upon some guy making $6.00 an hour deciding what your chroma levels and setup levels should be, then let the TV station fix it. But don't be surprised if your picture looks washed out, audio levels are too low or other strange things.

Contact the TV station, get a list of their broadcast specs and be sure your product matches them. Otherwise, you run a risk of having a poor quality product on air.

I don't agree with HappyFriar that many places don't make it legal. Most TV stations or duplication facilities will kick it back if it does not match proper broadcast specs. The only ones who aren't too concerned are cable exclusive outlets. Remember, garbage in/garbage out.

Until all phases of TV production, from shoot to air are digital, this will be a concern. Most broadcast facilities still utilize analog equipment.

Dave T2
TheHappyFriar wrote on 9/12/2007, 8:22 AM
Sure, if you want to depend upon some guy making $6.00 an hour deciding what your chroma levels and setup levels should be, then let the TV station fix it. But don't be surprised if your picture looks washed out, audio levels are too low or other strange things.

The guy making $6 an hour normally doesn't give a darn about that. Nearly ALL the TV stations in buffalo, NY have issues with this (or at least they did, haven't had TV for ~2 months now).

I don't agree with HappyFriar that many places don't make it legal. Most TV stations or duplication facilities will kick it back if it does not match proper broadcast specs. The only ones who aren't too concerned are cable exclusive outlets. Remember, garbage in/garbage out.

When I worked @ a TV station we'd get LOTS of satellite signals that were over-bright. Especially anything from Disney. In fact, the cable company would always call us & complain some programs were washed out/causing buzzing & we'd say it was the signal we got. I know for a fact that when I ran the board the only issues were with the original production company, not our setup. Most production houses that send us commercials were hot too. Not just local ones (there was one company that was horrible) but "national" ones too.
Former user wrote on 9/12/2007, 8:25 AM
"When I worked @ a TV station we'd get LOTS of satellite signals that were over-bright. Especially anything from Disney. In fact, the cable company would always call us & complain some programs were washed out/causing buzzing & we'd say it was the signal we got. I know for a fact that when I ran the board the only issues were with the original production company, not our setup. Most production houses that send us commercials were hot too. Not just local ones (there was one company that was horrible) but "national" ones too. "

Then basically you are supporting what I said. Garbage in/garbage out. Don't depend upon the TV station to make it right.

Dave T2
Tech Diver wrote on 9/12/2007, 8:35 AM
If you need to know what the legal levels are, FCC regulation part 73.682 (TV transmission standards) can be found on this web page:
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_06/47cfr73_06.html

There are several other sections of part 73 that may be of interest to you that can also be found at the above link.
MichaelS wrote on 9/12/2007, 9:05 AM
This question has been raised often...and rarely answered.

I produce a lot of cable commercials and I can tell you, it's hard to get the information you want out of most of the techs at these places. Either they're too lazy to help or (most often) don't know. The truth is, broadcast specs are what I call "spooky" technology to most non-broadcast editors.

I think what "drummerboy" wants to know is specifics...such as video levels, safe colors, audio levels, etc. Little things such as "should a white title for broadcast be 255 255 255 or 235 235 235 RGB.

I've learned what looks good on our local cable system by using broadcast video and audio specs (yes, I cheat sometimes) and trial and error. BTW, even a cable ad insert company will kick a commercial back if it's too far out of range. This is embarrassing for the editor and an aggravation for the client, the traffic people and the sales exec..

I'd like to see a Fact/Check sheet started of broadcast requirements as they relate to Vegas editing. Many editors on this forum are not commercial producers, but do have the occassional opportunity to provide material for broadcast. A general guideline would be most helpful. Creatively, I'm pretty good, but technically, I'm probably not the one to offer specifics.

Are there any old TV engineers on board willing to offer guidance? Is there a layman's primer on preparing video for broadcast that would be helpful?

Thanks.


Tech Diver wrote on 9/12/2007, 9:59 AM
Here are the guidelines suppled by Public Access Community Television of Austin, Texas. Some requirements are general, while others are specific to this station:

1.Video must be viewable on television and not be too dark or too bright, Video levels should peak at 100 IRE and not fall below 60 IRE with the wave form monitor in flat mode (not IRE mode), and sync levels should be constant at -40 IRE, Chroma should not exceed +40 and -40 on the wave form monitor. Black level should be at 7.5 IRE. Tapes with video levels exceeding 120 IRE will be rejected. Programs including extended static images or excessive video black may not be accepted.

2.All programs must use audio channel l and 2 only. Audio must not be too hot (i.e.with needles reading consistently in the red), Reference tones must be recorded at no greater than 0 dB Analog or or -20 dB Digital andwith a 1 kHz tone. Recorded audio levels that are too hot or too low will not be accepted for cablecast,

3.All programs must be recorded on DV Tape in DVCam mode. All tapes must be in the correct case, with no damage to the case, cassette shell, tape binding or oxide coating.

4.All tapes submitted must follow Technical Broadcast Standards and include: 1 minute of Color Bars, 20 seconds of Slate (program title, producer's name), 8 seconds of Countdown (starting 10 seconds before program), and 2 seconds of Black at the beginning of each tape. OR, if you cannot create a Countdown, then leave 10 secondsof black between the Slate and the beginning of your program, Programs must start after 2 seconds of black. At least60 seconds of Black must appear at the end of the program. Tapes that do not follow Technical Broadcast Standards will be rejected.

5.All tapes submitted must have no timecode breaks or jumps (i.e.timecode must be sequential and continuous) from the beginning of the tape to at least 60 seconds after the last video frame, Tapes must haveno servo breaksat any point (i.e.broken control track). Tapes with timecode breaks or jumps, or servo breaks will be rejected.

6.All tapes submitted must have a local identification tag for 10 seconds at the end of the program (after last videoand credits) with the Producer's name or pseudonym, and a working phone number or address, which can be a P.O.Box. An email address or web site is optional. PACT phone numbers or email addresses are not permitted in identification tags.

7.Labels on the face of the tape should not be higher than the tape window. Tape labels should not impead proper movement of tape reels. All tapes submitted must have the Series or Program Title printed or written legibly on the spineof the tape AND the spine of the tape case. The Producer's name (not pseudonym) and working phonenumber must beprinted or written legibly on the face of the tape and the face of the tape case. All spine and face labels must be black text on white labels. (Do NOT stick label on top of label on top of label, peal the old ones off & put a new lable on)

8.Tapes may contain multiple programs. Each program must follow the Technical Broadcast Standards as described in Number 4 above. There must be at least 30 seconds of Black between programs. No more than 2 programs per tape is recommended.