Fox Video Specs and Sony Pro Rendering

gsealy wrote on 5/6/2014, 8:07 PM
I am wrestling around with the Fox Technical Specifications in terms of how to fulfill them in SVP. They are fairly specific and here is a link:
http://www.fox.com/_ugc/pdf/COMSpec_2011-2012_r1.pdf

Basically, we are looking at:
"Fox Networks broadcast exclusively in 720p/59.94 HD video, in an aspect ratio of 16 x 9 (1280x720). Material shall be delivered per SMPTE specification 296M and in 5.1 digital surround sound. The highest video quality is achievable, by producing and post-producing in progressive frame rates, with limited use of interlace or upconverted materials."

Here is the next part:
Today, Fox Networks’ origination is 16x9 HD, yet there are still a significant number of 4x3 displays in use. Because of this, it is essential that producers include Active Format Description (AFD) metadata in the supplied material. This will allow cable and satellite providers the ability to convert 16x9 content to a 4x3 display, in a fashion determined by the producer (see Metadata section below).

OK, so how do we include this when rendering in Sony?

The next part:
"Fox Networks encourages file delivery of material, accepting content in a SMPTE standardized GXF format (SMPTE RDD 14-2007)."

Can this be done in SVP? 13?

Basically, any comments as to how to fulfill the FOX requirements in SVP is greatly appreciated. Maybe somebody can give us a primer? A person could probably spend years trying to figure it all out.

Thanks everybody. It is very interesting.






Comments

musicvid10 wrote on 5/6/2014, 9:43 PM
Render in Mainconcept or Sony AVC using their criteria (without worrying about the standards they mention), and see if they will accept your sample.
videoITguy wrote on 5/6/2014, 9:56 PM
The AFD mention is something that gets inserted (possibly) when video is prepared by AVID NLE -hence one workflow is to submit your basic edit with VegasPro to an Avid finish house for the final spec to deliver.

AFD metadata can be inserted into Mpeg2 streams in several ways, hence the trip to Avid NLE OR it can be inserted at the point of broadcast insertion by equipment there in the origination studio, when the engineer is informed of how you want the AFD code to be transmitted to all other points of distribution.
jcloninger wrote on 6/19/2015, 3:11 PM
Did you have success uploading to FMDA? My .mxf is getting kicked out because "drop frame not found" AND I have my ruler set for DROP timecode.
larry-peter wrote on 6/19/2015, 4:34 PM
The GXF format mentioned is an MPEG2 stream with PCM audio. It's notoriously hard to achieve their specs in Windows using anything but a GXF file. Telestream Episode is what I use for this, and I've also used it successfully for a few cable providers who would only accept MPEG2/PCM. Rendered to GXF, changed the extension to .mpg and it passed their QC.

If you include no AFD metadata, they'll automatically insert a code for letterboxed 16x9. If you want full height, center-cut, you'll have to find another way to insert it. Rhozet encoders may do this, Avid is supposed to, and the latest versions of Premiere CC may also. But the Mpeg2/PCM is going to be the make or break, I believe.
JohnnyRoy wrote on 6/21/2015, 9:34 AM
> "I am wrestling around with the Fox Technical Specifications in terms of how to fulfill them in SVP. They are fairly specific and here is a link: "

Why are you using such an old spec from 2011? The Fox Network Technical Specifications For Commercial Material dated November 2013 says that they require MXF files:

http://www.fox.com/sites/default/files/2013_SAA_November_Commercial__Fox_Networks_Group.pdf

This makes a a lot more sense. Vegas Pro should be able to produce these files with full closed captioning using the Sony MXF format with the HD422 1280x720-60p 50 Mbps template which looks to be exactly what they want.

~jr