HD Video Specs
Last updated
Your Video File
- The encode format (codec) must be Apple ProRes 422 HQ, ProRes 4444 or ProRes 4444 XQ.
- The file must use the .mov container.
- Accepted pixel dimensions:
- 4096 × 2160 (4K - DCI 4K)
- 3840 × 2160 (4K - UHD)
- 1920 × 1080 (HD - 1080)
- 1280 × 720 (HD - 720)
- The overall bitrate mode must be Variable (ie. BR).
- Frame rate must be 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97 or 30 frames per second. Keep the frame rate the same as the original source. Note that some Services may convert frame rate for supply to consumers.
- ITU-R BT.709 color space must be used. YUV with chroma subsampling appropriate to the encode format (ie. 4:2:2 or 4:4:4:4).
- Square pixels must be used (ie. pixel aspect ratio = 1:1).
- Progressive scan vs interlaced considerations:
- 4K videos must be progressive scan.
- Progressive scan is preferred for HD videos, but only if the content was natively produced as such.
- Interlaced content is acceptable for HD videos if the source was interlaced and the frame rate is either 25 or 29.97 fps. The frame rate of interlaced content must not have been changed by any subsequent processing.
- Overall bitrate must be acceptable for the encode format. This will vary based on:
- The visual content (VBR encoding will compress different material as appropriate to the content).
- Whether the encode is ProRes 422 HQ, ProRes 4444 or ProRes 4444 XQ.
- The frame rate.
- The pixel dimensions.
The below table indicates example target bitrates according to these criteria.
| Dimensions | Frame Rate | ProRes 422 HQ | ProRes 4444 | ProRes 4444 XQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3840 × 2160 (4K - UHD) | 24 | 707 Mbps | 1061 Mbps | 1591 Mbps |
| 3840 × 2160 (4K - UHD) | 25 | 737 Mbps | 1106 Mbps | 1659 Mbps |
| 3840 × 2160 (4K - UHD) | 30 | 884 Mbps | 1326 Mbps | 1989 Mbps |
| 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) | 24 | 176 Mbps | 264 Mbps | 396 Mbps |
| 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) | 25 | 184 Mbps | 275 Mbps | 413 Mbps |
| 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) | 30 | 220 Mbps | 330 Mbps | 495 Mbps |
| 1280 x 720 (HD) | 24 | 88 Mbps | 132 Mbps | 198 Mbps |
| 1280 x 720 (HD) | 25 | 92 Mbps | 138 Mbps | 206 Mbps |
| 1280 x 720 (HD) | 30 | 110 Mbps | 165 Mbps | 247 Mbps |
Important: See Editorial Policy for quality control requirements.
Your Audio File
The audio stream must be embedded into the MOV file.
- Audio format must be PCM. (MP3, AAC or any other compressed formats are not accepted).
- Must have one audio track with 2 channels (ie. one stereo track).
- Sample rate must be 48kHz or any standard sample rate greater than that (eg. 96kHz). 44.1kHz is not accepted.
- Bit depth must be 16 or 24.
- Audio must be normalised to BU R128 broadcast standards (-23 LUFS Program Loudness overall for the track).
Important: See Editorial Policy for quality control requirements.
Your Thumbnail File
Let us know in your support request the timecode (in HH:MM:SS:FF) what the thumbnail should be, and we'll handle the extraction from your video file!
Important: See Editorial Policy for quality control requirements.