Television stations will provide detailed instructions of their broadcast requirements for producers to follow prior to submitting their program. However, before exploring the technical specifications of the bit rate, codec, wrapper, GOP structure, etc. you’ll need to make sure you add your broadcast leader elements to your timeline. Although the requirement varies from station to station (and is sometimes absent), we have established a common layout of how the leader elements should be formatted.
NOTE: Always confirm the requirements with the station’s guidelines and stay consistent if you are a weekly program – stations may automate the trim of your leader & tail elements prior to air.
Color bars, or color television test pattern, is a computer-generated electronic signal produced by a camera or editing software. The color bars (examples shown below) are accompanied by a 1kHz (-20dBFS) audio tone.
Whenever possible, it is best to originate the color bars from the capture equipment (video & audio). However, they’re readily available in your editing software.
For Adobe Premiere
File/New/Bars and Tone (HD, if HD)/Select your sequence settings to match your content
For Final Cut Pro
Effects tab/Video Generators/Select Bars & Tone (to match your settings)
Your slate tells the station’s traffic department everything they need to know about your program. Our recommended layout is as follows:
A continuous countdown from eight to two with the numbers in the center of a target with two white circles and a rotating "clock arm" animation. At two, a quick 1 kHz audio beep is heard, also known as the 2-pop. After the end of the countdown, FADE IN to the start of your program.
A “tail” element was also mentioned, wasn’t it? It is recommended to add five to fifteen seconds of black slug to your program. Again, confirm with your stations and stay consistent.
That’s where Aberdeen will run the race for you. Our AberFast Digital File Delivery service coordinates with your station distribution list to ensure that you are formatting your content to their specific technical specifications and get it right every time.
