MATERIALS SUBMISSION SPECIFICATIONS FOR DVD PROJECTS
Check List:
1) Flow Chart & naming files
2) Video Elements (Program, Making of, Trailers, Angles, etc)
3) Audio Elements (stereo, surround, sound for menus, 2nd language, etc)
4) Menus (Animated, still, audio, temporary placeholders, file names)
5) Captions
6) Subtitles
7) Chapter Selection
8) Special Features Copy (production notes, bios, etc)
9) ROM Content
FLOW CHART
Flow chart should contain all navigation for the DVD. Include all video, audio, menus, transitions, etc. Flowchart should include reference to the file names that will be consistently used for the project.
Files for menus, video, etc should be named in a logical way and remain consistent for the entire job. This is especially important if placeholders are used. File names should be listed on the flowchart or on a separate log sheet.
Example of file naming for a film titled Jacked Up:
Main Menu (still) = Jackd_Main
Main Menu (animated) = Jackd_MainLOOP
Main Menu (highlight layer) = Jackd_MainSUBSpecial Features menu = Jackd_SpecFeat
Scene Index = Jackd_Sindex
Chapter Page 1 = Jackd_Ch1-6
Chapter Page 2 = Jackd_Ch7-12
Audio Set up = Jackd_AudSU
Transition from Main Menu to Special Features = Jackd_Tran_MMtoSF
Intro = Jackd_intro
Production Notes Page 1 = Jackd_prodnot1
Production Notes Page 2 = Jackd_prodnot2
Highlight layer for all production notes = Jackd_ProdSUB
VIDEO ELEMENTS
Provide Digital Betacam with continuous Non-Drop Frame Timecode with standard Bars and tone, as well as a slate (title card) at head.
A log sheet must be included with each videocassette. Log sheet must include exact timecode for start (mark in) and end (mark out).
If the program is broken onto multiple Digital Betacam masters (part 1, part 2), there may not be any gaps in timecode between the reels. The timecode must be continuous. (Reel 2 must start one frame after the frame of video that reel 1 ended on).
If there are multiple video programs (clips, spots, trailers) on one Digital Betacam cassette, they must be separated by at least one (1) second of black. However it is preferred to have a slate (title card) before each program. A log sheet must be included listing timecode start and end of each program on the cassette.
Video that will be used as an ANGLE must contain timecode matching exactly the master video.
AUDIO ELEMENTS
Audio elements must contain timecode matching exactly the master video.
Please provide reference tone for all audio elements.
Audio may be provided on the Digital Betacam video master in synch with picture or on a DA-88 cassette with timecode that matches the video element it must synch with.
5.1 audio must be provided on a DA-88 cassette with timecode that matches the video.
Audio commentary may be provided on channel 3+4 of the Digital Betacam picture master or on a DA-88 cassette with timecode that matches the video.
Audio to be used on menus must be provided to exact length of the loop. Audio must contain fade-in and fade-out if required. Audio must be mixed to proper levels.
MENU ELEMENTS
Still Menus: Provide Adobe Photoshop Œ.PSD¹ file or a tiff Œ.TIF¹ file. Size must be 720x480 and 72 pixels. Please also include the layered Photoshop files in their original unsqueezed size. Also include fonts. Still menus may also be provided on a Digital Betacam cassette.
Animated Menus & Transitions: Please provide on Digital Betacam videocassette with bars and tone. A log sheet must be included with each videocassette. Log sheet must include exact timecode for start (mark in) and end (mark out) for each menu on the cassette.
Highlight Layer: Highlights must be Bitmapped. Only the following four colors may be used BLUE, RED, WHITE and BLACK. (We assign actual color in the authoring process.) Please provide the highlight layer as a Œ.PSD¹ file or a Œ.TIF¹ file. For still menus provide Photoshop file with Background flattened and Highlight on layer 1.
Placeholders: Please provide advance placeholders in order to meet deadlines. Placeholders should be named the same as the final menus and contain all button positions.
CAPTIONS
Provide one Line 21 CC file for each program. Timecode must be continuous with no gaps, matching the video master exactly. File must be Œ.SCC¹ format and must be ZIPPED (compressed) if sent via email (do not send raw file, as it may become corrupted).
SUBTITLES
Provide one Subtitle file per program. Timecode must be continuous with no gaps, matching the video master exactly. We can accept both Graphic and Text-based formats. Files must be Œ.STL¹ or Œ.SON¹ format.
DIGITAL FILES (AUDIO & VIDEO ELEMENTS)
Your files need to be formatted and sized correctly.
We do not guarantee the results if we use your digital files. However, we do regularly accept digital files for use in menus and in some added value content with good results.
In some cases we will accept MPEG2 files with synched digital audio files. Please call for details.
QuickTime movies (Œ.MOV¹ file) are accepted in some cases, please call for details.
Audio may be submitted as an Œ.AIFF¹ file, please call for details
How to save QuickTimes for Directorsite:
1) Export as QuickTime Movie 720x480 (or other if applicable)
2) Video Compression = NONE (or ANIMATION)
3) Video Depth = Millions of Colors +
4) Video Quality = BEST
5) Video Frame Rate = 29.97 (or other if applicable ie. PAL)
6) Audio Format = Uncompressed
7) Audio Compressor = NONE
8) Audio Sample Rate = 48 kHz
9) Audio Sample Saize = 16 bit
10) Audio Chanels = 2 (STEREO)
GRAPHICS
We prefer pre-scanned digital images, however will accept slides and flat art in some cases.
CHAPTERS/SCENE SELECTIONS
Please provide a list of the chapter stops (with names if applicable) with a timecode reference to the Digital Betacam program master.
SPECIAL FEATURES COPY
Please provide bios, production notes, filmographies, etc as electronic files. We accept Microsoft Word and most other text based files.
ROM CONTENT
ROM content must be provided on disk, either CD or DVD. In some case we can accept a MAC or PC based SCSI drive. We only accept Firewire drives that are Macintosh format manufactured by LaCie.
Thank you.