ACCEPTABLE Formats
DIRECTV can receive SD and HD spots electronically via DG FastChannel. Our SD system code is DIRLA-NB. Our HD system code is DTVHD-NB..
For tapes, BetaCam SP or Digital Betacam Format are required (see SD specifications below). NOTE: “HD” copy is the preferred for any and/or all HD airings (see HD specifications below).
OTHER INSTRUCTIONS APPLIED TO DIRECTV
Traffic instructions should be faxed to Ad Sales Traffic at (310) 964-3023 or emailed to adsalestraffic@directv.com no later than 7 days prior to the week of air.
Copy must be received no later than 7 days prior to the week of air! IF TAPE DELIVERY PLEASE BE SURE TO INDICATE “AM” DELIVERY.
NOTE: SHOULD TAPES ARRIVE MORE THAN "30 DAYS" PRIOR TO THE ACTUAL AIRDATE, THE TAPE WILL BE DESTROYED AND A NEW TAPE WILL BE REQUIRED FOR YOUR ORDER.
DIRECTV and any of its trademarks should not be used (verbally, visually, or in written form) within the content of the commercial.
Screeners should be sent via link to the appropriate sales person and copy Susan Kim at shkim@directv.com. If it is a VHS or DVD screener, please send to:
Susan Kim
DIRECTV
2230 E. Imperial Hwy., LA1/N395
El Segundo, CA 90245
Tape labels and slates at the head of each spot should include the following information: Client, ISCI, title, length, date, audio information, closed captioning (if any), any other identifying information. In addition, please include the 800# on all infomercial labels.
Run sheet to be included in the tape box identifying the actual spots on the tape.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
OPERATIONAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Video and audio material shall be produced using industry standards and accepted practices.
- Average audio levels shall be -24LKFS +/- 2dB. If metadata is supplied, it shall be equal to the average audio level.
- Tapes shall be formatted as follows:
- :15 to :30 seconds of black/silence
- :60 seconds of test signals
- :10 seconds of black
- :10 seconds of slate and countdown
- Commercial material
- At least :10 seconds of black/silence following material
- Slates shall contain the following information:
- Sponsor or Product
- Title
- ISCI number
- Recording date
- Audio format: Stereo / Mono / 5.1
- Audio channel information
- Duration
- Closed captioning (if supplied)
- Time code at the start of commercial material is preferred to start at 01:00:00:00.
TAPES – High Definition
- One Copy per Spot. D5, HDCAM or HDCAM-SR tape, with ascending and continuous drop frame time code. No multi-reel tapes will be accepted. All spots must have bars and tones at the head of each tape along with video slates and at least 30 seconds of post-roll. Exterior labels must match the video slates.
- Video must be 1080i with a 59.94-field rate.
- Aspect Ratio – 1.78 Full Frame preferred.
- Closed Caption Ancillary data should be on Line 9.
- Commercial audio must be either Stereo (Ch 1 L, Ch 2 R) or Dolby AC3 plus stereo (Ch 1 and 2 AC3, Ch 3 Lt, Ch 4 Rt).
TAPES – Standard Definition
- One Copy per Spot. Digi-beta or Beta SP standard tape, with ascending and continuous drop frame time code. No multi-reel tapes will be accepted. All spots must have bars and tones at the head of each tape along with video slates and at least 30 seconds of post-roll. Exterior labels must match the video slates.
- All tapes must be in NTSC with a 29.97 field rate.
- Aspect Ratio – 4:3 full frame. If “letterboxed” version is provided, there must be black at the top and bottom, with the picture centered vertically. Anamorphic video will not be accepted.
- Closed Caption data should be on Line 21.
- Commercial audio must be either Stereo (Ch 1 left, Ch 2 Right) or dual-channel mono.
Any questions regarding these requirements should be directed to Brian Timm, LABC Media Prep Department (310) 964-8539.