Appendix 1

After the Film Is Finished: Distribution
While HDCam tape is often projected directly, it is very expensive and totally unnecessary. Tape will
likely give way to projection only from server in 4 K or any media format compatible with the digital
projection.
Distribution on Videotape
Distribution on videotape can mean delivery for broadcast or distribution on VHS. While VHS is,
for the most part, another dead format, it is still used. Whether for VHS duplication or broadcast,
the requirements for delivery are essentially the same. A broadcast master tape is delivered to the
broadcaster or duplication house. These are usually made by the same facility that did the online
edit. However, it is also common for producers to take the online edit master to a post house later
for making submasters including broadcast masters. On delivery, the tape will be examined by the
broadcaster or duplication house to look for problems. This inspection is called quality control or
simply QC. Chrominance, luminance, and audio levels are checked. If there are any problems, the
master tape is rejected. The examination is thorough; it is not uncommon for tapes to be rejected.
Digi Beta and D-5 are often used for broadcast masters. VHS duplication masters are usually delivered
on Digi Beta or sometimes even on Beta SP. HD broadcast masters are usually HD Cam or
D-5.
The broadcast master should have a “standard” broadcast head leader:
Tape start at TC 00:58:50 followed by 10 seconds of black
00:59:00:00 30 seconds of color bars
00:59:30:00 5 seconds of black
00:59:35:00 15 seconds info slate (info about the program)
00:59:50:00 2 seconds of black
00:59:52:00 8 seconds of countdown leader (Picture Start frame)
01:00:00:00 Program Video (10:00:00:00 on PAL, 02:00:00:00, 03:00:00:00, and so on, on successive
reels)
Distribution on DVD
DVD has become the most popular home video distribution format. DVD stands for Digital Versatile
Disc, and it truly is that, although most people use Video instead of Versatile. The format is expanding
constantly, with new features added every year. Most DVD consumers are totally unaware of
the upgrades; they are usually compatible and automatic. People load a DVD into their player and
simply expect it to play. And usually it does. Yet, there are many formats and options on DVD.
They come in 4 × 3, 16 × 9, MPEG2, MPEG4, VC-1, H264/AVC (HDVD), and blue ray. Audio
can be PCM, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, STS, Dolby True HD, and DTS HD. They can also
play PCM audio CDs, MP3 disc, Photo CD, Data CD, and 5.1 super discs. They are now also available
in standard HDVD and Blue Ray. If all this sounds confusing and complicated, that’s because
it is. Yet, some of the authoring and burning systems are so simple that kids make thousands of
DVDs every day.
145