Video Compression Settings
We recommend using the following compression settings, which should yield a file size of about 6-10GB for a feature film.
Codecs
We accept most major codecs, but for best results, we recommend using one of the following:
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H.264
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Apple ProRes 422 (HQ)
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H.265 (HEVC)
Frame rate
When preparing your video, it’s best to maintain the video’s native frame rate when compressing your video. If your footage exceeds 60 FPS, we will automatically reduce the frame rate. We recommend a constant frame rate throughout your entire video. While we accept many frame rates, these are the most commonly used:
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23.98
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24
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25
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29.97
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30
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50
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59.94
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60
Bit rate
If your video editing software gives you the option, choose a “variable” bit rate and select a value from the ranges below.
*If you have the ability to set the CRF (constant rate factor), we recommend setting it to 18 or below. For ProRes, follow the standard presets in your video editor to export your file. For example, ProRes HQ for 1080p at 29.97 fps has a target bit rate of 220 Mbps in Final Cut.
Resolution
These are some of the most common video formats. We recommend compressing your video with a pixel aspect ratio of 1:1, or square pixels.
Color
For the most accurate color display, we recommend uploading a file that contains color space information.
Color Primaries and Matrix Coefficients
We support all color primaries and matrices, but we recommend BT.2020 (Rec. 2020) or BT.709 (Rec. 709). You can use the same value for both color primary and matrix coefficients.
Color Transfer Characteristics
We support a wide range of transfer characteristics for standard (SDR) videos, but for HDR videos we only support the PQ (SMPTE 2084) or HLG transfer function. If using the PQ (SMPTE 2084) transfer function, please include the following metadata to ensure the most accurate display of your video’s colors: Mastering Display Color Volume metadata (SMPTE 2086) and Content Light Level Information metadata (CEA 861.3).
Bit Depth
We support various bit depths, but we recommend a bit depth of 10 or greater for the highest quality results. For high dynamic range (HDR) videos, your file needs to have a bit depth of 10 or greater.
Scan Type: Progressive
We convert all videos to progressive for playback. For best results, we recommend deinterlacing videos prior to submission.
Container
We support most standard containers such as MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, FLV, etc.
NOTE: Make sure your files do NOT contain any leaders, color bars, or tones. The files will be presented to users exactly as they are delivered. Additionally, we CANNOT accept videos with rectangular pixel aspect ratio, Apple Intermediate Codec, or HDV 720p60.
Audio
Important: An audio track is required in order to upload and transcode your video. Even if the video is silent, it should be exported with a silent audio track. While playback will work as expected on the web, certain platforms will fail to play video without an audio track.
*We accept most sample rates, but common ones for video are 44.1kHz & 48 kHz.
Commentary Tracks (Secondary Audio) - To include a commentary track on your film, you will need to hardcode the film with this audio track included in a video editor. This outputted video will be served as a separate video file, in addition to your film.
The Transcoding Process
Once your film is uploaded, we will transcode it to the proper size and format for streaming:
Subtitles
We accept hard subtitles, meaning they will need to be encoded within the video with an editing program. We also accept soft subtitles, which are a text file (.srt and vtt only) that we can play alongside your work in the player & as a separate download.
Subtitle specs:
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FORMAT: SRT or VTT
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TIMECODE: MUST be in SRT format, like this: 00:00:07,751. Notice that it starts with "00". Other formats sometimes start with "01". This "01" will offset your timecode for SRT by 1 hour in our video player. You can use Jubler to fix this 01 issue by shifting the time. The subtitles need to reference the Media timecode and NOT the SMPTE timecode.
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ENCODING: Make sure the SRT is in UTF-8 format. That works best when displaying foreign characters.
Downloadable Compression Presets
We have attached some settings presets that you can download and import into Adobe Media Encoder, Compressor, HandBrake & Sorenson Squeeze 9 to use to export your work to our specs.
Images
Please provide a 16:9 image to be used as the primary thumbnail. We will automatically generate assets based on your 16:9 thumbnail.