This document is designed to give you all of the information you need to start sending your assets to UVFlix.com. In addition to the technical requirements for different asset types, you will also find helpful information regarding limitations on content that we can accept, detailed lists of what is required vs optional for different delivery platforms, a handy glossary and a list of frequently asked questions. If this document doesn’t answer your questions or is unclear in anyway please feel free to contact us.
Restrictions
Most platforms have restrictions on content that contains certain elements. Please check your content to make sure that it meets the requirements described below. Extra costs will be incurred and turnaround times may be affected if edits are required to create a clean master for archiving and delivery. Along with the asset type-specific considerations in the tabs below, please be aware of the following list of requirements.
- Adult films will be rejected.
- Assets without the proper copyright permissions will be rejected.
- Non-subtitled features are strongly recommended. Subtitled features should always be provided with textless elements
- There should be no URLs or email addresses on screen.
- References to any particular product (available on DVD, Look for it on iTunes etc) will need to be removed.
Content Considerations – Feature Films
- Clean masters are strongly preferred, especially for any content that will be versioned for delivery to foreign language territories. Clean masters contain any graphics, supers or credits in the film but do NOT have any dialogue translations. For more details regarding the difference between a clean and a textless master please refer to the faq in this document.
- If a clean master is not available and localized deliveries are ordered, textless elements are required to create a textless version of the feature in-house.
Content Considerations – Film Trailers
- No date tagging should be included. Tags like “This Christmas”, “May 2017” and “Coming Soon” will all have to be removed for most platforms.
- There should be no ratings or warning cards present (MPAA, FBI, Interpol etc).
- Reference to any particular product (available on DVD, Look for it on iTunes etc) will need to be removed.
- Family Friendly trailers are generally preferred.
- Should be in the same aspect ratio, resolution, bit rate and/or codec and frame rate as the feature.
- Trailers should match all technical and visual properties of the feature file (aspect ratio, frame rate, resolution, etc.).
- Should be between 30 seconds and 4 minutes in runtime.
Material requirement
In order to ensure that your materials are processed without error and on time, it is important that assets be delivered to UvFlix in accordance with the technical details outlined in this section. In addition to the technical details outlined for each format and delivery method below please keep the following important points in mind:
- All files delivered to us must conform to our file naming conventions. Additional fees may apply if files are incorrectly labelled.
- Any art assets to be used for broadcast must adhere to title and action safe boundaries.
- When providing 5.1 surround 2.0 audio is required. The preferred channel order per language is L,R,C,LFE,Ls,Rs,Lt,Rt
- Dual mono audio will be rejected if stereo audio exists.
Audio/Video Specifications
Video masters must be provided in their native frame rate.
Compressed video on DVD-Video is not acceptable and should not be supplied.
Many platforms have a strong preference for HD assets over SD. It is strongly recommended that HD be delivered whenever possible.
- Upres’d footage will not be accepted.
It is preferred that audio is provided in the same container as video. Additional charges may apply to line up audio from external sources.
- For example, if sending a feature film with English 2.0, 5.1 and French 2.0 it is strongly preferred to have all audio streams in the same mov file as the video to which they are synced.
Regardless of the content type (feature film, tv episode, music video, trailer) the below specifications must be met. If you have files that do not match the specifications below please contact us prior to sending the files to make sure that they are usable. If they are usable, additional processing costs and delays may apply.
All video files must have at least one second of black and silence at the head and tail.
Please Note: Most platforms do not accept dual-mono audio. If a stereo source is unavailable platform pre-approval may be required.
| Supported Formats | |
|---|---|
| Containers | SD/HD – .mov (Quicktime) |
| UHD/4K – .mov (Quicktime) | |
| Frame Sizes | 4096 by 2160 (4K) |
| 3840 by 2160 (UHD) | |
| 1920 by 1080 (HD) | |
| 720 by 486 (SD – NTSC) | |
| 720 by 480 (SD – NTSC) | |
| 720 by 576 (SD – PAL) | |
| Frame Rates | 23.98 |
| 24 | |
| 25 | |
| 29.97 | |
| 59.94 | |
| Video Codecs | SD/HD – Apple ProRes 422HQ |
| UHD/4K – Apple ProRes 4444/4444XQ | |
| Audio Configurations | 2.0 Stereo (L,R) |
| 5.1 Surround & 2.0 Stereo (L,R,C,LFE,LS,RS,LT,RT)
*note that audio should be provided as part of the same video container. Audio supplied separately may cause delays and incur additional costs. |
|
| 7.1 Surround (L,R,C,LFE,Ls,Rs,Rls(or Lrs),Rrs) | |
| Audio Codec | LPCM (Little or Big Endian) |
| Audio Sample Rate | 48 kHz |
| Audio Bit Depth | 16 |
| 24 | |
Closed Captions Specifications
Closed Captions must include off-screen sound effects, dialogue, music etc. when it is relevant to the narrative.
- For example, if in a scene a car crash is heard and the character on-screen is startled then a caption should something like “car crashing” on-screen. Note that there are many other conventions that should be followed when creating caption files, the scope of which is beyond this document. Please make sure that you are using a reputable captioning facility when having captions created. If you would like to be referred to a caption house please talk to us.
Some platforms and territories require that content be closed captioned and will reject any content that is not captioned.
- Contact us if your content does not have captions and you wish to sell it in a region that requires them.
Closed captions should always be delivered as a properly formatted Scenarist caption file in one of the following formats:
.SCC
.CAP
.ITT
.SRT
Please be sure that your file meets the requirements listed below, files that do not meet these requirements will be rejected:
- Captions must be under 400 WPM
- Captions must have a minimum duration of 13 frames and a maximum of 11 seconds.
- Captions cannot contain illegal characters.
- Captions must never have more than 32 characters per line.
- No more than 4 lines are allowed in a single caption.
- Placement information is required. Captions must respect existing on-screen text by moving to either the top or the bottom of the screen as required. Overlapping captions sill be rejected.
- Captions must line up to the video master provided and not include any redundant content.
- Caption files should be provided as “pop-on” captions, not “roll-on”.
- Captions must translate off-screen dialogue, sound effects and music elements that are relevant to the narrative.
- More than one language in one caption file is not accepted, including music lyrics. Only proper names, popular slang, and colloquialisms in a different language are considered acceptable.
- Reel assembly is subject to additional charges.
Please also note:
- Some digital platforms such as Netflix no longer accept ‘roll up’ captions.
- UvFlix does not proof CC files, and is not responsible for content, spelling, grammar, or any other issue that may arise in the supplied file.
- When possible UvFlix will endeavour to correct problematic files, but additional charges will apply.
Subtitles Specifications
UvFlix accepts subtitle files in a variety of formats depending on the type of platform they are to be used for. In addition to providing your subtitles in one of the formats listed above please be sure that your file meets the requirements listed below, files that do not meet these requirements will be rejected:
- Subtitles must be under 400 WPM.
- Subtitles must have a minimum duration of 13 frames and a maximum of 11 seconds.
- Subtitles should not contain illegal characters.
- No more than 2 lines are allowed in a single subtitle.
- Placement information is required. Subtitles must respect existing on-screen text by moving to either the top or the bottom of the screen as required. Overlapping subtitles will be rejected.
- Subtitles must line up to the video master provided.
When possible UvFlix will endeavour to correct problematic files, but additional charges will apply.
This file is the primary poster for your title. All storefront will display this artwork unless a localized version is provided. If localized version in local language is provided then that artwork will be display in those territories.
File Type Accepted:
PSD, JPG, PNG
Minimum Requirement:
- 2000 x 3000 pixels (2:3 ratio)
- 1920 x 1080 for Amazon Horizontal Artwork
- RGB
- 72 DPI
- No credit block
- NO URLs
- No Pricing
- No Festival Laurels
- No Placeholder Artwork
- No Nudity
Platform Requirements
The assets you are required to deliver vary from platform to platform. Click on any of the product types below to see what assets you are required and able to deliver. If you don’t see the platform you want to deliver to on this list please contact us for more details.
iTunes Film
| Asset | Required | Spec |
|---|---|---|
| Feature Film | Yes |
|
| Trailer | Yes |
|
| Poster Art | Yes |
|
| Banners | Yes |
|
| Background Art | Yes |
|
| Metadata | Yes |
|
| Closed Captions | Yes* |
|
| Alternate Language Audio Streams | No |
|
| Alternate Language Subtitle Streams | No |
|
| Feature Format | Audio Streams | Closed Captions | Trailer | Metadata | Artwork |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD or SD | 2.0 mandatory 5.1 if available | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Feature Format | Audio Streams | Closed Captions | Trailer | Metadata | Artwork |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest resolution available | 2.0 mandatory 5.1 if available | Required | No | Required | No |
Feature Format
For delivery to Netflix, you will be required to send us your feature film. For details on Codecs, audio configurations, frames, and resolution, please refer to the Audio/Video tab under the Material Requirements section. Along with the technical specifications outline in the Ingest Requirements section, please also note the following requirement for Netflix packages:
- Netflix does not allow content with burned in subtitles. If a subtitled version is the only version available, pre-approval from your Netflix account rep will be required.
- For clients with direct contracts, pre-approvals are to be acquired through the client and Netflix. Juice will communicate directly with Netflix for aggregation projects.
- Lower thirds (supers) can be burned into the feature file but they must be translated when providing subtitle files for additional languages.
- Netflix will only accept content in the original aspect ratio and frame rate (telecine is not accepted).
- Files must not contain bars and tone, slates, advertisements, commercial black segments greater than 2 seconds or commercial bumpers. Additional charges may apply for the removal of additional content at Juice.
- Secondary audio streams should be provided as 5.1 and 2.0 embedded in the video file. Sending secondary audio streams separately will result in extra charges and additional turnaround time.
Audio Streams
- Secondary audio streams should be provided as 5.1 and 2.0 embedded in the video file. Sending secondary audio streams separately will result in extra charges and additional turnaround time.
Closed Captions
Due to the quality expectations set out by Netflix, all text files must exceed broadcast standards. As such, Juice requires that all supporting text files (full subtitles, closed captions, and forced narratives) are either originated by or QC’d in full by a Netflix Preferred Vendor (NPV) subtitling house. Please contact your Juice representative for the full list of NPV subtitling houses if you are planning an international release. Closed Captioning is mandatory for English audio headed to the US and is strongly recommended for all other territories. Text file requirements are laid out in your contract with Netflix. If you have a direct contract please contact your Netflix account rep for clarification, otherwise please contact us.
Closed Captioning Style and Formatting
- All CC must be created in ‘Pop On’ style. ‘Roll Up’ and ‘Scrolling Text’ are not acceptable formats. These two formats are not easily converted to ‘Pop On’ and will need to be retimed from scratch. For detailed file specs please see the Closed Captions tab in the Material Requirements section.
- Any caption house credits must be removed as Netflix will not advertise for any captioning or post houses on their service.
- CC must be originated or QC’d in full by a NPV subtitling house.
Subtitles
Subtitle Style and Formatting
- Subtitle files should be provided as either EBU STL or ITT, and must be top and bottom justified to accommodate any burn-in supers. For detailed file specs, kindly see the Subtitles tab in the Material Requirements section.
- Netflix will reject any subtitle file that is in ALL CAPS LOCK.
- Subtitles must be originated or QC’d in full by a NPV Subtitling house
Forced Narratives
Forced Narratives must be originated or QC’d in full by a preferred NPV Subtitling house.
Common Netflix Rejections
The rejections listed below are common issues. Netflix reserves the right to reject content at their discretion.
| CC/Subtitles | |
|---|---|
| Unidiomatic translations (not translated by Native speaker) | The file seems like it was translated by a non-native speaker or by a machine and/or there are mistakes, such as bad grammar, punctuation, or spelling throughout. |
| Timed text display time too short/Timed text display time exceeds duration limit | Any timed text event besides song lyrics that remains on screen for over 10 seconds or less than 0.5 seconds. |
| Captions over 400 WPM | The maximum reading speed of any caption cannot exceed more than 400 words-per-minute |
| Missing translation | Plot-pertinent translation missing |
| Overlapping Text (Incorrect placement information) | The subtitle/caption text covers on-screen text and is difficult to read. These timed text events must be raised or positioned accordingly in order to prevent obscuring plot-pertinent on-screen text. Only applicable events should be raised. Please do not raise all events unnecessarily. |
| Audio/Video | |
| Telecine Detected | Netflix’s tools have detected a frame cadence indicative of non-native frame rate. |
| Duplicated Frame | Video has dropped frames and does not play smoothly. |
| Blended Frames (Ghosting) | When an object is in motion across two fields or two frames, the merging of the fields (during deinterlacing) or frames (during frame rate conversions) can cause the final frame to be a “blend” of the two fields or frames. |
| Audio Distortion/Static | Audio is crackling or has a static sound or appears to have a thinning sound (as if missing bass) that sounds like it is alternating quickly from one speaker to the other. |
| Audio Dropout | Audio goes silent for any duration of time that dramatically impacts the viewing experience. |
| Missing Forced Narratives | Certain lines, text, or scenes require translation in order for the audience to understand the plot. |
| Incorrect Aspect Ratio | Video seems squeezed / stretched or the context of the aspect does not make sense with the video content. |
| File is not in original aspect ratio | Netflix requires all content to be in the original aspect ratio. |
| Feature Format | Audio Streams | Closed Captions | Trailer | Metadata | Artwork |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest resolution available | 5.1 is preferred | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Feature Format | Audio Streams | Closed Captions | Trailer | Metadata | Artwork |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD or SD | 5.1 and Stereo | Required | Optional | Required | Required |
| Feature Format | Audio Streams | Closed Captions | Trailer | Metadata | Artwork |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD or SD | 2.0 mandatory 5.1 if available | Required | No | No | Required |
| Feature Format | Audio Streams | Closed Captions | Trailer | Metadata | Artwork |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest resolution available | 2.0 mandatory 5.1 if available | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Feature Format | Audio Streams | Closed Captions | Trailer | Metadata | Artwork |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD or SD | Stereo or 5.1 | Required | Required – Preview clip not accepted | Required | Required |
| Platform | Feature Format | Audio Streams | Closed Captions | Trailer | Metadata | Artwork |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Transat | HD preferred | 2.0 mandatory, 5.1 if available | No | No | No | No |
| Astral | HD or SD | 2.0 mandatory, 5.1 if available | Required | Required | No | No |
| Bell Media | HD or SD | 5.1 preferred | Required | Required | No | No |
| Blue Ant Media | HD | 5.1 preferred | Required | If requested | No | No |
| Bullet Digital | HD or SD | 2.0 mandatory, 5.1 if available | No | Required | No | No |
| Cablevision du nord | SD only | 2.0 only | If requested | Required | No | No |
| Canal Plus | HD or SD | 5.1 | If requested | If requested | No | No |
| CBC Radio-Canada | HD or SD | 2.0 mandatory, 5.1 if available | Required | Required | No | No |
| Cinemaxcentris | HD | Stereo | No | Required | No | Required |
| Cinepop | HD preferred | 2.0 mandatory, 5.1 if available | No | Required | No | No |
| Corus | HD or SD | 2.0 mandatory, 5.1 if available | Required | No | No | No |
| Hollywood Suite | HD | 2.0 mandatory, 5.1 if available | Required | Required | No | No |
| Hoopla | SD only | 2.0 mandatory, 5.1 if available | Required | No | Required | Required |
| Hulu | HD or SD | 2.0 mandatory, 5.1 if available | Required | Required | Required | Direct upload from client |
| InDemand | HD or SD | 2.0 mandatory, 5.1 if available | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| MTS | HD or SD | 2.0 mandatory, 5.1 if available | Required | No | No | No |
| ROVI | HD or SD | 2.0 mandatory, 5.1 if available | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Rogers SVOD | HD | 2.0 mandatory, 5.1 if available | Required | Required | If requested | Required |
| SRC ARTV | HD or SD | 2.0 mandatory, 5.1 if available | Required | Required | No | No |
| Sasktel | HD or SD | 2.0 mandatory, 5.1 if available | Required | Required | No | Required |
| Select TV | HD or SD | 2.0 only | If requested | Required | No | No |
| TVO | HD preferred | Stereo only | Required | Required | No | No |
| TV5 | HD only | 2.0 mandatory, 5.1 if available | Required | Required, if in HD | No | No |
| Vimeo | HD or SD | Stereo only | No | Required | No | No |
| VHX | HD or SD | 2.0 mandatory, 5.1 if available | Required | If requested | No | No |