TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE DELIVERY OF CLOSE TO TRANSMISSION TELEVISION PROGRAMMES TO THE This document outlines the technical requirements for the delivery of Television programmes via lines to Ericsson where it is not possible to deliver a file in time from transmission. Please note: This document will be updated regularly as the File Delivery system is updated. Please make sure you have the latest version by checking here
Contents 1. Close to Transmission File Delivery... 3 2. Lines Delivery... 3 2.1. Options... 3 3. Contacts and Bookings... 3 3.1. Lines bookings... 3 3.2. Lines Recording booking... 4 3.3. On the day play-out contacts... 4 3.4. On the day communications... 4 3.5. Latency... 5 4. Links... 5 4.1. High definition uncompressed links... 5 4.2. High definition compressed links... 5 4.3. Standard definition compressed links... 5 4.4. Ancillary data (VANC)... 5 5. Audio... 5 5.1. Stereo audio... 5 5.2. Multi-channel audio (when required)... 5 5.3. Audio channel allocation... 5 6. After Transmission... 6 6.1. Narrative repeat... 6 6.2. All other cases... 6 6.3. Content changes... 6 7. File or Lines?... 7 Page 2 of 8
1. Close to Transmission File Delivery [Provisional] The BBC can accept file that have successfully delivered and acknowledged no later than [Speak to the programme delivery co-ordinator}] minutes before the scheduled transmission time. To achieve this the BBC uses a file playback system that feeds the programme as live video to its play out provider. This process can only be used if the following conditions are fully satisfied The BBC has agreed to the use of the CCTX delivery option (upload details will have been sent on approval). The facility used has high speed connectivity that has been approved by the BBC for Close to Transmission delivery. The delivered file is an AS-11 UK DPP HD V1,1 compliant file (or an SD compliant file). All the required QC reports can be delivered with the programme content. If all the above conditions are met an email with login details and instructions will be sent. PLEASE NOTE: If the programme cannot be successfully delivered and acknowledge by the cut of deadline, the Producer is responsible for arranging a Lines to Air booking 2. Lines Delivery Where a programme is produced and edited very close to its scheduled transmission time, and file delivery is therefore not practical, delivery must be via a link or permanent line from another facility to Ericsson. 2.1. Options There are two options for programmes that cannot be delivered before the file cut-off deadline. Both use lines to Ericsson but if a programme is ready earlier than transmission, it may be possible for Ericsson to record the programme and then playback as scheduled. This option is called Lines Recording. Lines Recording To use this facility, the Ericsson recording must be completed no later than twice the programme duration before the scheduled transmission time. This means the playback of the programme must start no later than three times the programme duration. For example a one-hour programme must start playback three hours before transmission. Remember lines must be available 30 minutes earlier so they can be checked. Lines to Air - Where a programme is not ready in time for Lines Recording, the programme will be played from the facility directly to air. 3. Contacts and Bookings 3.1. Lines bookings Unless otherwise agreed, the usual BBC point of delivery for Lines Delivery is CCA Broadcasting House W1. The BBC also has permanent circuits from BT tower and all other major broadcasters. Contact the Duty Technology Manager if these are needed. The production company is responsible for the costs of all communications and for ensuring all circuits are booked from the source to the point of delivery. The London Broadcasting House end of circuit bookings should be made through the BBC Network Bookings Agency. Please note the bookings service is not 24/7 so booking should be made as soon as possible. Commissioned series where all episodes will deliver after the file cutoff deadline should make a block booking to cover the series. The line should be booked into Ericsson Broadcast & Media Services / Broadcast Centre / MMO / Lines Record Desk. Page 3 of 8
Contact Hours Telephone Network Booking Agency 09:00-22:00 Monday to Friday 09:00-19:30 Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays +44 138 642 0040 On the day CCA contact 24/7 +44 208 008 0600 Duty Technology Managers 24/7 +44 208 008 4100 3.2. Lines Recording booking The Lines must be booked before making the record booking. Lines booking will supply a CBIS number. This will be needed to make the Lines Recording booking. Contact Hours Telephone Ericsson Lines Recording Team 24/7 +44 208 495 5209 or +44 759 077 3548 3.3. On the day play-out contacts The BBC Playout Editors are the main round-the-clock operational point of contact and all technical enquiries affecting immediate delivery should be made to them. For Lines Recording, the Ericsson MCR should be contacted at least 30 minutes before the playback to check the lines. When ready for playback contact the Lines Recording team. Contact E-Mail Hours Telephone BBC Play-out Editors BBCTVPlayoutEditors@bbc.co.uk 24/7 +44 208 495 5001 For Live to air playback, contact the Ericsson MCR at least 30 minutes before the scheduled transmission time to check the lines. The MCR will supply details for the communication with the channel director unless the lines booking included a talkback circuit. 3.4. On the day communications For Lines Recording it is acceptable to use a mobile phone although a landline is always preferred. For Lines to Air, if it is possible to include a talkback circuit there are no additional communication requirements unless specifically asked for by Ericsson. Programmes commissioned to deliver as Live must use facilities with talkback capabilities. For programmes originally delivering as a file but due to problems or re-edits have to deliver Lines to Air, talkback is still the preferred method of communication but where a facility does not have talkback lines, the preferred communications method is a landline phone however a mobile number can be used as a backup. Mobile phones can be used as the main communications path if no other option is available. It is recommended there are two numbers, preferably on different networks. Page 4 of 8
3.5. Latency Latency is only an issue for Lines to Air transmissions. Watching the channel off-air is not advisable as the delay can be up to six seconds! There can also be a short delay when compressed links are used. The channel director may need to pre-run the programme to avoid a gap in the output. The Director will also discuss if any pre-roll needed and how long it should be. 4. Links Links are always a trade-off between quality, cost and available bandwidth. There are two options for the links used for programmes played from edit facilities. 4.1. High definition uncompressed links An uncompressed link is a 1.485 Gb/s HD-SDI connection (SMPTE 292M), often known as 1.5Gbs HD-SDI. This must remain uncompressed along its route to the point of delivery. Wherever possible, practical, or cost-effective, programmes should use an uncompressed 1.485Gbs HD-SDI connection. 4.2. High definition compressed links Locations with access to already-established SD-SDI fibre connections (such as STM-1 SDH fibres) should use compression codecs that allow HD-SDI to be transferred via SD-SDI (e.g. JPEG2000, Dirac, etc.). This is a well-established method in the UK. Other locations should use compression codecs that use minimum nominal video bitrates of: JPEG2000-140 Mbps. MPEG4, H.264, Long GOP 4:2:2 45 Mbps. MPEG2, Long GOP, 4:2:2 60 Mbps. 4.3. Standard definition compressed links Where a compressed Standard Definition contribution is used, it should have a video bit rate of at least 25Mbs MPEG2 Long GOP. 4.4. Ancillary data (VANC) The SDI should not carry any information with the exception on Dolby metadata when discrete multi-channel audio is required. 5. Audio 5.1. Stereo audio In all instances where the signal can be carried uncompressed, stereo audio for the programme should be carried as discrete linear PCM. If the signal must be carried in a compressed format, Stereo audio should be carried as MPEG1 Layer II (stereo) at 384kbs. 5.2. Multi-channel audio (when required) Multi-channel audio is normally Dolby E encoded unless the broadcaster requires discrete surround audio delivery. If discrete multi-channel audio is delivered, the Dolby metadata must be carried as ancillary data (VANC line 9). Details are given in SMPTE ST2020-1 and ST2020-2 (Method-A) must be used. 5.3. Audio channel allocation The table below must be used for the audio channel layout. Unused audio channels should normally be mute unless the programme is delivering other audio components to air. The position if the additional audio must be agreed as soon as possible. Page 5 of 8
AES Group Channels Content 1 2 1 1 Main Stereo L 2 Main Stereo R 3 Mute or Dolby E 4 Mute or Dolby E Note: Lines must not carry Dolby E and discrete multi-channel audio. 3 4 5 6 7 8 2 3 4 5 Mute or Main Front L 6 Mute or Main Front R 7 Mute or Main Centre 8 Mute or Main LFE 9 Mute or Main Surround L 10 Mute or Main Surround R 11 Mute 12 Mute 13 Mute 14 Mute 15 Mute 16 Mute 6. After Transmission The requirements after transmission will depend on scheduled repeats. In ALL cases an AS-11 UK DPP HD V1.1 (or an AS-11 UK DPP SD V1.1) file must be delivered within 24 hours of transmission. 6.1. Narrative repeat If a programme has a scheduled repeat under 48 hours after the first transmission, Ericsson can either keep a copy on the server if the programme was lines recorded or a recording can be arranged across the Lines to air transmission. An AS-11 file of the programme must still be delivered as contracted. 6.2. All other cases In all other cases an AS-11 file must be delivered in line with the contract. In most cases, if a programme that has a scheduled repeat other than a Narrative Repeat, the file must be delivered within 24 hours. 6.3. Content changes The programme contract states there can be NO changes to the programme that was actually transmitted. This applies to the Editorial content only. It is expected that Producers will want to correct errors such as spelling mistakes etc. It is up to the Producer if minor technical issues are repaired or not but the programmes delivery co-ordinator should be contacted to confirm if the version number should be changed. Page 6 of 8
7. File or Lines? Page 7 of 8
Appendix A Version Control BBC CLOSE TO TRANMISSION VERSION DATE SECTION REQUIRED / INFORMATION UPDATE BBC V5.0.2 07/07/17 Page 4 Information Change of contact details for CTTX programmes Page 8 of 8