DPP Updates 'A Producer's Guide To File Delivery'

The Digital Production Partnership (DPP) has published an updated version of A Producer's Guide to File Delivery.

Enabled by DPP Member, Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc. (Deluxe), the guide is a handbook aimed at UK production companies and programme suppliers, providing guidance on the end-to-end file delivery process from file creation (AS-11) and metadata insertion through to QC and delivery.

"From 1 October 2017 UK broadcasters are no longer accepting delivery on videotape," said Mark Harrison, Managing Director, DPP. "It's the natural next step three years after the DPP initiated its AS-11 file delivery specification. The latest version of our guide helps producers deliver their programmes in a world without videotape. It also offers guidance on emerging specifications and formats that will impact them."

Until the 1 October deadline, some programmes were still supplied on tape when delivery was required very close to transmission. However, now UK programme delivery will be fully tapeless – even for last minute deliveries. A Producers' Guide to File Delivery incorporates the partnership's recent guide, 'Delivering Close to TX – Without Tape: What UK Producers Need to Know', to provide additional assistance to producers who can no longer fall back to videotape.

The new version of A Producers' Guide to File Delivery also provides guidance on emerging technologies and processes such as UHD.

"Deluxe has been working closely with the DPP from its inception and has contributed to a number of their initiatives over the years. The DPP has achieved the seemingly impossible; true standardisation in a world full of specifications," said Ian Beushaw, Head of Technical Architecture, Deluxe EMEA. "This has made a significant difference to Deluxe, allowing us to deploy highly efficient broadcast process workflows and see real benefits within our business. This latest Producer's Guide signals the end of tape deliveries and the inclusion of UHD, HDR and WCG represent a significant up-shift for the industry that we welcome."

A Producer's Guide to File Delivery is available to download here.

(JP/MH)