exporting project to TV station.

hello. I'm new to fcp when it comes to exporting my projects. i film a hunting show and will be airing my first episode soon and i need to get my episode sent to station and connote figure out how to do so. i first uploaded a XML file to them. will that work? a little lost and frustrated and need help!!! thanks.

I'm afraid they won't be able to do much with your XML file.

Every broadcaster has a Delivery Specifications Guideline in which they specify exactly how you should deliver your finished programs to them. These specifications vary from station to station. So the first thing you need to do is contact the tv station and ask them to send you their delivery specification guidelines. Once you have them you can post back so we can help you export your program according to their requirements.

- Ronny

this is what it says on there site.1280 x 720/59.94

there entire specifications

Fox Networks broadcasts exclusively in 1280 x 720/59.94. All files shall be delivered per SMPTE 296M- 2001 with 5.1 digital sound per ATSC RP A/85.
Videotape and SD delivery require prior authorization.
Stereo, 2-channel and monophonic deliveries require prior authorization.
Fox Networks only accepts MXF file delivery standardized in SMPTE 377M-2011.
Files shall be wrapped in MXF per SMPTE 378-2004, OP1a.
MXF files shall have one MPEG-2 video stream per ISO/IEC 13818-2-2011.
MPEG-2 video essence shall be 1280 x 720/59.94, 4:2:2 profile @ high level, and 50Mbps. Safe Action Area and Safe Title Area parameters per SMPTE RP 218:2009
5.1 digital surround sound shall be in phase.
Dolby E is not accepted. MXFfilesshallhave8audioPCM16(16bits@48kHzPCM)or8audioPCM24(24bits@48kHz PCM) channels per SMPTE 382M-2007.

Those are a fairly standard specifications, except perhaps for the 5.1 digital sound.

Has your program been edited with surround sound or with stereo sound?

Have you ever sent a program to a broadcaster before, from another NLE? Just asking this to know if you have any experience with MXF export at all.

- Ronny

no this will be a first of me. to be honest i don't know on sound. how can i tell?

How do i make it an MXF file?

Do you have Adobe Media Encoder?

- Ronny

No I sure don't.

Its a free program so I can download it when I get home.

Okay Andrew, as this is your first time I'm just figuring out the easiest way for you to do this.

MXF OP1a export according your station's specs involves much more than pressing an "export MXF" button

To easily export MXF OP1a straight from your FCP X timeline you can use a plugin from Hamburg Pro Media: hamburgpromedia.com/products/mxf4mac/MXF...ort-Export-Suite.php

For people who have to deliver MXF OP1a programs for broadcast on a regular basis this plugin is a no-brainer, but if you only need MXF OP1a export now and then it is expensive (around 900 bucks).

Adobe Media Encoder can export basic MXF OP1a, but the program is not free either and exporting MXF OP1a from it requires much more work (experience) to make your program comply with the specifications of your station. So welcome to the wonderful world of broadcast

I see you are making this program to share your passion with the world, this is wonderful. But as you have very little to no experience with broadcast delivery it would take lots of time (and buying some extra software) for you to correctly export your program for your station.

I think the easiest and the least expensive solution would be if you would contact a post production facility in Missouri, just send them your FCP X master file and let them create the MXF with all the correct settings for Fox television. They have the equipment and the experience and they can take the load off your shoulders. There is an excellent post house in St. Louis. You can contact them and ask for pricing: www.newworldpost.com/contact-us

- Ronny

I actually found a much easier way and its to export as mp4 and upload it to the TV station like that and they will convert it to what they need it to be to air. Thank you for putting me on the road to figuring this out!

Happy to hear this. They must like you very much

- Ronny

I work for a FOX affiliate and I can't speak to your specific station, exporting exporting a to an h.264 .mov should do you just fine. Many broadcasters have to run files through a converter anyways to get it to air. You shouldn't have a problem. Was your project not set up as 720 and 59.94? If not, just export to those settings. I do this on a daily basis.

If you can just send a simple MP4 or H.264 file, then why on earth do they officially require MXF with all these specifications? There is a world of difference between these specs.

- Ronny

Yeah I actually talked to the station this morning they said they can work with mxf but they would rather have h264. Thanks for the help guys!