VIZIO Creative Guidelines > WatchFree+ > Content Specs - AVOD
The following documentation provides specification and technical delivery requirements for VIZIO WatchFree+ AVOD and Owned & Operated (O&O) Curated Channel content delivery. All specification requirements must be met for content delivery acceptance.
FAST and Original Production content deliveries require different specifications and delivery methods. These documents will be provided by VIZIO Content Operations as needed.
For AVOD content standards and QC requirements, please click here
For all specification or delivery questions please contact Content Operations at contentoperations@vizio.com.
| Specs | |
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| Delivery Method |
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| Maximum File Size | 100 GB |
| Video Codec |
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| Miscellaneous |
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| Please use the following convention: | |
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| Example: partnername_title_format(e.g.movie or episode)_season#episode#(if applicable)_languagecode | |
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| Video Format | |
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| H.264/AVC (MPEG-4) |
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Incorrect Example ✘ |
Correct Example |
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| AAC | |
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| Channels | 5.1 (preferred if available) or Stereo 2.0 |
| Channel Config | Stereo 2.0 track can be delivered as Stereo Matrix (Lt/Rt), Left/Right Only (Lo/Ro), or dual mono for mono only asset |
| Encoding | Constant Bitrate (CBR) |
| Sampling Rate | 48.0 kHz or higher |
| Audio Bit Rate | 128 kbps (minimum) |
| Bit Depth | 24 bit (preferred) or 16 bit |
| Audio Loudness Measurement | -27 LKFS (±2 LU), measured according to BS1770-1/2/3 standards. Maximum true peak levels must not exceed -2 dBTP (decibels true peak) |
| Miscellaneous |
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| English (ENG) Deliveries - For English region use | |
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| Spanish (LAS) Deliveries – For Spanish region use | |
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| Title & Action Safe Areas | |
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| Artwork Specs | |
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| Dimensions | 960 x 1440 (2:3 Portrait) 1920 x 1080 (16:9 Landscape) |
| Maximum File Size | 1 MB or less |
| File Type | JPG, PNG (no transparency) |
| Text |
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| Miscellaneous | |
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| Episodes | Series level artwork is required for episodes. We do not require individual episodic artwork/thumbnails. VIZIO will confirm if an exception to the rule is needed |
| Foreign Language | Artwork title treatment needs to be localized for foreign language |
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| 2:3 | 16:9 |
* All fields are required. Refer to the Metadata Quick Sheet for data formatting requirements. Save/export the metadata as “CSV UTF-8” ISO format.
* Please consolidate multiple titles into a single CSV (movies and episodes can be on the same sheet).
* Please consolidate multiple titles into a single CSV (movies and episodes can be on the same sheet).
| CSV Metadata Fields | |
|---|---|
| GUID | GUIDs are unique asset identifiers that your internal teams use to identify specific titles. If you do not have unique identifiers, please create one. |
| Provider ID | This is a company identifier for the provider (Lionsgate, Sony, etc.). Avoid white/blank spaces and special characters. |
| GUID Type | If you have an account with a 3rd-party metadata service like Gracenote, EIDR, or IMDB, please specify that service here. If not, please input 12345. |
| Title | This is the title of the feature or series episode title. Do not place a Series title here. Requires localization for foreign languages. |
| Short Description | A synopsis of the movie or episode that is 150 characters or less in length, including white/blank spaces. Please do not use special characters as these create errors in the system that are visible to consumers. An exception is permitted for accented/special characters for LAS-Spanish content. Requires localization for foreign languages. |
| Long Description | A synopsis of the movie or episode that is 300 characters or less in length, including white/blank spaces. Please do not use special characters as these create errors in the system that are visible to consumers. An exception is permitted for accented/special characters for LAS-Spanish content. Requires localization for foreign languages. |
| Keywords | Descriptive keywords, separated by commas, that pertain to the content and do not include the title, actors, or director. Do not insert white/blank spaces between commas. Max character count is 130, including commas. |
| Category | Category requires the genre or genres for delivered content. White/blank spaces are necessary between commas. |
| Actors | Cast/Talent information is required and cannot be left blank. Maximum of 130 characters including commas and white/blank spaces. Please enter "None” if this data type is not applicable. |
| Director | Director information is required and cannot be left blank Maximum of 130 characters including commas and white/blank spaces. Please enter "None” if this data type is not applicable. |
| Production Type | This is for identifying whether a title is feature or episodic content, denoted with either “movie” or “episode” (all lowercase). |
| Series ID | This field is only used for Episodic content. The series title is listed here with no spaces. Example (HellsKitchen). Leave blank for feature content. |
| Season Number | This field is only for Episodic content. Avoid adding 00 before season number. |
| Episodic Number | This field is only for Episodic number. Avoid adding 00 before episode number. |
| Duration Runtime | Runtime of content in whole minutes. Example “90”. |
| Publication Date | Date when content originally aired or was initially released. Please see the metadata quick sheet for formatting details. |
| Sunrise Date | The date and time content is first made available per contract terms. Please see the metadata quick sheet for formatting details. |
| Sunset Date | The date and time content is set to expire per contract terms. Please see the metadata quick sheet for formatting details. |
| Subtitle File Name | We require VTT or SRT format. The folder path prefix is required, and it will be provided upon onboarding (ex. esports_network_avod/etimes_aoc_ep1_eng.srt). Must be all lowercase. |
| Video File Name | Folder path prefix is again required, will be provided upon onboarding. (esports_network_avod/etimes_aoc_ep1_eng.mp4). Must be lowercase. |
| Feature Portrait Poster | The artwork must be portrait 2:3 (960 x 1440). Folder path prefix is required, will be provided upon onboarding. |
| Feature Landscape Poster | The artwork must be landscape 16:9 (1920 x 1080). Folder path prefix is required, will be provided upon onboarding. |
| Cuepoints | Cue points must be provided in seconds not SMPTE timecode. Must have commas to separate numbers, and no white/blank spaces. Example of three cue points (612.0,1220.2,2567.4) |
| Restriction | For this section only “US” is utilized. No other countries should be listed, unless specified by VIZIO. |
| Rating | The rating of the content from the MPAA for movies or TV Parental Guidelines for episodes. If no rating is available, please use “NR” (consumer visible). |
| Locale | Audio language of delivered content. Example “English” or “Spanish”. |
| Template | CSV Sample Template |
Cue points should be placed between scenes. Avoid putting cue points in the middle of a scene or dialogue. All cue points must be delivered as seconds, not SMPTE timecode.
Recommended cue point placement:
Recommended cue point placement:
| Ad Cue Points - 30 minutes of content or less | |
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| Cue Marker #1 | Should be placed within 9 to 12 minutes of start of program |
| Cue Marker #2 | Should come 10 - 12 minutes following previous cue |
| Note: There should be 2 total cue points within first 30 minutes of content. | |
| Ad Cue Points - 60+ minutes of content | |
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| Cue Marker #1 | Should be placed within 9 to 12 minutes of the start of the program |
| Cue Marker #2 | Should come 10 - 15 minutes following previous cue |
| Cue Marker #3 | Should come 10 - 15 minutes following previous cue |
| Cue Marker #4 | Should come 10 - 15 minutes following previous cue |
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Continue repeating this pattern to fill content. NOTE: There should be 4 total cue points for the first hour of content, continue pattern for the following hour of content as needed. Do not add cue points past the duration of the content. Cue points in the arbitrary cue point document should only be used for reference if ad breaks are unknown for your content. All cue points should be checked for accurate placement before being provided within the metadata file. |
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| Specs - HD Video Codec: H.264/AVC (MPEG-4) | |
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| HD Bitrate | 15 - 28.5Mbps (peak) |
| Frame Rate | 23.976, 25, 29.97, 59.94 |
| Color Standard | HD Rec 709 (BT.709) |
| Scan Type | Progressive |
| Aspect Ratio | Full-frame 16x9, Full-frame 4x3, or 16x9 letterbox |
| Video Requirements/Limits |
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| Specs - SD Video Codec: H.264/AVC (MPEG-4) | |
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| SD Bitrate | 10 - 19Mbps (peak) |
| Frame Rate | 23.976, 25, 29.97, 59.94 |
| Color Standard | SD Rec 601 |
| Scan Type | Progressive |
| Aspect Ratio | Full-frame 16x9, Full-frame 4x3, or 16x9 letterbox |
| Video Requirements/Limits |
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| HD & SD Audio Specs | |
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| Channels | 5.1 OR Stereo 2.0 Full Mix |
| Channel Config | Stereo 2.0 - Stereo Matrix (Lt/Rt), Left/Right Only (Lo/Ro), or Dual Mono (for mono only assets) |
| Encoding | Constant Bitrate (CBR) |
| Samplilng Rate | 48.0 kHz or higher |
| Audio Bit Rate | 128 kbps (minimum) |
| Bit Depth | 24 bit (preferred) or 16 bit |
| Audio Loudness Measurement | -27 LKFS (±2 LU), measured according to BS1770-1/2/3 standards. Maximum true peak levels must not exceed -2 dBTP (decibels true peak) |
| Audio Requirements/Limits |
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