Showtime Specs

[seanmccoy]

Hey all. I'm mixing a trailer for a movie that will air on Showtime. I know these guys are QC sticklers, so I asked the editor to forward me the audio specs. Please forgive my ignorance, but while I've been doing lots of mixing conforming to CALM Act specs, I'm finding these somewhat archaic and confusing. Here's an excerpt of the critical part:

A. When viewed using analog metering equipment, peak program levels shall not exceed +14dbu (which is +10db above 0 vu whereas 0 vu = +4 dbu). Peak program levels shall be determined by using a Peak Program Meter (PPM). VU meters are not to be used to determine Peak Program Levels (PPL).

When measured using digital metering, 0 reference is defined as -20db down from the maximum full-scale digital level (dbfs) allowed by the AES/EBU digital audio standard of the tape machine. I.E. reference = -20dbfs.

1. Average program level (Absolute level) shall not exceed 0 vu reference except for occasional peaks normally present in movie soundtracks.


By my interpretation, I would use a full scale reference limited at -6dB, correct? But should I also be shooting for an integrated target of -20? Any interpretive help appreciated!

[mr.armadillo]

That's not only pretty old school, it's also quite confusing.
−20 dBFS = 0 VU = +4 dBu, so they are actually asking for peaks not exceeding -10dBfs. However, it's weird to indicate peak levels as dBu.
There's no indication of "integrated value" in those specs. I think they're basically looking for a mix centered around -20dBfs.

[seanmccoy]

Originally Posted by mr.armadillo

That's not only pretty old school, it's also quite confusing.
−20 dBFS = 0 VU = +4 dBu, so they are actually asking for peaks not exceeding -10dBfs. However, it's weird to indicate peak levels as dBu.
There's no indication of "integrated value" in those specs. I think they're basically looking for a mix centered around -20dBfs.

Thanks for confirming that's it's bogus. Very glad to hear I'm only mostly dumb. Peaks at -10 with an average of -20? That's doo-doo. If those were specs only for the trailer and they were looking for something loud and squashed, I could buy that. But these are the specs they sent for the movie. I've got to send a mix out in the morning, so I'll try to reach somebody at Showtime first.

[mr.armadillo]

I would have suggested talking to someone at Showtime too. That's probably just an outdated spec sheet. I guess they must have adopted to 1770-3 by now.

[seanmccoy]

Originally Posted by mr.armadillo

I would have suggested talking to someone at Showtime too. That's probably just an outdated spec sheet. I guess they must have adopted to 1770-3 by now.

Yes, the spec sheet is dated 2010. I've been trying to reach somebody at Showtime to get something more current, but it's been like navigating a labyrinth so far.

[TVPostSound]

1770-2 or 1770-3 metering at -24 Infinite, True Peak at -6

A Dorrough meter would be seeing an average -20 VU


Ive done 3 seasons of "Real L-Word" for Showtime, not one reject.

[TVPostSound]

Trailers have the same specs as programming, its not a theater!!

[TVPostSound]

Oh, one more thing, the LtRt must be limited to -10, for their "Free TV" specs.

[seanmccoy]

Originally Posted by TVPostSound

1770-2 or 1770-3 metering at -24 Infinite, True Peak at -6

A Dorrough meter would be seeing an average -20 VU


Ive done 3 seasons of "Real L-Word" for Showtime, not one reject.

Great, thank you. I hope I do hear from them, so I can ask why they're sending out such outdated and confusing delivery spec sheets.

[JohnO]

It amazes me how many of these huge companies have such outdated spec sheets. And how hard it is to get the latest one.