Fig is an easy to use, secure, and reliable service that will allow you to send long form files digitally to stations. In this welcome guide you will find helpful information on logging in and uploading files to Fig.
Login
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Once you have been added to a Fig account you can login by using your associated email and the password that you have created.
Additional users can be added to your account if needed by following the instructions from our help page here: Adding A New User to Your Account
If you need to reset your password please use the forgot your password? link in the upload form to request a password reset email message.
File Format Specifications
If you are already producing a MPEG-2 or MXF file please give your file a try, there is a good chance your existing file will work as is. We also have a range of tutorials for producing files in many of the common video editing programs; including downloadable presets to get you started.
MXF files
Wrapper: MXF (*.mxf)
Video Codec: SONY XDCAM EX 35 (1920x1080i TFF or 1440x1080i TFF)
Video Aspect Ratio: 16×9
Video Bitrate: 35 Mbps CBR
Video Frame Rate: 29.97 fps
Audio Codec: PCM
Audio Layout: 2 channels, stereo ( alternate layouts may supported if cleared by the target station)
Closed Captioning (if already embedded in the file): CEA608/CEA708, SMPTE 436M (ancillary track)
MPEG-2 files
Wrapper: MPEG-PS or MPEG-TS (*.mpg)
Video Codec: MPEG-2 (1920x1080i TFF)
Video Aspect Ratio: 16×9
Video Bit Rate: 25-35 Mbps VBR or CBR (35 Mbps CBR recommended)
Frame Rate: 29.97 fps
Audio Codec: MPEG1-Layer2
Audio Bitrate: 384 Kbps
Audio Layout: 2 channels, stereo (alternate layouts may supported if cleared by the target station)
Closed Captioning (if already embedded in the file): CEA608/CEA708, A/53 DTVCC
File Layouts (NLE Sequences)
Most broadcasters have moved to complete file-based workflows, avoiding the use of tape and manual processes. This level of automation requires not only media files, but trusted associated metadata (unique identifiers, titles, content lengths, etc.).
At the non-linear editing stage, certain guidelines can help us ensure the validity of the metadata provided along with your media files. This in turn can add smoothness and accuracy to the entire workflow as your original files are cataloged and prepared for air. Below, are diagrams that represent proper layouts within non-linear editing software, depending on whether you are producing spots with slates or without them.
The single most important element to notice in these diagrams is that commercials should end with a single frame of black. Knowing this information allows our system to determine the duration of your commercial and to protect it from being clipped at the wrong position during ingest.
Option 1. Commercial without slate or black (STRONGLY PREFERRED)
When you add new files to our system we collect all important metadata about these files—this information is forever linked to associated files. Therefore, slates are not really necessary and are deemed optional.
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Option 2. Commercial with leading slate and black
If you are producing spots preceded by slate and black, it is important note the position in the layout where the actual commercial starts (relative to the beginning of the slate). This position is commonly known as start point, start of message, or simply SOM.
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Uploading a New Long Form Program
Navigate to the upload page
Click on the the upload icon in the left navigation bar to access the upload form.
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Select Continue with Long Form to upload your paid or syndicated programming.
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Select a file source
Upload a file
Choose this option to upload a file from your computer. Please note that the upload time for long form files may be quite long depending on both the file size of your program and the upload speed as determined by your local internet connection.
Paste a link
Choose this option to enter the URL of a supported file location, including Dropbox, S3, FileAnywhere, and others. If your file storage/sharing platform is not yet supported, please contact your representative and we will do our best to make it work.
Choose Your Content Type
When uploading long form content there are two options you can select for your content:
Syndicated / Multi-segment Show
Select this option if this show contains multiple segments or is a non standard length. E.g. 27:08 or 05:43
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Paid / Infomercial / Direct Response
Select this option if your file adheres to the typical paid program length duration of 28:30, 30:00, 58:30, 60:00, etc.
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Enter the Spot Metadata
In case of a revision, we recommend appending “R1”, “R2”, etc. at the end of the original Media ID.
For Paid / Infomercial / Direct Response shows this field will have a drop down of the common paid program lengths for you to choose from.
For Syndicated / Multi-segment shows this field will require you to type in the duration of the program in an Hour:Minute:Second:Frames format.
If your spot does not contain initial slate and black, enter ‘0’ seconds and ‘0’ frames as the SOM.
If the commercial starts, for example, 7 seconds into the video, enter ‘7’ seconds and ‘0’ frames as the SOM.
For more information, please read about the accepted video layouts.
Read about audio layouts for files containing surround sound, no audio, etc.
Select Your Closed Captioning Services
If no captioning is needed you can select None. For more information please see our article on closed captioning.
Select one or more destination
Please select one or more destination for your file. This is where your file will be delivered after uploading or, if captioning was ordered, after captions are completed.
Upload the file
Click on the “Upload” button to start your upload. When the upload is complete, the file will be analyzed according to the station’s validation rules and will be either accepted or rejected. If the file fails to upload you will be presented with a description of the error. Please see our pages on some common upload errors and possible solutions for them.
If you need to transfer additional files, click on the “Add File” button at the top of the page to open a new upload form.
Information about Drop Frame and Non-Drop Frame
If editing in Adobe Premiere or Apple Final Cut, please make sure the sequence settings are set to “Drop Frame” before exporting to prevent any potential timing issues within your program. More information on this can be found here: Non-Drop Frame Duration Issues
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