Welcome to Fig

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

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

Additional specification information including audio layout options and closed captioning can be viewed here: File Format Specifications

Please note that not all stations will accept closed captioning in the Quicktime (MOV) or the MPEG-4 (MP4) container.

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.

We strongly recommend not including any slate, black, bars, or tone before or after the actual content. Depending on how broadcasters analyze audio levels, tone can negatively impact automated audio normalization.

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.

Sample timeline with no leader before commercial content

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.

Sample timeline with slate and black before commercial content

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.

The upload form can be accessed from any screen in Fig by clicking the upload icon in the left navigation bar. When on the dashboard page you can also use the Upload Files button to access this form.

Select Continue with Long Form to upload your paid or syndicated programming.

If you need to upload short form commercials or promo content please view our page on uploading short form content here: Uploading a New Short Form File

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.

Alternatively you may wish to upload web links by using our Link Browser.

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

Syndicated content will need to have its duration entered in the form. The duration entered will need to match the file that is uploaded.

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.

If your Infomercial does not match one of these durations you may need to select the Syndicated content type.

Some stations may have strict timing guidelines to follow and if your program does not match their timing specifications it may not be accepted for air. Please contact your station account representative if you need to verify what length your program, or program segments, should be.

Enter the Spot Metadata

Media ID

Under Media ID, enter a unique code used to identify this file (this is often called an ISCI Code or an AD-ID). Media IDs must contain only letters and numbers; spaces and special characters are not allowed. We recommend not exceeding 16 characters in length, although some stations may accept longer codes.

In case of a revision, we recommend appending “R1”, “R2”, etc. at the end of the original Media ID.

Title

The title of the spot. This field can contain special characters.

Advertiser

The name of the advertiser or client.

Duration

The duration of the actual program that will air. Do not include the duration of any existing black or slate.

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.

SOM (Start of Message)

The position at which the actual program starts.

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.

Audio Layout

The disposition of audio channels in the file (defaults to “Stereo”)

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.

None

For programs that already have captions embedded or if your file does not need to be captioned.

Standard (charges apply)

A captioning order will be sent to one of our closed caption services and once completed, the program will be fully captioned and delivered to its selected destinations.

Rush (charges apply)

Captioning can be ordered with a rush for when you need a quicker turnaround. Rush captions have an additional charge on top of the standard captions but will be completed quicker.

Replacement (video-only edits, charges may apply)

The replacement option should be selected for revised programs that have previously been captioned. If a replacement is ordered, we will import the existing captions from a previous version of the program. We may request further information regarding what changes were made in the program to confirm that we are able to replace the captioning properly.

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.

Forgot to pick a destination? No problem. Additional destinations can be added after the file is uploaded.

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