Videos

File Setup

Prepare your submission package according to the following guidelines:

• VHS
• DVD
• Artwork

VHS

Submit a beta master.

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DVD

Due to ever-advancing technology and the time span of many grants, OVC does not accept DVD compressed files (masters) ready for duplication. Accessibility refinements, improved technologies, and OVC’s evolving best practices dictate that submissions be comprised of the appropriate individual files so that any adjustments can be made economically and efficiently. Submission requirements for DVDs, in particular, are subject to change, so be sure to check these guidelines periodically and discuss any issues with your grant monitor.

Submit the following:

Source video for closed- and open-captioned videos—

• Preferred: DVD-R in Quicktime DV format
• Alternative #1: DVD-R in compressed MPEG-2 format
• Alternative #2: High-grade Mini-DV

Audio files (standard, visually described, enhanced audio)—

• Preferred: .aiff files; also accepted: .wav files, .ac3 files
• Bit-rate: 24-bit
• Sample rate: 48 kHz

Note: Enhanced audio files are audio-only presentations incorporating rich visual descriptions. Pauses in the main program audio can be edited to allow greater time to insert the additional audio content.

Closed-captioning files—

• .txt files saved in Unicode format or MS Word files using the following guidelines:
  • Length of individual caption appearing on screen not to exceed 85 characters, including spaces.
  • Starting and ending timecodes should be included and separated by a comma; relevant caption should follow the ending timecode.
    Example:
    00:00:01:07, 00:00:02:05, Hello
    00:00:03:12, 00:00:04:27, How are you?
    00:00:05:10, 00:00:06:23, Fine.

Open-captioning files—

• Preferred: .MOV separate source file with white text laid on top of a black background using the following guidelines:
  • Arial 24-point font.
  • Length of individual caption appearing on screen not to exceed 85 characters, including spaces.
• Alternative: Open-captioned video as a flattened source file. In this case, send two versions of video—one with and one without captions.

Note: If you do not provide open- and closed-captioning files, please provide shooting script in an MS Word document using the following format:

DVD content—

• Add the following disclaimer to the beginning of the playback. (Contact your grant monitor if you have questions.)
  “This DVD was produced by ______________ under [add contract or grant number, as appropriate], awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this DVD are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.”
• OJP seal and tagline and OVC logo
  • Add the OJP seal and tagline and the OVC logo at the beginning of the playback but after the OVC disclaimer (see above). On screen, the OJP seal should appear on the left with its tagline below it and the OVC logo to its right. Both logos should be approximately the same height.
  • Contact your grant monitor to obtain the correct files.

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Artwork

Generally, OVC prepares final artwork. If your grant or contract requires you to prepare camera ready art, check with your grant or project manager for our production standards (e.g., slipcovers, cases, labels, disclaimer use and placement, logos). This applies whether or not the product will be printed or uploaded by OVC or the grantee.

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