Direction Technique Édition

Version 7.1 December 2017

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
FOR FILE-BASED
DELIVERY OF PROGRAMMES
Revision history

Ver. Date Release history

Fully alignment to French document release 6.0

Added details on file name rules.
6 2013 Added details on XML description file
Added details on leader and end of file
Added “dialog level” mention for DolbyE audio
Added AS-10 specifications
Removed tape based delivery (SD and HD)
6.1 2015 XML modifications (added AS-10, etc….)
Removed 1s black in tail of file
Extra details on audio contents (Audio description)
Preliminary information for UHD deliveries
6.2 2015 Added details on .STL file names rules
CST RT-040 reference document replace RT-017 for HD
UHD chapter rewritten
Added a compatibility note for .STL files when in UHD
7.1 12-2017 Referring to document « Procédure de livraison CANAL+ vx.xx » for file naming
rules and file delivery mechanism.
Full document layout and cosmetic changes.

This document, and the different international standards mentioned inside are
regularly updated. Readers should regularly check that they have the latest
version.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. MXF Files.
1. General Rules.
2. HD Files (High Definition)
2.1 File format.
2.2 Time Code.
2.3 Video.
2.4 Audio.
3. SD Files (Standard Definition)
3.1 File Format.
3.2 Time Code.
3.3 Video.
3.4 Audio.
4. UHD Files (Ultra High Definition)
4.1 File Format.
4.2 TimeCode.
4.3 Video.
4.4 Audio.
4.5 Data Track.
B. Subtitling.

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CANAL_Spec-PAD_v7-1_EN.docx 4
A. MXF Files.

The standards and specifications of the different HD and SD signal formats used for making CANAL+
programs are now described in two documents commonly ratified by French broadcasting partners of the
FAVN (formerly HD Forum), FICAM and CST under the titles:

• CST - RT – 040 - TV – v1.2 - 2016 (or later revision) for HD programs

• CST - RT – 017 - TV – v3.0 - 2011 for SD programs

Those documents, hereafter named RT-040 or RT-017 in this document are available on line on the CST
website:
https://www.cst.fr/publications-et-documentation/recommandations-et-normes/

NB: None of these documents currently deals with UHD.

1. General Rules.

• First frame or first useful sound (SOM) shall start at 10:00:00:00.

In case of a multi-segmented program, all segments shall be joined together, back-to-back with no
gap between segments.
Programs shall be delivered without leader and black/silence at the end.
(that means the duration of the file is exactly the duration of the program).

• File name rules, XML associated file and delivery method are now described
in the « Procédure de livraison CANAL+ vx.xx » document.

2. HD Files (High Definition)

2.1 File format.

The MXF Op1a file shall be created conforming to one of the two following recommendations:

MXF Op1a Spec.

AS-10 version 1.1 + shim CANAL+ « HIGH_HD_2014 »
AMWA The only mandatory descriptive metadata to be embedded into the file is the
(preferred) «AS_10_Shim_Name» which shall be set to « HIGH_HD_2014 ».

SMPTE RDD9

2.2 Time Code.

The different Time Code information that may be embedded into an MXF file shall be coherent with each other
and shall be found in the following places:

MXF Time Code delivery

Obligatoire - Mandatory Material Package
Obligatoire - Mandatory Source Package
Facultatif - Optional System Item of each GC
Facultatif - Optional Time Code 1 of MPEG2 header (SMPTE 328M)

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 2.3 Video.

The video shall be compliant with " RT-040 " and shall be encoded with the following characteristics:

VIDEO PARAMETERS
Image Codec MPEG2 Long GOP XDCAM-HD
Display Resolution (HxV) 1920 x 1080
Scanning Type Interlaced
Bit Depth 8-bit
Format Profile 4:2:2@HL
Bit Rate 50 Mb/s constant
GOP GOP of 12 IBBP ( N=12, M=3 ) - Closed GOP preferred
Color Space ITU-R BT.709
Field Frequency 50 Hz (25 i)

NB: The first frame of the MPEG Long GOP file may not be the first useful frame of the program.
In this case, the « pre-load » and « roll-out » mechanisms, as described in the ST 377-1-2011 SMPTE
standard shall be used.

Complements for CANAL+ Group

Formats indicated in green in the table below have been accepted by CANAL+, in relation to image formats
described in the RT-040, but resizing or cropping of the original picture will not be accepted (**)

Starting Line Ending Line

Picture Ratio Number of Lines
(Field 1) (Field 1)
1.33 21 560 540
1.66 21 560 540
1.77 21 560 540
1.85 32** 550** 519**
2.35 87** 495** 408**

Accepted only if original Aspect Ratio, and after prior approval of CANAL+

2.4 Audio.

Each audio version shall comply with " RT-040 ":

AUDIO PARAMETERS
Sampling Frequency 48 kHz
Resolution 24-bit (20-bit minimum for Dolby-E transport)
Audio Format PCM / AES Frame
Audio Channel per Track 1
Bit Rate per Mono Track 1152 kb/s
Loudness -23 LUFS (EBU R-128) (stereo, 5.1 and downmix versions concerned)
Metadata - Dolby-E see RT-040
Dialog Level - Dolby-E Measured (via Dialog Intelligence algorithm)
Guard Band - Dolby-E Line 21 +/- 2 @ 1080/50 i

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Audio File Organization. One single Audio Channel per Track.

AUDIO MAPPING : AS-10 AUDIO MAPPING : RDD9

Track 1 : French version – Stereo L. Track 1 : French version – Stereo L.
Track 2 : French version – Stereo R. Track 2 : French version – Stereo R.
Track 3 : Silence
STEREO Track 4 : Silence
One Version Track 5 : Silence
Track 6 : Silence
Track 7 : Silence
Track 8 : Silence

Track 1 : French version – Stereo L. Track 1 : French version – Stereo L.

Track 2 : French version – Stereo R. Track 2 : French version – Stereo R.
Track 3 : Original version – Stereo L. Track 3 : Original version – Stereo L.
STEREO Track 4 : Original version – Stereo R. Track 4 : Original version – Stereo R.
Two Versions Track 5 : Silence
Track 6 : Silence
Track 7 : Silence
Track 8 : Silence

Track 1 : French version – Stereo L. Track 1 : French version – Stereo L.

Track 2 : French version – Stereo R. Track 2 : French version – Stereo R.
Track 3 : Silence Track 3 : Silence
5.1 MULTI-CHANNEL Track 4 : Silence Track 4 : Silence
One Version Track 5 : French version – Dolby-E L. Track 5 : French version – Dolby-E L.
Track 6 : French version – Dolby-E R. Track 6 : French version – Dolby-E R.
Track 7 : Silence Track 7 : Silence
Track 8 : Silence Track 8 : Silence

Track 1 : French version – Stereo L. Track 1 : French version – Stereo L.

Track 2 : French version – Stereo R.
Track 3 : Original version – Stereo L.
5.1 MULTI-CHANNEL Track 4 : Original version – Stereo R.
Two Versions Track 5 : French version – Dolby-E L.
(Figure 1.) Track 6 : French version – Dolby-E R.
Track 7 : Original version – Dolby-E L.
Track 8 : Original version – Dolby-E R.
Track 2 : French version – Stereo R.
Track 3 : Original version – Stereo L.
Track 4 : Original version – Stereo R.
Track 5 : French version – Dolby-E L.
Track 6 : French version – Dolby-E R.
Track 7 : Original version – Dolby-E L.
Track 8 : Original version – Dolby-E R.

Figure 1.

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Dolby-E Programs:

- Channel mapping : 5.1 Multi-channel.

Dolby-E Channel Mapping 5.1+2

Channel 1 : Left
Channel 2 : Right
Channel 3 : Center
(3/2) Dolby-E / PGM-1
Channel 4 : LFE
Channel 5 : Left Surround
Channel 6 : Right Surround
Channel 7 : Audio Description or Stereo Left
(2/0) Dolby-E / PGM-2
Channel 8 : Audio Description or Stereo Right

- Channel mapping: Stereo.

Dolby-E Channel Mapping 2+2

Channel 1 : Stereo Left
(2/0) Dolby-E / PGM-1
Channel 2 : Stereo Right
Channel 7 : Audio Description or Stereo Left
(2/0) Dolby-E / PGM-2
Channel 8 : Audio Description or Stereo Right

- Dolby-E Program Names.

Dolby-E Program Names

VF_51_film title Multi canal version française codée en 5.1
VO_51_ film title Multi canal version originale codée en 5.1
VF_20_ film title Version française stéréo codée en 2.0
VO_20_ film title Version originale stéréo codée en 2.0
AD_20_ film title Version Audio Description stéréo codée en 2.0

- Particular case: replacing a missing 5.1 version.

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3. SD Files (Standard Definition)

3.1 File Format.

The MXF Op1a file shall conform to the following standard:

MXF Op1a Spec.

SMPTE ST386 Mapping Type D-10 Essence Data to the MXF Generic Container

3.2 Time Code.

The different Time Code information that may be embedded into an MXF file shall be coherent with each other
and shall be found in the following places:

MXF Time Code

Obligatoire - Mandatory Material Package
Obligatoire - Mandatory Source Package
Souhaité - Expected in VITC (SMPTE12M-1) of the video essence (lines 19/21 - 332/334)
Facultatif - Optional System Item of each GC
Facultatif - Optional Time Code 1 of MPEG2 header (SMPTE 328M)

3.3 Video.

The SD video signal shall comply with " RT-017 " and shall be encoded with the following characteristics:

VIDEO PARAMETERS
Image Codec MPEG2 IMX50 – D10 (SMPTE 356M)
Display Resolution (HxV) 720 x 576
Stored Resolution (HxV) 720 x 608
Scanning Type Interlaced
Format Profile 4:2:2P@ML
Bit Rate 50 Mb/s
GOP Intra
Aspect Ratio - Mandatory in aspect_ratio_information in MPEG2 header sequence (ISO-IEC 13818-2)
4/3 or 16/9 - Optional: Aspect Ratio flag in Generic Picture Essence Descriptor of the MXF file
Color Space REC.601
Field Frequency 50 Hz (25 i)

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Complements for CANAL+ Group

The formats indicated in red in the table below will not be accepted for CANAL+ channels, in relation to image
formats described in the RT-017.
1.33:1 (4/3) format will no longer be accepted other than in particular situations, with prior
agreement from CANAL+.
Use of line 23 is authorized provided that it is complete (not a half line).
(**) : CANAL+ will not accept any resizing or cropping of the picture content

Vidéo 4/3 Vidéo 16/9

Ligne début Ligne fin Nombre Ligne début Ligne fin Nombre
Format d'image
(trame 1) (trame 1) de lignes (trame 1) (trame 1) de lignes

1,33 23 310 288 - - -

1,55 44 290 246 - - -
1,66 52 281 230 23 310 288
1,77 59 274 216 23 310 288
1,85 64 270 207 29** 304** 276**
2,35 86 247 162 59** 274** 216**

Accepted

Accepted only if original AR, and after prior approval of CANAL+

Refused

3.4 Audio.

Each audio version shall comply with " RT-017 ":

AUDIO PARAMETERS
Sampling Frequency 48 kHz
Resolution 24-bit (20-bit minimum)
Audio Format PCM / AES Frame
Number of Track 1
Audio Channel per Track 8
Bit Rate per Track 9216 kb/s (8x 1152 kb/s)
Loudness -23 LUFS (EBU R-128)

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Audio File Organization: 8 Audio Channels per Track.

ONE Stereo Version (Figure 3.) TWO Stereo Versions (Figure 4.)
Channel 1 : French version – Stereo L. Channel 1 : French version – Stereo L.
Channel 2 : French version – Stereo R. Channel 2 : French version – Stereo R.
Channel 3 : Silence Channel 3 : Original version – Stereo L.
Single Track Channel 4 : Silence Channel 4 : Original version – Stereo R.
Channel 5 : Silence Channel 5 : Silence
Channel Mapping
Channel 6 : Silence Channel 6 : Silence
Channel 7 : Silence Channel 7 : Silence
Channel 8 : Silence Channel 8 : Silence

Figure 3. Figure 4.

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4. UHD Files (Ultra High Definition)

4.1 File Format.

The MXF Op1a file shall conform to the following standard:

MXF Op1a Spec.

SMPTE RDD32

4.2 TimeCode.

The different Time Code information that may be embedded into an MXF file shall be coherent with each other
and shall be found in the following places:

MXF Time Code

Obligatoire - Mandatory Material Package
Obligatoire - Mandatory Source Package

4.3 Video.

The video signal shall be encoded with the following characteristics:

VIDEO PARAMETERS
Image Codec Sony XAVC class 300 / Intra / CBG
Display Resolution (HxV) 3840 x 2160
Scanning Type Progressive
Format Profile 4:2:2
Bit Depth 10-bit
Bit Rate - 250 Mb/s in 25p
- 500 Mb/s in 50p
Color Space ITU-R BT.709
Acceptable Frame Rates - 25 p in case when program was shooted in 24p or 25p
- 50p in all other cases
(keep the original framerate)

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 4.4 Audio.

Each audio version shall comply with " RT-040 ":

AUDIO PARAMETERS
Sampling Frequency 48 kHz
Resolution 24-bit (20-bit minimum for Dolby-E transport)
Audio Format PCM / AES Frame
Audio Channel per Track 1
Bit Rate per Mono Track 1.152 kb/s
Loudness -23 LUFS (EBU R-128) (stereo, 5.1 and downmix versions concerned)
Harmonization if Program Source rate is 24p, audio will be harmonized
Metadata - Dolby-E see RT-040
Dialog Level - Dolby-E Measured (via Dialog Intelligence algorithm)
Guard Band - Dolby-E Dolby-E header located 730 µs after the beginning of odd frames only.

Audio File Organization. One single Audio Channel per Track.

STEREO 5.1 MULTI-CHANNEL

Track 1 : French version – Stereo L.
Track 2 : French version – Stereo R.
Track 3 : French version – Stereo L.
Track 4 : French version – Stereo R.
One Version Track 5 : French version – Dolby-E 2+2 L.
Track 6 : French version – Dolby-E 2+2 R.
Track 7 : French version – Dolby-E 2+2 L.
Track 8 : French version – Dolby-E 2+2 R.
Track 1 : French version – Stereo L.
Track 2 : French version – Stereo R.
Track 3 : French version – Stereo L.
Track 4 : French version – Stereo R.
Track 5 : French version – Dolby-E 5.1+2 L.
Track 6 : French version – Dolby-E 5.1+2 R.
Track 7 : French version – Dolby-E 5.1+2 L.
Track 8 : French version – Dolby-E 5.1+2 R.

Track 1 : French version – Stereo L. Track 1 : French version – Stereo L.

Track 2 : French version – Stereo R.
Track 3 : Original version – Stereo L.
Two Versions Track 4 : Original version – Stereo R.
Track 5 : French version – Dolby-E 2+2 L.
(Figure 5.) Track 6 : French version – Dolby-E 2+2 R.
Track 7 : Original version – Dolby-E 2+2 L.
Track 8 : Original version – Dolby-E 2+2 R.
Track 2 : French version – Stereo R.
Track 3 : Original version – Stereo L.
Track 4 : Original version – Stereo R.
Track 5 : French version – Dolby-E 5.1+2 L.
Track 6 : French version – Dolby-E 5.1+2 R.
Track 7 : Original version – Dolby-E 5.1+2 L.
Track 8 : Original version – Dolby-E 5.1+2 R.

Figure 5.

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Dolby-E Programs:

- Channel mapping : 5.1 Multi-channel.

Dolby-E Channel Mapping 5.1+2

Channel 1 : Left
Channel 2 : Right
Channel 3 : Center
(3/2) Dolby-E / PGM-1
Channel 4 : LFE
Channel 5 : Left Surround
Channel 6 : Right Surround
Channel 7 : Audio Description or Stereo Left
(2/0) Dolby-E / PGM-2
Channel 8 : Audio Description or Stereo Right

- Channel mapping : Stereo.

Dolby-E Channel Mapping 2+2

Channel 1 : Stereo Left
(2/0) Dolby-E / PGM-1
Channel 2 : Stereo Right
Channel 7 : Audio Description or Stereo Left
(2/0) Dolby-E / PGM-2
Channel 8 : Audio Description or Stereo Right

- Dolby-E Program Names.

Dolby-E Program Names

VF_51_film title Multi canal version française codée en 5.1
VO_51_ film title Multi canal version originale codée en 5.1
VF_20_ film title Version française stéréo codée en 2.0
VO_20_ film title Version originale stéréo codée en 2.0
AD_20_ film title Version Audio Description stéréo codée en 2.0

- Particular case: replacing a missing 5.1 version.

4.5 Data Track.

The MXF file shall not include any SMPTE 436 datatrack.

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B. Subtitling.

Programs in a foreign language are broadcast in the original language with French subtitles.
Other programs in French or in a foreign language can also include subtitles specifically prepared for the
hearing-impaired.

Those subtitles can be broadcast in “open” (burned-in) mode or in “closed” (teletext) mode.

Subtitles Files.

Any program that must be broadcast with subtitles shall be accompanied by one or two subtitle files compliant
with EBU N19-2002 technical standard.

• Subtitles shall be synchronized in relation to the time code of program file delivered to CANAL+.

• In all cases, each subtitle file shall contain all subtitles for the entire duration of a program.

• The output time code of the last subtitle of the program shall be set at the latest to 1 second before the
last useful image of the program, to avoid this subtitle stay frozen on the next program.

• General information of the "GSI block" inside the .STL file (program title, episode title, TC start of
program, etc.) shall be correctly filled in. Table below gives other details on some mandatory metadata
and display attributes:

PARAMETERS French Hearing-impaired

Time code Format (DFC) 25 i/s ( STL25.01 )
Display Standard Code (DSC) Teletext – Level 1 (1)
Character Set Table Code (CCT) Latin (00)
Language Code (LC) Français (0F)
Maximum Number of Rows (MNR) 23
Shall be compliant with SOM TC of the delivered MXF program file
TimeCode Start of Program (TCP)
(normally 10:00:00:00)
Size of Characters Double Height (simple width)
Max number of letters per row 37
Allowed accented characters éïàëêùîèâôûç
(French – Level 1 Teletext ETSI 300 706) (uppercase accented characters and all other foreign accented characters are prohibited)
Subtitle color Blanc According to CSA policy (France)*
- 2 row maximum
Position of subtitles - lower row in position 22 According to CSA policy (France)*
- Horizontal alignment: centered

(*) http://www.csa.fr/content/download/20043/334122/file/Chartesoustitrage122011.pdf

NB: In case when the program frame rate is 50p (UHD), the DFC field of the associated .STL file may have the value « STL50.01 » ;
Corresponding In/Out timecode values (TCI/TCO) may then include a number of frames up to 59 (those values are in theory out of
EBU TECH-3264 specifications).
A 25fr/s .STL file will be accepted for a UHD 50p program (some subtitles may then have an in/out offset of a few frames during
playout ).

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