Outputting a master tape can be as informal as simply dubbing the approved rough cut and calling it a day. If, however, the master is intended for broadcast or will be used as a source for dubbing for mass distribution, the master will require compliance to certain minimum industry standards. This section describes how to go from a rough cut to a final master suitable for broadcast.

Some projects shot on videotape, such as DV, Beta-SP, Digital Beta, HDV, or DVCProHD, can be digitized at the outset in the same resolution as the released master. Other projects, such as those shot or transferred to high quality HD formats such as HDCam, HDCam-SR or D-5, might be captured in a compressed format like ProRes for offline, and then re-captured uncompressed for the master. Either way, building a broadcast quality master requires formatting the structure of your sequence a certain way plus checking that your video and audio elements follow established standards.

But before we move forward, here is a list of the tasks and what they accomplish. As mentioned in the Telecine and Mix Sessions section, sometimes the mix is done before building the master, sometimes after, so consider this when reference is made here to audio elements:

• Call for final graphics renders and audio mixes: This allows your graphics people and music companies to provide you with elements that are cleaned up and suitable for final master quality.
• Clean up your approved edit: Discard anything on the timeline that isn’t necessary, and reduce the clips down to a simple layer or two.
• Import your final mix elements, if any.
• Recapture or Online: Re-digitize the final footage in high resolution, if necessary.
• Legalize: Check footage through videoscopes to be sure the video is broadcast legal.
• Output: Check the delivery specs to be sure you have formatted the master according to the mastering specs.

Some tasks, like legalizing the video, may not be necessary depending on whether the master is going to be put on-air or just played in a conference room.