The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has issued new guidelines on the exchange of UHD/HDR programmes for both live and pre-recorded content. The new versions are based on recent work from contributing EBU members and are designed to be easier to use, said the organisation.
   

The main changes for the live recommendation include the reference to the single-master HDR production workflow, as described in EBU Technical Report 070, the use of eight audio channels for channel-based audio production, and reference to EBU-TT/IMSC instead of EBU STL if subtitling is provided, said the EBU. The updated recommendations for live content are available here (EBU R 153).

The file–based exchange parameters now recommend the use of XAVC MXF (or IMF where multiple versions are required), and the use of EBU-TT-D (EBU Tech 3380) for any subtitling, added the EBU. The updated parameters are available here (EBU R 154).

Readability of the audio section has been improved by clearly outlining two options: A) conventional audio, and B) metadata-guided audio, said the organisation.

The updated recommendations aim to facilitate content exchange between EBU members, other broadcasters, service providers and production companies, said the EBU. The guidance is meant as a ‘safe starting point’, for use when no other agreements between two parties for UHDTV programme exchange are in place.