FTP

The Nice Biscuits FTP (file transfer protocol) site is an excellent way to exchange relevant files over the internet. Audio and visual documents as well as uncompressed quicktimes can all be loaded onto the site with ease and speed. You, the client are given an access password, which allows you to retrieve the information. This system provides you with access to the progression of the job. This efficient and reliable transfer of files is particularly useful with regards to gaining approval from clients.

ftp.nicebiscuits.co.uk

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Safe Area

Televisions, particularly older models, do not always display a video image in its entirety; in fact most TVs will cut off a certain amount of the video image, resulting in the content of these areas not being viewable. Therefore safe area is extremely important in post production as it is vital to ensure that all key parts of the picture are seen by the majority of viewers.

The following area demonstrates different safe areas for a widescreen picture:

The area within the green rectangle is the ‘action safe area’. The area within the blue rectangle is known as the ‘title safe area’ and is 20% in from the edge. All text must be placed within the title safe area to ensure it is seen by viewers.

Download: Safe Area (.pdf)

Download: 16:9 Shoot to Protect 14:9 Safe Title (.jpg)

Download: 4:3 Safe Action Safe Title (.jpg)

Download: 16:9 Shoot to Protect 4:3 Safe Title (.jpg)

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High-definition television (HDTV)

HD refers to a digital broadcasting system with a significantly higher picture resolution than traditional formats in the production and broadcasting world, such as NTSC and PAL. The up-shot of this higher resolution is a superior picture for the viewer.

HD has at least twice the linear resolution of Standard Definition (SD). HD provides 1080 lines of horizontal resolution – compared to SD, which is 525 for NTSC and 625 for PAL. These figures refer to the number of active lines that contain pixels. The greater the number of pixels, which are distributed across the face of the screen, the greater the resolution. Thus HD creates an image with enhanced detail compared to one produced in standard definition.

An HD picture with 1080 lines of horizontal resolution has a 16:9 aspect ratio (widescreen). If there are 1080 lines of resolution, then there will be 1080 x 16 / 9 = 1920 pixels in each line. In the UK, the acceptance of 16:9 is now the standard in broadcast and has permanently replaced the SD square 4:3 aspect ratio screen shape.

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How to supply Nice Biscuits with your artwork

If artwork is pre-prepared then we will simply upload the files to our suites. We can accept files in the following formats:

If artwork requires preparation then it needs to be sent in high resolution, preferably TIF or PSD. Layered files are also accepted. Illustrator EPS vector files with all text converted to outlines are preferred because of their flexibility.

If you have any further queries with regards to supplying Nice Biscuits with your artwork then please contact one of our producers.

Download: How to supply artwork (.pdf)

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