Technical requirements

Links for:

• Digital File Delivery
• DVD/Blu-ray
• 3D submissions for release on Blu-ray and DVD
• Watch & Rate (Digital Services)
• Theatrical
• Video Games
• Anti-piracy watermarks/digital on screen graphics

Video file submissions for Classification under the Video Recordings Act 1984

There should be one file per submission where possible. We will accept a submission split across multiple files where that is the most practical approach.

The file must be mpeg4 video, AAC audio within the .mp4 file type as defined by

• ISO/IEC 14496-10 - MPEG-4 Part 10, Advanced Video Coding
• ISO/IEC14496-3 - MPEG-4 Part 3
• ISO/IEC 14496-14 - MPEG-4 Part 14 (MP4 file format)

This is generally referred to as “Main Profile”.   Quicktime encoders are known to introduce sync and drift issues in various software (i.e. Windows Media Player), so please use an alternative encoder. Files supplied using a Quicktime encoder may fail the technical check and require re-submission.

• The resolution must be 1280x720p ( commonly called 720p ), unless 720 x 576 is the only version available.
• The video bitrate must be in the range 1.0 – 5.0 mb/sec using fixed or variable bitrate encoding.
• The audio bitrate must be 96 kbit/sec stereo audio multiplexed with the video.
• Conventionally video is stream 0 and audio stream 1, with subtitle tracks (if any) at higher numbers. This is preferred and may be mandated in the future if it is found to be appropriate.
• The BBFC reserves the right to reject a file if it is not of suitable quality for classification. The expectation is that file based submissions will be less vulnerable to defects than discs but any issues that do arise will be handled as technical faults.

DRM

The files must not be protected in such a way as to make copying or streaming reliant on specific hardware or decoding. That is, it must not have DRM or encryption enabled. To use such techniques would render impractical the storage of the content for the purpose of the statutory archive.

Please note the requirements for audio and subtitle tracks, 3D and Digital Onscreen Graphics remain the same.

A guide as to how to submit online can be found on our extranet here.  Please note an extranet login is required.  

If you do not have an extranet account you may request one here.

DVD/Blu-ray content for Classification under the Video Recordings Act 1984

• All submitted works must play on a normal consumer DVD player, Blu-ray player or Sony Playstation 3.
• DVDs should be region 2 or region free (region 0). Both Pal or NTSC standards are accepted. Blu-ray discs should be region B.
• Digital video files (i.e. .avi, .mov, .mpg, etc) burnt to a data DVD are not acceptable.
• Works can be submitted on DVD-R, DVD+R (single or dual layer), BD-R or replicated (factory pressed) check discs. 
• Other formats such as (but not limited to) video CD, DVD RW, mini DVD etc and tape formats such as DigiBeta etc are not accepted.

Multiple audio, language and subtitle tracks

• If the work is a foreign language production and will be released in the UK with English subtitles, then this will need to be submitted for classification.
• If the work is also available in a dubbed English version, this will also need to be classified.
• If the work is an English language production it is not necessary to submit foreign language tracks or foreign language subtitles which may be featured on a DVD or Blu-ray. These are submitted they will be ignored.
• If a work is to be released with subtitles for the hard of hearing then these do not need to be classified but the BBFC will include them if they are present.

Audio commentaries and other alternate audio tracks also require classification. The only exceptions are audio descriptive tracks (e.g. for the visually impaired) which involve very simple and short descriptions of the action on screen. 

There are no particular restrictions on audio formats, although surround sound audio tracks will generally be ignored unless this is the only audio track present.

3D submissions for release on Blu-ray and DVD 

• Anaglyph 3D submissions (i.e. older style 3D works which require red/green glasses) can be submitted on Blu-ray, DVD or digital file.
• Stereoscopic 3D works for release on 3D Blu-ray must be submitted on Blu-ray disc. We will also accept 'side-by-side' 3D versions on Blu-ray, DVD or digital file in place of a stereoscopic work.
• Please note we cannot accept an Anaglyph 3D in place of a Stereoscopic release. This is due to the difference in quality of the 3D effect.

Please contact the customer helpline if you have any questions regarding DVD/Blu-ray releases on 0207 440 0299 or at helpline@bbfc.co.uk.

Watch & Rate (Digital Services)

• Works can be supplied by way of non-physical medium (download, FTP, streaming, etc). Where a work is to be viewed (or downloaded) on a remote streaming platform the details of this must be noted during submission.
• We recommend digital video content is delivered in the following specifications. We are happy to accept works of higher quality and different formats.
• Resolution: 720 x 576 or higher.
• File Format: Mpeg4 file (a true .mp4 file, not a QuickTime .mov with Mpeg 4 encoding)
• Video data rate: 1.5-5 Mb/s VBR 
• Works should have the BBFC Code number and submission date in the file name using the following format: FILM_NAME_SubmissionDate_BBFCcodeNumber.filextension

Although digital delivery is encouraged, W&R will accept submission by disc (DVD/BD/Data storage discs with data files on).

Please contact the Digital Services department if you have any questions regarding technical requirements for Digital releases at digital@bbfc.co.uk.

Theatrical Releases (Films, trailers, adverts, student shorts)

• Films and trailers being released only on 35mm must be submitted on 35mm.
• Films and trailers that are only being shown in cinemas on DVD or other video media such as BetaSP, DigiBeta and HDCam must be submitted to us on a DVD struck from the theatrical master.
• Films and trailers for any other type of digital exhibition must be submitted as a JPEG 2000 wrapped in a DCI-compliant interoperable 2K Digital Cinema Package (“DCP”) mastered at 24 Fps for 2D and 48 Fps for 3D.
• The DCP for features or short films must come in on a USB hard drive.
• Trailers can be submitted on a USB memory stick or on a disc. USB hard drives/memory sticks/discs, along with any KDM (key) and/or username needed to unlock/play them.
• DCP film trailers or short films (up to a file size of 10Gb) may be made available for the BBFC to download from an FTP (file transfer protocol) server.
• Advertisements can also be submitted as .mp4 files as long as they are less than 100mb in size.
• All reels should be delivered together, with each reel in a suitable container. The title and reel number should appear on each reel as well as on the container in which the reel is delivered.
• All reel submissions should be 35mm combined optical prints, with sound types Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby SR analogue, Dolby “A” type and Mono.
• All reels should have head and tail protection leaders with the title and the reel number on and they should be securely attached to the main body of the reel. All reels should have a plastic core in the centre.

Please contact the Projection department if you have any questions regarding technical requirements for theatrical releases on on 020 7440 1590 or at projection@bbfc.co.uk.

Video Games

The following is required for each video game submission:

Use of Digital On-screen Graphics (DOGs) on submissions to the BBFC

The BBFC fully appreciates the industry's concerns over piracy. Its anti-piracy measures have been accredited by the Federation Against Copyright Theft and the security of submitted material is treated very seriously.

While the BBFC prefers not to have DOGs on submissions made for classification, it will, given the understandable concerns of the industry with regards to piracy, accept DOGs, subject to adherence to the standards laid out below.

The work should not contain large anti-piracy logos or captions on screen (e.g. “Property of…”) that obscure the content or make it difficult for our examiners to classify the work. Examples of DOGs which have resulted in our being unable to classify a submitted work include ones which:

• are scrolling, flashing or otherwise dynamic rather than static.
• contain more than 10 characters.
• contain dark or bold colours with a transparency of less than 50%.
• are located in the middle of the picture rather than along the top or bottom edge.

Further advice can be provided upon request.

Examples

Acceptable 

 Unacceptable