Skip to main content

Frequency Documentation

Transformation Channels Ingestion Specification

Transformation Channels

Video Stream Format

Frequency supports the ingestion of video streams from third-party origination in the following formats and specifications:

Specification

HLS

MPEG-TS

Format

HLS Pull Only

SRT (push)

Zixi (push/pull)

RTP-FEC

Video Resolution

2160p (4K)

1080p

720p

2160p (4K)

1080p

720p

Video Codec / Profile

H.264 High

H.264 High

Video Bitrate

> 4.5 Mbps

> 4.5 Mbps

Video Frame Rate

29.97, 30p, 60p

Constant FPS

29.97, 30p, 60p

Constant FPS

Key Frame Interval

< 2 seconds

< 2 seconds

Audio Codec

AAC 16-bit 44.1 Khz / 48 Khz

AAC 16-bit 44.1 Khz / 48 Khz

Audio Bitrate

> 128 Kbps

> 128 Kbps

Audio Channels

2.0 Stereo

2.0 Stereo

Security

No encryption (DRM/AES-128)

IP whitelisting supported

Ad Markers

SCTE-35 in TS chunks

HLS ad markers only not supported

SCTE-35 in TS (splice insert or time signal)

Close Captions

Embedded CEA-608/708 (English track)

Embedded CEA-608/708 (English track)

Redundancy

In the event of stream interruption during ingestion, failover switching occurs using a backup.

  • Transport (Required) - Backup channel streams delivered to Frequency from geographically diverse regions (e.g., East vs. West). For multi-redundancy setups, a combination of video formats and transport types can be provided.

  • Origination Redundancy (Optional) - Independent origination playout systems are integrated with the transport streams delivered to Frequency.

Metadata Format

Frequency supports a number of Standard EPG formats for the ingestion and transformation of channel schedule metadata.

Standard Delivery

JSON

Metadata sent in JSON format must comply with the provided Frequency fields. The necessary elements are:

Channel

  • Unique Channel Identifier

  • Name (255 chars)

  • Description (110 chars)

  • Thumbnail

  • Genre

  • Subgenre

  • Timezone Name

  • Country Name

  • Parental Rating

  • Language

  • Resolution (Width & Height)

Programming:

  • Start date time (UTC)

  • End Date time (UTC)

  • Duration (seconds)

  • Program ID

  • Title (255 chars)

  • Description (110 chars)

  • 16:9 Program Art

  • Country

  • Parental Rating

  • Language

  • Program Type (Movie, Series, Short-form, etc.)

  • Series Name

  • Season NUmber

  • Episode Number

  • Release Date

Example: https://static.frequency.com/studio/epg/5.json

Custom / Distributor Specific - Frequency supports a variety of custom EPG outputs for most distributors, including CSV, Excel, Google Sheets, publicly accessible URLs, and Frequency SFTP Drop Folder. A list of supported distributors can be found here: : EPG Formats per Distributor

Gracenote - Metadata can be provided via an existing Gracenote channel integration, pending a content partner providing the Gracenote Channel ID and Call Sign ID for the applicable channel via Gracenote API.

Example: Channel_ID:1234567, Call Sign ID: FREQONE

Non-Standard Delivery

In order to support maximum compatibility with channel origination platforms, Frequency can customize additional EPG formats and delivery methods. Non-standard delivery options must include data elements related to the following:

Channel

  • Unique channel identifier

  • Name (255 chars)

  • Description

  • Thumbnail

  • Genre

  • Subgenre

  • Timezone Name

  • Parental Rating

  • Language

  • Resolution (Width & Height)

Programming

  • Start date time (UTC)

  • End date time (UTC)

  • Duration (seconds)

  • Program ID

  • Title (255 chars)

  • Description

  • 16:9 Program Art

  • Country

  • Parental Rating

  • Language

  • Program Type (Movie, Series, Short-form, etc.)

  • Series Name

  • Season Number

  • Episode Number

  • Release Date

Scheduling Metadata Timeframe

For either Standard or Non-Standard Delivery, please provide a minimum of 15 days of programming data, ranging from -1 day (one day ago) to +14 days (two weeks in the future).

Update Frequency

Scheduling changes are made available for Frequency ingestion as they occur to ensure up-to-date EPG information for distribution.