Video Requirements for Playable Assets

Prime Video processes your mezzanine files for customers across hundreds of devices worldwide. A single compliant mezzanine can serve 4K, HD, and SD streams from the same source. When you deliver clean, spec-compliant files, your titles go live on time with fewer support interactions. This guide gives you everything required to get your video specifications right the first time. That way, your content reaches customers without delays.

Program Content

Follow these rules for every mezzanine you deliver to Prime Video. Non-compliant files will be rejected.

• Remove advertisements, bars and tone, test patterns, and production slates.
• Remove textless material before delivery.
• Remove ad blacks longer than 1 to 2 seconds unless they are part of the creative intent.

Letterboxing and Pillarboxing

You do not need to remove letterboxing or pillarboxing before delivery, with the following conditions:

• There must be no burned-in subtitles or VITC data in the bars.
• All letterboxing and pillarboxing must be symmetrical.
• Prime Video automatically crops to the active picture during transcoding.

Advertisements, Logos, and Watermarks

• No non-program advertisements. Sponsorships and product placement within the program may stay.
• No studio or network logos.
• No callouts to external websites or other distribution platforms.

Frame Rate

The frame rate of your mezzanine file must be constant. Variable frame rate sources are rejected.

• Prime Video accepts progressive and interlaced formats.
• Telecined content is rejected. Inverse-telecine to native frame rate before delivery.
• Content originally at 23.976 fps, 24 fps, or 25 fps that was telecined must be inverse-telecined first.
• Prime Video will not accept sources that have been upscaled or upsampled.

File Header Metadata

The file header metadata must accurately describe the following:

• Scan Type: Progressive, Interlaced, or Adaptive (MBAFF). Progressive or interlaced are accepted; telecined content is not.
• Field Order: Bottom Field First or Top Field First, if the video source is interlaced.
• Display Aspect Ratio: one of the following accepted values: 4:3, 1.66:1, 16:9, 1.85:1, 2:1, 2.20:1, 2.35:1, 2.39:1, or 2.40:1.
• Anamorphic content must have correct 4:3 or 16:9 display aspect ratio flags. 3:2 and 5:4 anamorphic storage formats are rejected.
• VITC and other ancillary data must be cropped prior to delivery.

QuickTime Files

• If you save video out of QuickTime Player, set the display size in the View window to Normal Size before delivery.
• In the Movie Inspector window, Current Size must match Normal Size.

Multi-Track Audio

Mezzanines delivered with Multi-Track Audio (MTA) packages must meet the following conditions:

• The mezzanine must be semi-textless.
• Embedded Forced Subtitles must be excluded from Multi-Track Audio mezzanines.

HDR Delivery

HDR sources must be delivered in the Open HDR Format (HDR10). All HDR deliveries require an additional SDR source.

Important

Both the SDR and HDR mezzanine files must be referenced by the same presentation.
Frame rate, runtime duration, and scene/shot boundaries must be identical across both files.
Timed text or audio files delivered with a UHD/HDR package must conform to both the SDR and HDR mezzanine files. HDR10 metadata must be included in the inventory section of the MMC.

• Include a separate, standard dynamic range (SDR) source in the same resolution as the HDR source.
• Conformance and runtime of SDR and HDR sources must be identical.
• The SDR and HDR sources must be editorially conformed and identical. The only exceptions are the approved HDR-versus-SDR video characteristics and required HDR metadata defined in our specifications.
• For all HDR requirements, see the 4K HDR Mezzanine Specifications section below.

Surround Sound Channel Layout
Prime Video requires the following audio channel mapping. Incorrectly mapped audio will be rejected.

Transcoding of video assets is not necessary if sources already meet all requirements in the sections above. If transcoding is necessary, Prime Video works with you during the technical asset review to determine the ideal output format.

• Content with obvious artifacting or quality loss due to improper processing will be rejected.
• Prime Video requires that source mezzanines have frame rates native to the title’s production.
• Prime Video will not accept sources that have been upscaled or upsampled.

4K UHD must be at least 3840 pixels horizontally and at least 2160 pixels vertically.

4K UHD HDR video must be at least 3840 pixels horizontally and at least 2160 pixels vertically.

4K UHD HDR Metadata Specifications

SDR and HDR Conformance Requirements

Conformance and runtime of SDR and HDR sources must be identical. The only acceptable difference between the SDR and HDR mezzanine files is the color space. Misaligned HDR/SDR asset parts will result in a redelivery request. In particular, the following must be identical:

• Frame rate
• Runtime duration
• Scene and shot boundaries

Timed text or audio files delivered with a UHD/HDR package must conform to both the SDR and HDR mezzanine files. The inventory must reference both the SDR and HDR mezzanine files. The HDR10 metadata must be included in the inventory section of the MMC. The same presentation must then reference both the SDR and HDR mezzanine files.

HD must be at least 1280 pixels horizontally and at least 720 pixels vertically.

SD must be at least 640 pixels horizontally and at least 260 pixels vertically.

Use the table below to find the correct settings for each supported audio codec. All audio must be embedded at a 48 kHz sample rate.

Quick Tip

The 6-channel layout does not apply to 4K UHD or 4K HDR video formats.

Prime Video does not support the following file types. These formats are rejected upon ingestion. For help converting to Prime Video specifications, our Preferred Fulfillment Vendors are the best path for unblocking delivery.

To minimize delivery of out-of-spec video assets, use automated QC software to test your mezzanine files before delivery. The following tools can help you catch issues early.

Recommended QC Tools

Most Common Issues Detected by QC Tools

• Non-standard display aspect ratios
• Resolutions that do not meet the minimum requirements for SD, HD, or UHD delivery
• Too many or too few audio channels
• Mismatched video and audio durations
• Non-standard frame rates
• Long silent periods in audio tracks

For information about trailer specifications and delivery, see: Value-Added Material (VAM)
For information about clips, see: Promotional Assets Clips

Important

Non-compliant mezzanine files are rejected at ingestion. Every rejection requires a redelivery and delays your content going live. Review each section of this document before exporting your file. Run an automated QC check.

If your file format is unsupported, contact your Prime Video Partner POC before attempting delivery.