CON.TXT 2010 Vid Show -- Submission Instructions

General

• Please read the Overview (see link above) for general information - in particular, only slash vids will be considered, and only premiering vids or vids that "premiered" (were first shown at a convention or released online or in a collection) on or after June 18, 2009
• Vids must be received by May 1, 2010 (including vids submitted by mail)
• Any single vidder may submit up to three vids. A collaboration or team vid will be counted as one of the three permitted submissions of the collaborator who submits it. If more than one of the collaborators is submitting vids, they may decide among themselves which one will submit the collaboration.
• Do not leave any additional black space at the beginning or end of your vid!

Vid File Format

• We strongly prefer to receive separate NTSC DVD-compliant elementary streams (in the format preferred by vid shows such as Escapade's and Vividcon's; if you've submitted to those shows, you should be fine). For those to whom this terminology is unfamiliar, this means that we would like you to submit two separate files: a video file and an (uncompressed) audio file.
• Video: NTSC MPEG-2 video, 720x480 resolution, 29.97 frames per second, encoded at 5500-6500 kpbs bitrate - no higher! (The video file should have an "m2v" suffix.)
• Audio: Uncompressed WAV or AIFF at 48 kHz.
• Though this format is our strong preference, we will also accept:
• Quicktime MOV file encoded at 29.97 frames per second, 720x480 resolution, highest quality
• DIVX file encoded at 29.97 frames per second, 720x480 resolution, high bitrate
• As a last resort, a single (multiplexed) NTSC MPEG-2 (mpg) file, or a set of playable NTSC DVD files (i.e., a VIDEO_TS directory), 720x480 resolution, 29.97 frames per second, encoded at 5500-6500 kpbs bitrate (no higher!), with m2v (not ac3) audio
• If your submission is not in any of these formats, we will attempt to encode it to our standards, but if that proves impossible, or if we aren't happy with the results, we may be unable to consider your vid.
• If you need help with or have questions about formats or encoding, please contact us (vids@con-txt.net), and we will do our best to help. There are a number of effective and straightforward encoders available.

Naming Your Vid

• Name your vid file(s) using the following template:
  

  contxt_yourname_songtitle.{m2v,wav,mov,divx}

  Leave out all spaces, punctuation, and special characters. So the m2v and wav files for a vid by Meri Duck to March of the Ducks would be named:
  

  contxt_meriduck_marchoftheducks.m2v
  contxt_meriduck_marchoftheducks.wav

  The name you use for naming the file ("yourname") should be the same one you use on the first page of the vid submission form - this is the name of the submitting vidder.

Vid Submission Form

• When your files are ready, and before you upload or mail your vid, fill out the Vid Submission Form (see link at top of page)

Uploading Your Vid

• We prefer vids to be submitted electronically (uploaded to our server space) if at all possible
• Use any FTP client you like (such as WS_FTP LE on PC or Fetch on Mac; Google these or contact us if you need links). This is the information you need for loggin in to the CON.TXT vid server:
  

  Host Name/Address (or Server): ftp.vids.con-txt.net
  Host Type: Automatic Detect (or Unix standard)
  Login: upload@vids.con-txt.net
  Password: guest

• After you log in, make sure you select "binary" for the transfer type, not ASCII!
• Upload your properly named files. Note that you will not be able to see them (or any other files) in the upload directory. If you make a mistake or you think your files did not upload correctly, you will not be able to re-upload files with the same name into the directory. Instead, re-name your files slightly and then note in your email (see below) which are the correct files.
• When you are finished uploading, send an email to vids@con-txt.net with the subject line "CON.TXT 2010 Vid Upload." In the email, tell us the name of the files you've uploaded and any other information you think we need.

Sending Vids by Mail

• If you are unable to upload your vids for some reason, you may save your properly encoded and named files (see above) to a CD or DVD data disk (preferred) and mail them to us, or if absolutely necessary and there is no other option, you may send us a playable DVD. Vids must be received by May 1, 2010, to be considered for the vid show.
• Please label the disk clearly with your name and the name of the files and/or the vid name
• Email us at vids@con-txt.net for the mailing address