Final QC Checklist for Video

Begin with the fundamental technical parameters. Verify resolution (width x height in pixels), frame rate (including whether it is drop-frame or non-drop-frame timecode), scan type (progressive or interlaced), and aspect ratio. Each of these must match the delivery specification exactly. A 1920x1080 file at 23.976fps is not the same as one at 24.000fps, and the difference will cause issues on some platforms.

Check the video codec, profile, and level. H.264 Main Profile Level 4.0 is different from H.264 High Profile Level 5.1, and some platforms only accept specific combinations. Verify the video bitrate is within the specified range and that the encoding mode (CBR or VBR) matches requirements. For HDR content, also verify the transfer function (PQ or HLG) and color primaries.

File structure matters too. Confirm the container format (MP4, MOV, MXF), the number of video and audio streams, and the stream order. Some delivery systems expect specific stream ordering. Verify the file size is reasonable for the content duration and specifications, as an unexpectedly small file may indicate encoding errors.

Measure integrated loudness (LUFS), loudness range (LU), and true peak (dBTP) against the delivery specification. For broadcast, this means EBU R128 or ATSC A/85 compliance. For streaming, check the platform-specific targets. Content that does not meet loudness requirements will be rejected by broadcasters or aggressively normalized by streaming platforms.

Verify audio channel configuration and mapping. If 5.1 surround is required, confirm all channels are present, correctly mapped, and contain appropriate content. The LFE channel should not contain full-range audio, and surround channels should not be silent copies of the front channels. For stereo delivery, verify true stereo rather than dual mono.

Listen for audio defects: clicks, pops, digital distortion, dropout, hum, and background noise. Check audio sync by watching speech sections closely. Verify that audio fades at the beginning and end of the program are clean and that there is no unwanted audio before the first frame or after the last frame of content.

Watch the entire program at real-time speed, start to finish. There is no shortcut for this step. Look for compression artifacts, banding, blocking, dropped frames, flash frames, and any visual anomalies. Pay special attention to dark scenes (where compression artifacts are most visible), fast-motion sequences, and scenes with fine detail or gradients.

Check all text elements: titles, lower thirds, subtitles, and any on-screen graphics. Verify spelling, positioning within the title-safe area, timing, and readability against different background content. If closed captions are required, verify they are present, correctly timed, and accurately represent the spoken content.

Verify the first and last frames of the program. Confirm there are no unintended frames before the content starts or after it ends. Check that any required slates, countdown leaders, ratings cards, or bumpers are present and correctly formatted. If the specification requires a specific amount of black or color bars at the head or tail, verify those too.

Review all embedded metadata using a file analysis tool. Color space, transfer characteristics, and matrix coefficients must be correctly tagged. Incorrect metadata causes display devices to misinterpret the video signal, resulting in wrong colors or brightness. This is one of the most common and most preventable QC failures.

Verify file naming matches the required convention. Check that all required documentation is prepared: QC reports, technical specification sheets, music cue sheets, subtitle files, poster art, and any other deliverables specified in the delivery requirements. Missing documentation can delay acceptance even when the media file is technically perfect.

Record the QC results formally. A QC report documenting what was checked, what passed, and any issues found creates an audit trail. This protects your organization if questions arise later about the quality of the deliverable. Tools like RecReview can help track QC findings alongside the review history, providing a complete record of the content journey from rough cut to final delivery.

If the deliverable requires closed captions or subtitles, verify they are included in the correct format (SCC, SRT, WebVTT, TTML). Check that the timing is accurate, the text is complete and error-free, and the formatting meets the specification. For burned-in subtitles, verify positioning, font, size, and readability against all background content.

Audio description tracks, if required, should be verified for accuracy, timing, and audio quality. The description should not overlap with dialogue and should fit naturally into gaps in the program audio. Check that the audio description is on the correct audio channel or in the correct auxiliary file.

Accessibility requirements vary by platform and jurisdiction. Some markets require specific caption formatting, minimum text sizes, or particular audio description standards. Include accessibility checks in your QC template for each delivery destination to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements.