I am a motion graphics designer and I am animating lower thirds for use in a live broadcast on the DEKO 3000.

I need know the best render settings to use for output from After Effects.

Searching the boards, this is what I've found.

59.94 fps

.MOV file

16 bit

Animation Codec

Best Quality

RGB + Alpha

Millions of Colors+

Include audio track even if there is no audio

This is how I typically output lower thirds that need a transparent BG.

The main question I have is about matting and making sure the alpha channel works on the DEKO.

Premultiplied? Straight (unmatted)?

Can the BG simply be transparent or does it need a color (green) to key out?

What's the most widely used solution for this?

Here you go:

59.94 fps Match the frame rate you are using in house. 

.MOV file  Correct

16 bit      32 bit for alpha  24 bit for video only

Animation Codec   Correct

Best Quality    Correct

RGB + Alpha   Correct for alpha

Millions of Colors+   Correct for alpha, just Millions of Colors for video only

Include audio track even if there is no audio  Correct, must be 48kHz

 This is how I typically output lower thirds that need a transparent BG.  Above settings will do this

The main question I have is about matting and making sure the alpha channel works on the DEKO.  When the .mov file is imported to Deko it will be automatically split into 2 channels, one for video and one for alpha.  The import process will create the 2 files and link them on the Clip Editor 

Premultiplied? Straight (unmatted)?  Premultiplied

Can the BG simply be transparent or does it need a color (green) to key out?  Normally transparent.

What's the most widely used solution for this?  These settings are the most widely used

I recommend doing a short test animation, having it imported into Deko and be sure all is working correctly.

Thank you so much Mary!  I'd like to test it, however we are renting the HD truck and will only have it the day of the broadcast. Hopefully I'll be able to get in touch with the operator today and double check with her.

Also, if the broadcast is 720p and the graphics are created at 1080p, will the Deko resize them, or should I go ahead and scale them down to 720p?

Thanks Again.

Great question, sorry I did not verify - clips (animations on Deko) MUST be rendered to the same resolution that the Deko will be running.  So you should find out if they will set to run 1080i or 720p.  If you can't find out you should render them at both resolutions.

Perfect. Thanks!