<p>There is no standard used by US broadcasters for how to format checksums. I've never delivered to a broadcaster that requires it, but I've mostly been involved in delivering commercials. <a href="http://amwa.tv/projects/AS-11.shtml" rel="nofollow noreferrer">DPP/AS-11</a> doesn't specify anything about checksums and neither does <a href="https://backlothelp.netflix.com/hc/en-us/categories/202282037-SPECIFICATIONS-GUIDES" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Netflix</a>. I only know of one US broadcaster that does require checksums and they require using their proprietary software to build up the delivery package.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-12T20:51:14.820Z
2017-08-12T20:51:14.820Z
Michael Liebman
<p>I'm doing some audio deliverables for a feature film's TV package. The spec sheet I'm working from says that all media has to be provided with an MD5 checksum.</p>

<p>I know how to compute MD5 checksums for files but is there a specific format for checksum's that's customary?  Could I use the MD5 feature of <code>mtree(1)</code>? Or do you do a $FILENAME.md5 for each file? Or something else?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-11T19:03:03.957Z
The spec should include how they want to receive the checksums. There is no industry standard. If the spec didn't include it, I would contact the studio.
Michael Liebman
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-12T07:55:41.377Z
Can you give any examples of how you've done them in the past?
iluvcapra
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-12T16:54:50.640Z
I never delivered to a destination that required it. I only know of one US broadcaster who asked for checksums and they required you use their software to package the files. I don't think DPP/AS-11 requires it and I couldn't find a requirement in Netflix's spec's for checksums, either.
Michael Liebman
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-12T19:53:45.093Z
@MichaelLiebman Thanks I consider this answer complete.
iluvcapra
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-12T20:51:38.693Z
Glad to help. I put that all in to an answer.
Michael Liebman
<audio><broadcasting>
Spec sheet requires checksums, How should these be formatted?
iluvcapra
# Spec sheet requires checksums, How should these be formatted?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-08-11)

I'm doing some audio deliverables for a feature film's TV package. The spec sheet I'm working from says that all media has to be provided with an MD5 checksum.

I know how to compute MD5 checksums for files but is there a specific format for checksum's that's customary? Could I use the MD5 feature of `mtree(1)`? Or do you do a $FILENAME.md5 for each file? Or something else?

**Tags:** audio, broadcasting

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: The spec should include how they want to receive the checksums. There is no industry standard. If the spec didn't include it, I would contact the studio.  
> **username_0**: Can you give any examples of how you've done them in the past?  
> **username_1**: I never delivered to a destination that required it. I only know of one US broadcaster who asked for checksums and they required you use their software to package the files. I don't think DPP/AS-11 requires it and I couldn't find a requirement in Netflix's spec's for checksums, either.  
> **username_0**: @MichaelLiebman Thanks I consider this answer complete.  
> **username_1**: Glad to help. I put that all in to an answer.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-08-12. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

There is no standard used by US broadcasters for how to format checksums. I've never delivered to a broadcaster that requires it, but I've mostly been involved in delivering commercials. [DPP/AS-11](http://amwa.tv/projects/AS-11.shtml) doesn't specify anything about checksums and neither does [Netflix](https://backlothelp.netflix.com/hc/en-us/categories/202282037-SPECIFICATIONS-GUIDES). I only know of one US broadcaster that does require checksums and they require using their proprietary software to build up the delivery package.


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