Video Submission Guidelines
Sierra Community Access Television (SCATV2) welcomes video submissions for Channel 2 and our online media platforms. To ensure broadcast quality and regulatory compliance, all submissions must be well-edited and strictly adhere to FCC regulations and station requirements.
Submission is entirely free. While there are no fees to broadcast your content, SCATV2 is a volunteer-run non-profit organization. We highly appreciate it if submitting entities choose to become Members or make a donation to support the station.
How to Submit Your Video
You can submit your video files using any of the following three methods:
Physical Delivery (DVD or Thumb Drive):
Deliver your media containing the video in MPEG-2 or MP4 format to:Gary Campbell
Sierra Community Access Television
3330 Cameron Park Drive, Suite 300
Cameron Park, CA 95682
Phone: 1 (916) 849-2213
Email: gacambl@pacbell.netDelivery via the web: Send files directly to gacambl@pacbell.net
WeTransfer; Recommended for a fast transfer.
Dropbox: Share your digital file directly via Dropbox
YouTube: Give 2 Permission to Download the file.
If your video is already posted on YouTube, you may grant SCATV2 explicit permission to download the file and present it on Channel 2 and our online media platforms. (Note: Downloaded YouTube videos are generally processed as MP4 files).
Required Accompanying Information
When submitting a video, you must provide the following details via email or in a letter format:
Program Details: Title, Submitting Organization/Producer, a Short Summary, and exact Runtime.
Audience Rating: G, PG, R, or M.
Compliance Certification: Explicit written statement certifying that your video complies with FCC regulations and SCATV2 policies.
Programming & Scheduling Policies
Program Length: It is requested that submissions be 27 minutes or less in length. Longer programs should be submitted as a multi-part series. This restriction ensures files load reliably onto our broadcast server and allows SCATV2 to insert underwriter spots.
Submission Frequency: It is recommended that individuals or organizations submit only 1 or 2 videos within any two-week period. There is no limit on the total number of videos you can submit over time.
Scheduling & Airtime: You may request a specific broadcast time slot. While our volunteer staff will make every effort to accommodate your preference, no time slot is guaranteed. SCATV2 reserves final editorial discretion over scheduling.
Rotation & Rights: A program typically airs up to 12 times or more within a 12-week window. If your program ages out of rotation, you may request to place it back on the schedule. SCATV2 reserves the right to broadcast any submitted video indefinitely, particularly content highlighting the history, culture, people, or local interests of El Dorado County.
Online Streaming: You may provide links to your content on YouTube, Vimeo, etc., for consideration on the SCATV2 On-Demand web page. Posting is done at the discretion of the station and is subject to volunteer availability; SCATV2 is not contractually obligated to host external links on its website.
Dispute Resolution: Any issues or complaints must first be brought informally to the Program Director. If a resolution cannot be reached, a formal request can be made to the Board of Directors, whose final decision will be determinative.
Content & Legal Compliance
⚠️ Producer Certification Requirement
Producers must legally certify that their program contains no advertising material, commercial programming, lottery information, obscene material, sexually explicit conduct, material promoting unlawful conduct, or indecent, slanderous, or libelous material.
Editorial Discretion: Any video submitted to Channel 2 may be edited by the station to ensure full FCC compliance, adherence to SCATV2 policies, or to better fit local programming configurations.
Legal Precedent (Manhattan Community Access Corp. v. Halleck): The Supreme Court holds that the First Amendment does not apply to private operators of public access television channels. Private entities operating forums for speech retain full "editorial discretion" over the speech and speakers on those platforms.
Technical & Export Specifications
Videos must be "broadcast ready," well-edited, and include appropriate credits.
1. Audio Standards
During the editing and mixing phase, ensure your audio levels peak between -12 dB and -10 dB. This ensures consistent volume for Channel 2 home viewers relative to other channels on the Comcast Cable lineup.
2. Padding & Master Files
Do not include non-relevant video information (such as color bars, countdowns, or extended video black) at the exact beginning or end of your program file. The automated television server cannot automatically differentiate between program content and technical padding.
3. Windows Master File Formatting (MPEG-2 / MP4)
If you are rendering your final file from a Windows environment, please use the following exact specifications to burn the content onto a DVD as a "data" file (not a playable video DVD format). MP4 files meeting similar quality frameworks are also accepted; contact Gary Campbell for details.
Video Settings | Specification | Audio Settings | Specification |
Format | MPEG-2 | Format | MPEG |
Frame Width | 720 | Audio Layer | MPEG-1, Layer II |
Frame Height | 480 | Sample Size | 16-bit |
Frame Rate | 29.97 fps | Bit Rate | 224 kbps |
Field Order | Lower Field First | Multiplexing | Render video/audio together in one file |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 (widescreen) | ||
Bit Rate Encoding | VBR, 2-Pass | ||
Target / Max Bitrate | 4.2 Mbps Target / 6.0 Mbps Max |
Editing Tools & Resources
Apple iMovie Export Instructions:
Locate the completed video in your iMovie library.
Click the Share button in the top right corner.
Select Export File.
Set your format to Video and Audio (ensure it is saving as an MP4), and click Next.
Name your file, choose your save destination, and export.
Free Editing Software Alternatives:
Canva: Basic Canva is free for creators at Canva.com. Canva Premium is completely free for registered Non-Profit organizations via an online application.
CapCut: A robust, free video editor available for online browser-based editing or direct desktop download.
