Deliverables
Understanding Media Formats & Deliverables
An overview of common media formats and deliverable types used in journalism and media services, so you know what to expect and how to request the right outputs for your needs.
4 min read
Why Format Matters
The format of a deliverable determines how it can be used, shared, edited, and archived. Choosing the right format from the start prevents costly conversions, quality loss, and compatibility issues. When you commission media services, understanding the available formats helps you make informed decisions and communicate your requirements clearly to the service provider.
Written Report Formats
Written deliverables - investigative reports, editorial assessments, content audit findings, and strategic recommendations - are typically delivered in two formats:
- PDF (Portable Document Format): The standard format for final reports. PDFs preserve formatting across all devices and operating systems, cannot be easily altered, and are suitable for sharing, printing, and archiving. At Auralis Associates, all final written reports are delivered in PDF.
- DOCX (Microsoft Word): An editable format provided alongside the PDF so that clients can extract text, adapt content for internal use, or implement recommended changes directly. We also use DOCX for drafts where tracked changes and comments are needed during the revision process.
For presentations, we deliver in PPTX (PowerPoint) or PDF format. Large data sets or spreadsheet-based deliverables are provided in XLSX (Excel) or CSV (comma-separated values) format.
Video and Documentary Formats
Documentary and video deliverables involve more format decisions. The key factors are resolution, codec, and container:
| Format | Typical Use | File Size |
|---|---|---|
| ProRes 422 (.mov) | Broadcast, archival, editing | Large (50-200 GB/hr) |
| H.264 / AVC (.mp4) | Web streaming, general viewing | Medium (2-10 GB/hr) |
| H.265 / HEVC (.mp4) | Modern streaming, high compression | Small (1-5 GB/hr) |
At Auralis Associates, documentary productions are delivered in ProRes 422 for broadcast and archival quality, and in H.264 MP4 for web and streaming use. If your distribution channel has specific format requirements (a broadcaster, a festival submission portal, a corporate intranet), let us know during pre-production and we will deliver accordingly.
Resolution is typically 1920x1080 (Full HD) or 3840x2160 (4K UHD), depending on project scope and intended use. Frame rate follows Canadian broadcast standards (usually 24 or 30 frames per second). These specifications are confirmed during pre-production.
Audio Formats
For interviews, recordings, and audio elements within documentary projects:
- WAV: Uncompressed, high-quality audio. Used for master recordings and archival.
- MP3: Compressed audio suitable for reference listening, internal review, and web distribution.
- AAC: Modern compressed format with better quality than MP3 at similar file sizes. Used in video containers.
Interview recordings captured during investigative reporting are typically provided as MP3 files for client review, with original WAV recordings retained in our archive for 36 months.
Image Formats
Photography from productions and images included in reports are delivered in standard formats:
- JPEG: Standard format for photographs. Good quality with manageable file size.
- PNG: Lossless format used for graphics, charts, and images with text or transparency.
- TIFF: High-quality format for print production and archival purposes.
Data and Research Formats
Research-heavy projects may include data deliverables alongside written reports:
- XLSX: Spreadsheets with data, analysis, and formulas.
- CSV: Plain-text data files compatible with any analysis tool.
- JSON: Structured data format for technical audiences or integration with software systems.
Data deliverables include metadata describing the contents, sources, and any transformations applied.
File Delivery Methods
How files are delivered depends on their size and sensitivity:
- Email: For small files (under 20 MB) such as short reports, invoices, and correspondence.
- Secure file transfer: For larger files and sensitive materials. We use dedicated secure transfer services rather than consumer cloud storage.
- Physical media: For very large deliverables (feature documentaries in ProRes can exceed 100 GB) or when the client prefers physical delivery. USB drives can be picked up at our Ottawa office or shipped by tracked courier.
Archiving and Retention
All project files are archived securely for 36 months (3 years) from final delivery. After this period, files are permanently deleted. If you anticipate needing files beyond the retention period, request an extension before the archive expires. Tax-related documents (invoices, receipts) are retained for 7 years per Canadian tax requirements.
How to Communicate Your Format Needs
When engaging Auralis Associates or any media services provider, specify your format requirements early - ideally during the scoping phase. If you are uncertain which format is right for your situation, we can advise based on your intended use. Here is a simple framework for communicating your needs:
- What will you use the deliverable for? (Internal review, publication, broadcast, web, archival)
- Who needs to access the file? (Technical team, executives, public audience)
- What platform or system will host or display the content?
- Do you need editable versions in addition to final versions?
Next Steps
Explore our services to see how each engagement type handles deliverables, or contact us to discuss your format requirements. For information about media training sessions and what they produce, visit our Media Training page. For budgeting considerations, see Budgeting for Media Services.