Production

We aim to ensure that our brand and its associated values are highly recognizable by adhering to uniform guidelines and design features.

The videos can of course be freely designed depending on the content. However, the style and color of the videos should be based on MTU’s uniform visual style:

• Cool and high-quality colors based on our corporate palette: The engines and components depicted should look as metallic as possible, while the complexion of any people should be natural, healthy, and active to express the claim “Passion for Engines.”
• Clear contrasts in bright, natural light conditions are preferred.
• Color filters must not be used.
• Video content should convey authenticity; there should always be a visual focus, usually on a component or a process, and in the case of HR topics, on people as well.
• For the video material to hold the viewer’s attention, it should have a foreground, an exciting center, and a not-too-busy background.

• If possible, have the camera in motion, e.g. on a gimbal; no handheld cameras.
• For sound recordings, use a boom pole if possible or some other kind of microphone(s).
• Equipment must be guaranteed to be of professional quality; depending on the content, recordings with cell phones or mini-cameras should be avoided.
• If the filmed material is to be used on social media platforms, it must be shot in such a way that the content can be cropped in postproduction—without scaling—to match the destination format. For example, to achieve a 9:16 portrait-oriented format where the image height must be 1920 px, the source material must be shot in at least 4K. However, if time, project, and budget allow, it’s recommended to shoot the corresponding shot in both portrait and landscape format for aesthetic reasons, as the film image can be better framed to the final format.

To ensure that videos are suitable for further use, i.e. that sequences from different videos can be combined, each production needs to comply with the format requirements.

Since MTU corporate videos are used not only in small presentations on computers, but also at events where they’re shown predominantly on modern flat screens in full high-definition resolution, all video content must be produced at least in full HDTV (1920 x 1080 pixel resolution; 16:9 aspect ratio, PAL, 25p [progressive] frame rate). Any deviations from these requirements are permitted only after consultation with MTU.

The camera must be able to record at least 25 full frames per second (25p). It should also record the image signal digitally and have a CMOS sensor.

Regarding the codecs / recording formats, attention must be paid to how chroma subsampling is carried out. For complex videos that can be used over the long term (e.g. image film), the video should be recorded without chroma subsampling (4:4:4).

For videos that need to be updated regularly, a chroma subsampling of 4:2:2 is sufficient.

Summary of the minimum technical requirements:

• Aspect ratio 16:9
• Resolution: UHD 3640 x 2160 pixels or full HDTV 1920 x 1080 pixels
• Frame rate: min. 25p
• Color depth: 8 bit
• Data rate: 100 Mbit/s or at least 50 Mbit/s
• Image sensor: CMOS
• Chroma subsampling: 4:4:4 or at least 4:2:2

According to current standards, the following format is expected for the final video output:

HD-TV (FullHD) video

• Codec: ProRes 4:4:4:4, incl. Alpha, or at least ProRes 4:2:2
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px progressive
• Frame rate: 25p
• Data rate: 100 Mbit/s or at least 50 Mbit/s

Alternatively, according to the higher 4K standards:

• UHD-TV (4K) video
• Codec: ProRes 4:4:4:4, incl. Alpha
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Resolution: 3840 x 2160 px progressive
• Frame rate: 25p
• Min. data rate 1.1 Gb/s

Note: All basic elements (Adobe After Effects or movie elements) are already provided in UHD and must be down-converted to the HD output format as required.

Audio:

• Codec: AAC - 320 Kbps
• Sampling rate: 48 kHz

In addition:

If the video is to be used on Facebook, take care to ensure that the image section can be cropped to 1:1 without any loss of information.