Legal Range and Broadcast-Safe Levels: What Actually Works
The range of video levels allowed for broadcast and many deliveries, where black and white sit at defined code values rather than the full numeric range.
Tomas Lindqvist
At a glance
- 8-bit legal range black at 16 and white at 235 for luma
- Full range uses 0 to 255 in 8-bit
- Standard levels defined for HD in ITU-R BT.709
- Common error range mismatches between cameras, editors and players
Why it matters
Why it matters: Video delivered at the wrong range looks washed out or crushed, and broadcasters reject files with illegal levels.
Best practice
- Check the delivery specification for range requirements
- Keep levels within limits on scopes
- Confirm how editing software interprets range
- Use a broadcast-safe check before export
- Test playback on target devices
Common pitfalls
Watch out for:
- Mixing full and legal range sources without conversion
- Exporting without checking levels
- Relying on an uncalibrated computer monitor
- Clipping highlights to force levels
When to call in a specialist
Bottom line Bring in help when video looks washed out after export, or when broadcast deliveries are rejected.
Where this comes from
- International Telecommunication Union — ITU-R BT.709
- Netflix Partner Help Center — Delivery specifications
The figures and practices above come from the sources listed.
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