Master QC Services in Burbank, Los Angeles

QUALITY CONTROL FOR FILM, TELEVISION & STREAMING

SMV provides comprehensive Master QC services to identify technical, visual, audio, and continuity issues before final delivery. From our Burbank facility, experienced QC technicians help ensure masters meet specifications for broadcast, streaming, theatrical release, and distribution.

SMV provides professional Master QC to identify technical, visual and audio issues before delivery, helping ensure masters meet broadcast, streaming and theatrical specifications.

What Are
Master QC Services?

Master Quality Control (QC) is the technical and visual review of a completed media master before distribution or release.

QC identifies video, audio, synchronization, captioning, formatting, continuity, and compliance issues that could result in rejection by a broadcaster, streaming platform, distributor, or other delivery destination.

SMV combines automated analysis with experienced manual QC review rather than relying solely on automated software.

What We Check During Master QC

Video Quality

Artifacts, aliasing, noise, ghosting, corruption, focus, and other visible issues.

Audio Quality

Levels, missing audio/SFX, distortion, inconsistencies and other audible problems.

Audio/Video Sync

Review for synchronization and timing issues throughout the master.

Captions & Subtitles

Placement, framing, timing and other presentation issues.

Technical Specifications

File type, media standard, resolution, codec and applicable delivery specifications.

Continuity & Content Issues

Visual inconsistencies, animation errors, visible production equipment and other issues that automated QC may miss.

TECHNOLOGY FINDS ERRORS.

Experienced Eyes Find More.

Automated QC is powerful, but it can’t catch everything. SMV combines advanced automated analysis with experienced human review to help ensure nothing gets missed.

AUTOMATED TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

Advanced software screens for technical abnormalities and compliance issues.

EXPERIENCED MANUAL QC REVIEW

Experienced QC technicians review picture and sound for issues automated systems may miss.

TIME-CODED ISSUE IDENTIFICATION

Issues are logged with precise timecodes for fast identification and correction.

DETAILED QC REPORTING

Clear, actionable reporting helps your team address issues efficiently.

CLEAR. ACTIONABLE. READY TO FIX.

Detailed QC Reporting Your Team Can Act On

Every issue identified during Master QC is documented with precise timecodes, severity levels and clear descriptions. This gives your team the information needed to quickly locate, evaluate and correct problems before delivery.

FROM ISSUE TO APPROVAL.

Corrections, Re-QC & Final Verification

Finding an issue is only part of the process. SMV helps keep your project moving by clearly identifying problems, verifying corrected files and performing additional QC when needed before final delivery.

01

IDENTIFY

Issues are documented with precise timecodes, severity levels and clear descriptions.

02

CORRECT & RESUBMIT

Your team has the information needed to quickly address flagged video, audio, caption or technical issues.

03

VERIFY

Corrected masters can be rechecked to confirm issues have been resolved and delivery requirements are met.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES.

Built for Today's Delivery Standards

SMV provides professional video quality control and master QC services across modern digital, theatrical and legacy broadcast workflows.

MASTER & FILE QC

HD · 2K · 4K UHD · HDR / SDR · ProRes · DNxHD / DNxHR · MOV · MXF

AUDIO & M&E QC

Audio Masters · M&E Tracks · Sync · Levels · Missing Audio / SFX · Technical Compliance

DCP & THEATRICAL QC

DCP Workflows · DCI Specifications · 2K / 4K Theatrical Masters · Features · Trailers · Film Festivals

BROADCAST, STREAMING & PLATFORM QC

Broadcast · Streaming · Episodic · Microseries · Platform / Distributor Specifications · Legacy Masters

Why Choose SMV for Master QC?

40+ Years of Experience

More than four decades of post-production and quality control experience serving studios, networks, production companies and content owners since 1982.

Secure Burbank Facility

Master QC is performed at our Burbank facility with controlled access and established content-handling workflows designed to help protect client media throughout the QC process.

Experienced QC Technicians

Experienced technicians combine professional QC tools with trained eyes and ears to identify picture, audio, caption and technical issues automated systems may miss.

Reliable, Responsive Turnaround

Efficient QC workflows, detailed reporting and responsive communication help keep masters moving toward broadcast, theatrical and digital delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Master QC in post-production?

Master QC (Quality Control) is the final technical and visual review of a completed video master before delivery or distribution. SMV checks picture, audio, captions, formatting and other technical elements to identify issues that could affect broadcast, theatrical, streaming or digital delivery.

Why is QC required before film or television delivery?

Master QC helps ensure finished content meets the technical requirements of studios, networks, broadcasters, distributors and delivery platforms. Identifying errors before delivery can prevent rejected masters, costly revisions and delays in distribution.

What does a Master QC report include?

SMV provides a detailed QC report documenting identified issues with precise timecodes, severity levels and clear descriptions. Reports may include picture, audio, caption, compression, formatting and other technical issues that should be reviewed or corrected before final delivery.

What problems can Master QC identify?

Master QC can identify a wide range of picture and sound problems, including compression artifacts, dropped or distorted audio, synchronization issues, caption or subtitle errors, digital hits, frame problems and other technical abnormalities. SMV combines automated analysis with experienced human review to catch issues automated systems may miss.

Does SMV perform manual or automated QC?

SMV uses both automated technical analysis and experienced manual QC review. Automated tools help identify technical abnormalities efficiently, while experienced QC technicians evaluate picture and sound for issues that require trained eyes and ears. This combined approach provides a more comprehensive review of the finished master.

Can SMV QC 4K and HDR content?

Yes. SMV provides quality control for HD, 2K, 4K UHD, DCI 4K and HDR content. QC can be performed according to the technical specifications and delivery requirements of the project, helping ensure finished masters are ready for their intended broadcast, theatrical or digital destination.

What video file formats can SMV quality control?

SMV works with a wide range of professional video formats and codecs, including ProRes, DNxHD, DNxHR, MOV and MXF, as well as digital cinema and legacy broadcast formats. If you have specific delivery specifications or an uncommon format, contact SMV to discuss your project requirements.

Can SMV QC content for streaming platforms and broadcasters?

Yes. SMV performs Master QC for content intended for broadcast, streaming, theatrical and other digital distribution workflows. QC can be performed against supplied delivery specifications to identify technical, picture, audio and caption issues before the final master is delivered.

How long does Master QC take?

Turnaround depends on the program length, format, technical requirements and scope of the QC review. SMV offers responsive scheduling and efficient workflows to help keep time-sensitive projects moving. Contact us with your project specifications for current turnaround information.

Do you offer re-QC after corrections are made?

Yes. Corrected masters can be rechecked to confirm that previously identified issues have been addressed and that corrections have not introduced new problems. Re-QC provides an additional level of confidence before final delivery or distribution.

Need a Master QC Quote?

Tell us about your master, delivery requirements and timeline. Our Burbank team can help determine the right QC workflow for your project.

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Complete
Post-Production Services

UNDER ONE ROOF.

Master QC is often one step in a larger post-production workflow. SMV supports studios, filmmakers, production companies and content owners with DCP creation, closed captioning, file conversion, media archiving and other professional post-production services from our Burbank facility.