1080 50i Z1 feature to HDCam 60i and digibeta NTSC
 

hi folks,

not sure which forum this should be in but here goes...

I've just got distribution for a 76 minute feature film which was shot on a Sony Z1 at 1080i (I'm in UK) and cut in Sony Vegas in native HDV. Only thing is: it's distribution in Canada and these are the specs they requested:

We need HDCAM 16x9 1.78 full frame 1080 23.98 or 60i.
We require a down convert to digital betacam NTSC either 4x3 pan/scan or 16x9 letterbox (4x3 preferred) - non standards converted. All tapes require English close captioning.

I've spoke to a couple post houses already but I still have some unanswered questions:
1. What kind of file do I need for close captioning?
2. How do the broadcast audio requirements differ from UK requirements?

If anyone has experience of this I'd me most grateful to hear their advice. I'm pretty sure this is going to cost me quite a chunk - the feature only cost a few grand to shoot!

It was recommended that the conversion should be done through an Alchemist which is the industry standard hardware converter but is this really necessary? Is it really going to be that much better than if I do the conversion to 1080 60i within Sony Vegas and then played out to HDcam?

Thanks,

Baldwin