Output Formats¶

encode-orc generates video files in two main output types: TBC (Time Base Corrected) format with metadata, or Standard format without metadata.

Output Types¶

TBC Format (Default)¶

TBC files are field-based video files with metadata database support, compatible with decode-orc and other video decoding tools. Each field is stored sequentially without compression.

Features: - Includes SQLite metadata database (.tbc.db) - VBI data support - Frame/field numbering and timecode - Dropout detection metadata - Compatible with decode-orc workflow

Usage:

output:
  type: "tbc"  # or omit, as TBC is default

Standard Format¶

Standard format outputs raw 16-bit signed field data without any metadata or padding. Fields are written exactly as generated with asymmetric sizes.

Features: - Raw 16-bit signed samples (little-endian) - No metadata database - No padding between fields - Smaller file sizes - Useful for direct video processing tools

Usage:

output:
  type: "standard"

Video Modes¶

Both TBC and Standard output types support two video modes:

File Specifications¶

Aspect	TBC Format	Standard Format
Bit Depth	Unsigned 16-bit	16-bit signed
Byte Order	Little-endian	Little-endian
Field Order	Top field first	Top field first
Metadata	SQLite database	None
Padding	Yes (symmetric fields)	No (asymmetric fields)
Compression	None	None

Composite Mode¶

Generates traditional composite video representation.

Output Files¶

TBC Format: - output.tbc - Composite field-based video file (unsigned 16-bit) - output.tbc.db - SQLite metadata database

Standard Format: - output.tbc - Composite field-based video file (16-bit signed)

File Structure¶

TBC File: - Stores composite video as unsigned 16-bit grayscale - Each field stored sequentially - Two bytes per pixel (little-endian)

Metadata Database: - VBI (Vertical Blanking Interval) data - Frame/field numbering - Timecode information - Dropout detection data

Characteristics¶

Single file containing video
Simpler file organization
Smaller file sizes than Y/C mode
type: "tbc" # or "standard" format: "composite"

Y/C Mode (VHS, S-VHS, etc.)¶

Separates luma (brightness) and chroma (color) components, simulating outputs such as S-VHS.

Output Files¶

TBC Format: - output.tbcy - Luma (Y) component (unsigned 16-bit) - output.tbcc - Chroma (C) component (unsigned 16-bit) - output.tbc.db - SQLite metadata database

Standard Format: - output.tbcy - Luma (Y) component (16-bit signed) - output.tbcc - Chroma (C) component (16-bit signed)

Output Files¶

output.tbcy - Luma (Y) component
output.tbcc - Chroma (C) component
output.tbc.db - SQLite metadata database

File Structure¶

Luma File (.tbcy): - Unsigned 16-bit grayscale image data - Full resolution (720×480 or 720×576) - Higher quality brightness information

Chroma File (.tbcc): - Unsigned 16-bit chroma data - 4:2:2 chroma subsampling - Color information separate from brightness

Metadata Database: - Same as composite mode - Applies to both luma and chroma

Characteristics¶

Better separation of color components

type: "tbc" # or "standard" format: "yc"

## Metadata Database Format (TBC Only)
### Usage
```yaml
output:
  format: "yc"