> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://agenticadvertisingorg-snap-format-preview-links.mintlify.site/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Video Ads > Video ad formats in AdCP cover hosted files, VAST tags, inline XML, and multi-resolution encoding for pre-roll, mid-roll, and post-roll ads. This guide covers how AdCP represents video advertising formats for online video, CTV, and streaming platforms. ## Video Format Characteristics Video formats include: * **Hosted Video** - Direct video file URLs served by publisher ad servers * **VAST Tags** - Third-party ad server URLs returning VAST/VPAID XML * **Inline VAST XML** - Complete VAST XML provided in creative manifest * **Multiple Resolutions** - Same creative in different encoding profiles Video ads play before (pre-roll), during (mid-roll), or after (post-roll) video content, or in-feed as out-stream video. ## Standard Video Formats ### Horizontal Video by Duration #### 15-Second Video ```json theme={null} { "$schema": "/schemas/core/format.json", "format_id": { "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org", "id": "video_15s" }, "name": "Standard Video - 15 seconds", "assets": [ { "asset_id": "video_file", "asset_type": "video", "asset_role": "hero_video", "item_type": "individual", "required": true, "requirements": { "min_duration_ms": 15000, "max_duration_ms": 15000, "containers": ["mp4"], "codecs": ["h264"], "min_width": 1280, "max_width": 1920, "min_height": 720, "max_height": 1080, "max_file_size_kb": 30720, "min_bitrate_kbps": 4000, "max_bitrate_kbps": 10000, "audio_codecs": ["aac"] } } ] } ``` #### 30-Second Video ```json theme={null} { "$schema": "/schemas/core/format.json", "format_id": { "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org", "id": "video_30s" }, "name": "Standard Video - 30 seconds", "assets": [ { "asset_id": "video_file", "asset_type": "video", "asset_role": "hero_video", "item_type": "individual", "required": true, "requirements": { "min_duration_ms": 30000, "max_duration_ms": 30000, "containers": ["mp4"], "codecs": ["h264"], "min_width": 1280, "max_width": 1920, "min_height": 720, "max_height": 1080, "max_file_size_kb": 51200, "min_bitrate_kbps": 4000, "max_bitrate_kbps": 10000, "audio_codecs": ["aac"] } } ] } ``` #### 6-Second Bumper ```json theme={null} { "$schema": "/schemas/core/format.json", "format_id": { "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org", "id": "video_6s" }, "name": "6-Second Bumper", "assets": [ { "asset_id": "video_file", "asset_type": "video", "asset_role": "hero_video", "item_type": "individual", "required": true, "requirements": { "min_duration_ms": 6000, "max_duration_ms": 6000, "containers": ["mp4"], "codecs": ["h264"], "min_width": 1280, "max_width": 1920, "min_height": 720, "max_height": 1080, "max_file_size_kb": 15360, "min_bitrate_kbps": 4000, "max_bitrate_kbps": 10000 } } ] } ``` ### Vertical/Mobile Video ```json theme={null} { "$schema": "/schemas/core/format.json", "format_id": { "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org", "id": "video_vertical_15s" }, "name": "Vertical Video - 15 seconds", "assets": [ { "asset_id": "video_file", "asset_type": "video", "asset_role": "hero_video", "item_type": "individual", "required": true, "requirements": { "min_duration_ms": 15000, "max_duration_ms": 15000, "aspect_ratio": "9:16", "min_width": 1080, "max_width": 1080, "min_height": 1920, "max_height": 1920, "containers": ["mp4"], "codecs": ["h264"], "max_file_size_kb": 30720 } } ] } ``` ### CTV/OTT Video CTV platforms have strict technical requirements that differ significantly from web video. Creative agents must produce assets that precisely match these specifications to avoid rejection. #### Standard CTV Video (30s) This format represents common CTV requirements across most platforms: ```json theme={null} { "$schema": "/schemas/core/format.json", "format_id": { "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org", "id": "video_30s_ctv" }, "name": "CTV Video - 30 seconds", "assets": [ { "asset_id": "video_file", "asset_type": "video", "asset_role": "hero_video", "item_type": "individual", "required": true, "requirements": { "min_duration_ms": 30000, "max_duration_ms": 30000, "containers": ["mp4", "mov"], "codecs": ["h264"], "min_width": 1920, "max_width": 1920, "min_height": 1080, "max_height": 1080, "aspect_ratio": "16:9", "min_bitrate_kbps": 6000, "max_bitrate_kbps": 15000, "max_file_size_kb": 512000, "frame_rates": [23.976, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 59.94, 60], "frame_rate_type": "constant", "scan_type": "progressive", "min_gop_interval_seconds": 1, "max_gop_interval_seconds": 2, "gop_type": "closed", "moov_atom_position": "start", "audio_required": true, "audio_codecs": ["aac", "pcm"], "audio_sample_rates": [48000], "audio_channels": ["stereo"], "loudness_lufs": -24, "loudness_tolerance_db": 2, "true_peak_dbfs": -2, "ext": { "ctv_profile": { "color_space": "rec709", "hdr_format": "sdr", "chroma_subsampling": ["4:2:0"], "video_bit_depth": [8], "audio_bit_depth": [16, 24], "audio_bitrate_kbps_min": 192 } } } } ] } ``` #### Platform-Specific CTV Examples Different CTV platforms have varying requirements. Sales agents should define formats matching their specific platform needs. **Roku-Compliant Format:** ```json theme={null} { "$schema": "/schemas/core/format.json", "format_id": { "agent_url": "https://sales.example.com", "id": "video_30s_roku" }, "name": "Roku CTV - 30 seconds", "assets": [ { "asset_id": "video_file", "asset_type": "video", "item_type": "individual", "required": true, "requirements": { "min_duration_ms": 30000, "max_duration_ms": 30000, "containers": ["mp4", "mov"], "codecs": ["h264", "prores"], "min_width": 1920, "max_width": 1920, "min_height": 1080, "max_height": 1080, "min_bitrate_kbps": 6000, "frame_rates": [23.976, 25, 29.97], "frame_rate_type": "constant", "scan_type": "progressive", "audio_codecs": ["pcm", "aac"], "audio_sample_rates": [48000], "audio_channels": ["stereo"], "loudness_lufs": -23, "loudness_tolerance_db": 2, "ext": { "roku_profile": { "audio_bit_depth": [16, 24], "audio_bitrate_kbps_min": 192 } } } } ] } ``` **Hulu-Compliant Format:** ```json theme={null} { "$schema": "/schemas/core/format.json", "format_id": { "agent_url": "https://sales.example.com", "id": "video_30s_hulu" }, "name": "Hulu CTV - 30 seconds", "assets": [ { "asset_id": "video_file", "asset_type": "video", "item_type": "individual", "required": true, "requirements": { "min_duration_ms": 30000, "max_duration_ms": 30000, "containers": ["mp4", "mov"], "codecs": ["h264", "prores"], "min_width": 1280, "max_width": 1920, "min_height": 720, "max_height": 1080, "min_bitrate_kbps": 10000, "max_bitrate_kbps": 40000, "max_file_size_kb": 10485760, "frame_rates": [23.976, 24, 25, 29.97, 30], "frame_rate_type": "constant", "scan_type": "progressive", "audio_codecs": ["pcm", "aac"], "audio_sample_rates": [48000], "audio_channels": ["stereo"], "loudness_lufs": -24, "loudness_tolerance_db": 2, "ext": { "hulu_profile": { "chroma_subsampling": ["4:2:0", "4:2:2"], "audio_bit_depth": [16, 24], "audio_bitrate_kbps_min": 192, "audio_bitrate_kbps_max": 256 } } } } ] } ``` **YouTube CTV Format:** ```json theme={null} { "$schema": "/schemas/core/format.json", "format_id": { "agent_url": "https://sales.example.com", "id": "video_30s_youtube_ctv" }, "name": "YouTube CTV - 30 seconds", "assets": [ { "asset_id": "video_file", "asset_type": "video", "item_type": "individual", "required": true, "requirements": { "min_duration_ms": 30000, "max_duration_ms": 30000, "containers": ["mp4"], "codecs": ["h264"], "min_width": 1280, "max_width": 1920, "min_height": 720, "max_height": 1080, "frame_rates": [24, 25, 30, 48, 50, 60], "scan_type": "progressive", "moov_atom_position": "start", "audio_codecs": ["aac"], "audio_sample_rates": [48000], "audio_channels": ["stereo"], "loudness_lufs": -14, "ext": { "youtube_profile": { "audio_bitrate_kbps_min": 128 } } } } ] } ``` #### SSAI-Ready CTV Format For server-side ad insertion (SSAI) compatibility, GOP structure is critical: ```json theme={null} { "$schema": "/schemas/core/format.json", "format_id": { "agent_url": "https://sales.example.com", "id": "video_30s_ssai" }, "name": "SSAI Video - 30 seconds", "assets": [ { "asset_id": "video_file", "asset_type": "video", "item_type": "individual", "required": true, "requirements": { "min_duration_ms": 30000, "max_duration_ms": 30000, "containers": ["mp4"], "codecs": ["h264"], "min_width": 1920, "max_width": 1920, "min_height": 1080, "max_height": 1080, "min_bitrate_kbps": 15000, "frame_rates": [29.97, 30], "frame_rate_type": "constant", "scan_type": "progressive", "min_gop_interval_seconds": 1, "max_gop_interval_seconds": 2, "gop_type": "closed", "moov_atom_position": "start", "audio_required": true, "audio_codecs": ["aac"], "audio_sample_rates": [48000], "audio_channels": ["stereo"] } } ] } ``` ### VAST Tag Formats For third-party ad servers: ```json theme={null} { "$schema": "/schemas/core/format.json", "format_id": { "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org", "id": "video_30s_vast" }, "name": "VAST Tag - 30 seconds", "assets": [ { "asset_id": "vast_tag", "asset_type": "vast", "item_type": "individual", "required": true, "requirements": { "vast_version": "4.2" } } ] } ``` ### VPAID Interactive Video ```json theme={null} { "$schema": "/schemas/core/format.json", "format_id": { "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org", "id": "video_30s_vpaid" }, "name": "VPAID Interactive - 30 seconds", "assets": [ { "asset_id": "vpaid_tag", "asset_type": "vast", "item_type": "individual", "required": true, "requirements": { "vast_version": "4.2", "ext": { "vpaid": { "vpaid_version": ["2.0"], "api_framework": "VPAID", "vpaid_enabled": true } } } } ] } ``` ## Creative Manifests ### Hosted Video Manifest ```json theme={null} { "$schema": "/schemas/core/creative-manifest.json", "format_id": { "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org", "id": "video_30s" }, "assets": { "video_file": { "asset_type": "video", "url": "https://cdn.brand.com/spring_30s.mp4", "duration_ms": 30000, "width": 1920, "height": 1080, "container_format": "mp4", "video_codec": "h264", "video_bitrate_kbps": 8000 }, "impression_tracker": { "asset_type": "url", "url_type": "tracker_pixel", "url": "https://track.brand.example/imp" }, "landing_url": { "asset_type": "url", "url_type": "clickthrough", "url": "https://brand.example/spring-sale" } } } ``` ### VAST Tag Manifest (URL Delivery) ```json theme={null} { "$schema": "/schemas/core/creative-manifest.json", "format_id": { "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org", "id": "video_30s_vast" }, "assets": { "vast_tag": { "asset_type": "vast", "delivery_type": "url", "url": "https://adserver.brand.example/vast", "vast_version": "4.2" } } } ``` ### Inline VAST XML Manifest ```json theme={null} { "$schema": "/schemas/core/creative-manifest.json", "format_id": { "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org", "id": "video_30s_vast" }, "assets": { "vast_xml": { "asset_type": "vast", "delivery_type": "inline", "content": "\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 00:00:30\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n", "vast_version": "4.2" } } } ``` ### Multi-Resolution Manifest ```json theme={null} { "$schema": "/schemas/core/creative-manifest.json", "format_id": { "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org", "id": "video_30s" }, "assets": { "video_1080p": { "asset_type": "video", "url": "https://cdn.brand.com/spring_30s_1080p.mp4", "duration_ms": 30000, "width": 1920, "height": 1080, "video_bitrate_kbps": 8000 }, "video_720p": { "asset_type": "video", "url": "https://cdn.brand.com/spring_30s_720p.mp4", "duration_ms": 30000, "width": 1280, "height": 720, "video_bitrate_kbps": 5000 }, "video_480p": { "asset_type": "video", "url": "https://cdn.brand.com/spring_30s_480p.mp4", "duration_ms": 30000, "width": 854, "height": 480, "video_bitrate_kbps": 2500 } } } ``` ## Video-Specific Macros In addition to [universal macros](/docs/creative/universal-macros), video formats support: ### Video Content Context * `{VIDEO_ID}` - Content video identifier * `{VIDEO_TITLE}` - Content video title * `{VIDEO_DURATION}` - Content duration in seconds * `{VIDEO_CATEGORY}` - IAB content category * `{CONTENT_GENRE}` - Content genre (news, sports, comedy) * `{CONTENT_RATING}` - Content rating (G, PG, TV-14, etc.) * `{PLAYER_WIDTH}` / `{PLAYER_HEIGHT}` - Video player dimensions in pixels ### Ad Pod Position * `{POD_POSITION}` - Position within ad break (1, 2, 3, etc.) * `{POD_SIZE}` - Total ads in this break * `{AD_BREAK_ID}` - Unique ad break identifier ### Playback Context * `{PLAYBACK_METHOD}` - auto-play-sound-on, auto-play-sound-off, click-to-play * `{PLAYER_SIZE}` - small, medium, large, fullscreen * `{VIDEO_PLACEMENT}` - in-stream, in-banner, in-article, in-feed, interstitial ### VAST Macros AdCP macros (`{CURLY_BRACES}`) work alongside [IAB VAST 4.x macros](http://interactiveadvertisingbureau.github.io/vast/vast4macros/vast4-macros-latest.html) (`[SQUARE_BRACKETS]`): * `[CACHEBUSTING]` - Random number for cache prevention * `[TIMESTAMP]` - Unix timestamp * `[DOMAIN]` - Publisher domain * `[IFA]` - Device advertising ID (IDFA/AAID) * `[REGULATIONS]` - Privacy regulation signals (GDPR, CCPA) * `[DEVICEUA]` - Device user agent string **Example mixing both macro formats:** ``` https://track.brand.com/imp? buy={MEDIA_BUY_ID}& video={VIDEO_ID}& device=[IFA]& domain=[DOMAIN]& cb=[CACHEBUSTING] ``` ## Video Tracking Assets ### Standard Tracking Events ```json theme={null} { "$schema": "/schemas/core/creative-manifest.json", "format_id": { "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org", "id": "video_30s" }, "assets": { "video_file": { "asset_type": "video", "url": "https://cdn.brand.com/video_30s.mp4", "width": 1920, "height": 1080 }, "impression_tracker": { "asset_type": "url", "url_type": "tracker_pixel", "url": "https://track.brand.example/imp" }, "start_tracker": { "asset_type": "url", "url_type": "tracker_pixel", "url": "https://track.brand.example/start" }, "quartile_25_tracker": { "asset_type": "url", "url_type": "tracker_pixel", "url": "https://track.brand.example/q25" }, "quartile_50_tracker": { "asset_type": "url", "url_type": "tracker_pixel", "url": "https://track.brand.example/q50" }, "quartile_75_tracker": { "asset_type": "url", "url_type": "tracker_pixel", "url": "https://track.brand.example/q75" }, "complete_tracker": { "asset_type": "url", "url_type": "tracker_pixel", "url": "https://track.brand.example/complete" }, "click_tracker": { "asset_type": "url", "url_type": "tracker_pixel", "url": "https://track.brand.example/click" } } } ``` ### Interactive Tracking Events For formats supporting user interaction: ```json theme={null} { "pause_tracker": { "asset_type": "url", "url_type": "tracker_pixel", "url": "https://track.brand.example/pause" }, "resume_tracker": { "asset_type": "url", "url_type": "tracker_pixel", "url": "https://track.brand.example/resume" }, "skip_tracker": { "asset_type": "url", "url_type": "tracker_pixel", "url": "https://track.brand.example/skip" }, "mute_tracker": { "asset_type": "url", "url_type": "tracker_pixel", "url": "https://track.brand.example/mute" }, "unmute_tracker": { "asset_type": "url", "url_type": "tracker_pixel", "url": "https://track.brand.example/unmute" } } ``` ## Common Aspect Ratios * **16:9** (1920x1080, 1280x720) - Standard horizontal video * **9:16** (1080x1920) - Vertical mobile video * **4:3** (640x480) - Legacy format, rare * **1:1** (1080x1080) - Square social video ## Video Placement Types ### Pre-Roll Video ad plays before content starts. Most common placement. **Common durations:** 6s, 15s, 30s ### Mid-Roll Video ad plays during content breaks. Uses ad pod macros for position tracking. **Common durations:** 15s, 30s ### Post-Roll Video ad plays after content ends. **Common durations:** 15s, 30s ### Out-Stream Video ad plays in-feed or in-article, not in a video player. **Common formats:** Vertical mobile video, in-feed video ## VAST/VPAID Integration ### VAST Versions AdCP supports all VAST versions: * **VAST 2.0** - Legacy support * **VAST 3.0** - Adds verification and error handling * **VAST 4.0** - Improved tracking, viewability * **VAST 4.1** - Enhanced ad pod support * **VAST 4.2** - Latest specification (recommended) ### VPAID Support VPAID (Video Player Ad-Serving Interface Definition) enables interactive video ads: ```json theme={null} { "$schema": "/schemas/core/format.json", "format_id": { "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org", "id": "video_30s_vpaid" }, "name": "VPAID Interactive - 30 seconds", "assets": [ { "asset_id": "vpaid_tag", "asset_type": "vast", "item_type": "individual", "required": true, "requirements": { "vast_version": "4.2", "ext": { "vpaid": { "vpaid_version": ["2.0"], "api_framework": "VPAID", "vpaid_enabled": true } } } } ] } ``` ## File Specifications ### Video Codecs * **H.264** - Most widely supported, required for CTV * **H.265/HEVC** - Better compression, growing CTV support * **ProRes** - High quality mezzanine, accepted by premium CTV * **VP8/VP9** - Open codec, web-focused * **AV1** - Next-gen open codec, emerging support ### Audio Codecs * **AAC/AAC-LC** - Standard for MP4, widely supported * **HE-AAC** - High-efficiency AAC for lower bitrates * **PCM** - Uncompressed, preferred by some CTV platforms * **AC-3/E-AC-3** - Dolby Digital, used in broadcast ### Container Formats * **MP4** - Industry standard, required for most platforms * **MOV** - QuickTime format, accepted by premium CTV * **WebM** - Open format, web-focused ### Video Bitrate Ranges * **Premium CTV (mezzanine):** 15-50 Mbps * **Standard CTV:** 6-15 Mbps * **High Quality Web (1080p):** 8-10 Mbps * **Standard Quality (720p):** 4-6 Mbps * **Mobile Optimized (480p):** 2-3 Mbps ### Frame Rates * **Film:** 23.976 fps, 24 fps * **PAL:** 25 fps * **NTSC:** 29.97 fps, 30 fps * **High frame rate:** 48 fps, 50 fps, 60 fps CTV platforms require constant frame rate (CFR). Variable frame rate (VFR) will be rejected. ### Common Resolutions **16:9 Landscape:** * 1920x1080 (1080p Full HD) - Standard CTV * 1280x720 (720p HD) * 854x480 (480p SD) * 3840x2160 (4K UHD) - Premium CTV **9:16 Portrait:** * 1080x1920 (Mobile vertical) **1:1 Square:** * 1080x1080 (Social video) ### Scan Type CTV universally requires **progressive scan**. Interlaced content will be rejected. ### Color Space * **Rec.709** - Standard for HD/SDR content (required by most CTV) * **Rec.2020** - UHD/4K content * **Rec.2100** - HDR content (HDR10, HLG) * **sRGB** - Web content ### Chroma Subsampling * **4:2:0** - Standard for delivery * **4:2:2** - Broadcast/mezzanine quality ### Video Bit Depth * **8-bit** - Standard SDR * **10-bit** - HDR and premium SDR * **12-bit** - Professional HDR ### GOP Structure (SSAI Critical) For server-side ad insertion compatibility: * **Keyframe interval:** 1-2 seconds * **GOP type:** Closed GOP required * **moov atom:** Must be at file start for progressive download ## Audio Specifications ### Sampling Rate * **48 kHz** - Required for CTV (Roku, Hulu, Snapchat mandate this) * **44.1 kHz** - CD quality, accepted by some platforms * **96 kHz** - High resolution, accepted but not required ### Channel Configuration * **Stereo (2 channels)** - Required for CTV ads * **Mono** - Acceptable for some web/mobile * **5.1/7.1** - Not supported for CTV ads ### Audio Bit Depth * **16-bit** - Standard * **24-bit** - High quality, accepted by premium CTV ### Audio Bitrate * **CTV minimum:** 192 kbps * **Standard web:** 128 kbps * **High quality:** 256 kbps ### Loudness Standards Different platforms normalize to different targets: | Platform | Target LUFS | Tolerance | Standard | | ------------- | ----------- | --------- | --------- | | Broadcast/CTV | -24 LUFS | ±2 dB | ATSC A/85 | | Spotify | -16 LUFS | ±1.5 dB | - | | YouTube | -14 LUFS | - | - | **True Peak:** Should not exceed -1 to -2 dBFS to prevent clipping ## Related Documentation * [Universal Macros](/docs/creative/universal-macros) - Complete macro reference including video macros * [Creative Manifests](/docs/creative/creative-manifests) - Manifest structure and asset specifications * [Asset Types](/docs/creative/asset-types) - Video asset type definitions