The intro text should always fit to 40 seconds, if you can manage that. That allows for two groups of three sections of text, with the final whole getting extra time to digest. So since it fades in from a brief period of black, 40-50 seconds of music before the TCW logo appears would be about right.

Is permission necessary for fan edits? I’d assumed that since this was non-profit, and consumers of an edit own the source (which contains Kim’s music in context for this purpose), that we’re covered? Though if it’s necessary of course we should.

Stereo is absolutely fine for music. It’s only the meat of the episode that needs the 5.1 sound, and my sources give that. I’ll just play the stereo through the front channels and leave the others silent.