Tech Review 2013
DTT Quo Vadis - Germany as a case study
15 Mar 2013
This article looks at the prospects for DVB-T and DVB-T2 in Germany, in view of the fact that the future of classical terrestrial TV broadcasting in the country is under discussion and that it may even be terminated before the end of the decade.
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Tech Review 2013
The future role of Broadcasting
28 Jan 2013
This article tries to shed some light on relevant developments which are likely to determine the future direction that terrestrial broadcasting will take. Opportunities and threats are discussed and the actions that broadcasters need to take in order to safeguard the future of terrestrial broadcasting are addressed.
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Tech Review 2012
CasparCG - how a small piece of software is changing live productions
03 Jan 2013
Caspar Character Generator (CasparCG), an in-house software at Swedish broadcaster SVT since 2006, has permeated most parts of the public service broadcaster's five HD channels and web offerings today. This software is currently being used or evaluated at a number of EBU broadcasters, including SVT, the BBC, DR, NRK and VRT.
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Tech Review 2012
SDI over IP
29 Nov 2012
As bitrates increase and equipment prices drop, IP-based communication technologies – both fixed and wireless alike – are pushing more and more dedicated communication systems into retirement. This article outlines the steps and required mechanisms to go “all-IP”.
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Tech Review 2012
The automated file-basd QC system at NRK
22 Nov 2012
Between 2007 and 2009, NRK carried out a project called the “Programme Bank”, the main goal being to transform its TV production infrastructure to a fully file-based platform with an incorporated MAM system. This article describes the background to the project, along with NRK’s experiences with the Baton system during the setup and initial phases.
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Tech Review 2012
Loudness - don't forget the distribution chain!
24 Sep 2012
EBU Recommendation 128 is a milestone in the history of audio broadcasting. It started a loudness revolution by specifying normalized loudness levels in production, in play-out systems and, potentially, in many other applications. This article explains how distributors could support the good broadcasters while improving consumer satisfaction at the same time.
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Tech Review 2012
Next Generation Converged Network
20 Sep 2012
As CBC / Radio Canada wanted to explore the possibility of using a single network to carry audio, video and corporate data, as well as answer any future needs such as teleconferencing, IP telephony and remote productions for special events, the Next Generation Converged Network (NGCN) was born. NGCN offers flexibility and scalability, and ensures the efficient use of available bandwidth.
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Tech Review 2012
Reporter Backpacks - instant and mobile newsgathering from anywhere
11 Sep 2012
The provision of up-to-date news coverage is still under great pressure from time and cost restraints. It is not always easy to judge in advance if a newsworthy event justifies the assignment of a whole OB team or just a reporter with minimal equipment.
The IRT has conducted several tests on commercially-available “reporter backpack” solutions and the main findings are discussed here.
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Tech Review 2012
SOA-based archiving process for News - proof of concept
26 Jun 2012
This article illustrates the concept of service-oriented architecture (SOA) and describes an actual implementation that has been used in a proof-of-concept study. The experience gained gives an insight into where, as an integration platform, the benefits of service-oriented architecture lie ... and also where specific challenges might arise.
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Tech Review 2012
SDR - a software-defined multi-radio platform for the auto industry
26 Jun 2012
This article discusses the drivers, motivations and potential of SDR solutions for incar entertainment applications. Software-defined radio (SDR) concepts have been used in military applications for several years, and it is only recently that designers of cost-sensitive products such as car radios and mobile phones have started developing SDR-based solutions.
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Tech Review 2012
Tying it all together - a watershed moment in the media industry
18 Jun 2012
This article — first published in the March 2012 edition of the SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal — connects the dots among (i) serial digital interface (SDI), (ii) image compression, (iii) the invention of the AAF / MXF data model, (iv) the MXF wrapper format, (v) the subsequent development MXF application specifications, (vi) developments in networks, (vii) the SMPTE 2022 Standard for Professional Video over IP transmission, (viii) the ETC’s Interoperable Mastering Format (IMF), and (ix) FIMS, concentrating on service-oriented media workflows.
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Tech Review 2012
Dialogue Enhancement - technology and experiments
18 Jun 2012
Finding the right balance between dialogue and ambient sound is a major challenge for sound engineers, and an increasingly common cause of audience complaints. It may therefore be desirable for audiences to influence the audio balance to suit their personal choice, their listening environment and their hearing. A new “Dialogue Enhancement” technology from Fraunhofer IIS addresses this challenge. This article gives an overview of the underlying technology, the necessary changes required in the production chain and in the broadcast signal.
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Tech Review 2012
Feasibility of building an All-IP Network - the BBC NGN project
03 Apr 2012
The BBC recently carried out a Next Generation Network (NGN) pilot to examine the feasibility of providing a single IP network for both broadcast and enterprise traffic. The pilot was a success and a good starting point but limitations of the control system as well as various hardware problems were identified that need to be solved.
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Tech Review 2012
DAB Norway - Implementation of loudness normalization
22 Mar 2012
This article describes the success of the implemention of loudness normalization on DAB broadcasts in Norway with a few words on other radio platforms. Thus far, loudness awareness has been almost exclusive to television. Could loudness normalization also be employed in radio? And if yes, what radio platforms could benefit from it? Find out by reading this article.
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Tech Review 2011
Spectrum - Regulation & Bandwidth
30 Dec 2011
This article explores some of the issues facing administrations and poses some questions about what the broadcasters are doing to engage with the regulatory bodies at WRC-12. To illustrate some of the challenges that broadcasters face, the author has looked at the three areas of PLT, C-Band/WiMax and satellite jamming.
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Tech Review 2011
Automated Industrial Digitization of Betacam Tapes
08 Dec 2011
Digitization has became a mandatory step that media stakeholders have to face up to, in order to cope with the increasingly digital nature of production, archiving and distribution workflows.
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Tech Review 2011
Broadcasters define their positions for WRC-12
25 Nov 2011
The next ITU World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12) will be held from 23 January to 17 February 2012 in Geneva. The aim of the Conference is to review and, if necessary, to revise the Radio Regulations (RR) – the international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and the satellite orbits.
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Tech Review 2011
QC - and longterm archiving experience
23 Sep 2011
Besides giving some details of a migration project at ORF, this article discusses different proposals concerning the understanding of QC from an archival viewpoint, along with file format collateral effects and, finally, some data-tape library issues.
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Tech Review 2011
SSD's... heaven or hell
29 Aug 2011
This article covers the most important characteristics of flash-memory Solid-State Drives and some of the more painful pitfalls you might discover when, in good faith, you start trusting the promises made by vendors and manufacturers.
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Tech Review 2011
IMDA - making sense of Internet Radio
26 Jul 2011
This article looks at the benefits of having a metadata standard for Internet Radio, and introduces the IMDA (Internet Media Device Alliance) which develops Internet Radio standards and promotes the advantages of Internet Radio and connected audio devices.
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