On the second day of the EBU Technical Assembly (TA) in Ghent, Belgium, attention turned to hard talk on ways of distributing programmes between studio centers, and to the tools of programme production.
Programme distribution
For the first, the questions facing broadcasters include how best to cope with changing standards for material coming from north America to that needed for inclusion in programmes in Europe - what type of standards converter to use, and where to put it. The meeting also heard about new distribution technology which should allow massive cost savings for inter-studio distribution (the example given will provide 28 times the capacity for the same cost) by using 'IP' networks and 'MPLS' - important in these times of economic stringency.
Programme production tools
For programme production the main changes are: increasing use of computer networks for sharing material and editing. The same issues have repeatedly arisen in past years - making it possible for equipment from different manufacturers to work together. The other great transition issue for programme production is to HDTV. Here again there are major issues with different manufacturers of production equipment. Before the TA, Members completed a questionnaire to identify their plans and greatest difficulties. The results were discussed in break-away round tables. More than two thirds are planning HDTV services and are switching to 'IT-based' programme production. Do the ghosts who haunt the medieval meeting venue in Ghent wonder what it is all about?