KitPlus | Articles

Three days to launch a TV station

by Neil Hutchins Issue 104 - August 2015 We go on-air in less than 100 hours is an alarming statement when the studio and control room in question contain no technical equipment whatsoever. But this was the situation that we faced upon arrival at the new Local TV channel in Manchester for the first time as we began to unload the van late on a Thurs...

Submitted by Neil Hutchins#

Published 01 September 2015

Introduction to FM Single Frequency Networks

by Werner Drews Issue 103 - July 2015 Single Frequency Networks (SFNs) are a form of broadcast network design where several transmitters use the same frequency channel to send the same signal. SFNs are usually used for radio and digital TV broadcasting FM, AM and digital radio can be transmitted over SFNs while analog television is more problematic...

Submitted by Werner Drews

Published 01 August 2015

High-speed archiving in a high-res world

by Lee Sheppard Issue 102 - June 2015 SGL has partnered with Avid for the past 11 years and the companies continue to deliver solutions that are required by today\'s modern broadcast facilities. SGL FlashNet, the engine that drives Avid Interplay Archive, provides customers around the world with an integrated MAM/PAM archive solution. Built around...

Submitted by Lee Sheppard

Published 01 July 2015

Cautionary notes from GTC Member number 001

by Dick Hibberd Issue 101 - May 2015 Recently I was invited to be on the panel of judges charged with selecting the winners of the 2014 \'Bill Vinten GTC University Awards\'. This was just the second year of this excellent scheme and, if the submissions from universities increase annually pro rata, then we will soon have a major logistics problem i...

Submitted by Dick Hibberd

Published 01 June 2015

Overcoming complexity in remote production leads to more...

by Henry Goodman Issue 101 - May 2015 Despite the instant accessibility of recorded media content, there are many events that are still best enjoyed as a live broadcast. At the same time, such broadcasts are becoming increasingly complex, and with increased complexity comes increased cost. It\'s a fact that limits the number of events broadcasters...

Submitted by Henry Goodman

Published 01 June 2015

Finding the Oracle of audio capture

by Simon Tillyer Issue 101 - May 2015 With over 300 hours of YouTube video uploaded every 60 seconds it\'s not hard to understand why any manufacturer would be looking closely at the new generation of emerging filmmakers whether they be in the consumer (creating content for "fun") or prosumer (creating content for a fee) markets. You might however...

Submitted by Simon Tillyer

Published 01 June 2015

CALM - A crucial act to follow

by Martin Moore Issue 101 - May 2015 Sudden jumps in sound level between television programmes and commercials first came to the notice of legislators after a loud commercial interrupted a family dinner at the home of US House of Representatives member Anna Eshoo. The technical parameters adopted in the draft were based on an existing recommended p...

Submitted by Martin Moore

Published 01 June 2015

Fiber Transport for the future

by Lars Hohmann Issue 101 - May 2015 Broadcasters have access to numerous fiber-based signal transport solutions today. From the simplest point-to-point throw-down boxes to more elaborate optical rings, products come in at a variety of performance and price levels. In most cases, the broadcaster that wants a mix of signals will purchase signal-spec...

Submitted by Lars Hohmann

Published 01 June 2015

Digital media services need more than just standard prote...

by Simen Frostad Issue 101 - May 2015 Standards are conceived in abstract. They are set up and negotiated between interested parties in a process that can last several years, with each party to the negotiations pressing its own case, and the standard that emerges at the conclusion is usually compromised in some way. At worst it can simply be a lowe...

Submitted by Simen Frostad

Published 01 June 2015

The IP Solution - intercom systems without extensive new...

by Manuel Brico Issue 101 - May 2015 When a broadcasting or TV station wants to install a new intercom system in its broadcast centre or headquarters - or wishes to replace its entire intercom system - it is faced with two big investments. One concerns the capital investment in terms of hardware and software. This will include investment in equipme...

Submitted by Manuel Brico

Published 01 June 2015

#TVFUTURES

by Dylan Ellcome Issue 100 - April 2015 The end of my third year of BSc Television and Broadcasting at the University of Portsmouth is drawing closer, meaning the end of my time at University. Several deadlines have come and gone, and my CCI management of Script Editing has slowed down. But I still can\'t comprehend this ending, as there is still m...

Submitted by Dylan Ellcome

Published 01 May 2015

Big rush with little fuss at new Birmingham broadcaster

by Neil Hutchins Issue 99 - March 2015 Big Centre TV is the latest of the new wave of UK Local TV stations, having launched on 28th February. But behind the calm and successful appearance was a frenzied period of activity, as Ofcom had only confirmed their licence just three months earlier. To get from nothing to on-air in such a short timescale wa...

Submitted by Neil Hutchins#

Published 01 April 2015

E-mail marketing and building a list of subscribers

by Den Lennie Issue 99 - March 2015 Email marketing is still by far the single most effective way to build long term prospective clients relationships with clients. In my own business www.fstopacademy.com, we offer free reports to get you started and then we follow up with email. Only after a two-month period do we begin to offer products for sale....

Submitted by Den Lennie

Published 01 April 2015

Loudness normalisation for podcast streaming

by Jon Schorah Issue 99 - March 2015 For media companies steeped in traditional workflows, the exploding demand for over-the-top (OTT) content on many different devices is offering up significant new opportunities as well as challenges. If content owners can re-purpose their assets effectively, they can reach existing and new audiences through chan...

Submitted by Jon Schorah

Published 01 April 2015

Ask the experts: Batteries

by Kieran Foster Issue 98 - February 2015 1. What steps has the battery industry taken to make their products more environmentally friendly? Is there any more that can be done? In our industry, the best way to tackle any environmental issues is to focus on the efficiency of the battery. Maximum product life is part of the design philosophy of Anton...

Submitted by Kieran Foster

Published 01 March 2015