KitPlus | Articles

The ITTP - A Review

Five years ago a group of practitioners who were concerned about the poor training provision and a lack of common skills standards in the broadcast industry formed the ITTP. Since then there have been many meetings with senior industry figures and representatives from training organisations and educational establishments. The ITTP has received supp...

Submitted by graham reed

Published 19 October 2017

Live event streaming solutions

i It\'s summer! Just those two words alone are exciting. Combine them with words such as "music festival\" or "sports\" or "travel\" and you have yourself a summer to remember. To ensure you have the hottest summer yet, consider live streaming your event ¦ wherever it is. Let fans face the music - live! In the UK, we strongly associate summer with...

Submitted by Lorna Garrett

Published 07 September 2017

360 degree video storage requirements

i Swim with bears, run with the bulls, get a pads-eye view of a rocket launch: 360 degree video production, also known as cinematic VR, makes these and many other bucket list-worthy events more accessible than ever. The format has evolved into a powerful storytelling tool, and one that changes not only the way in which visual experiences are shaped...

Submitted by Dave Frederick

Published 07 September 2017

More than just selling cable

Choices facing technology decision-makers are becoming increasingly complex due to rapid changes in the industry like broadcast and IP technology convergence, multiplatform demands, and the rise of 4K and 8K. It is now a constant challenge to balance the need to maintain already-installed equipment and fulfil the desire to provide the highest resol...

Submitted by Chris Smeeton

Published 04 April 2017

Mr MXF thinks the future is bright

I have had the good fortune to spend some time with students at Southampton Solent, The University of Surrey, Ravensbourne and Godalming College in the last few weeks. Although student numbers are down on the technology courses, enthusiasm is high and the passion for the broadcast and media industry is evident in the eyes of the stars of tomorrow....

Submitted by Bruce Devlin

Published 13 January 2017

Rethinking standards in the media world

It\'s actually a more difficult question than you think. When I ask the majority of engineers this question, I will get a technical answer. It will be something like "to be sure we meet the specification\" or "to be sure we don\'t put bad signals on air\" or "so that I don\'t get fired for getting loudness wrong\" The reality of course is that moni...

Submitted by Bruce Devlin

Published 07 December 2016

Streamlining operations at BFBS

British Armed Forces around the world rely on British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) to provide them with entertainment and information via their TVs and radios. Operating from studios in Buckinghamshire, BFBS is part of Services Sound and Vision Corporation (SSVC), a not-for-profit charitable organization that makes a considerable contribution...

Submitted by Adrian Richmond

Published 07 December 2016

The true benefits of the media factory ideal

As an industry we know that to be successful in the new multi-platform, multi-format environment there are hurdles that broadcasters and other content owners must overcome. These include: the introduction of non-linear offerings, which require different services to be managed in parallel; the reduction of revenues from conventional linear channels,...

Submitted by Julian Fernandez-Campon

Published 22 July 2016

The changing face of streaming

I have been in the streaming business for more than 20 years and I've witnessed a number of major shifts in the industry. Currently we are experiencing such a shift as we see a massive increase in users viewing content but also a sea change in how it's being discovered and viewed. Over the last few years there has been a continual rise in the use o...

Submitted by Jake Ward

Published 22 July 2016

It is not is but when it will happen to you

Most businesses use "the cloud", either internally for services like payroll processing or an employee benefits portal, or externally for customer relationship management, data storage or payment processing. But how does this impact your Insurable Risk? No doubt, it definitely complicates things. Many companies will improve their security by shifti...

Submitted by Leighton Chenery

Published 14 June 2016

The secret world of the underwriter

Am I a good or bad risk? And how much do Insurers really make? In this edition I will be given you a peek behind the underwriter's desk and an insight into how they go about making their money. I think that it is fair to say that all of us feel a little bit aggrieved paying out premiums, particularly those of us who don't make claims. It is certain...

Submitted by Leighton Chenery

Published 01 April 2016

In out in out shake it all about

by Peter Savage Issue 109 - January 2016 For the benefit of everyone within the broadcast industry, the UK must remain part of the EU argues Peter Savage. It is said that, in polite company, one should never discuss politics, religion, sex or money. Well, dear reader, assuming we are in polite company (and Im sure we are), Im going to break two of...

Submitted by Peter Savage 2

Published 21 January 2016

Why you might regret automating QC workflows

by Bruce Devlin Issue 107 - November 2015 In todays electronic media environment, broadcasters and content owners live and die according to the quality and versatility of their media assets. Not only do consumers expect the best quality viewing experience, but they also expect that viewing experience to be possible on the widest range of devices, a...

Submitted by Bruce Devlin

Published 01 December 2015

Budgeting and controlling costs

by Den Lennie Issue 106 - October 2015 This is a very important aspect of running a production, and one you have to keep a close eye on. Its very simple; you have your actual hard costs in one budget and you have what youre charging the client in another. Lets say you charge the client £450 per day for the camera package, but the rental house is on...

Submitted by Den Lennie

Published 01 November 2015

Hold up the weather

by Dick Hobbs Issue 105 - September 2015 Its no go my honey love, its no go my poppet. Work your hands from day to day, the winds will blow the profit. The glass is falling hour by hour, the glass will fall for ever,But if you break the bloody glass, you wont hold up the weather. It is not often I inflict poetry upon you, so why have I turned to Lo...

Submitted by Dick Hobbs.

Published 01 October 2015