Launching NextGen Broadcast: An SBE Tutorial at PBS TechCon 2019

ATSC 3.0 and the rapid launch of NextGen Broadcast are the drivers behind the first-ever SBE/PBS TechCon collaborative tutorial day, which takes place Saturday, April 6, 2019 at PBS TechCon, held at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel. Open to anyone eager to learn what ATSC 3.0 means for the future of broadcast, the tutorial takes place the day after TechCon, is affordable ($95 for SBE and PBS members), and open to all. Online registration is now open for this session at bit.ly/SBEatPBS.

Periodically, broadcast goes through an extensive revamp. The launch of TV, FM, DTV – and now NextGen Broadcast – are pervasive and swift. For decades, the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) has held programs and tutorials to help broadcast professionals build the necessary new skill sets required in our industry. This year, several dozen NextGen stations take to the air. The pace is likely to pick up. Broadcast engineers need to understand the potential of ATSC 3.0 and see what’s under the hood: the architecture, equipment, configurations, and options that go into NextGen. What follows are highlights of the daylong agenda.

– The regulations that dictate the requirements of the transition and technical compliance. These include MVPD notifications, carriage and 1.0 host requirements and agreements. Meeting these obligations and preserving station cashflow require that broadcast engineers have a good handle on how far ATSC 1.0 content compression can be pushed and at what cost. It’s valuable to have a firm grasp of video quality measurements. Partnering is a big part of Pearl’s and many others’ transition plans creating channel shares. It’s a broadcast engineer’s role to competently fill in the technical specifications in each of these legal arrangements.

– Converting a transmitter to 3.0 service and performing the proof-of-performance and acceptance testing will be covered by the engineers that build the transmitters. Further, some studio-to-transmitter links (STL) can be reutilized or upgraded; others cannot. While most stations will start with converting a “big-stick,” many will be looking at extending their coverage and increasing their penetration with the additional boosters that OFDM enables in a way that no other modulation previously used in broadcasting has. We will give you a good foundation for designing (or selecting vendors and partners that can help), planning and building your NextGen distribution system, including single-frequency networks.

– The centerpiece of NextGen is the scheduler. This cannot be understated. You will understand why this is, and we’ll cover the most practical configuration options. Key vendors will address how to use their solutions and explain the tradeoffs and system limitations for each as well as existing workarounds. We will also look at the field measurements of the past and future and how they impact an ultra-flexible system where so many variables are in play.

– Performance. We will cover monitoring the performance of the NextGen system and look at what test equipment, TVs, dongles and first-day hacks are available. These are all critically important to a successful launch. The options are early in their development cycle, and broadcast engineers will be doing a lot of hand-holding and integrations (read that “MacGyvering”).

– Finally, we’ll address some of the issues of adoption, timing, budgeting, project planning and (looking further out), the enhanced content and services that NextGen Broadcasting is designed to enable. Everybody in your world will want to know what NextGen is all about. Some will have overindulged in the hype. Most will have more misunderstandings than real knowledge (we don’t throw out TVs this time). For others, there will be fear, uncertainty and dread. We’ll conclude with what is real and what is not, matching adoption curves with equipment life cycles. We will separate what happens today and what happens further down the road. In particular, we’ll look at what changes in broadcast station architecture and workflows, including digital ad insertion and ad tech, will help move the revenue needle.

We’ll do the best we can to give you what you need. But when the hype becomes real, it is always a big deal. This year, you might want to get support to come to Vegas a couple of days before NAB opens, and join us Saturday, April 6, at the PBS Technology Conference. Register now: bit.ly/SBEatPBS.

Also at TechCon, Another ATSC 3.0 Option
The IEEE Broadcast Technology Society will be hosting the ATSC 3.0 Roadshow at PBS TechCon 2019. BTS will be hosting the ATSC 3.0 training seminar taught by expert Gary Sgrignoli of Meintel, Sgrignoli, and Wallace, the noted digital TV transmission consulting firm. This course will cover the ATSC 3.0 Physical Layer and prepare participants to take the SBE ATSC 3.0 certification exam. Registration and seminar information can be found on bts.ieee.org.

SBE and ATSC to Develop ATSC 3.0 Certification for Broadcast Engineers

The Society of Broadcast Engineers, Inc. (SBE), the association for broadcast and multimedia technology professionals, and the Advanced Television Systems Committee, Inc. (ATSC) today announced a cooperative effort to develop a new Specialist level of SBE certification that will benchmark an individual’s proficiency in the ATSC 3.0 System standard.

“SBE Certification covers a range of experience levels and disciplines in broadcast and media engineering. As broadcast engineering diversified beyond legacy technology, the SBE Certification Program also diversified by adding certifications for computer networking and IT, and then a series of specific Specialist Certifications for television transmission, AM directional arrays, and digital radio. With the industry preparing to implement ATSC 3.0, broadcast engineers must be proficient in the next-generation television technology. The SBE and ATSC are working together to develop the next SBE Certification Specialist to cover ATSC 3.0,” said SBE President Jim Leifer, CPBE.

“ATSC is pleased to work with SBE to develop an ATSC 3.0 Specialist Certification program. The SBE has extensive experience training and certifying broadcast engineers. Our work with the SBE is part of efforts to support deployment of ATSC 3.0,” said Mark Richer, president of ATSC.
The world’s first internet-based broadcast television standard, ATSC 3.0 will give stations and viewers more choices and options now that broadcast TV can seamlessly connect with broadband-delivered content. Approved for use by U.S. broadcasters and deployed in South Korea, ATSC 3.0 technologies make it possible to transmit in Ultra High-Definition, to offer immersive audio, and to add more capabilities like high dynamic range, wide color gamut, and interoperability with Internet-delivered content.

The Society of Broadcast Engineers Certification Program is part of the society’s efforts contributing to the advancement of broadcast engineering for the general benefit of the entire broadcast industry. The program was created in 1975 to recognize and raise the professional status of broadcast engineers by providing standards of professional competence. Through the years, the SBE’s certification program has become recognized in the industry as the primary method of verifying the attainment of educational standards. With the industry constantly changing, the SBE-certified engineer must keep up with those changes.

To hold SBE Specialist Certification, an individual must first hold one of the SBE core-four certifications: CBT, CBRE/CBTE, CSRE/CSTE or CPBE. Once the new Specialist Certification is released, applicants will take a 50-question, multiple-choice exam and answer an essay question.

More information about SBE certification is online at sbe.org/cert.

SBE Publishes Broadcast Engineering Handbook

The Society of Broadcast Engineers and McGraw-Hill Education have released the SBE Broadcast Engineering Handbook: Hands-on Guide to Station Design and Maintenance. This new book offers detailed practical information on video, audio and broadcast transmission systems from dozens of the field’s foremost experts. Featuring everythingfrom basic principles and formulae to the latest technologies and engineering trends, this hands-on resource offers practical and up-to-date coverage of all major broadcast technologies for radio, TV and related fields.

The SBE Broadcast Engineering Handbook features in-depth tutorials that stress key topics throughout, complete coverage of radio and television technologies, and is written from the perspective of the broadcast engineer. More than 50 authors have contributed their expertise to the ten sections of the book. These authors, recognized authorities in their fields, have volunteered their time to create this valuable resource. The handbook has been deftly assembled by Jerry Whitaker, CPBE, 8-VSB, editor-in-chief. He is vice president of standards development for the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) in Washington, DC, and also the author or editor of more than 40 technical books. Mr. Whitaker is a Fellow of the Society of Broadcast Engineers.

The book covers every aspect of broadcast engineering in seven sections: Regulatory Issues, RF Transmission, DTV Transport, Information Technology Systems, Production Systems, Facility Issues, Broadcast Management, plus three reference annexes.

The Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) is the only organization devoted to the advancement of all levels and types of broadcast engineering. With more than 5,100 members the SBE provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and the sharing of information to help members keep pace with a rapidly changing industry.

The book is available from the SBE Bookstore. SBE members can purchase the book at the member discount price of $159 through the SBE Bookstore. The book is also available through www.mhprofessional.com and online retailers for $199.

SBE Members Chernock and Laird to Receive NAB Engineering Awards at 2016 NAB Show

Richard Chernock, chief science officer at Triveni Digital, and Andrew Laird, CPBE, former vice president and chief technology officer at Journal Broadcast Group, have been named the 2016 recipients of the NAB Engineering Achievement Awards. They will be honored at the NAB Technology Luncheon on April 20 in Las Vegas. Additionally, the Digital Leadership Award will be presented to Adam Symson, senior vice president and chief digital officer at The E.W. Scripps Company.

Established in 1959, the Engineering Achievement Awards are given to individuals who are nominated by their peers for significant contributions to advancing the state of the art in broadcast engineering. In 2015, the Digital Leadership Award was established to honor an individual at a broadcast station, group or network who has had a significant role in transforming a traditional broadcast business to succeed on digital media platforms.

The 2016 NAB Television Engineering Achievement Award
Richard Chernock is the chief science officer for Triveni Digital, where he has been employed since 2002, following a 20-plus year career with IBM. Chernock has been heavily involved with industry activities regarding digital television broadcasting and currently serves as chairman of the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) Technology Group on ATSC 3.0. The group is overseeing the creation of the next-generation broadcast transmission standard. He is also a prolific evangelist and educator on ATSC 3.0, publishing papers and making presentations at many conferences and tradeshows worldwide. Chernock previously served as chairman of the ATSC Technology Group that oversaw the development of enhancements to the DTV standard, including the ATSC Mobile and ATSC 2.0 suite of standards, the recommended practice on audio loudness and numerous others.

The 2016 NAB Radio Engineering Achievement Award
Andrew Laird, CPBE, recently retired as vice president and chief technology officer for Journal Broadcast Group. Laird began his career in the 1960s developing audio processors and designing and building radio facilities. He worked in the 1970s and 1980s as a studio design consultant and chief engineer for a variety of customers and radio groups. Throughout his career, Laird participated in important industry activities and played a crucial role in the evaluation and standardization of the system for digital AM and FM radio broadcasting in the U.S. through his work with the NAB co-sponsored National Radio Systems Committee (NRSC), where he most recently served as the co-chair of the Digital Radio Broadcasting (DRB) subcommittee.

The SBE congratulates these two members on this prestigious recognition.

Pecena presenting day-long session on IP Networking for Broadcasters August 30 in Los Angeles

Wayne Pecena, a member of the SBE Technical Presenters Group, is presenting IP networking to broadcasters on August 30.  Thank you to SBE Chapter 47 and NBC Universal for working together to bring this program to their area. The cost for members of the SBE is $49. 

This full-day intensive class will focus on TCP/IP based networking fundamentals in an Ethernet environment. Topics covered will include understanding RFC’s, TCP and UDP fundamentals, IP addressing, IPv4 subnetting, an introduction to IPv6, switching fundamentals, VLAN use, routing fundamentals, quality of services (QoS) Basics, and networking security concerns.

Emphasis will be placed upon understanding and applying IP subnetting techniques, understanding when to switch, and understanding when to route in an IP network. Where appropriate, the application focus and practical use cases will be oriented towards a broadcast technical plant. Theoretical principals will be reinforced through practical exercises, network use cases, and a design practical to close out the day.

Class size is limited, so reserve your spot today!

TV broadcasters – looking for an online reference you can access anytime? SBE members save $20

One of the courses on SBE University, Television Video and Audio – a Ready Reference for Engineers, is being offered at a discounted rate for SBE members only through June 30. The course, which can serve as an online reference guide, gives the television engineer a solid grounding in the various aspects of video and audio for television, and to serve as a ready reference to the pertinent standards. This course provides an overview of video and audio for television, from the dawn of analog television broadcasting to today’s digital television transmission.

This course is for anyone who needs a good grounding in television video and audio, from the relative newcomer to the field who needs to learn all about how television video and audio work, to the seasoned engineer who needs to know something about digital. It also serves as a ready reference for the working engineer.

Topics include NTSC video and transmission, component video, analog resolution and aspect ratio, digital video, digital scanning formats, other SD and HD video characteristics, baseband signal interfaces, video compression for DTV, video storage, analog audio, digital audio, digital audio compression for television and audio storage.

The special rate for SBE Members is $79 (normally $99). The cost for non-members is $149. Act now to save money, and don’t forget, you will always have access to any of the courses you purchase on SBE University, including any course updates that are made.

Free Webinar on IP Microwave STL’s presented by DoubleRadius

The FCC abolished the last link rule opening up Part 101 licensed frequencies to broadcasters. New frequencies have opened up that can be used for reliable STL’s. These frequencies, like 950mhz, 7ghz, and 13Ghz are licensed frequencies but with the ability to run high speed bi-directional data rates. These frequencies have the ability to provide up to a gigabyte of bi-directional throughput to your transmission sites.

Taking place June 27, this webinar will inform you on these new licensed frequencies and the design do’s and don’ts for these frequencies. The webinar also looks at a live path profile showing what can be done today.

Click here for more information and to register for this Webinar by SBE.

Thanks to DoubleRadius for allowing us to make this webinar free to members of the SBE!

3 hour online webinar offers affordable RF safety training

Strickland monitoring RF

The SBE RF Safety Course, presented by Richard Strickland of RF Safety Solutions, takes place at 1:30 p.m. ET on July 24.  Registration has been simplified so that attendees can participate from any location with Internet access. Among other topics, Strickland will discuss how to prove compliance at a broadcast site, the biological effects of RF radiation and the distinct differences between RF radiation and ionizing radiation, FCC and OSHA regulations and RF hazard protection equipment. 

A previous attendee of the course said, “Richard did a great job of providing examples, answering questions, and keeping the material interesting. I appreciate the ability to download slides for future reference.”

The course is designed for broadcast station personnel, including chief and assistant chief engineers, transmitter site engineers, ENG and SNG maintenance personnel and management that need to have an understanding of RF safety issues and regulations. For more information and to register click here.

Like it or not, we are all leaders. What kind of leader are you?

I came across an article that described how most managers are concerned with ‘what’ people do, and not ‘why’ they do it.  In other words, managers are more concerned with employee’s actions, rather than their internal motivations. To do this, leaders would need to take time to gain insight into where a person is coming from, and interact on a more personal level.  So, how do we do this?

One way I found is to explore different types of personalities, and understand how best to communicate and work with each personality type. By understanding your personality type, and that of those around you, you’ll have a basic understanding of what type of person they are and what they respond positively to. First, you would need to find out what personality type you are first, so you know how best to interact with the others. There is a leadership style assessment in the SBE Leadership Development Course, taking place August 13-15 in Atlanta, that does just that – helps you understand what type of leader you are, and how best to communicate with other personality types.

Other than understanding personality types, are there any tricks you have come across to deal with challenging people in the workplace?

Kimberly Kissel, SBE’s education director

Is your transmitter ready for summer? This will help –

As both radio and television broadcast engineers are expected to do more with less, being pro-active with respect to maintaining your transmitter and studio sites will guard against disasters. This is especially true when preparing your site for the summertime, after winter has taken its toll.

Webinars by SBE has a webinar on springtime maintenance to help you get ready for summer. Drawing from his experience as a chief engineer, and in writing Radio World’s popular Workbench column, John Bisset leads engineers through a series of inspections and tasks to prepare your site for warmer weather. Along the way, he offers some engineering nuggets to improve your maintenance efficiency as well.

This 2 hour webinar is available free to SBE Members, thanks to Broadcast Supply Worldwide.