Category: Teamwork

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Production Tips: Flawless Live Television Events

Every live televised event has its challenges. Whether you’re producing sports, news, gaming events, each has different, and similar demands. If you keep the following in mind during the pre through post process, it can be a flaw-free event and a fantastic experience for not only the audience, but your crew and stakeholders.

1. Plan ahead and create a comprehensive rundown of the event: This means taking the time to plan out every aspect of the event, from the content to the technical requirements. Creating a comprehensive rundown of the event helps ensure that everything is accounted for and that everyone is on the same page.

2. Hire experienced professionals for the technical crew and production team: Hiring experienced professionals ensures that the technical and production aspects of the event are handled by people who know what they’re doing. This helps reduce the likelihood of technical issues and ensures a high-quality production.

3. Select the right equipment and cameras for the event: The right equipment and cameras can make a big difference in the quality of the production. Make sure to select equipment that is appropriate for the size and scope of the event.

4. Conduct a site survey to ensure proper lighting and sound: A site survey helps identify any potential issues with lighting and sound, and allows you to make adjustments before the event.

5. Prepare contingency plans for possible technical issues or emergencies: No matter how well you plan, technical issues and emergencies can still arise. It’s important to have contingency plans in place to ensure that the event can continue even if something goes wrong.

6. Rehearse the event with the crew and talent: Rehearsing the event helps ensure that everyone knows their roles and responsibilities, and that the event runs smoothly.

7. Assign clear roles and responsibilities to the crew and talent: Clear roles and responsibilities help ensure that everyone knows what they’re supposed to be doing, which helps reduce confusion and mistakes.

8. Use a production script to ensure smooth transitions and timing: A production script helps ensure that the event runs smoothly and that everything is timed properly.

9. Have backup equipment on hand: Backup equipment helps ensure that the event can continue even if something goes wrong with the primary equipment.

10. Use a dedicated communication system for the crew: A dedicated communication system helps ensure that everyone can communicate with each other quickly and easily.

11. Use multiple camera angles to capture different perspectives: Multiple camera angles help provide a more dynamic viewing experience and allow the production team to capture different perspectives.

12. Use graphics and lower-thirds to provide context and information: Graphics and lower-thirds can help provide context and information to the audience, which can enhance their understanding and enjoyment of the event.

13. Use music and sound effects to enhance the viewing experience: Music and sound effects can help enhance the viewing experience and make the event more engaging and entertaining.

14. Use pre-produced video packages to break up the live content: Pre-produced video packages can help break up the live content and provide variety for the audience.

15. Use a teleprompter for on-air talent: A teleprompter can help on-air talent stay on script and deliver their lines smoothly.

16. Use a countdown clock to keep track of timing: A countdown clock helps ensure that the event stays on schedule and that everything is timed properly.

17. Use social media to engage with the audience and promote the event: Social media can help you engage with the audience, promote the event, and provide updates before, during, and after the event.

18. Use a delay system to allow for editing or censoring if necessary: A delay system can help you edit or censor content if necessary, which can be useful in live events where unexpected things can happen.

19. Use a live streaming service to reach a wider audience: Live streaming services can help you reach a wider audience, particularly those who are unable to attend the event in person.

20. Use closed captioning for accessibility: Closed captioning helps make the event accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

21. Use a green screen for virtual backgrounds or augmented reality: A green screen can be used to create virtual backgrounds or augmented reality, which can enhance the viewing experience and make the event more engaging.

22. Use a wireless microphone system for mobility: A wireless microphone system can help on-air talent move around freely, which can make the event more dynamic and engaging.

23. Use a control room to monitor and manage the production: A control room allows the production team to monitor and manage the event in real-time, which can help ensure that everything runs smoothly.

24. Use audience feedback to improve future events: Audience feedback can help you identify areas for improvement and make future events even better.

25. Have fun and enjoy the process!: Producing a live televised event can be stressful, but it’s important to remember to have fun and enjoy the process!

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Smartsheets: Why You Need to Start Using them Now!

Smartsheet is a cloud-based project management and collaboration tool that enables teams to work together more efficiently. It provides a flexible and customizable platform for managing projects, tracking progress, and communicating with team members. Some of the features and benefits of Smartsheet include:

1. Customizable templates – Smartsheet offers a range of pre-built templates for different types of projects, including marketing campaigns, event planning, and project management. These templates can be customized to meet the specific needs of your team.

2. Collaboration tools – Smartsheet enables team members to collaborate in real-time on projects, share files, and communicate with one another. It also supports commenting and discussion threads, making it easy to keep track of conversations and feedback.

3. Automated workflows – Smartsheet offers automated workflows for repetitive tasks, such as sending notifications or requesting approvals. This can help streamline processes and save time.

4. Gantt charts – Smartsheet offers customizable Gantt charts for visualizing project timelines and dependencies. This can help teams stay on track and ensure that deadlines are met.

5. Resource management – Smartsheet offers tools for managing resources, such as team members, equipment, and materials. This can help teams allocate resources more effectively and avoid overbooking.

6. Mobile app – Smartsheet offers a mobile app for iOS and Android devices, enabling team members to access and update projects on the go.

To use Smartsheet, you can start by creating a new sheet or using one of the pre-built templates. You can then add columns and rows to organize your data and tasks. Smartsheet supports a range of data types, including text, dates, and attachments. You can also add formulas and conditional formatting to automate calculations and highlight important information.

Once you have set up your sheet, you can invite team members to collaborate and assign tasks. Smartsheet offers tools for tracking progress, such as percent complete and status indicators. You can also set up automated workflows for notifications and approvals.

You can program smart sheets with AI using various programming languages and frameworks such as Python and TensorFlow. There are also various software platforms and tools available that allow you to create AI-powered smart sheets without any coding, such as SmartSheet, SheetIQ, and Sheetgo. These platforms use AI and machine learning algorithms to automate data entry, analysis, and reporting, making it easier for you to manage and manipulate data in your spreadsheets.

Smartsheet provides a flexible and customizable platform for managing projects and collaborating with team members. Its range of features and tools can help teams stay organized, streamline processes, and improve communication

SmartSheet, SheetIQ, and Sheetgo, their features, specs, and how you can use them for notifications in redundant workflows:

1. SmartSheet: SmartSheet is a web-based project management and collaboration tool that allows you to create, manage, and automate workflows using a drag-and-drop interface. Some of its key features include:

– Customizable templates for various project types

– Real-time collaboration and commenting

– Automated workflows using conditional logic and notifications

– Integration with other tools such as Microsoft Office, Google Drive, and Salesforce

– Reporting and analytics

• SmartSheet can generate automated notifications for redundant workflows using its conditional logic and notification features. For example, you can set up a notification to be sent to a team member when a task is due or when a project status changes. SmartSheet also has a mobile app that allows you to receive notifications on-the-go.

• SmartSheet uses machine learning algorithms to automate data entry and analysis. For example, it can recognize patterns in data and make predictions based on historical trends. It can also use natural language processing to extract information from unstructured text and automatically populate fields in a spreadsheet.

• To set up SmartSheet’s automation features, you can use its drag-and-drop interface to create workflows that include conditional logic and notifications. For example, you can set up a workflow that automatically sends an email notification to a team member when a certain condition is met, such as a task being completed or a deadline approaching.

2. SheetIQ: SheetIQ is an AI-powered add-on for Google Sheets that allows you to automate data entry, analysis, and reporting using natural language commands. Some of its key features include:

– Natural language processing for data entry and analysis

– Automated reporting and charts

– Integration with other Google Sheets add-ons and tools

• SheetIQ can generate automated notifications for redundant workflows using its natural language processing and automation features. For example, you can set up a notification to be sent to a team member when a certain condition is met, such as a drop in sales or an increase in customer complaints.

• SheetIQ uses natural language processing and machine learning algorithms to automate data entry and analysis. For example, it can understand natural language commands and use them to automatically populate fields in a spreadsheet. It can also generate charts and reports based on the data in a spreadsheet.

• To set up SheetIQ’s automation features, you can use its natural language interface to create commands and queries that automate data entry and analysis. For example, you can use the command “add 10% to sales” to automatically update a sales figure in a spreadsheet.

3. Sheetgo: Sheetgo is a web-based tool that allows you to connect and automate data flows between multiple spreadsheets and cloud applications. Some of its key features include:

– Automated data transfer and consolidation

– Data filtering and transformation

– Collaboration and commenting

– Integration with other cloud applications such as Google Drive, Microsoft Office, and Dropbox

• Sheetgo can generate automated notifications for redundant workflows using its data filtering and automation features. For example, you can set up a notification to be sent to a team member when a certain condition is met, such as a new row being added to a spreadsheet or a cell value changing.

• Sheetgo uses machine learning algorithms to automate data transfer and consolidation. For example, it can recognize patterns in data and automatically consolidate it from multiple spreadsheets into one. It can also use data filtering and transformation to clean and standardize data.

• To set up Sheetgo’s automation features, you can use its drag-and-drop interface to create connections between multiple spreadsheets and cloud applications. For example, you can set up a connection that automatically transfers data from a Google Sheet to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet whenever a new row is added.

These platforms use AI and machine learning algorithms to automate data entry, analysis, and reporting by recognizing patterns in data, understanding natural language commands, and automatically transferring and consolidating data. They are setup and programmed using a combination of drag-and-drop interfaces, natural language processing, and machine learning algorithms.

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51 Tips to Set Yourself up for Success at Work

Where do you start? The action actually begins prior to starting your job. But, even if you’ve been working at a company for years and want to keep moving forward following are some suggested steps. These tips can apply to anyone at any stage of their career.

1. Research the company before your first day.
2. Familiarize yourself with the company culture.
3. Review the job description and requirements.
4. Understand your role and responsibilities.
5. Set clear goals and objectives.
6. Create a plan for achieving your goals.
7. Develop a positive attitude.
8. Build relationships with your colleagues.
9. Be open to feedback and constructive criticism.
10. Learn from your mistakes.
11. Build a strong work ethic.
12. Develop good time management skills.
13. Prioritize your tasks.
14. Set realistic expectations for yourself.
15. Stay organized.
16. Keep a positive outlook.
17. Take initiative.
18. Be proactive.
19. Anticipate problems and find solutions.
20. Communicate clearly and effectively.
21. Listen actively.
22. Build rapport with your boss.
23. Be flexible.
24. Adapt to changes in the workplace.
25. Be reliable and dependable.
26. Take responsibility for your actions.
27. Show respect to your colleagues.
28. Be a team player.
29. Offer assistance to others.
30. Stay focused on your priorities.
31. Keep your work area clean and organized.
32. Dress professionally.
33. Be punctual.
34. Attend meetings and training sessions.
35. Take notes to remember important details.
36. Use company resources effectively.
37. Maintain a positive work-life balance.
38. Seek out opportunities for growth and development.
39. Ask questions when you need clarification.
40. Develop strong problem-solving skills.
41. Build a network of contacts within the company.
42. Attend company events and social gatherings.
43. Stay up-to-date with industry trends and news.
44. Learn new skills and technologies.
45. Be adaptable to different work styles.
46. Be open to constructive criticism.
47. Take breaks when needed.
48. Stay positive in the face of challenges.
49. Celebrate your successes.
50. Continuously strive to improve and grow.
51. Get a mentor who has the qualities you want to adopt. You’ll learn from each other.

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How much bandwidth do you need ?

It’s essential to have sufficient bandwidth to have an optimal streaming experience. So, let’s dig into the bandwidth requirements for different resolutions and streaming services.

Understanding Video Bitrate

Video bitrate is an important metric independent of other factors like resolution, frame rate, and audio quality that impact a viewer’s streaming experience. It represents the amount of data per second your video source supplies and is a critical factor in delivering an enjoyable experience.

Streaming Services and Bitrate

It’s interesting to note that compared to a Blu-ray disc, streaming services like Netflix need to use compressed streams with considerably lower bitrates. Despite their best efforts to maintain the quality through various compression techniques, a higher bitrate equals more data and a superior image quality.

Minimum Bandwidth Required

To sustain a smooth, buffer-free stream at varying resolutions, one should consider these average minimum bandwidth requirements. Whether you’re using older equipment or new streaming devices with the latest TV models, Broadcasters generally provide viewers with the best possible streaming experience.

Following is the general resolution for videos and Minimum download speeds required:

480p (SD):  Needs about 3-4 Mbps

720p (HD):  Needs about 5-8 Mbps

1080p (HD):  Needs about 8-10 Mbps

2160p (4K):  Needs about 32 Mbps

4320p (8K): Needs about 120 Mbps

Required Bandwidth

H264 H265

1280×720(HD) 3Mbps 1.5Mbps

1920X1080(FHD) 6Mbps 3Mbps

3840×2160(UHD) 25Mbps 12Mbps

3820x2160p(4K) 32Mbps 15Mbps

7640×4320(8K) See notes below

1080p Streaming required Bandwidth & Internet Speed

1080p streaming videos are at a display resolution of 1920X1080, and it offers full HD video content on the Internet. These videos have more clarity and resolution than an HD video at 720p. Also, 1080p video consumes more amounts of data compared to SD and HD streaming. As stated in the above table and with the H264 codec, the recommended bandwidth is 6 Mbps, and with the H265 codec, it usually requires up to 3 Mbps.

4K and 8K Streaming Bandwidth requirement / Internet Speed

To stream 4K HDR content, one needs a 4K UHD TV with HEVC decoder and HDR support. 

4K videos with a display resolution of 4096p x 2160p offer the most life-like video content on the Internet. These high definition videos have more visual information than ever about the texture, color, shapes than an HD video. Unfortunately, 4k consumes enormous amounts of data compared to SD, HD & FHD streaming. With the H264 codec, the recommended bandwidth is 32 Mbps, and with the H265 codec, it could be up to 15 Mbps. To stream 4K HDR content, one needs a 4K UHD TV with HEVC decoder and HDR support.

Even with an 8K streaming service, most people wouldn’t be able to use it. Platforms like Netflix specifies a 25 Mbps stream for 4K content. This requirement seems to quadruple as there is no H.265 standard alongside 8K to reduce the file size. Netflix consumes 3.1GB/hour at 1080p for 60fps video and even 7GB/hour at 4K. If we assume that the transition from 4K to 8K consumes an equivalent amount of bandwidth to 1080p – 4K transition, the per hour bandwidth requirement to stream 8K content would be nearly 6.44GB – 19.2GB/hour for 23.976fps content. This is still a high bandwidth rate to burn out.

The bitrate for 8K video services that use HEVC is between 85 Mbps for satellite and 65 Mbps for OTT. 

When you implement Content Aware Encoding (CAE) used in combination with HEVC, you can lower the bit rate for 8K distribution by another 50%. CAE leverages the mechanics of the human eye to assess video quality and optimize encoding parameters in real-time.

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Video Production Tips: Pain Points & Solutions – What are your Suggestions?

Video production involves several stages, each with its unique set of challenges. Some common pain points in video production are:

1. Pre-production planning: To avoid delays, budget overruns, and scope creep, video production teams should establish clear goals and objectives, outline the desired outcome, and develop a detailed production plan that aligns with the production budget and scope. Project management software can help manage tasks, set deadlines, and monitor progress, while regular meetings and status reports can keep everyone on the same page.

2. Equipment-related issues: To prevent equipment failures or inadequacies, video production teams should invest in quality equipment, perform regular maintenance and testing, and have backup equipment on hand. Additionally, having a skilled technician on the team or on call can quickly resolve equipment-related issues and reduce downtime.

3. Creative and technical collaboration: Video production teams can improve creative and technical collaboration by establishing clear communication channels and processes, involving everyone in the brainstorming phase, and setting realistic expectations about the project’s technical feasibility. One solution is to use a review and approval platform that collects feedback and changes from all team members and keeps everyone informed about progress.

4. Time constraints: To manage tight video production timelines, video production teams should prioritize tasks, establish clear timelines with deadlines, and allow for some flexibility. Outsourcing some tasks or using pre-made templates and resources can also save time and reduce workload.

5. Post-production challenges: To avoid post-production delays, video production teams should establish a clear post-production plan, including deadlines, resources needed, and project milestones. Collaborating with a post-production specialist or outsourcing some post-production tasks can also help manage the workload and free up resources and time.

6. Delivery and distribution: To ensure a smooth delivery and distribution process, video production teams should carefully consider the delivery platform and format and create multiple versions for different devices and platforms. Using cloud storage platforms can make sharing and delivering large files easier.

7. Budget and finances: To stay within the allocated budget, video production teams should create a detailed budget plan, track expenses, and prioritize expenses according to project needs. Being transparent about the budget and communicating any potential expenses can reduce surprises and avoid overruns.

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Why We Care: PTP Clocks Hierarchy

PTP (Precision Time Protocol) is a protocol used for synchronizing clocks in a network. It is a time synchronization protocol that is designed to provide high-precision time and frequency synchronization for networked devices.

PTP (Precision Time Protocol) is an IEEE 1588 standard protocol that synchronizes real-time clocks of connected nodes in a distributed system using a network. This protocol establishes a leader-follower hierarchy among the nodes (referred to as clocks) where followers synchronize with their leaders, and the leader-follower relationship is determined by a Best Master Clock (BMC) algorithm. Through dynamic relationship determination, the PTP network can simplify the interconnect graph, resolving cycles down to a tree of leaders and followers. The grandmaster, located at the root of the tree, synchronizes with GPS and serves as the ultimate leader for all clocks. Interior nodes in this network are called boundary clocks (BC) and have follower ports and one or more leader ports. PTP can achieve high accuracy, even within sub-microsecond limits on local networks.

PTP works by sending time signals between devices, a best grandmaster, leader, and a follower clocks. The best grandmaster clock sends synchronization messages to leader clocks, and the leader clocks adjust their clock frequency and time to match the best grandmaster clock. The leader clocks send synchronization messages over their network(s), and the follower clocks adjusts their clock frequency and time to match the leader clock. Again, aka boundary clocks. PTP uses precise hardware timestamps to measure the time between devices.

PTP is often used in real-time systems, where accurate timing is essential, such as in audio and video production or industrial automation. It can also be used in some communication networks, such as 5G and industrial Ethernet.

Each of the following company’s products support and /or generate PTP:

1. Leader Electronics Corporation offers the LT8900 and the LT8910A PTP Time Server/Grandmaster Clocks, both of which are designed to provide accurate PTP synchronization for broadcast and post-production applications. The devices generate IEEE 1588-2008 PTP packets with sub-microsecond timing accuracy and support PTP profiles such as the Audio-Video Profile (PTP AV) and the IEEE Power Profile. They also feature two independent 10 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, allowing for redundant operation and the ability to simultaneously serve as a Network Time Protocol (NTP) server. The LT8910A additionally offers dual electrical inputs, enabling it to function as a redundant PTP Grandmaster clock.

2. Cisco Systems, Inc. offers a range of PTP solutions, including routers, switches, and network interface cards that support IEEE 1588v2. Some of the models that support PTP generation and/or synchronization include the Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series Switches, the Cisco 9200 Series Switches, the Cisco NCS 1002, the Cisco NCS 540 Series Routers, and the Cisco NCS 560 Series Routers. These devices provide high-precision timing capabilities for a range of applications, including 5G mobile networks, industrial automation, and financial trading. They can serve as a PTP Grandmaster clock, Leader clock and/or follower, depending on the application requirements, and have features such as hardware timestamping, clock quality monitoring, and PTP profiles for specific industries.

3. Riedel Communications offers the MediorNet MN-C-OPT-HDMI PTP Media Interface Card, which is designed to provide PTP support and synchronization for its MediorNet media network. The card supports SMPTE ST 2059 PTP profiles and is capable of acting as both a PTP Grandmaster clock and a PTP client. It features multiple input and output ports, including an HDMI port for timecode distribution, and has a high-precision oscillator for sub-microsecond timing synchronization. The card also supports redundancy, multi-casting of PTP messages, and monitoring and configuration via a web-based interface. Additionally, Riedel’s Artist and Bolero communications systems offer PTP synchronization for intercom communication applications.

4. Meinberg Funkuhren offers a variety of PTP Time Servers/Grandmasters that are designed to provide accurate PTP synchronization for a range of applications, including telecom, financial trading, and industrial automation. Some of the models include the LANTIME M900/M600/M4000 PTP Time Servers and the IMS – M400 Industrial PTP Time Server. These Time Servers support IEEE 1588-2008 PTP profiles and various ITU-T G.827x telecom profiles such as G.8275.1 and G.8275.2. They can serve as a PTP Grandmaster clock, Leader, and/or follower clock, depending on the application requirements, and offer features such as hardware timestamping, fault-tolerant design, and redundant power supplies. Meinberg also offers PTP software and network interface cards that support PTP generation and synchronization.

5. Tektronix offers a range of PTP hardware and software products that support PTP generation, including time servers, grandmasters, and clients that generate and measure PTP signals with high accuracy and precision. These devices are specifically designed for PTP and are capable of supporting PTPv1, PTPv2, and PTP-RA.

6. Juniper Networks provides networking equipment that supports PTP generation, including network switches and routers that are capable of handling PTP traffic, as well as software tools for the configuration and management of PTP networks. Juniper’s devices are designed to support PTPv2 and can be used in a variety of PTP network architectures.

7. Ross Video offers PTP generation solutions for the broadcast industry, including PTP time code generators and servers that are designed to synchronize video and audio signals across multiple cameras and equipment. These devices support PTPv2 and PTP-RA and are specifically designed for the broadcast environment.

8. Mellanox Technologies provides network adapters and switches that support PTP generation, allowing for the transmission and synchronization of time-critical data across high-speed networks. Mellanox’s devices support PTPv2 and can be used in a variety of PTP network architectures, including data center and telecommunications applications. Nvidia does not offer a Precision Time Protocol (PTP) implementation as a standalone product. However, Nvidia’s Mellanox networking solutions product line includes NICs (network interface cards) and switches that support PTP as well as other timing protocols such as Network Time Protocol (NTP), Precision Time Protocol (PTP), and IEEE 802.1AS.

These products help enable synchronization throughout data centers and other networked deployments that require tight synchronization between multiple devices, such as high-performance computing, financial trading, media and entertainment industries, and industrial control systems. In addition to PTP support, Nvidia Mellanox’s networking solutions offer low-latency and high-bandwidth capabilities, making them well-suited for demanding applications.

9. Spectracom specializes in precise timing solutions, including PTP servers and PTP-enabled network devices for PTP generation. Spectracom’s devices support PTPv1, PTPv2, and PTP-RA and are designed to provide high levels of accuracy and precision for a variety of industries, including telecommunications, defense, and finance. They also offer software tools for PTP network analysis and management.

10. Selenio Media Communications offers support for various versions of Precision Time Protocol (PTP), including PTPv1, PTPv2, and PTP Profile for Professional Broadcast Applications (PTP-RA). This enables customers to synchronize media processing and transport devices in IP-based broadcasting systems with sub-microsecond accuracy. It offers a single timing source and does not have built-in redundancy.

Note: this is not an exhaustive list of PTP generators or supporters thereof.

In summary, the main differences between PTP offerings are the level of accuracy, redundancy, and interoperability features they offer, allowing customers to select the product that best suits their requirements for timing accuracy, scalability, and reliability.

I’ve been asked if I’m being paid for this post. No, I am not being paid to share this information, nor do I work for any named company within the article.

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Staying Connected – Intercom Overview:

Comms are an essential for BroadcastTV, A/V, Theater, Enterprise Events, and so much more.

Intercom Brands and Applications

• Clear-Com Intercoms: Used in live events, broadcast production, theater, corporate AV, and government/military installations.
• CommLink Intercoms: Designed for use in professional intercom applications in the broadcasting, live production, and AV fields.

• RTS Intercoms: Used in live events, broadcast production, theater, and military applications.
• Telex Intercoms: Used in live events, broadcast production, public safety, and aviation applications.
• Pliant Technologies intercoms: Used in live events, broadcast production, theater, sports, and corporate AV.
• ASL intercoms: Used in live events, broadcast production, theaters, sports arenas, and corporate AV.
•Beyerdynamic intercoms: Used in radio and TV broadcasting, film production, theater, and event technology.
• Bolero wireless intercom systems: Used in live events, broadcast production, theater, and sports.
• Cuelight: Used in broadcast, studio, and video production applications.
• Digital Partyline: Used in live events, broadcast production, and theater.
• Gamecom Wired Communication System: Designed for gaming applications.
• HelixNet Digital Partyline: Used in broadcast production, live events, theater, and industrial comms.
• HME DX Series Wireless Intercoms: Used in broadcast production, live events, sports, and theater.
• Hybrid Intercom System: Used in broadcasting, theater, and event production.
• KP-Series Key Panels: Used in broadcast production, theater, live events, and corporate AV.
• LQ Series IP Connectivity: Used for IP-based intercom and audio networking.
• PL Pro MS-232 Remote Control Unit: Used in broadcast production, live events, theater, and corporate AV.
• PortaCom Intercom Systems: Used in broadcast production, theater, and live events.
• Radio Active Design Intercom Systems: Used in broadcast production, live events, and television studios.
• RadioCom Wireless Intercoms: Used in broadcast production, live events, and theater.
• Studio Technologies Intercoms: Used in broadcast production, live events, and theater.
• Tronios Intercoms: Used for stage communication in small to medium-sized events and theaters.
• Unity Intercoms: Used in broadcast production, live events, theater, and corporate AV.
• Vega wireless intercom systems: Used in broadcast production, live events, theater, sports, and corporate AV.
• Wireless Intercom System (WiS): Used in broadcast production, live events, sports, theaters, and corporate AV.

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Broadcasting Tips: QC’ing and Transcoding files

In media production, building QC (quality check) and transcode files for use in manual and automated workflows typically involves the following steps:

1. Determine the specifications: Identify the technical requirements for the media file based on the delivery platform or distribution channels. This includes file format, resolution, aspect ratio, bit rate, frame rate, audio format, and other technical parameters.

2. Encode or transcode: Once the file specifications are defined, use a transcoding software to encode or transcode the media file to the desired specifications. This process converts the file from its original format to the required delivery format. Ensure the output quality is up to the expected standards.

• Note: Encoding and transcoding are both processes of converting digital media files from one format to another. However, there is a distinction between these two processes that is important to understand.

Encoding refers to the process of compressing digital media files into a specific format to reduce file size while retaining as much quality as possible. This compression can be lossless or lossy, depending on the encoding method used.

Transcoding, on the other hand, involves taking an already compressed media file and re-compressing it into a different format or bitrate. This can involve changing the media file’s resolution, aspect ratio, frame rate or other technical parameters.

While both encoding and transcoding can be used to reduce file sizes, encoding typically involves compressing high-quality files for use in delivery platforms while transcoding focuses more on adapting existing media files to suit a variety of distribution and delivery platforms.

The main difference lies in the fact that encoding is the process of compressing an un-compressed file for storage or streaming purposes, while transcoding is the process of converting an already compressed file into a different format, resolution, and/or bit rate.

3. QC check: Once the file is transcoded, it must be tested to ensure it meets technical specifications and quality levels. This can be done manually or through an automated quality control system that checks for technical issues such as pixelation, color accuracy, brightness, and resolution.

To specifically test QC’d video and ensure it meets technical specifications and quality levels, you can follow these steps:

• Check the video resolution: Ensure the video resolution matches the intended output specifications. For instance, if the video is meant for a 1080p output, verify that the resolution is 1920×1080.

• Verify aspect ratio: Verify if the aspect ratio of the video is correct. This can typically be set to 16:9 or 4:3.

• Check bit rate: Verify that the video’s bit rate meets specified requirements. This will affect the video quality, and too high or too low bit rates can result in poor quality.

• Test audio quality: Check audio levels, clarity, and timing. Ensure audio levels don’t clip or distort, and that the audio is synced correctly to the video.

• Check color and exposure: Verify the color accuracy and exposure levels of the video. Ensure that the colors are not too saturated or de-saturated and that the exposure levels are not too bright or too dark.

• Run tests for technical issues: Quality control software can automate this step by running a series of automated tests to check for technical issues. Some common issues software can detect include pixelation, interlacing, dropouts, and compression errors.

Here are ten series of automated tests that are commonly used to check for technical issues in the broadcast media industry’s QC process:

– Video signal analysis: This involves analyzing the video signal to detect issues such as missing or duplicate frames, video compression artifacts, and signal dropout.

– Audio level analysis: This involves analyzing the audio levels to verify that they are within acceptable levels and that there are no audio dropouts.

– Lip sync analysis: This test checks that the audio and video are in sync with each other, with no noticeable delays or desyncs.

– Closed captioning analysis: This involves analyzing the closed caption data to ensure that they are synced correctly with the audio and video.

– Loudness compliance analysis: This test ensures that audio levels comply with relevant loudness guidelines, such as CALM Act.

– Video quality metrics: This measures various video quality metrics, such as Peak Signal-to-Noise ratio (PSNR), Structural Similarity (SSIM) and Mean Opinion Scores (MOS), to ensure that the video is of high quality.

– Aspect ratio and resolution compliance: This test ensures that the video’s aspect ratio and resolution comply with relevant specifications.

– Subtitle and caption compliance: This verifies that subtitles and captions adhere to standards and are free from errors.

– Compression analysis: This test checks that the video encoding and compression have been applied correctly, and verifies that bitrates aren’t too high or low.

– Color and gamma analysis: This test verifies correct color space and level and image brightness or dark values through gamma analysis. 

These automated tests help ensure that broadcast media content is delivered to its intended specifications, and adheres to industry standards for technical quality.

– Check for legal compliance: Verify that the video does not contain any copyright infringements or other legal compliance issues.

4. Review and revise: Once QC checks are complete, review the results and revise any errors or issues that were found. This can involve making additional cuts, color correction, or other adjustments.

5. File-naming convention and metadata: Consistent file naming convention and metadata is essential to ensure the media assets are managed and distributed optimally. Using a bespoke asset management system or media production software that tag and track the files and the corresponding metadata allows for efficient and accurate searching and retrieval for the use of the assets in future projects.

By following these steps, media producers can ensure that their assets are optimized for different platforms and workflows while also making sure that the files meet the required technical standards for delivery.

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Logistics Gymnastics: Making it work

Technology plays a crucial role in logistics and supply chain management. Here are some examples of vital technologies used in logistics and supply chain management:

  1. Transportation management systems (TMS)
  2. Warehouse management systems (WMS)
  3. Global positioning systems (GPS)
  4. Radio-frequency identification (RFID)
  5. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs)
  6. Drones
  7. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)
  8. Big data analytics
  9. Blockchain technology
  10. Cloud computing
  11. Mobile devices and applications
  12. Electronic data interchange (EDI)
  13. Electronic logging devices (ELDs)
  14. Telematics

These technologies can be used for a variety of purposes such as optimizing routes, tracking shipments, managing inventory, and improving supply chain visibility. By leveraging these technologies, companies can enhance their efficiency, reduce costs, and provide better overall service to their customers.

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The C-Suite: What is it, and tips to get there

The term “C-Suite” refers to the highest-ranking executive officers within a company or organization, such as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Operations Officer (COO), Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), and Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

To seek out opportunities to demonstrate your leadership capabilities and produce results that can be recognized by senior executives in broadcasting, you can take the following steps:

1. Take on challenging projects: Seek out challenging projects that require you to lead a team and produce measurable results. Set clear goals and develop a plan to achieve them. Take ownership of the project and demonstrate your leadership skills by guiding your team towards success.

2. Collaborate with other departments: Work collaboratively with other departments within your organization to support shared goals. Build relationships with stakeholders and demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and coordinate resources to achieve common objectives.

3. Mentor and coach junior staff: Establish yourself as a leader by mentoring and coaching junior staff. Share your knowledge and expertise with others, and encourage them to develop their skills and abilities. Show that you have a deep understanding of the industry and can support the growth and development of others.

4. Seek out training and development opportunities: Attend training and development opportunities that can enhance your leadership skills. This could be formal training courses or informal peer-to-peer learning opportunities.

5. Be innovative and agile: Be open to new ideas and technologies, and demonstrate agility in adapting to changing circumstances. Take a creative approach to problem-solving and continuously seek out ways to improve processes and outcomes.

6. Communicate accomplishments: Keep senior executives informed of your successes and results. Communicate effectively and clearly to show how your leadership has contributed to the success of specific projects or overall organizational goals.

By taking these steps, you can seek out opportunities to demonstrate your leadership capabilities and produce results that can be recognized by senior executives in broadcasting.


1. Develop a specialized skill or area of expertise: To stand out as a potential candidate for a C-level position, it is essential to develop a specialized skill or area of expertise that is in high demand within your industry.

To become a C-suite executive in broadcasting, you might need a combination of the following specialized skills or areas of expertise:

• Leadership: The ability to inspire and lead teams is critical for anyone aspiring to a C-suite position in broadcasting. You should be capable of creating a vision for your organization, setting strategic goals, and motivating your team to achieve them.

• Communication: Broadcasting is all about communication, and you should be adept at both written and verbal communication. Strong communication skills are essential for sharing information, building relationships and negotiating with stakeholders, including advertisers, production teams, and key talent.

• Technical expertise: To gain credibility with your team and have an understanding of the broadcast industry’s technical aspects, you should have some technical expertise in broadcasting. This knowledge can include familiarity with broadcasting hardware and software, audiovisual equipment, and communication platforms.

• Creativity and innovation: Broadcasting is an exciting and ever-changing industry, and to thrive in it, you need to be creative and innovative. The ability to generate new programming concepts, adapt to emerging technologies, and engage with your audience is increasingly important in today’s hyper-competitive media landscape.

• Business savvy: As a C-suite executive, you will need to have business acumen beyond just the broadcasting industry. You should have an understanding of finance, marketing, and operations, as well as the ability to create efficient and effective business strategies to grow your organization.

Overall, developing a combination of leadership, communication, technical expertise, creativity, innovation, and business savvy can help you become a C-suite executive in broadcasting. It is important to build a diverse set of skills and continuously improve yourself to stand out from the competition.

2. Build a track record of success: By consistently delivering positive results and demonstrating leadership capabilities, you can establish a strong track record of success that will help you stand out as a potential candidate for C-Level positions.

To deliver positive results and demonstrate leadership capabilities effectively, you can follow these tips:

• Set clear goals: Clearly defining your goals for your team and your organization can help you stay focused and create a clear path towards success. Goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

• Communicate effectively: Effective communication is critical in broadcasting, whether you are interacting with colleagues, stakeholders or the audience. To communicate effectively, you should tailor your communication styles to suit different audiences and use simple language, storytelling, and empathy to convey your message.

• Lead by example: Leaders who lead by example create a positive and high-performance culture. Be a role model for your team, set the standard for excellence, and demonstrate the behaviour you expect from others.

• Delegate responsibility: Delegation can free up time and help you focus on key activities that require your expertise. It also helps develop your team’s skills, builds trust, and reinforces accountability.

• Embrace innovation: Broadcasting is an industry that is rapidly evolving, and to stay ahead of the curve, you need to embrace innovation. Encourage your team to experiment, take risks, and be creative with new ideas and technologies.

• Recognize and reward success: Celebrate milestone achievements, recognize successes, and reward top performers. Positive feedback can help boost morale and reinforce positive behavior.

• Continuously learn and grow: The broadcasting industry is evolving rapidly, and to stay current, you need to continuously learn and grow. Attend industry events, read relevant materials, network with peers, and seek out opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills.

By following these tips, you can deliver positive results and demonstrate leadership capabilities effectively in broadcasting as well as many other industries.

3. Seek out leadership opportunities: Seeking out opportunities within your organization to lead projects or teams can help you demonstrate your leadership capabilities and produce results that can be recognized by senior executives.

To seek out opportunities to demonstrate your leadership capabilities and produce results that can be recognized by senior executives, you can take the following steps:

• Take on challenging projects: Seek out challenging projects that require you to lead a team and produce measurable results. Set clear goals and develop a plan to achieve them. Take ownership of the project and demonstrate your leadership skills by guiding your team towards success.

• Collaborate with other departments: Work collaboratively with other departments within your organization to support shared goals. Build relationships with stakeholders and demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and coordinate resources to achieve common objectives.

• Mentor and coach junior staff: Establish yourself as a leader by mentoring and coaching junior staff. Share your knowledge and expertise with others, and encourage them to develop their skills and abilities. Show that you have a deep understanding of the industry and can support the growth and development of others.

•Always be learning.  Seek out training and development opportunities: Attend training and development opportunities that can enhance your leadership skills. This could be formal training courses or informal peer-to-peer learning opportunities.

• Be innovative and agile: Be open to new ideas and technologies, and demonstrate agility in adapting to changing circumstances. Take a creative approach to problem-solving and continuously seek out ways to improve processes and outcomes.

• Communicate accomplishments:  It’s not bragging!  Keep senior executives informed of your successes and results. Communicate effectively and clearly to show how your leadership has contributed to the success of specific projects or overall organizational goals.

By taking these steps, you can seek out opportunities to demonstrate your leadership capabilities and produce results that can be recognized by senior executives.


4. Continuously learn and develop: Staying current with the latest industry trends and investing in ongoing education and professional development can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in senior leadership roles.

Some current and latest industry trends in broadcasting include:

• Streaming services: The online streaming services continue to expand, and consumers are shifting towards watching their favorite shows on demand. OTT (over-the-top) services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ are the key players offering original content and interacting with their viewers with interactive features.

• Virtual and Augmented Reality: Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) are becoming popular and are being used by broadcasters to enhance audience experience. It is already being used for production and broadcast of live sports.

• Interactive content: Interactive content is increasing rapidly; it encourages engagement and can offer additional value to the audience like polling, chatbots, games, and more.

• Personalized content: Personalization is becoming a significant factor as consumers demand customized and tailored content. Broadcasting services are focusing on providing tailored recommendations based on consumer interests, viewing history and behavior.

• Artificial Intelligence: AI technologies are augmenting broadcasting by enabling machine-learning algorithms, Natural Language Processing (NLP), and automated content creation.

• Social media for engagement: Social media like Twitter and Instagram is being used to drive engagement by broadcasters. These platforms are becoming a powerful marketing tool by providing connections with fans and access to real-time analytics of the audience.

• Remote production: The pandemic accelerated trends toward distributed production models, leading to remote production techniques for both pre-production and live event coverage.

These trends are shaping the broadcasting industry and aligning the market with the modern viewer’s requirements.

5. Network and build relationships: Building a network of professional connections within your industry and engaging in activities such as attending industry conferences and events can help you build relationships with key decision-makers and open up opportunities for C-level positions. 

25 current broadcast industry conferences:

IBC (International Broadcasting Convention), NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) Show, Broadcast Asia, CES (Consumer Electronics Show), NAB Radio Show, Media Finance Focus, TVOT (The TV of Tomorrow Show), Streaming Media West, Broadcast Minds, ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium, IABM Conference, Next TV Summit & Expo, European Radio and Digital Audio Show, NABA Broadcast Technology Futures, Fates Summit, Connection Series by Digital Production Partnership, CIS Global Forum, SMPTE Motion Imaging Technology Summit, RadioDays Europe, Communications Policy Research Forum, Future Leaders Program of the Association of Public Television Stations, Sportel Monaco, Audio Engineering Society Convention, Convergence India, and Media Summit New York. Note: Some of these events may be virtual at the moment, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Overall, growing a career in the C-Suite requires a combination of strong technical skills, leadership capabilities, industry knowledge, and a strategic outlook.