Systems 1 - The TV Station
Course Description
This modules looks at what makes a TV station, studio or truck work. It looks at Sync pulse chains and genlock, it examines how digital timing differs from analogue and how digital audio also needs synchronisation. It looks at how routers are used to control switching and the way in which routers can be used to manage the flexibility of the entire system. It also looks at the smaller components (glue) and how they too are critical parts of the larger system in terms of up and down conversion, distribution, embedding and de-embedding and other similar such needs.
In the second half, we look at the other major components of production facility… Cameras, Switchers, Video Servers. Graphics engines and monitoring.
Who Should Attend
This session provides key underpinning knowledge which will help anyone who deals with video on a day to day basis. It should be essential learning for all operators and technical staff and could also be of benefit to many in production. The module starts from first principles and therefore assumes no prior knowledge.
Course Duration: 3 hours.
Course Outcomes
At the end of the course you will understand:
- the importance of a Central Technical Area in the design of a TV station.
- why an SPG is essential for the a production facility to function.
- how Genlock is used to get everything to the right place at the right time.
- the importance the router in the operation of a TV station or studio.
- how the sources within a TV station function.
- how modern monitoring systems work.
Module Cost £80
Systems 2 - Lines, Connections and Schematics
Course Description
Part 2 looks at the connectors and cables we use to route signals and how IT technology is gradually taking this over. It looks at the benefits of SDI or AES as a known and universal system and why fibre and IP are gradually gaining prominence. It also looks at alternative connectivity in the form of microwave and satellite links and how this too is gradually being replaced by alternative systems.
In the second half, we will look at schematic diagrams and how to read them.
Who Should Attend
This session provides key underpinning knowledge which will help anyone who deals with video on a day to day basis. It should be essential learning for all operators and technical staff and could also be of benefit to many in production. The module starts from first principles and therefore assumes no prior knowledge.
Course Duration: 3 hours.
Course Outcomes
At the end of the course you will:
- understand the role of bandwidth in limitations to the distance signals can travel down a cable.
- know the common connectors used for cabling.
- appreciate the importance of termination in maximising the distribution of signals.
- know the difference between different types of copper and fibre cables, where they are used and why.
- be able to read a schematic diagram and associated tables and other data to find cables or equipment and plug circuits either by router or jack field.
Module Cost £80
Systems 3 - Test Signals and Waveforms
Course Description
What are 100.0.75.0 bars? How do you use PLUGE? Why are sawtooth waveforms used with cameras? In the first part of this module we examine common test signals (audio and video) and look at how and why they are used. We then move on to look at measurement and waveform monitors – the features they offer, the specialist waveforms and tools and how to configure and use them.
In the final part, we look at the principles and design of video monitors, how we measure quality and what they offer.
Who Should Attend
This session will be useful to anyone who works with video and needs to measure it or make quality checks on it. Because the session looks at video signals in different forms, we recommend attendance at the basic level video and audio course prior to doing this module.
Course Duration: 3 hours.
Course Outcomes
At the end of the course you will:
- be able to recognise a selection of common test signals and know how and why they are used.
- be able to differentiate between different variants of test signals and measure them correctly,
- be able to setup and use a variety of waveforms, including YCbCr, RGB in both parade and overlay modes.
- use cursors and graticules and line selection tools to make timing and amplitude measurements.
- use and read vector and gamut type measurement tools.
- appreciate more specialist tools for analysing jitter and HF losses or SDI signal timing.
- configure and use alarms and associated tools to accurately identify problem content.
- make audio phase and loudness measurements.
Module Cost £80
An Introduction to Workflow
Course Description
In this module we look at one of the major topics for modern digital systems – workflow. It starts by examining what workflow is and why it is important in the new world of industrial scale media production. It moves on to look at the issues which have made workflow tricky in the past and how the newest systems are now becoming more flexible and interoperable. It finishes by looking at how systems are specified and designed to create a complete production line which can be automated.
Who Should Attend
Those who are involved in the specification, operation and/or design of new systems. This is an introductory session, so requires no specialist prior knowledge or learning.
Course Duration: 3 hours.
Course Outcomes
At the end of the course you will understand:
- how workflow has developed from a way of effectively producing content to an automated system which can produce industrial qualities with little intervention.
- the importance of IT in the new digital world.
- how standards have developed to improve interoperability.
- how a customer will work with a manufacturer and integrator to specify, develop and test a new system.
- the importance of small steps and precise planning.
Module Cost £80
Assets and Essence
Course Description
Assets are about the metadata which makes essence (content) valuable. In this session we look at how metadata can be collected, stored and used to benefit everyone in the production process, create interest, accessibility and to generate income. In the modern digital world all content is stored as files, so we also look at media files, the terminology and technology which is used. Finally, we examine the media asset management systems which bring assets and essence together to allow automation of processes and systems for everyone’s benefit.
Who Should Attend
We all use MAM systems, whether at work or at home (Youtube?). This course would be useful to anyone who wants to better understand the MAM systems they use, the metadata they supply to it, or the files they create for it.
This is an introductory session and has no prerequisite learning.
Course Duration: 3 hours.
Course Outcomes
At the end of the course you will:
- understand the importance of metadata in the modern world and how it has been in enhanced by IT in recent years.
- appreciate the enormous range of metadata which a production or facility might gather or use.
- appreciate the value of metadata.
- understand the difference between wrappers and codecs.
- recognise common wrappers and codecs.
- know what a MAM is and what it is able to offer to users.
- appreciate how a MAM can automate many processes and increase production throughput.
Module Cost £80
Production Processes and Workflows (Part 1)
Course Description
This module pair takes you through the entire production process from beginning to end.
In this part, we look at planning, acquisition and ingest – examining how a program idea is developed into a production, ready to shoot. How a production office or newsroom works and how commissioning and channel management work with scheduling systems to create networks and brands.
It then goes on to look at how a production acquires content, be it on location or in a studio, shooting multi or single camera and then how that content is fed into a modern digital system.
The module will look not only at the process, but provide an overview of the equipment used at each stage and how, in a modern digital workflow, data is shared and passed from one stage to the next.
Who should attend?
This is a foundation module and intended for anyone who wants to better understand the bigger picture. It would be useful for new entrants, those thinking of a career in the media, or those already in management, admin, production operations or engineering and wanting to understand their own part in the bigger system.
Course Duration: 3 hours.
Course Outcomes
At the end of the course you will understand:
- how a program idea is prepared for commissioning
- what the outcome of a commission might be and the budgets and time scales.
- who does what in the production team.
- how a day of programs, commercials and interstitials is planned scheduled and delivered.
- how intake, news gathering and output desks work to manage news production.
- the importance of NRC’s.
- how content is acquired, including the differences between multi and single camera.
- ingest systems – proxy and master copies.
Module Cost - £80
Production Processes and Workflows (Part 2)
Course Outline
The second module looks at the remaining parts of the process – post production and delivery.
Post production examines editing and editing systems, from the offline process with proxy files, through sync up, rough cut and fine cut, to track laying and sound design. Graphics and graphics production systems, audio post production and finishing.
Delivery looks at archiving and delivery systems, both linear and non linear along with all the elements which make up a modern polished brand. Adverts, interstitials, branding, subtitles, audio description and the delivery, not only of content but also the search and management systems which allow the content provider to manage their audience.
Who should attend?
This is a foundation module and intended for anyone who wants to better understand the bigger picture. It would be useful for new entrants, those thinking of a career in the media, or those already in management, admin, production operations or engineering and wanting to understand their own part in the bigger system.
Course Duration: 3 hours.
Course Outcomes
At the end of the course you will understand:
- the difference and importance between master and proxy files.
- why some shows still need to sync up audio.
- how a show and story get structured in the edit.
- what audio design and track laying are about.
- how graphics engines can be used to standardise graphics production.
- what finishing adds to a program.
- the importance of resilience and redundancy in delivery.
- how content is prepared for delivery.
- the importance of metadata in archive and delivery systems.
Module Cost - £80
Electricity for Broadcasters
Course Description
This course is a whirlwind overview of electricity and magnetism which will cover many of the scientific principles which govern how we work and why things are done the way they are. The course starts with voltage, current and Ohm’s law, moving on to a look at how magnetism and capacitance create impedance. We examine not only the effect this has in a world of waveforms but also how it can be used to pass electricity through insulators.
The second half of the session looks at the practical implications for the distribution of power to our broadcast centres – the grid, the differences between AC and DC, the need for high voltages and how power is generated in 3 different phases.
The final part of the module looks at safety, including how the three wires are connected in a plug and why, how some devices do not need three wires, and the devices we use to make working with electricity safe, both at work and on location.
Who Should Attend
This is an overview course and requires no pre-requisite learning. It is aimed at those who want to better understand the electrical systems they use and why electrical safety systems and protocols are so important. It will be particularly important to location shooting teams who work outside of a normal workplace and the safety standards which they guarantee.
Course Duration: 3 hours.
Course Outcomes
At the end of the course you will:
- understand the relationship between potential (volts), current, resistance and power.
- know magnetism is always present with electricity and vice versa.
- understand how we quantify magnetic properties especially with respect to recording and playback with magnetic media.
- understand how reactance creates impedance and its implications for our signal cables.
- know how mains electricity is generated and distributed and the importance of earth.
- know the difference between Class 1 and Class 2 electrical devices and how they are used.
- know how RCD, MCB’s, fuses and Isolating transformers are used to make electricity safer for us all.
Module Cost £80
Digital Systems Lite
(N.B. This course also appears in the A/V Archive Modules Section)
Course Description
All modern audio and video formats are digital. In this module, we examine why it is beneficial to convert and store our media in digital form and how it can be used to preserve quality during storage, transport and processing. The module looks at how a digital signal is created, using samples and bit depth. The significance of data rates and the systems we use to manage and quality check data.
In the second half of this session, we look at the audio and video standards used and compare and contrast the option available. We also look at the requirement for compression and provide an overview of audio and video compression technology and how it is used.
Who Should Attend
This session provides key underpinning knowledge which will help anyone working with AV content to understand, identify and correctly deal with it. There are no prerequisites for attending as it explains everything from beginner level.
Course Duration: 3 hours.
Course Outcomes
At the end of the course you will understand:
- how sampling is used in the creation of a digital signal and why the sampling rate is so high.
- the significance of bit depth in handling dynamic range and maintaining quality.
- how data rates are calculated.
- the benefits of digital signals for all aspects of AV work.
- how error correction and concealment can maintain quality.
- the basic concepts of compression and how it can create data rates which are manageable.
