Small is Getting Smaller
The underlying industry transition from SD to HD also is having an impact upon the design of SNG vans. “The migration from SD to HD may be the last major format conversion we see in our industry, and without question it has had a tremendous impact on SNG operations,” says Maycock. “As the migration to HD progresses, SNG operations, in particular, play a large role in helping broadcasters manage the wide varieties of SD and HD formats that will continue to exist for some time. An SNG vehicle’s ability to manage and convert any format into high-quality HD output can create efficiencies that will impact the entire operation and help ensure the best-possible viewing experience for the audience,” he says.
As HD cameras and lenses have decreased in size, the industry is producing technology to support lighter acquisition equipment. “We are seeing a trend of vans (and trucks) being outfitted with optical-enabled cross- and down-conversion products. Fiber-optics is being used to feed the vans directly, allowing for longer cable lengths than normally available with coax for higher HD data rates,” says Moote. “Production trucks are typically going 100 percent HD for internal switching and routing operations, with center-cut, down-conversion products delivering SD feeds when required. Cross-conversion equipment is a must for remotes, as both 720p and 1080i formats are in use.”
As vans get smaller, smaller equipment that can be accommodated in reduced space also is appearing in the market. “Besides technology, the trend towards smaller OB vehicles can’t be ignored, and it’s clear that double up in the equipment racks is a good idea,” says Ashley Dove, product marketing director for Vislink News and Entertainment.
An Opportunity
As the sale of flat screen TVs picks up and viewers are getting used to high resolution media, many broadcasters around the world have been moving into HD. In this environment, the remaining broadcasters also do not seem to have much choice: To be in the first league they need to be in HD as their competitors. HD, however, is not just a catch up game for broadcasters. It’s also a great opportunity. Commercial broadcasters looking at HD for possible new source of revenues. Commercials in HD certainly look better, and broadcasters can justify charging their clients extra for airtime. They are also charging viewers extra for HD content, often in the form of higher rates.
The coming of age of HD, however, is far more than a technological shift to a better broadcasting system. It also extends to companies’ position in the market, questioning their fundamentals. “The transition to HD is often an opportunity to rethink the entire organization from the top down. Before thinking equipment and video formats, it is always healthy to talk about how an organization is going to benefit from it business wise and quality wise,” says Raoul Cospen, director of marketing at Dalet.
In fact, HD is challenging broadcasters forcing them to think of a future suddenly dawning on them. The ability to support a range of signal and file types and to integrate these formats seamlessly into existing operations already has become the status quo for many broadcasters. “At the same time, operators are looking to expand their capabilities to support new content delivery platforms such as mobile devices. Therefore, conversion solutions must focus on the ability to handle a wide range of formats from 3G to low resolution for mobile delivery,” says Maycock.
The nature of broadcasting is such that it is forever attracted to cutting-edge technology, looking for the next big thing. However, as the industry is already turning its attention to what is expected to be the next big thing, i.e., 3-D HD, perhaps it would wiser for the moment to sit down and enjoy HD in our living rooms. As far as revolutions go, this is not a bad one to watch.
Giovanni Verlini is a communication executive and freelance journalist based in Europe. Email: giovanniverlini@hotmail.
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