2 EDITORIAL

The prospect of producing a major live event around an all IP-based broadcast system can be an exciting proposition ; in equal measure , it can be an intimidating endeavour .

While IP-based broadcast systems could potentially deliver a range of benefits such as more flexibility and increased output , due to the decreased manpower required , skillsets and the standardisation of the standard may not have evolved far enough to instill confidence in broadcasters that IP is the way to go in the near future .

For the BBC , the former rings true as the UK public broadcaster continues to study how best to integrate IP workflows into its broadcast systems . After successfully completing a trial that saw the delivery of 4K Ultra HD live feeds from the FIFA World Cup simultaneously over conventional digital terrestrial and IP networks , the BBC went one step further at the Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow , Scotland , last July , with the “ world ’ s first ” live 4K Ultra HD production and transmission based on an entirely IP-based broadcast system .

While acknowledging that challenges remain — such as the lack of standardisation for IP and the relative lack of skillsets among engineers , Dr Zheng Yuan-Xing , head of broadcast services architecture at the BBC-UK , is adamant that IP can deliver savings and enable multiple-platform outputs that no other technologies can achieve , as she related to APB .

Of course , there is a more than likely chance that the BBC example is the exception rather than

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the rule , at least for the foreseeable future . Can IPbased broadcast systems adequately replicate , or even be better than what baseband broadcast systems are currently offering — with the broadcast equipment available today ? Will mindsets change to accept what could be reasonably construed as a drastic deviation to what has worked well for broadcasters for decades ?

They might eventually , but as we have suggested before , it is perhaps not realistic to expect all broadcast content to be transmitted over IP networks . There is , and always will be , a need for traditional TV delivery networks .

However , trials such as those carried out by the BBC should not be dismissed lightly . At the very least , they offer an intriguing glimpse into the future of broadcasting , and offer broadcasters an alternative , and potentially more cost-effective production and delivery method , at a time when the burden of cost is become increasingly acute .

Whether broadcasters eventually choose to adopt entirely IP-based broadcast systems or a hybrid of IP-based and baseband broadcast systems , it would seem that IP is destined to be an indispensable component in the future of broadcast .

SHAWN LIEW DEPUTY EDITOR

April 2015 ( volume 32 issue 3 )

EDITORIAL

deputy editor Shawn Liew , shawn @ editecintl . com

contributing editor Millette Manalo-Burgos , millette @ editecintl . com

contributing editor ( technology ) Karl K Rossiter , karl @ editecintl . com

reporter Kamarul Arifin Abdul Hafiz , kamarul @ editecintl . com

CORRESPONDENTS

■ Singapore Richard Seah , richard _ seah @ singnet . com . sg

■ China Vicky Liao , liaoxk16 @ vip . sina . com

■ India Shirish Nadkarni , shinads @ yahoo . co . uk

■ USA Mike Feazel , mfeazel @ gmail . com

PRODUCTION production editor Zuraini Ridzwan , zuraini @ editecintl . com

sub-editor Samantha Ann Francis , samantha @ editecintl . com

multimedia designer Raymund Jaudian , raymund @ editecintl . com

ad / office administrator Irene Lok , irene @ editecintl . com

accounts executive Tan Hui Min , huimin @ editecintl . com

MARKETING manager - sales & marketing Lynn Chee , lynn @ editecintl . com manager - sales & marketing Sean Chen , sean @ editecintl . com

CIRCULATION manager Ho Siew Mun , siewmun @ editecintl . com

PUBLISHING associate publisher Kristy Tan , kristy @ editecintl . com

publisher / editorial director Andrew Yeo , andrew @ editecintl . com

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