APB PANELLISTS
2 EDITORIAL
Create ‘ wow factor ’ with emerging technologies
April 2016 ( volume 33 issue 3 )
EDITORIAL managing editor Shawn Liew , shawn @ editecintl . com contributing editor Millette Manalo-Burgos , millette @ editecintl . com contributing editor ( technology ) Karl K Rossiter , karl @ editecintl . com
Since its inauguration almost a century ago , NAB has traditionally been one of the most accurate baro meters to monitor the pulse of the broadcast industry . As visitors from around the world converge on the Las Vegas Convention Center this month , what are the likely technology enhancements at 2016 NAB Show that can we do a deep dive ?
For a number of the most prominent broadcast equipment manufacturers in the world , they could well be inundated with queries about the various IP initiatives they have helped to launch in recent months .
One such initiative is the LiveIP Project , an international , multi-vendor platform put together by Belgian public broadcaster VRT and the European Broadcasting Union ( EBU ) last year , to demonstrate IP-based live broadcast production using open standards .
At an event held last month in Brussels , participants explored and discussed the viability of live IP production from camera to distribution — with true interoperability .
And interoperability is also a key word for the Alliance for IP Media Solutions ( AIMS ), founded by the likes of SAM , Imagine Communications , Grass Valley and Lawo , to focus on promoting open IP standards and interoperability .
Expect 2016 NAB Show to be abuzz with not only demonstrations of IP technologies , but also keen discussions on the practicalities and current constraints on integrating IP into existing broadcast facilities and , indeed , the possibilities of building new broadcast facilities around IP infrastructures .
In Asia , before broadcasters can fully derive the benefits offered by emerging technologies , a complete transition to digital terrestrial TV needs to be completed — this is the key message the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union ( ABU ) is keen to put across to its members .
Dr Amal Punchihewa , director , technology and innovation of the ABU , said that going digital is a prerequisite , if broadcasters in Asia wish to introduce , for instance , Integrated Broadcast Broadband ( IBB ) technologies and services . Analogue to digital is but one technology transition , although it will be one of the most important ones for Asian broadcasters , added Dr Amal .
And while the ABU and its sister organisation , the EBU , were keen to stress the importance of collaboration between regions , in terms of knowledge and experience sharing , as well as technology trials , it is still worth noting that there are existential differ ences in the rates of technology developments across regions .
Technologies such as 4K / Ultra HD may not be that effective or practical in Asia at the moment due to a myriad of reasons , acknowledged Dr Amal .
Instead , broadcasters in the region should take advantage of technologies to create the “ wow factor ”. Augmentations for HDTV , such as high dynamic range , high frame rates and wide colour gamut , could potentially provide the “ wow factor ”, at a fraction of the cost , and spectrum requirements of 4K / UHD , he pointed out .
Ultimately , it is up to broadcasters to make their own assessments on what technologies to adopt , and at what pace . As an industry , the most pressing need is to formulate a clean and definitive plan on how spectrum allocated for broadcast services at WRC-15 should be used .
Lest anyone forgets , the issue of spectrum allocation in the sub-700MHz band will be up for grabs again in 2023 , although , as Dr Amal correctly pointed out , there are already stirrings within Europe to clear part of the spectrum band for mobile services .
Emerging technologies may be the key enablers in allowing broadcasters to create a more immersive viewing experience for their viewers but the main function of terrestrial broadcasting should remain steadfast — that of ensuring populations around the world have access to information freely .
SHAWN LIEW MANAGING EDITOR
CORRESPONDENTS
■ India Shirish Nadkarni , shinads @ yahoo . co . uk
■ USA Mike Feazel , mfeazel @ gmail . com
PRODUCTION production editor Zuraini Ridzwan , zuraini @ editecintl . com junior sub-editor Genevieve Chan , genevieve @ editecintl . com senior multimedia designer Raymund Jaudian , raymund @ editecintl . com multimedia designer Waldomar Zuniga , waldomar @ editecintl . com ad / office administrator Irene Lok , irene @ editecintl . com accounts executive Tan Hui Min , huimin @ editecintl . com
MARKETING marketing & sales director Jason Lee , jason @ editecintl . com senior sales manager Jessie Tan , jessie @ editecintl . com
CIRCULATION & PROMOTIONS chief community officer Lynn Chee , lynn @ editecintl . com
PUBLISHING publisher / editorial director Andrew Yeo , andrew @ editecintl . com
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Dr Amal Punchihewa
Director , Technology & Innovation Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union
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Assistant CEO ( Industry Group ) Media Development Authority of Singapore
Philip Laven Chairman The DVB Project
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