June 9, 2023
The Society of Broadcast Engineers and SBE Chapter 38 present an Ennes Workshop June 9, 2023, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Wyndham El Paso Airport; 2027 Airway; El Paso Texas 79925.
Topics include:
• NextGen Broadcast is Radio Too
• Real Radio Hosts Working Virtually
• Last-Mile Solutions for Cloud-Based Broadcasting
• The Future of Seamless Workflows & Cloud-Based Journalism
Registration:
SBE Members: $50
Non-members: $60
Continental breakfast (at 8:30 a.m.) and lunch included
Register at sbe.org/Ennes_ElPaso.
Planned Presentations:
Virtual Everything – Preparing for a Life in a Hyper-Connected World
Jeff Welton, CBRE; Nautel
There’s no secret that broadcast facilities are fast being exposed to virtual environments – control surfaces, processing, even HD generation and content delivery are all being virtualized, containerized and available for consumption on your laptop, in locally hosted servers, or offsite in cloud-based platforms ranging from Amazon to Azure and all points in between. In this session, we’ll discuss things to be aware of, how virtualization can provide unprecedented reliability and redundancy – and how it can also leave you hanging out to dry with single points of failure if care isn’t taken in the implementation process. We’ll also look at hardening the network as a more connected facility is one that becomes more susceptible to ransomware, malware and all the less savory aspects of the World-Wide-Web.Virtual Everything – Preparing for a Life in a Hyper-Connected World
There’s no secret that broadcast facilities are fast being exposed to virtual environments – control surfaces, processing, even HD generation and content delivery are all being virtualized, containerized and available for consumption on your laptop, in locally hosted servers, or offsite in cloud-based platforms ranging from Amazon to Azure and all points in between. In this session, we’ll discuss things to be aware of, how virtualization can provide unprecedented reliability and redundancy – and how it can also leave you hanging out to dry with single points of failure if care isn’t taken in the implementation process. We’ll also look at hardening the network as a more connected facility is one that becomes more susceptible to ransomware, malware and all the less savory aspects of the World-Wide-Web.
NextGen Broadcast is Radio Too
Fred Baumgartner, CPBE, ATSC3, CBNT
NextGen Broadcast enabled by ATSC 3.0 is as much radio as it is TV. The first NextGen transmissions now reach most of our population. NextGen Broadcast’s OFDM on UHF “beach front property” spectrum outperforms our current medium wave and low-VHF radio spectrum dramatically. With on-channel boosters, the over-the-air signal will seamlessly penetrate deep into buildings, transportation, and venues where AM and FM can’t reach. NextGen Broadcast also allows radio the opportunity to access more data space, allowing radio to move beyond simple text and album art to more interactive and personalized audio services. Highly beneficial is that most NextGen broadcast devices have built in capability to return listener data in real time. Even more important is that the things we can now only do with streaming and digital distribution – dynamic ad insertion, richer content beyond album art and text, customized and subscription services – we will be able to do without the friction and impairments that are inherent on the Internet, as part of the NextGen Broadcast ecosystem.
Real Radio Hosts Working Virtually – How Real Humans Work with Containerized Broadcast Systems
Kirk Harnack; Telos Alliance
Containerized broadcast systems are now on-the-air in a variety of radio stations. What must engineers know about this technology, and are the human on-air users adapting? Radio broadcasters have been anticipating their eventual deployment of virtualized broadcast software as part or most of their studio and backend infrastructure. A few radio stations and radio networks have already moved to a largely virtualized infrastructure while others are now in the process. The virtues of virtualization have been the topic of several dozen professional presentations ranging from manufacturers’ revelations to scholarly presentations. With some systems on-air now, it’s time to ask, “What is working differently or the same – for broadcast engineers and for on-air talent?” This SBE Ennes Workshop presentation asks that question and presents answers from broadcast engineers, broadcast IT professionals, and on-air talent.
Last-Mile Solutions for Cloud-Based Broadcasting
Mike Pappas; Orban
We all know that operating cloud-based automation and playout systems, along with audio processing, is a relatively easy project. But getting from the “Cloud” to an FM or AM transmitter site reliably, especially with last-mile issues of low bandwidth (or no bandwidth), is a significant issue. This session will look at a myriad of cloud to transmitter link solutions including a pair of real life examples using “unconventional” delivery methods.
The Future of Seamless Workflows & Cloud-Based Journalism
Erin Cargile; latakoo
From the moment a reporter is assigned a story, to the second the content is published on-air or online — the entire team and the technology they’re using should be in sync every step of the way. This is a world that can and does exist. Learn how interoperability and automated integrations can give teams more time to focus on storytelling, and provide a massive return on investment.
Questions? Contact Education Director Cathy Orosz at corosz@sbe.org.
