2024 BEITC Proceedings

JOHN
  • Another New Step Towards UHD: Nationwide Installation of 4K News System for Delivering BS4K Daily News - $15

    Date: April 26, 2020
    Topics: ,

    On September 30, 2019, NHK started a 4K daily news program, ?BS News 4K? on the BS4K satellite channel. We?ve been developing a new production system that consists of ?4K File Transfer System,? ?4K-IP Video Router,? ?4K File Base System,? and ?4K Video Switcher? at the BS News Center, the Network Center, and at local stations all over the country to carry out 4K/2K simulcast from the BS News Center.

    We installed the 4K File Transfer System at seven key local?stations and 46 other local stations throughout Japan, to feed 4K content?to the headquarters faster than the previous contribution system. We put a 4K-IP Video Router at the Network Center in the headquarters for distributing 4K/2K inbound signals to both Network Center and other studios. This ?4K File Base System? is installed at the News Center for BS channel recording, editing, and transmitting news materials. We also installed a ?4K Video Switcher? at the BS News Center, which enables switching 4K signals?such as live cameras, video servers?and graphics. We therefore successfully built a 4K total news production system that makes it possible to broadcast 4K news in 4K quality.

    IP transition is another element of this system. By adopting some parts of the system, the total flow processing both 2K and 4K signals works efficiently in an integrated manner. That provides great improvement in the total ease of operation, system expansion?and space utilization. Since this system also accepts 2K production, we?re convinced that the system can carry out 4K production while maintaining the conventional 2K production workflow. In summary, we present how we upgraded?our conventional facility into 4K with minimum cost while flexibly having the conventional 2K system as a back up.

    Tetsuya Yahara | NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) | Tokyo, Japan
    Yuko Kawano | NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) | Tokyo, Japan
    Ikuya Kumai | NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) | Tokyo, Japan
    Tatsuro Honda | NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) | Tokyo, Japan
    Hidenori Konishi | NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) | Tokyo, Japan



  • aPNT and ZTA for timing and synchronization in Broadcast - $15

    Date: April 3, 2024
    Topics: ,

    Highly accurate timing is a mission-critical requirement for the synchronization of the broadcast domain. Employing multiple-source resiliency enables the ability to function for extended periods of time without GPS/GNSS reference, which is a requirement of US Federal Executive Order 13905. This executive order lays out the requirements and where they apply in relation to critical infrastructure. In this paper, we will address the specifics of FEO 13905 as well as what a robust assured positioning, navigation and timing (aPNT) solution can look like.

    Emphasizing the critical role of timing and synchronization in essential infrastructure is imperative. This emphasis has prompted a comprehensive evaluation of the vulnerabilities inherent in existing time sources. This paper aims to delve into these risks and explore potential solutions to safeguard critical infrastructure. It will also touch upon the U.S. government’s efforts in securing Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) and the significant recommendations stemming from this initiative. The secure PNT objective is to address the escalating frequency of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) outages, which have left users seeking alternative solutions.

    We will explore the potential impact of these threats on various aspects of content generation, processing, and distribution, particularly in the TV broadcast industry. We will also discuss the role that the broadcast industry can play in implementing potential solutions. The discussion will introduce the concept of Zero Trust architectures (ZTAs), their implementation, and the variety of time sources available today, as well as those currently in development. These alternatives include network protection schemes and highly stable oscillators, as well as multi-constellation/multiband GNSS receivers, anti-jamming and anti-spoofing solutions and other emerging alternatives like Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite networks and next-generation broadcast networks. The objective is to inform and equip users with the tools available to counteract common threats such as GPS interruptions, GPS degradation, GPS service denial, and GPS spoofing.

    Rick Knea | Oscilloquartz SE | Nampa, Idaho, United States



  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning's Rising Potential to Transform Transcription and Translation for Media Editing - $15

    Date: April 3, 2024
    Topics: ,

    Dialog in a language unfamiliar to an editor poses obvious challenges during the media editing process. It is nearly impossible to edit without clear comprehension of the underlying language. Through a combination of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning improvements in recent years, editing material in a language other than one’s native tongue is within reach. Automatic Speech Recognition, Translation, Speech to Text, and Voice Cloning can be combined in the editorial process with existing non-AI technologies such as captioning and media relinking to enable editing of material that otherwise would not have been possible. In addition to technical solutions, ethical concerns and the responsible use of AI concerning Voice Cloning are addressed.

    Randy Fayan | Avid Technology | Burlington, Mass, United States
    Rob Gonsalves | Avid Technology | Burlington, Mass, United States



  • Artificial Intelligence: Transforming the Live Sports Landscape - $15

    Date: April 26, 2020
    Topics: ,

    The proposed paper focuses on a media recognition AI engine that is trained to catalog an exhaustive range of elements for live sports in near real-time. It helps sports producers cut down the time and effort involved in highlight creation by 60% and enables OTT platforms to deliver high levels of interactivity and personalization with a create-your-own-highlights experience and a powerful live search option. The engine identifies storytelling graphics and events in the footage along with game content to stitch together an end-to-end story in highlights, and also provides finesse with smooth visual transitions and automatic audio leveling – just like a professional editor. The said engine helps sports content creators enhance viewer engagement, increase monetization and achieve greater scale and speed in live sports.

    Adrish Bera | Prime Focus Technologies | Burbank, CA, United States
    Amer Saleem



  • ATSC 3.0 - Building Media Networks for Next Gen TV - $15

    Date: April 26, 2020
    Topics: ,

    Successful delivery of Next Gen TV using ATSC 3 and preserving the Traditional ATSC 1 requires cooperation between broadcasters to deliver a user experience that meets and exceeds today?s online content streaming but maintains compliance with the FCC obligations.

    To build this out quickly this will require a flexible network strategy using Public and Private Network topologies that address the challenges of hardening of the required Synchronous SFN against malicious attacks both internal and external to guarantee the delivery of Emergency Alerts to the public during the time of Crisis. We will review different strategies in use today for Public and Private Networks used for South Korea ATSC 3, ATSC 1, DAB, DVB and ISDB-T systems.

    Learning Objectives:
    – Effective cost control of building a Regional Media Network between broadcasters, leveraging both public and private networks for live media delivery.
    – How to simplify the legal issues of connectivity, SLA and Retrans Agreements through a Software Defined Network (SDN).
    – Examples of recent outside attacks on terrestrial networks, with lessons learned from building out of the SFN and realistic ways to address the vulnerabilities.

    Christer Bohm | Net Insight AB | Stockholm, Sweden
    Per Lindgren | Net Insight AB | Stockholm, Sweden
    Arielle Slama | Net Insight AB | Stockholm, Sweden



  • ATSC 3.0 And Public Broadcasting, A Case for Flash Cut - $15

    Date: April 14, 2023
    Topics: ,

    ATSC 3.0, often referred to as “NEXTGEN TV,” is gaining traction and is now being broadcast in over 60 markets in the United States. There are many challenges for broadcasters to adopt this technology and this is especially a concern for Public Broadcasters who may not have a necessary simulcast partner in their markets to continue ATSC 1.0 transmissions while beginning ATSC 3.0 operations. This paper presents a potential roadmap for stations, with an emphasis on statewide networks, to deploy ATSC 3.0. Examples in this paper will focus on two PBS North Carolina broadcast facilities and one Iowa PBS broadcast facility, but the criteria used could easily be adapted for other stations.

    Don Smith | PBS North Carolina | Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States
    Fred Engel | PBS North Carolina | Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States
    Bill Hayes | Iowa PBS | Johnston, Iowa, United States