Upcoming Educational Opportunities Abound

Balancing the ever-growing demand for knowledge with seemingly ever-shrinking budgets is an ongoing challenge for broadcast engineers. This week we present a sampling of upcoming educational offerings in broadcast technology presented by various industry associations that are both useful and affordable.

The Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) has recently added a new course to its "SBE University" (SBEU) online, on-demand training offerings, entitled "Use of the Simple Network Management Protocol in Broadcast Monitoring and Control Systems." The instructor is Tony Peterle of WorldCast Systems, who presented a paper on the subject at the 2011 NAB Broadcast Engineering Conference. Until September 1, 2012 SBE will provide this course to its members at a discounted price.

The course presents an introduction and overview of the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), a legacy IT protocol that can be used to monitor data points and control different functions in remote equipment over an existing IP network, along with a basic description of how SNMP works—the structure and types of SNMP messages, how they are transported over the network, and how they can be used to monitor and control remote equipment.

Other courses at the SBEU include titles on ENG truck operations, TV video and audio systems, IP- and file-based architectures and workflows, 8-VSB, AM antenna systems and computer modeling, broadcast audio processing, computer networking for broadcast, telco voice networks and studio interfacing, matching networks and phasing, and FM transmission systems—all taught by notable experts in their respective fields.

SBE also provides a series of webinars, conducted live and archived for subsequent on-demand access. Upcoming webinars are scheduled in September and October 2012 on subjects such as IP networking, RF safety and Chief Operator responsibilities. Past webinars still available on-demand feature topics such as IPv6, TV White-space devices, Springtime maintenance, FCC FM allocation processes, translators and boosters, frequency coordination, FCC self-inspections, disaster recovery, project management, streaming radio, EAS, and more. The webinars typically run between one and three hours in length. A complete catalog of the SBEU courses and SBE Webinars is available here.

Another effort, jointly presented by SBE and the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC), features a series of seminars on Audio Loudness Control, which successfully debuted last week in Chicago. The seminars will be presented next in Los Angeles on September 27, 2012, and in Atlanta on November 13, 2012. Further details are available here.

Meanwhile, the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) also presents live webinars that are archived for later on-demand access in its "Professional Development Academy" (PDA). An upcoming PDA webcast this week is entitled "Multi-Platform, Multi-Display Content: Moving from Onerous to Manageable," presented by Bruce Devlin of Amberfin.

Other SMPTE PDA webcasts are scheduled on motion picture metadata, high frame rates and the Interoperable Master Format (IMF). Previous webcasts in the PDA's on-demand catalog consider topics such as digital content storage, live web-streaming, digital display interfaces, MXF, 3D, video codecs, Mobile DTV, Ultra-HD, and many others. Further information and complete course lists are available here.

Finally, the Audio Engineering Society's 133rd Convention in San Francisco, October 26-29, 2012 will debut a new conference track on Networked Audio (more info here), in addition to its longstanding Audio for Broadcast and Streaming track (more info here).

All of these educational offerings provide opportunities to conveniently and continuously sharpen one's skill set - a critical component of any broadcast engineering career.

Hilton Anatole - Dallas, Texas - September 19-21

This year's all new technology program covers issues that are important to all radio engineers. Change is occurring very quickly and impacting the ways we conduct business and generate revenue. "It's not your father's radio station anymore…" is more appropriate today than ever. Technology is moving consumers to new platforms and generating competition for our products. We have assembled a program of sessions and discussions developed specifically for radio professionals who need to keep up with regulatory issues, HD radio developments, disaster preparedness and new Hybrid Radio technologies. You will have ample time to network with your peers and meet with Radio Show exhibitors who can assist with your technical challenges and offer fresh insights and solutions.

The Marketplace at the Radio Show will showcase a robust exhibit floor, packed with products and services to drive your business forward. Also the hub for a variety of special events, the Marketplace gives conference attendees the opportunity to grow key business relationships, network with industry partners and explore what's on the horizon for radio.

The Marketplace is also the venue for the Opening Reception, Super Sessions, a special Thursday lunch buffet, a Networking Lounge and coffee breaks.

Registration details and more are available online at www.radioshowweb.com. See you in September!

Registration Open for 2012 IEEE Broadcast Symposium

Registration for the 2012 IEEE Broadcast Symposium is now underway. This year, the October 17-19, 2012 event's technical program includes more than 20 presentations from top industry leaders on cutting edge broadcast engineering topics, as well as half-day tutorial sessions on broadcast IP technology and broadcast engineering computer simulation tools.

In addition to technical presentations and tutorial sessions, this year's program features a panel discussion on broadcast towers and an update on the government's broadband plan, spectrum usage, and broadcast audio issues.

The Symposium also offers attendees the opportunity to network and socialize with their peers at evening receptions and luncheon programs. This year's luncheon keynote speakers are Kevin Gage, NAB's executive vice president and chief technology officer, and Sam Matheny, Capitol Broadcasting's vice president of policy and innovation. For those unable to attend in person, all Symposium sessions will be made available globally via live and archived streaming on the Internet. Also, up to 2.5 Continuing Education units (CEUs) are available to on-site attendees. Complete information is available on the Symposium website.

The three-day event will be held at The Westin Alexandria hotel in Alexandria, Va. Early registration is encouraged in order to take advantage of special rates which expire after Oct. 1, 2012. Special early bird hotel room rates are also available. For complete registration information, visit the organization's website at http://bts.ieee.org/broadcastsymposium.