Checking on TechCheck – Your Opinions Needed

NAB’s Technology department has been providing TechCheck to members on a weekly basis since 1991. While its layout and method of delivery have evolved over the years, the basic newsletter format has remained essentially unchanged.

As part of our increased commitment to distributing timely, high quality technical information and news items to our readers using the best technology available, NAB is considering appropriate updates to this newsletter. A critical component of that process is assessing how readers feel about the current product, and determining if there are aspects you would like to see changed.

To that end, NAB has created a brief online survey for TechCheck readers, which we invite you to complete. It should require no more than five minutes of your time, and will provide valuable and unique feedback for NAB Technology staff that we can use to guide improvements for TV TechCheck.

Please help us make sure TV TechCheck is a publication that best serves your needs by completing the survey by September 21.

Click here to take the TV TechCheck survey.

Thanks!

NAB Satellite Uplink Operators Seminar
September 24-27, 2012
Washington, DC

Join fellow satellite uplink operators, engineers and technicians for NAB's Satellite Uplink Operators Training Seminar on September 24- 27 at NAB headquarters in Washington, D.C. In this comprehensive four-day class, you'll learn how to set up an interference-free uplink every time. This seminar provides in-depth information on the theory of satellite communications and all operational aspects of the ground equipment for uplink and downlink facilities and is applicable to distributing signals for both analog and digital television and radio.

The class is taught by Sidney Skjei, M.S.E.E., P. E. of Skjei Telecom. Mr. Skjei has over 30 years experience in engineering, operating and developing a wide range of hardware and software satellite communications systems and services. He is highly knowledgeable in all major satellite communications operational areas: global, U.S. domestic and military. An article on Mr. Skjei and the seminar appears in the latest issue of TV Technology.

The four-day seminar provides the operational training which minimize the risk of satellite transmission interference. This is an important seminar since the FCC rules require that "a trained operator be present at all times during transmissions, at either an earth station site or designated remote control point" [Section 25.271 (b)].

In addition to classroom instruction, students will receive hands-on training in a satellite newsgathering (SNG) truck as well as an all-day field trip to a nearby, large satellite teleport and operations center.

The seminar fee is $1,250 (NAB members) and $1,550 (all others). The seminar fee includes a Satellite Uplink Handbook, continental breakfast and lunch. Space is limited so if you don't want to miss this opportunity, go to the Satellite Seminar Web page or call Cheryl Coleridge at (202) 429-5346. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities for this event contact NAB Advertising at (800) 521-8624 or advertising@nab.org.

ATSC and SBE Audio Loudness Management Seminar
Thursday, September 27, 2012
9:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
The Hitchcock Theatre at Universal Studios
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, Calif. 91608

Registration is now open for the Los Angeles Audio Loudness Management Seminar, scheduled for September 27, 2012 at Universal Studio's Hitchcock Theater. More information, including the day's program and registration link, is available online: http://www.atsc.org/cms/index.php/communications/seminars/299-2012-atsc-audio-seminars

Additionally, we are looking for lunch sponsors for this event. Please contact Lindsay Shelton-Gross for a detailed description of sponsorship benefits!

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.