The 2014 NAB Broadcast Engineering Conference

The Broadcast Engineering Conference (BEC) presented annually at the NAB Show offers broadcasters, consultants, equipment manufacturers and researchers a venue to present emerging developments and solutions to industry needs. Engineers working in radio and television attending the conference have a unique opportunity to hear real-world case studies that may provide opportunities for their companies.

The BEC is co-produced by NAB and the Society of Broadcast Engineers. Each year our BEC Planning Committee meets to determine which topics are most relevant for practicing broadcast engineers and other professionals working in or allied to the broadcast industry.

BEC Committee-(l to r) Al Grossniklaus, Dispatch; Robert Seidel, CBS; Sam Caputa, Emmis; Jeff Littlejohn, Clear Channel (chair); Roswell Clark, Cox; Ken Beck, Entercom; Larry Oaks, Meredith; Fred Baumgartner, SBE Ennes Trust; (missing- Gary Nadler, ABC)

BEC highlights this year include:

Next Generation Sports Production and Delivery – This full-day session focuses on current practices and explores the future of live sports video production – including 4K technology and new 60GHz wireless camera systems. A special presentation will look at the Winter Olympic Games and explain how live footage was accelerated from Sochi, Russia to Stamford, Connecticut.

Advancements in Digital Radio – From optimizing coverage for the enhancement digital transmission to making the most of RDS, this session features papers reflecting actual case studies from broadcasters and consultants. The presentations reflect the evolution of radio broadcasting.

Broadcast Facilities – New efficient technologies and techniques should be considered when upgrading or building new facilities for radio and television operations. This full-day of presentations looks at future proofing DTV transmission facilities, avoiding electrical disasters, IP network design and security, and case studies in facilities grounding. There’s even a paper on broadcast operations in the unlicensed wifi bands – better than you think.

Advanced Technologies for Television – Television technologies are evolving rapidly. This session will explore 4K to 8K up conversion, making TV programs using IP networks, new immersive audio technologies, and going beyond DVB-T2. Presenters from the U.S., Europe, and Asia will participate in this program.

AM Revitalization – A highlight of this session will be the latest information regarding on-going all-digital AM field testing. Papers will also address shared frequency AM antenna systems, new rules concerning AM reradiation effects, and challenges and solutions for all-digital AM IBOC.

IEEE-BTS Tutorial – This year’s tutorial focuses on advanced coding for television. The tutorial looks at next-generation coding technologies and offers attendees a balanced perspective between understanding the underlying technologies and how such technology advancements affect their business and operations.

The RF Boot Camp is back this year by popular demand and newly revised. Presented as part of the NAB Labs educational initiative, the boot camp brings in expert instructors to teach the basics to broadcasters who need to understand RF – a mission-critical part of broadcast operations. The boot camp is ideal for broadcast professionals working primarily in studio/IT environments who want to expand their knowledge.
The boot camp covers both radio and television and demonstrates in a simplified light-technical way, how transmitters towers and antennas convey program content to listeners and viewers. The boot camp program also addresses best practice methods for monitoring/maintaining transmitter plant equipment to insure that the station remains in compliance with FCC and OSHA regulations.

Full details about the BEC and RF Boot Camp are available here.

The Amateur Radio Operators Reception – Call for Prizes: The 2014 Amateur Radio Operators Reception is one of the most anticipated events at the NAB Show. We are currently seeking door prizes to be awarded at the Reception. All prize donors will be recognized in a scrolling video display at the event, and in the NAB Radio and TV TechCheck newsletters. Prizes can be of any size and value, but should be selected to appeal to technically inclined individuals who have a passion for their craft.

If you wish to donate a prize, please email Rich Johnson at rjohnson@nab.org. Thank you in advance for helping us make the 2014 Amateur Radio Operators Reception another outstanding success.

The February 10, 2014 TV TechCheck is also available in an Adobe Acrobat file. Please click here to read the Adobe Acrobat version of TV TechCheck