Internship Weekly Report

Third Week, 11th July 2011 to 16th July 2011

Hammad Ansari

Audio/Video Quality Checking (QC):

We have been observing from the first week how QC is done. DVs are brought by the producers and NOC is issued based the quality of video and sound. We observed that there is couple of things which a quality checker has to check. This includes Noise of surroundings Chattering Humming Hiss Audio Video Synchronization Jittering

During discussion with Alee bhai, we came to know that the poor audio quality can be caused by: Poor wiring and cabling in the studios The position of Microphones might be inappropriate for recording The audio mixer is not properly used during recording

Alee bhai emphasized on the differences between theoretical and practical knowledge. He gave an example that theoretically the recording should be done on 12 db, but due to practical line and other loses during the whole Airchain , recording is done on slightly more than 12 db. So that the final output will be around 12 db.

AVECO Automation System:

We learnt about Aveco Automation system. We observed Aveco interface and different options that are provided. We observed: Event Browsers on terminals Where playlist is made. Different color is assigned for Commercials, promos, programs etc. We learnt how we can figure out whether we are in Main Server or Backup Server. Ie Green Color in the title indicates Main Server while Red indicates Backup. OMN status on Aveco System interface Everything which is being done by Aveco systems is monitored on Admin Terminal. There also occur some errors during the process. Errors which are highlighted in Blue are least critical and often corrected automatically. Yellow errors are relatively more critical but in most cases it is also corrected automatically. While Red errors are most critical and can cause big issues in the broadcast operations.

We learned how to check whether is any issue in connectivity between Aveco Automations Systems and Terminals. Communication OK indicates there is no issue of connectivity. Tranfer Queue That shows how data is being flowed in automation system. In most cases, the data flows like this:

VDCP: A communication protocol for Broadcast Automation.

Setup of Production Control:

During discussion with Mr. Mujtaba, we leant about the whole setup of production control unit and Camera Control Unit (CCU). The summary is given in the following diagram

CCU converts the RBG signals from the camera into SDI format. All the SDI outputs from CCUs are connected to the video switcher. The output of switch is recorded in the DV through VTR. The Audio is provided to the VTR through Audio mixer.

Remotely Access of Multiple PCs on single Local Console:

To access multiple PCs from a remotely connected local console, we can use ATEN CN-6000 and KVM Switch.

ATEN's newest and most compact KVM over IP, the CN-6000 allows operators to monitor and access their computers from remote locations. The CN-6000 connects to the Internet, an Intranet, LAN, or WAN using industry standard Category 5 cable, then uses KVM cable to connect to a local KVM switch or server. (Source)