Ed Calverley, manager at large, SMPTE UK, discusses how organisations can help their engineers as they make the move from SDI to IP workflows
By Contributor
Published: May 14, 2024 Updated: May 15, 2024
Ed Calverley, manager at large, SMPTE UK, discusses how organisations can help their engineers as they make the move from SDI to IP workflows
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin> Ed Calverley, manager at large, SMPTE UK, discusses how organisations can help their engineers as they make the move from SDI to IP workflows
https://www.tvbeurope.com/ip-migration/opinion-why-its-important-to-give-broadcast-engineers-support-in-the-move-to-ip title=Share via Email class=share-email>
Any engineer who has worked in broadcast systems in the last 20 years will have at some point configured an IP address. Understanding the logic behind the numbers entered as part of that address, and what mechanisms are in place, are becoming as important to broadcast as understanding how signals travelling down wires represent audio and video signals.
Until recently, all most broadcast engineers needed to worry about was baseband' signals (a term with many varied meanings but generally referring to real-time signals carried in an uncompressed form over dedicated wires - e.g. SDI or Analogue/AES3 Audio). Modulated RF and compressed/multiplexed signals were the domain of specialist teams - much like the computer and networking hardware that has been powering post production systems were supported, in part, by dedicated IT teams.
With the move away from centralised SDI routing infrastructures, those uncompressed signals are now being carried as packets of IP data over complex networks. In order to diagnose connectivity issues, engineers can no longer trace signals flowing down coaxial cables but instead need to embrace a new set of tools providing visibility of what data is flowing down the shared pipes between network switches and routers.
Now that's not to say that all engineers need to be enrolled on Cisco CCNA training. On the contrary, that sort of education is generally only needed for those specialist Network Engineers who will directly configure and administer the networks. Broadcast engineers need to know what they don't know' enough to appreciate the design choices being made by the specialist network designers. Broadcast engineering teams should be given appropriate access to interface with the networked systems, this may include the full ability to make architectural changes as the nature of issues in a broadcast setting often demands engineers are empowered to do what needs to be done' - though in most cases, strict change management processes are essential which will allow time for the specialists to get involved and ultimately call the shots.
So back to IP media training - the world of standards published by SMPTE and others has always been a complex landscape. People can build their knowledge about standards through reading them (or being trained by someone who has), but to properly understand them people need hands-on experience, or at least to see real systems in action, especially ones which have issues. Engineers truly learn by solving problems - that's why the older generation of engineers are so valued - they've seen so many things break and have been involved in figuring out how to fix them. Nobody wants to face issues in their day-to-day work, but when they do occur, confident engineers who have some basic knowledge of how systems interoperate will do their best to poke and prod until something they do makes the situation better. Over time, engineers learn what poking and prodding has the best effect and some may fully square the circle in understanding exactly why an issue occurred and was resolved.
So, don't expect any training course to be a silver bullet that magically makes engineering teams able to support the new systems being built - but it is an important part of the journey to knowledge. Exposure to real systems and discussions between colleagues willing to openly share experiences are even more important - opportunities for this internally within companies is given (though sadly not always prioritised). External groups such as SMPTE UK promote engagement and discussion between colleagues from across the industry and should be encouraged and supported, as often a little bit of insight or a new perspective can be the key to solving long-open issues.
Changing gears a bit to talk a bit more about my experience through Q3 Media Training. I've personally delivered our standard IP Media Networks course well over 20 times now, as well as some variants based upon it. No two courses have ever been exactly the same as I keep learning more and more - both from the SMPTE standards, which keep evolving, but also from the questions and discussions I have with people through the training. Even the so-called experts' in the field are still learning. How different manufacturers implement things varies significantly and making sense of it all can be a real challenge. The IP rack in our #BigPinkDemoKit has IP Media systems (2110/PTP/NMOS) from 10+ different vendors and can demonstrate both the good and the bad. Understanding the cause of the bad behaviours has been a struggle - but one that has lead to a better understanding of what's actually going on inside the devices and the networks.
From a general training point of view we see a wide range of clients, from those who are willing to invest in giving their staff the grounding that will lay the foundation for further learning, to those with more unrealistic expectations as to what can be achieved by a short course. We aim to pack a lot into our training sessions as the concept of know what you don't know' is our number one belief as to what makes a
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
07/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
07/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
07/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
07/05/2026
Recreating the 1974 Doctor Who Time Tunnel in After Effects
Graham Quince May 6, 2026
0 Comments
The Time Tunnel from Doctor Who titles is one of th...
06/05/2026
Gravity Media Chief RF Communications Engineer Glenn Willems uses Wisycom RF over Fiber and wireless solutions across major cycling events and international mar...
06/05/2026
A Sennheiser Spectera module is now available in Bitfocus Companion and Buttons, enabling direct integration of Spectera with the two software platforms. The mo...
06/05/2026
Ted Turner, the visionary media entrepreneur whose appetite for disruption helpe...
06/05/2026
Peacock is going all-in on the beautiful game - streaming all 104 FIFA World Cup...
06/05/2026
New pricing tiers for vocal/dialogue restoration tool
NoiseWorks Audio's AI-powered vocal and dialogue processing plug-in is now available in three diff...
06/05/2026
Popular mixing & routing software overhauled
Following a recent public beta test, RME have launched the final release version of the powerful mixing and rou...
06/05/2026
New SOS Video Feature
Focusrites ISA C8X is a milestone product that brings together the companys analogue heritage and their expertise in digital audio. Yo...
06/05/2026
Polands Miecznik-class frigates are part of the largest contract in Polish shipbuilding history. (Image Credit: PGZ Stocznia Wojenna)...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Riedel Communications today announced the expansion of its leadership structure as part of a strategic initiative to strengthen both its operational management ...
06/05/2026
For nearly three decades, Veteran Production Sound Mixer and Five-time Emmy Award Winner Dirk Sciarrotta has helped define the sonic identity of the long-runnin...
06/05/2026
ZEISS CinCraft LensCore: Cinema Lens Looks for Compositing
Brie Clayton May 6, 2026
0 Comments
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a nove...
06/05/2026
Wisycom Solves Extreme RF Challenges Across Miles of Live Action for Gravity Med...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Narrative Entertainment has partnered with Encompass to deliver high-quality subtitling of its Great! network content using the Altitude Intelligence AI assiste...
06/05/2026
SipRadius, widely recognized for making content processing and connectivity secure and seamless, is proud to launch a dramatic new approach to AI content creati...
06/05/2026
When the broadband and media industry gathers at ANGA COM in Cologne from May 19 to 21, Big Blue Marble will be at the forefront. The international broadcast an...
06/05/2026
Cinegy GmbH, a leading developer of software-defined television technology, is proud to exhibit at MPTS for the first time. Visitors to the stand will discover ...
06/05/2026
Val Jeanty Receives 2026 Doris Duke Artist Award Jeanty, a composer, percussionist, and turntablist, is the fourth Berklee recipient of the prestigious award ...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
When live cycling races and international marathons stretch for miles across cities and countryside, there is no margin for RF failure in live broadcast. As Chi...
06/05/2026
Oberkochen/Germany, May 5, 2026
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a novel solution for creating physically based cinematic lens looks for visual...
06/05/2026
06 May 2026
VEON's Kyivstar Authorized to Resell Starlink for Businesses & ...
06/05/2026
UKTV has secured the exclusive rights to the early back catalogue of iconic Australian drama series Neighbours, following a landmark content deal with Fremantle...
06/05/2026
Wednesday 6 May 2026
Sky commissions feature documentary to mark 10th anniversa...
06/05/2026
Wednesday 6 May 2026
Sky and Formula 1 agree long-term partnership across UK, Ireland and Italy
Sky in the UK & Ireland to remain the home of Formula 1 until ...
06/05/2026
Sky Zero Footprint Fund-backed TV campaign launches nationwide, supported by new...
06/05/2026
Wuppertal May 6, 2026
Riedel Expands Leadership Structure, Appoints Marc Engro...
06/05/2026
SAN JOSE, Calif. - May 6, 2026 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced its latest broadband innovations for ANGA COM 2026, highlighting its vision for a new e...
06/05/2026
Statement from Rupert Murdoch, Chairman Emeritus, Fox Corporation on Ted Turner&...
06/05/2026
Friday 8 May on RT One and RT Player
Meet the NSPCA team caring for and protecting animals in need in this six-part series
Fly on the wall, six-part series...
06/05/2026
The race to build the world's most powerful AI factories demands networking ...
06/05/2026
How changes to proteins can alter drug interactions for new precision therapies Scripps Research team maps how chemical modifications to proteins affect drug bi...
05/05/2026
Experts from the world of academia, tech, business, politics and media convened for a Thomson Talks at the Cambridge Disinformation Summit in April. It's th...
05/05/2026
Three phones were hardwired for power and transmission to the truck; camera feat...
05/05/2026
The creative studio behind campaigns for the NBA, Fanatics Sportsbook & Casino, ...
05/05/2026
Nielsen has announced results from a co-viewing pilot program covering February&...
Ed Calverley, manager at large, SMPTE UK, discusses how organisations can help their engineers as they make the move from SDI to IP workflows
