DTV Audio Group at SVG Summit: Audio Production and Distribution Workshop

DTV Audio Group at SVG Summit
Audio Production and Distribution Workshop
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday, December 12, 2016

This year’s workshop continues to explore the impact of IP media routing and connectivity along with emerging application of object audio for advanced surround and personalization. We will look in on recent high-profile events including Rio Olympics and 2016 Euro Cup.  We will have an update on the spectrum auction and look in on efforts to standardize loudness and dynamic range management for streamed content.  Finally we will take a few moments to share remembrances of our friend and colleague Bob Dixon.

Discussion topics will include:

Wireless Spectrum Update
With the forward-auction going into additional rounds, how is the future UHF spectrum picture shaping up? Initial clearing targets would have made UHF microphone operation virtually impossible in many areas.  The picture has incrementally improved, but things are still going to get a lot more crowded.  We will make some predictions on the final band plan and review the limited relocation options.

 Loudness Management in Multi-Platform Streamed-Content Delivery
As the center of gravity for television viewing shifts to an online experience, how are the best practices for loudness, dynamic range and format management making the transition? Can a line still be drawn between fixed and mobile streaming?  How are content preparation and audio encoding processes evolving to catch up?  Jim Starzynski updates us on the ongoing work of the AES AGOTTV group and how it dovetails with similar recent efforts in the EBU and elsewhere.

IP Media Networking for Mega-Events.
IP Audio and Video signal distribution has become a critical part of recent large-scale sports productions.  Leveraging IP connectivity over distance continues to impact how these events are covered as virtualized production infrastructure enables evolving workflows.  This is particularly relevant for audio as channel count limitations melt away and better pathways for smart audio metadata and signaling emerge.  We look in on how some recent mega-projects are impacted by IP connectivity and discuss the audio implications of seamless IP.

Practical Applications for the IP-Networked “Smart” Microphone
Network-connected IP microphones are commonplace in installed sound but have yet to make an appearance in broadcast production environments.  As local audio routers transition from TMD matrices to pure IP networks, will IP connected microphones play a role?  What advantages beyond cost efficient connectivity including remote management and organic meta-data and signal identification come along with emerging smart microphone technology?

Atmos Production for Live Sports
Production and distribution of Hollywood television content in Atmos is well underway from Amazon, HBO, Netflix, Starz and others. Live production for sports and entertainment has a ways to go, but is starting to catch up.  One-off high-profile events mixed in Atmos have become routine and with BT’s announced commitment to European football coverage with Atmos sound, with other programmers likely to follow, advanced surround is about to become routine.

Remembering Bob Dixon
Bob Dixon made a huge impact on everyone who had the pleasure to know or work with him.  Join some colleagues and friends in sharing our recollections of Bob.

Presenters and Panelists Include:

• Tim Carroll, Senior Director, Office of the CTO, Dolby Laboratories
• Roger Charlesworth, Executive Director, DTV Audio Group
• Ben Cochran, Applications Engineer, Audio-Technica US
• Stacey Foster, President Production Services, Broadway Video, Coordinating Producer, Saturday Night Live, Technical Consultant, Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
• Richard Friedel, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Fox Networks Engineering & Operations
• Rob France, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Broadcast, Dolby Laboratories
• Skip Pizzi, Senior Director, Media Technology, National Association of Broadcasters
• Joe Prout, Senior Director, Broadcast Sales, Dale Pro Audio
• Sean Richardson, Executive Director and Principal Audio Engineer, Starz Entertainment
• Henry Rousseau, Senior Operations Manager, ESPN
• Tom Sahara, Vice President Operations and Engineering, Turner Sports, Chairman Sports Video Group
• Sam Shauland, Technical Director, Americas, Lawo AG
• Steve Silva, Consultant Technology Strategy, Fox Networks Engineering and Operations
• Jim Starzynski, Director and Principal Audio Engineer, NBC Universal, Chairman DTV Audio Group
• Jeff Willis, Sports Production Consultant

The DTV Audio Group SVG Summit Production and Distribution Workshop is produced in association with the Sports Video Group and is sponsored by:

• Calrec
• DAD
• Dale Pro Audio
• Dolby Laboratories
• JBL
• Lawo
• Linear Acoustic
• Sanken
• Studer