SVG Summit Spotlight: DTV Audio Group To Explore IP, Object Audio, Spectrum Crunch, and More
Story Highlights
This year’s DTV Audio Group Workshop at The SVG Summit — taking place Dec. 11-12 at the New York Midtown Hilton — will continue to explore the impact of IP-enabled production tools on audio creation workflows in live sports. The workshop will examine application of object audio for advanced surround and personalization in fixed and mobile devices. In addition, sessions will take a look at how digital processing and IP connectivity is influencing the next-generation of “smart “microphones”. Finally, the afternoon will feature an in depth Wireless Spectrum Workshop, addressing the impacts of the FCC’s Incentive Auction earlier this year, which began the countdown for wireless microphone operators to vacate the 600 MHz band.
Here’s a look at the full program for the DTV Audio Workshop and Wireless Spectrum Workshop, which will take place on Monday, Dec. 11 in the Hilton’s Gramercy Suite East/B from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information on The SVG Summit, including registration, program agenda, hotel, and sponsorship, visit www.thesvgsummit.com.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 10:00 – 10:15 a.m. | Wireless Spectrum Crunch
With the spectrum auction completed and carriers already rolling out services in their newly-acquired 600 MHz blocs, live production using wireless is getting tricky in many locations. As carriers continue to fill open blocs, and stations relocate to surrender their existing allocations, things are about to get even more crowded. How bad will the crunch be and what emerging technologies or practices can help to ease the inevitable crowding? Please also join us for an expanded afternoon workshop session where we explore this important topic further. |
| 10:15 – 11:00 a.m. | Mobile, Immersive, and Object Audio
Mobile Atmos Production for Premium Television and Live Sports Speakers: |
| 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. | SMPTE 2110 and AES 67 Audio Networking
IP Audio and Video signal distribution is already a critical part of large-scale sports productions. The emergence of SMPTE ST2110 creates a solid roadmap for IP video infrastructure and gives a huge push for IP audio by standardizing AES 67 implementation in broadcast facilities and creating a vast universe of native AES 67 compatible devices. |
| 11:30 – 11:45 a.m. | Standards-Based IP Intercom
As IP infrastructure and remote connectivity grow, what are the possibilities for standards-based intercom technology that can play nicely in an IP-networked world? We will explore the opportunities for leveraging proven IP telecommunications open standards to manage large and complex intercom implementations within and beyond the broadcast center. |
| 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Console Automation and Assisted Mixing
Assisted mixing technologies for functions like close-ball tracking, panel-group mixing, and auto gain-setting are increasingly common. How are these evolving technologies being applied today and how will their use expand in the future as mixers are tasked with managing ever-increasing production demands? |
| 12:15 – 1:00 p.m. | Digital Microphone Technology and Remote Steering
Digitally steered microphones are beginning to play a greater role in sports production. These can range from simple Stereo MS on through first-and-higher-order ambisonic pick-up devices or even multiple capsule array microphones. As the technology matures to digitally manipulate multiple capsule signals in real time with minimal latency, what is the potential for next-generation digitally enhanced multi-channel microphones? We will also examine IP-enabled remote steering of conventional microphones and look at how this technology compares and the common elements they share. |
The successful conclusion of the FCC’s Incentive Auction earlier this year began the countdown for wireless microphone operators to vacate the 600 MHz band. One carrier, T-Mobile, which acquired the largest chunk of 600 MHz spectrum—known in the telecom industry as Band 71—is rapidly building out its new 5G services, and has already started sending letters to Broadcast Auxiliary Services licensees across the country to notify them that they will be firing up new sites soon for band 71 services promised to cover over one million square miles by year’s end.
Karl Voss, Broadcast Engineer at KAET-TV Phoenix and Lead Frequency Coordinator at the NFL, will introduce the workshop, presenting a brief recap of the Incentive Auction and an update on the shrinking frequency spectrum now available to RF mic operators and the challenges that it presents.
Dan Wilson, Senior Manager, Spectrum Engineering for T-Mobile, will present the carrier’s rollout plan which includes many areas where wireless mic users will need to vacate the 600 MHz band as early the end of this year and the beginning of 2018.
Representatives from wireless audio equipment manufacturers will explain the implications of FCC spectrum rules for new and existing equipment. and will discuss alternative wireless products and emerging technologies to operate outside the 600 MHz band.
With frequency coordinators are already winding down use of 600 MHz band gear in anticipation of the new licensees lighting up their services. Coordinators, RF Engineers and solution providers will share strategies for working around the loss of spectrum, and will discuss the practical implications of the evolving wireless landscape for live production.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | DTV Audio Workshop |
| 2:00 – 2:15 p.m. | Welcome to the Spectrum Crunch
Speaker: Karl Voss, National Football League, Lead Frequency Coordinator |
| 2:15 – 2:45 p.m. | Understanding T-Mobile’s 600 MHz Rollout
Speaker: Dan Wilson, T-Mobile, Senior Manager, Spectrum Engineering |
| 2:45 – 3:30 p.m. | Technology and Equipment Implications
Moderator: Steve Harvey, Pro Sound News, West Coast Editor |
| 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Making it Work
Moderator: Joel Guilbert, Dale Pro Audio, Technology Development Manager |
