AES Vienna 2007
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AES Vienna 2007
Spotlight on Broadcasting Details


Saturday, May 5, 09:30 — 12:30

TT1 - ORF RADIO BROADCASTING STUDIOS

Abstract:
ORF Radio is the National Public Broadcaster for Austria, with 3 nationwide, 9 regional, and 2 MW/SW stations. The Tour to the Radio Broadcasting House gives access to the music recording studios, continuity studios for 3 different radio stations, and insight into the practical 5.1-Surround Sound operation of the satellite radio channel OE1DD.



Saturday, May 5, 09:30 — 11:30

W3 - SURROUND FOR BROADCASTING: AN OVERVIEW

Co-chairs:
Kimio Hamasaki, NHK Science and Technical Research Laboratories - Tokyo, Japan
Lars Jonsson, SR - Swedish Radio
Panelists:
Steve Church, Telos Systems
Erik Lundbeck, SVT Sweden
Tony Spath, Dolby Laboratories, UK
Gerhard Stoll, IRT - Munich, Germany

Abstract:
This workshop will review proprietary systems and MPEG Surround/spatial standards. Which systems are in use? Which systems will come?

TV and radio broadcasters are using distribution systems for transmitting 5.1 surround sound with different audio coding methods. The workshop will review the current state of the art of used systems and report from broadcasters' experience of starting up new services and give an overview of the receiver penetration in various countries.

The panel will also discuss future directions.



Saturday, May 5, 10:30 — 12:00

AS1 - MIST, FROM MONO TO 5.1

Abstract:
Audio Restoration

MIST Technologies has developed an "unmixing" technology. The MIST software enables the creation of a multitrack version of a mono or stereo recording. These "multitracks" are fully nondestructive to the source material, and the sum of the separated tracks is equal to the original work; and the original mix is thus fully respected. This multitrack facility enables a sound engineer to quickly prepare a high quality multichannel master and was used by Olivier Dahan to remaster the original Edif Piaf recordings featured in the film, La Môme.

This Application Seminar will feature a presentation of the company, its technology and its products, as well as discussions with sound engineers using multitracks prepared by MIST.



Saturday, May 5, 13:30 — 14:30

D.A.V.I.D.

Presenter:
Axel Holzinger, D.A.V.I.D. GmbH

Abstract:
"Visual Radio"— Radio Delivery of Multimedia Content to Multiple Platforms

The upcoming delivery platforms like DMB, DVB-H, DVB-S, and wireless internet open new dimensions for radio broadcasters to bring content to their listeners. New D.A.V.I.D. broadcast server functions make it easy to extend the classical radio workflow and provide “visible” content to the new mobile devices—at any time.



Saturday, May 5, 13:30 — 16:30

TT2 - ORF TV BROADCASTING STUDIOS

Abstract:
ORF TV is the National Public Broadcaster for Austria with 2 main TV channels (ORF 1+2), 2 dedicated theme channels (TW1 – tourism and weather, ORF Sport Plus), regional programs, and diverse off-air activities, as well as being by far the most popular webpresence in the country. The focus of the tour to ORF TV will be the 3 newly refurbished postproduction studios with outstanding acoustic design and full surround sound capability, unique for European broadcast studios. Example clips will be demonstrated, and the tour will also cover the general infrastructure shortly after a major relaunch of a substantial part of ORF's programs.



Saturday, May 5, 15:30 — 16:30

LAWO – NETWORKING AUDIO SYSTEMS

Presenter:
Felix Krueckels

Abstract:
Integration of Workstation Audio Tools in Modern Broadcast Live Situations

Lawo will be presenting a new approach in integrating audio editing tools in live broadcast and production desks previously provided only by workstations. You will be enthusiastic about a full integration of audio editing tools in the broadcast mixing desks mc266 and mc290. All common applications of the mc2-series are also available for this integration. See and hear how the merge of two completely independent worlds is realized in the Lawo products. The second part of the lecture is devoted to the networking of several Lawo systems with total studio control.



Saturday, May 5, 16:30 — 18:30

W6 - LOUDNESS METERING SYSTEMS AND INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Chair:
Lars Jonsson, SR/Swedish Radio
Panelists:
Kimio Hamasaki, NHK Science & Technical Research Laboratories - Tokyo, Japan
Erik Lundbeck, SVT Swedish TV
Thomas Lundh, TC Electronics - Denmark
Ralph Kessler, Pinguin - Germany
Andrew Mason, BBC - UK
Tony Spath, Dolby Laboratories - UK
Gerhard Spikofski, IRT - Germany
Matti Zemack, SR - Swedish Radio - Sweden

Abstract:
This workshop will cover loudness metering and automatic level adjustments and present an overview of systems and international activities. The session will cover the latest progress in standards made by the ITU and the EBU to recommend solutions for broadcasting. The general problem to solve is common to all new digital distribution systems. Old analog audio metering methods have become obsolete and can no longer create a smooth perceived level for listeners. Manufacturers making proposals along with the new standards are presenting their products. A general discussion among the panel members and the audience will point out the direction for the future.



Sunday, May 6, 09:30 — 12:30

TT4 - ORF TV BROADCASTING STUDIOS

Abstract:
ORF TV is the National Public Broadcaster for Austria with 2 main TV channels (ORF 1+2), 2 dedicated theme channels (TW1 – tourism and weather, ORF Sport Plus), regional programs, and diverse off-air activities, as well as being by far the most popular webpresence in the country. The focus of the tour to ORF TV will be the 3 newly refurbished postproduction studios with outstanding acoustic design and full surround sound capability, unique for European broadcast studios. Example clips will be demonstrated, and the tour will also cover the general infrastructure shortly after a major relaunch of a substantial part of ORF's programs.



Sunday, May 6, 10:30 — 11:30

D.A.V.I.D.

Presenter:
Ingo Hahn, D.A.V.I.D. GmbH

Abstract:
Bi-Medial Production

DigaSystem offers a wide variety of bi-medial production tools embedded in a scalable content management system. This includes support of standard broadcast audio and video formats, as well as formats for new delivery channels like mobile devices and new media. This lecture gives an overview about bi-medial production workflows within DigaSystem.



Sunday, May 6, 11:00 — 12:30

T5 - MXF—THE MATERIAL EXCHANGE FORMAT

Presenter:
Tim Harris, Snell & Willcox

Abstract:
This tutorial takes an audio-oriented look at the MXF file format. It will start off with a general introduction—to the basics of MXF—what MXF is, why it was invented, by whom it was developed, and how it was standardized. The tutorial will then focus on the MXF synchronization model, and the capabilities of the format to combine audio, video, data and metadata in a versatile way.

Carriage of essence within MXF will then be explained with a particular focus on audio. Attention will be drawn to the involvement of the AES in providing the underlying international reference for the Broadcast Wave format. Metadata annotation of essence, particularly recent work on the MXF Master Format Guidelines for multi-lingual annotation, will be explained.

The talk will be interspersed with demonstrations of how MXF software could be used in real-world workflows.



Sunday, May 6, 13:00 — 16:00

TT5 - ORF RADIO BROADCASTING STUDIOS

Abstract:
ORF Radio is the National Public Broadcaster for Austria, with 3 nationwide, 9 regional, and 2 MW/SW stations. The Tour to the Radio Broadcasting House gives access to the music recording studios, continuity studios for 3 different radio stations, and insight into the practical 5.1-Surround Sound operation of the satellite radio channel OE1DD.



Sunday, May 6, 13:00 — 15:30

T6 - BROADCAST CASE STUDIES

Presenters:
Dennis Baxter, Audio for the Olympics
Akira Fukada, NHK Tokyo
Gaute Nistov, NRK Oslo

Abstract:
Three experts will relate stories of their individual experiences in broadcasting.

Dennis Baxter(14:00) will tell of his experience broadcasting the Olympics. The Olympics uses production teams from all over the world including the host country, which is currently China. Most of these production teams are considered to be the best at their particular sports coverage. For example YLE (Finland) and NRK (Norway) produce Cross Country Skiing and Winter Biathlon, the BBC has produced Tennis and New Zealand covers sailing. The host country, 2004 – Greece, 2006 – Italy, 2008 – China is favored by the Host Broadcaster to participate as much as possible but often these broadcaster lack the experience. One of the greatest challenges in the broadcast production of the Olympics is a consistency in production. With sound mixers from over 30 different countries they bring with them various levels of technical skills and personal experience that influence the way the sound is produced. Additionally sound mixing is very personal and subjective and not easily definable as to what is right or wrong. The following factors influence sound mixing: (1) Cultural interpretation of television production; (2) Psychological – Television has been dominated by video and engineers and technicians who do not understand audio. Often there has been a lack of resources and support, and sound engineers sometimes just give up! (3) Personal prejudices – Most North American sound mixers disapprove of live sound sweetening; (4) Ego; (5) Experience. The presentation will explore these areas and the subjectivity of sound production.

Gaute Nistov's (13:00) topic is location recording from the bottom of the North Sea to the Pyramids of Egypt. On the 2nd of October 2006 singer Katie Melua performed a concert over 300 meters below sea level inside one of the concrete shafts that anchors the Troll gas rig to the sea bed. In addition to being Europe’s highest selling European female artist last year this gig in the North Sea also secured Katie a world record for the deepest underwater concert. The special acoustic properties of the shaft and the very strict security measures on the platform were among the challenges for this extraordinary production.
Only weeks later in Cairo a performance of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen’s “Peer Gynt” was staged in front of the Great Pyramids of Giza. The combined effort of more than 30 actors and singers, the Cairo Symphony Orchestra, and a 60-plus strong choir at the outdoor arena, posed a very different set of requirements for a sound production that had to accommodate both a live transmission locally on the night as well as recording for postproduction. Nistov was in charge of the TV-sound production on both occasions and will discuss the technical solutions used with an emphasis on production planning.

Akira Fukada (14:45) talks of his challenges broadcasting two concerts in Japan. Two special concerts will be presented having taken place in demanding places in Japan: One of them is the concert at which the “field of summer” was performed at the city center of Hiroshima. This is a concert which looks back upon the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing. The piece was performed at the exact place where the atomic bomb of Hiroshima was dropped. For Japan, that is a holy place. Therefore, there are many regulations and the concert was held in the severe environment of hot summer. It was not only broadcast live in 5.1 surround sound, but offered simultaneously all over the world on the Internet. The second concert took place inside of a mountain. This mountain has a huge base rock and the sound performed there produces characteristic reverberation.
Composer Isao Tomita and Fukada planned the concert using the sound properties of this space. First, music was performed by allotting a player to various places of a mountain. And those sounds are projected to the base rock using PA. The reflective sound is recorded with the surround microphone installed in the space. The performance had a destinctive sound due to this mountain’s effect. However, during this concert it, unfortunately, rained; nevertheless the sound of the rain made for an exceptional sound effect caught by the surround microphone.



Sunday, May 6, 16:00 — 18:00

T7 - CHAMPAGNE LIFESTYLE—BEER MONEY

Presenters:
Simon Bishop, Freelance Sound Recordist - UK
Richard Merrick, Freelance Sound Recordist - UK

Abstract:
Simon Bishop and Richard Merrick contrast location audio acquisition from both ends of the budget spectrum. Discussing and comparing techniques and tricks collectively acquired from 60 man-years of experience, from being awash with money and equipment to begging, borrowing, and hunting on eBay. Light-hearted, but informative, and both will prove that it's not the size of your nail, but the skill of the guy with the hammer!



Monday, May 7, 09:00 — 11:00

W14 - PROCESS MODELING FOR BROADCAST PROFESSIONALS

Panelists:
Chris Chambers, BBC
Karl Petermichl, ORF

Abstract:
Managing workflow processes is an increasingly challenging task due to the complexity of modern, multimedia-oriented program departments. Process modeling is a way to graphically draw and analyze workflows, as well as integrating business parameters from the "Balanced Score Card" model into those processes.

Process modeling with the method ADONIS (used at ORF) and modeling with BPMN and UML in various applications will be explained and demonstrated.



Monday, May 7, 10:30 — 12:00

AS6 - SOUND PRODUCTION FOR A LARGE TELEVISION SHOW

Abstract:
Broadcast and Production

Austria plays host to two major New Year celebrations in the broadcast world. This Application Seminar will feature the “making of” the final rehearsal of the New Year's Concert from the Musik Verein in Vienna and the Silvesterstadl in Innsbruck.
The New Year's Concert is already a well-known institution and features the Vienna Philharmonic with a guest conductor playing a repertoire largely drawn from the works of the Strauss family. The event is broadcast worldwide and is a "must" for millions of people.
The Silvesterstadl also enjoys a long heritage but has a more limited audience, mainly in the German-speaking countries, but is still broadcast over Eurovision and watched by millions. The seminar will be taking a close look at the production behind these two events



Monday, May 7, 11:30 — 12:30

AUDIO EXPORT GEORGE NEUMANN

Presenters:
Haimo Godler, ORF
Christoph Keller, Audio Export

Abstract:
KoKo - the ORF Radio Archive

The software for archiving, interfacing, and retrieval was developed especially for the needs of ORF. The solution is a perfect example for a seamless integration between the digital production, the on-air tools based on the automation-system Radiomax, and the sound archive. This exhibitor seminar presents the main ideas of the ORF radio archive to the visitors.



Monday, May 7, 11:30 — 13:00

T8 - SYNC AND TIMECODE—BRICKS NOT TRICKS

Presenter:
Chris Woolf, Broadcast Engineering Systems, Ltd.

Abstract:
Synchronization and timecode—intimately connected but not to be confused with each other—form the time-axis shells of buildings within which most sound practitioners must house their work. Rules-of-thumb, tricks-that-seem-to-work, and even blind faith often support rather shaky structures so this tutorial provides some underpinning: a foundation of solid bricks.

The session presumes very little and will be useful to those with limited experience. However, it will also appeal to those with gnarled hands and a lot of dust under their fingernails but who harbour secret doubts about the security of their techniques—dark glasses and a false moustache may be worn.



Monday, May 7, 13:30 — 14:30

D.A.V.I.D.

Presenter:
Klaus Hellmich, D.A.V.I.D. GmbH

Abstract:
Global Interfaces Optimized for Exchanging Large Media Files

Combining video content with radio workflows, increasingly large multimedia files have to be exchanged among multiple locations. As part of its “Moves Media” product line, D.A.V.I.D. provides the DigaMailbox-IP System, offering simple, secure and reliable connections over the Internet that are optimized for exchanging extensive media files between bureaus scattered all over the world.



Monday, May 7, 15:30 — 18:00

W21 - RADIO MUSIC RECORDING

Panelists:
Martin Leitner, ORF
Anton Reininger, ORF
Josef Schütz, ORF
Ulrike Schwarz, BR

Abstract:
This workshop will present three senior sound balancing engineers from ORF Radio, sharing their own individual working procedures toward music recordings in 5.1 and stereo for live and deferred broadcasting. The musical genres will encompass classical, jazz, and world music. A method used for surround pickup, the "Karreth-Disc," will be introduced by the BR engineer.



Monday, May 7, 16:30 — 17:30

W23 - BC 9001: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR BROADCASTERS

Chair:
Guillaume Cheneviere, CERTIMEDIA

Abstract:
A group of international experts has compiled a comprehensive certification program that is compatible with ISO 9001:2000. This program is targeted directly to the needs and organizational procedures of national public and private radio and television broadcasters and should be of high interest to anyone looking for a framework to analyze and certify the practical operation of their stations.



Tuesday, May 8, 09:00 — 11:00

W24 - DIGITAL STORAGE CARRIERS FOR ARCHIVES

Chair:
Stefani Renner, Ingenieurbuero Renner
Panelists:
Wolfgang Draese, Hitachi Data Systems
Stewart Vane-Tempest, Plasmon
Magnus Widmer, IBM Switzerland, Storage Systems Group

Abstract:
Nearly all sectors of the professional audio industry, in particular large radio stations, face the same problem:  masses of analog archives, waiting to be digitized. Because digitalization pervades all levels of production today, converting from analog archives to digital media has become a necessity, not only to improve quality and preservation but also to make those archives compatible with current production methods. So, it should be no surprise that digital archiving has become a major field of interest in broadcasting.

This workshop will focus on identifying the best storage carrier for archives. Since one storage carrier no longer fits every situation—as it did back when p” analog tape predominated—each archive should be able to utilize the mass storage system that best meets its needs. Today’s archives generally use one of three types of mass storage carrier: tape-based, hard disk, and optical. In this workshop, we will present an overview of these three types of carrier along with their specific features and conclude with an in-depth discussion on how to select the best storage system for your archiving needs. Aspects such as the future-proof of the storage and the total cost of ownership are examined as well as questions about the behavior in high humidity, in dusty environments or at high temperatures. In addition, real-life experiences with archive installations in broadcasting will be shared.



Tuesday, May 8, 12:30 — 14:30

T11 - AUDIO CONTRIBUTION WITH IP OVER WAN NETWORKS

Presenters:
Mathias Coinchon, EBU
Lars Jonsson, EBU/Swedish Radio
Gregory Massey, APT Ltd. - Ireland

Abstract:
Audio over IP end units have become common in radio and tv operations for streaming of audio over IP networks, from remote sites or local offices into main studio centres. ISDN is gradually replaced by IP-circuits.

The IP networks used can be well-managed private networks with controlled quality of service. The Internet is increasingly also used for various cases of radio contribution, especially over longer distances. Radio correspondents will have the choice in their equipment to use either ISDN or Internet via ADSL to deliver their reports. In France even distribution to FM transmitters via IP over well managed MPLS-networks is planned to replace older circuits.

More than 15 manufacturers provide equipment for these applications.

With almost no exceptions, end units coming from one manufacturer today are not compatible with another company's unit. Based on an initiative coming from German vendors and broadcasters, the European Broadcasting Union, EBU, has started a project group, N/ACIP, Audio Contribution over IP, to suggest a method of create interoperability for audio over IP. A draft standard has been proposed by the EBU. Some manufacturers already have begun implementation as a minimum interoperability option.

The tutorial will cover the standardization process and give a basic overview of audio over IP.



Tuesday, May 8, 15:00 — 17:00

T13 - AUDIO QUALITY IN NEW LOW BIT-RATE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

Presenters:
Lars Jonsson, EBU/Swedish Radio
Gregory Massey, APT Ltd. - Ireland
Gerhard Stoll, IRT - Munich, Germany

Abstract:
Audio quality in new low bit-rate distribution systems—with a broadcasters cascade perspective with many re-encodings at too low bit rates. What is the solution to this problem?

In all new digital distribution systems broadcasters are faced with the problem of using perceptual coding systems in all stages of the broadcasting chain, from early capturing to contribution over editing and on-air. Systems in the home are now also using recording with digital media with low bit rate systems. The resulting overall quality is often degraded by the cascading artifacts in more than five steps of coding and re-encoding.

This tutorial discusses state of the art methods and listening test results within the EBU to overcome these problems.