EBU Technical Review : No. 269 (Autumn 1996)
"There's a way to do it better - find it." (Thomas Edison)
These immortal words of Thomas Edison must have been an inspiration to all those who have worked on the Eurovision Network during the past forty years.
Eurovision has been an organic institution, ever growing and ever changing – for the better – since it's humble origins in 1956.
Originally based on a network of terrestrial microwave links, some permanently leased, others rented on an occasional basis, the Network has spread its branches across the map of Europe and indeed now has connections to other parts of the world.
The Network has been under constant development, taking on an ethereal dimension with the introduction of satellite transmissions in 1984. This represented a "quantum leap" in the use of technology for the EBU. The decision, at the time somewhat controversial, has proved to be an essential element in dealing with the extensive increase in traffic experienced over the years.
This increase in traffic brought its own problems in relation to the management of the Network. An alternative, better, way than the cumbersome manual circuit booking system had to be found. Five years of research and development went into the creation of the TPP – the Transmission Planning Procedures.
The TPP is a computerized system for recording the past, present and future state of the Network. It has successfully replaced the older method, allowing many more bookings with much greater ease.
The amalgamation in January 1993 of the EBU and the OIRT – the Broadcasting Union representing countries in Central and Eastern Europe – demanded an extension of the Network. This was accomplished by the progressive installation of satellite Earth Stations at several locations.
The Network is now poised to expand once again, this time with the help of digital technology. In this issue of the Review, three articles describe the search for an appropriate system which will, once again, push the Network forward almost beyond the frontiers of technology.
There is no doubt that there is always a better way but it usually takes dedication and effort to find it.
George T. Waters
Director
EBU Technical Department
European Broadcasting Union
