No. 299 (July 2004)
Computer-based production systems for TV
TV production is now at a turning point: it is
now clear that tape-based systems will be phased out in favour of computer-based
systems. Many EBU Members already use such systems for production of radio programmes,
whilst TV production typically uses isolated islands of computer-based non-linear
editing systems. The next stage of development involves the adoption of networked
TV production systems based on computer servers using hard disks or optical
disks. Such systems are very attractive for production of news and sports programmes
because a given video clip on the servers can be accessed and even edited simultaneously
by several users. Even better, as many of the components used in such systems
are becoming commodity items in the world of Information Technology (IT), the
costs of such systems are falling rapidly. Many experts predict that IT-based
systems will soon be cheaper than traditional production technology.
Although such systems offer a wide range of enhanced
facilities (such as non-destructive editing), they can be much less reliable
than traditional equipment. For example, IT-based production systems usually
depend on hardware and software from different suppliers: each of which tends
to blame the other when systems do not work. During the installation phase,
many broadcasters employ a company to act as the “system integrator” whose responsibility
is to ensure that the entire system performs according to expectations. When
such systems are put into operational service, new problems are often encountered.
Consequently, it may be necessary for staff from the “system integrator” to
remain on site to assist in ensuring operational reliability. Of course, this
additional effort is very costly – especially if it lasts for months or years.
Unfortunately, at the time of purchase, few broadcasters expect to have pay
such additional costs.
It is important to contrast such experiences with
installation of traditional TV production equipment where broadcasters themselves
can act as system integrators. Historically, this process has had many advantages
because, during the installation phase, the broadcaster’s staff gain inside
knowledge about the system – which subsequently helps them to maintain and operate
the system.
In the case of IT-based systems, many of the problems
are due to software malfunctions or incompatibilities which are extremely difficult
to diagnose and correct – especially in complex systems which integrate products
from multiple vendors. The “obvious” solution is to ensure that broadcasters
have sufficient in-house expertise to be able to act as the system integrator
for IT projects. However, most broadcasting engineers do not fully understand
the world of IT and, conversely, most IT experts do not understand the world
of broadcasting! What we need are engineers who are “ambidextrous” in that they
have deep knowledge both of IT systems and broadcasting systems.
Practical results achieved with IT-based systems
amongst EBU Members is not entirely encouraging. In a “round table” session
at the EBU Technical Assembly in April 2004, EBU Members described a mixture
of good and bad experiences. Many of those reporting “successful” projects acknowledged
that they had encountered many serious problems during installation and testing.
Some projects have been delivered late and seriously over-budget, as well as
not providing all of the expected functionality. Such problems are not unexpected
in pilot projects – but some have been caused by the IT experts incorrectly
assuming that the techniques used in traditional office IT systems can easily
be used for applications delivering real-time video and audio signals. A key
issue is that of latency: users of a word processor can accept a delay of a
few seconds in retrieving a file from a networked server, but TV production
staff rightly expect that the video and audio will start immediately when requested
to avoid embarrassing gaps in broadcast services. Broadcasters should not expect
that “off the shelf” IT solutions will meet their demanding requirements. On
the other hand, broadcasters should not be surprised that customised solutions
to meet their specific requirements can be very expensive.
Other problems include lack of interoperability
between systems from different suppliers. In principle, such problems could
be avoided by the use of open standards. In the past, many vendors felt that
it was better to use their own proprietary solutions because that allowed them
greater control over their products. This was possible in an era when a single
vendor could supply complete turnkey solutions – but nowadays even the largest
vendors are cultivating strategic partnerships with other suppliers. To facilitate
such collaborations, vendors seem to be moving towards the use of open standards.
Such developments are warmly welcomed by EBU Members, because it will allow
them to “mix and match” hardware and software from different suppliers – whilst
also avoiding the problems of monopoly suppliers.
IT-based production systems can improve the efficiency
of the production process and reduce operational costs. However, managers looking
for rapid returns on capital investment need to understand that most IT-based
systems have a relatively short life expectancy. The experience of EBU Members
is that maintenance costs are higher for the current generation of IT-based
equipment than for traditional equipment, mainly due to frequent revisions of
software and the consequent issues of unreliability. Finally, the problem of
“creative inflation” must be recognized: production staff have pride in their
work and they are likely to use the new technologies to produce better and more
sophisticated programmes – rather than producing the same type of programmes
more quickly or more cheaply.
Apart from technical and financial problems, significant
changes in working practices and workflow are necessary to achieve the maximum
benefit from such new systems. Although some staff are keen to acquire new skills,
others may feel threatened by changes in their working practices. As many people
will need to learn new skills, systematic training must be an essential ingredient
in the successful deployment of new technologies in the production environment.
All too often, IT-based production systems have
not fully delivered the levels of performance needed for demanding applications
in TV production. In such circumstances, it is hard to justify to a Director-General
that, for example, an “almost-failed” pilot scheme should be extended (at huge
cost) to replace all traditional TV production equipment! Such problems are
extremely worrying: in the words of a Technical Director of an EBU Member:
“It is hard work to get IT-based solutions working
and even harder to keep them running.
The good old days are over . . . . . ”
Nevertheless, many EBU Members have decided to
embrace IT-based production systems: probably the most ambitious is DR in Denmark,
which plans to convert all of its mainstream TV production facilities to IT-based
systems by early 2005.
In summary, we can be confident that IT-based systems
will eventually mature and deliver what the suppliers promise! Until then, large
networked IT-based production systems must be classified as a high-risk investment.
Philip Laven
Director
EBU Technical Department
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