Book Description
An excellent primer on the subject, this book gives beginning professionals in satellite newsgathering an introduction to the technologies and processes involved. It will also suit journalists, editors and producers needing to understand this important element of the newsgathering chain.
Written for the complete beginner, the book shows how typical transmission chains work and their communication with the studio. It also offers a brief introduction to analogue and digital theory before going onto to explain Electronic Newsgathering (ENG) systems: from basic principles: transmission and reception chains, frequencies used and why, through to audio channel, subcarriers and digital modulation, as well as applications: radio cameras, window links, infra-red & laser links.
A brief chapter on satellite theory gives an overview of satellite communication and orbits, basic satellite communication theory, transportables (`flyaways') and trucks, as well as analogue vs digital issues, digital compression and MPEG. Systems regulations and operations are also introduced as well as safety and logistics issues.
If you're looking for a quick and easy introduction to the subject, this book will act as an essential on the job reference guide.
Table of Contents
- Cover
- Halftitle
- Title
- Copyright
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Basic overview of the role of ENG/SNG
- A brief history
- Definitions
- ENG
- OB
- SNG
- Principal elements in covering an event
- Camera and sound
- Editing
- Getting the story back
- Going live
- Communication with the studio
- Talkback
- Back to the story
- Analogue theory
- Analogue basics
- Frequency and wavelength
- Phase
- Modulation principles
- The TV picture
- Colour information
- Capitalizing on the brain’s weaknesses
- Frames
- Digital
- Phase modulation
- Terrestrial microwave links
- Line of sight
- Microwave frequencies
- Microwave frequency bands for ENG
- Microwave – and the microwave
- Fresnel zones
- Fade margin
- Digital modulation in ENG microwave
- COFDM
- Compression
- Advantages of digital microwave
- Digital vs analogue
- Transmission and reception chains
- Audio channels
- Handling of baseband audio – digital vs analogue
- Antennas
- Polarization
- Trucks and masts
- Setting up a link
- Mid-points
- Roofs
- Other microwave link platforms
- Airship links
- Helicopter links
- Man-pack links
- Radio cameras
- Analogue radio-cam links
- Digital radio-cam links
- Optical links
- Infra-red optical video link
- Optical laser link
- Satellites and orbits
- Geostationary orbit principles
- Longitude and latitude
- Basic satellite communication theory
- Uplinks – space segment – downlinks
- Basic digital SNG system
- Frequency bands of operation
- Polarization
- Digital compression
- Squeezing the juice
- Pixels
- Principles of compression – digital sampling
- Redundancy
- Video compression
- Spectral redundancy
- Spatial redundancy
- Temporal redundancy
- MPEG
- MPEG-2
- Profiles and levels
- MPEG picture problems
- Artefacts
- Delay and latency
- Audio compression
- Psychoacoustics
- Audio sampling and masking
- Digital modulation in SNG
- Error correction
- Transmission and symbol rates
- Quality and compression
- DSNG processing equipment
- Encoders
- Modulator (modem)
- Upconverters
- Amplifiers
- SNG antennas
- Feedhorn polarization
- Link budgets
- Fade margin
- DSNG uplink types
- Configuration
- Flyaways
- Antennas
- Flight-cases
- Typical flyaway operation
- Live position
- Studio-remote communications
- Commslink
- Video editing
- Electrical power
- The challenges
- SNG vehicles
- Electrical power generator
- Stabilizing jacking system
- Level of redundancy
- Multiple programme paths
- Hybrid SNG/ENG trucks
- SNG operations – locating the uplink
- Finding your satellite
- Co-ordination and line-up procedures
- Over-runs
- Automation
- Automated acquisition of the satellite
- GPS
- Automation in operation
- Advantages and disadvantages of automation
- Fully remote operation
- Inmarsat and the use of videophones
- Inmarsat system
- The various types of satphone
- Inmarsat Mini-M
- Inmarsat GAN
- Video-conferencing and videophones
- Videophones
- Store and Forward
- Store and Forward hardware
- Inmarsat satphone operation
- Inmarsat GAN
- Siting the satphone
- Safety
- Operating
- Inmarsat Mini-M
- Satellite regulatory issues
- Regulation
- Spectrum
- ITU (International Telecommunications Union)
- National control and trans-border issues
- The control of SNG
- National controls
- Licences
- Frequency clearance
- ITU SNG handbook
- Satellite operators
- Intelsat
- SES Global
- PanAmSat
- Eutelsat
- Other operators
- Europe
- Other regional satellite operators
- The use of satellite capacity
- Types of capacity
- Dedicated and non-dedicated capacity
- Short-term leases
- Occasional capacity
- Inclined orbit
- Operating an SNG uplink
- Placing a booking for occasional space segment
- Multi-and unilateral operations
- Pools
- Safety
- Outline of hazards
- Non-ionizing radiation
- Dealing with hazards with microwave equipment
- The position in the United Kingdom
- The position in the United States
- Practical steps to minimize risks
- Safety zones
- Risk to the operator
- Operations near airports
- Electrical hazards
- Rugged extremes
- Taking care
- The residual current device (RCD)
- Operating ENG pneumatic masts
- Overhead hazards
- Look up!
- Anatomy of an ENG accident
- The pressure of time
- Mast safety alarms
- Manual handling
- Cable safety
- Working at heights
- Down below
- Weather and time of day
- Driving of vehicles
- Tiredness
- Operating in hostile environments
- The immediate response
- Risk to personnel
- The team
- Train for survival
- Accepting the risk
- Getting in to the war zone
- Locating the uplink
- Pool arrangements
- Logistics
- Critical factors
- Chartering
- Excess baggage
- Freighting
- Carriage of systems on aircraft
- On the horizon
- Glossary of terms