Radio Festival 09 – TechCon
TechCon 2009 took place in the prestigious Nottingham Playhouse where our host, former Virgin and LBC MD David Lloyd, guided us through a stimulating and informative programme which neither engineers nor programmers could afford to miss.
Subjects explored included loudness, digital content capture in the field, wireless data services and the holy grail of perfect station processing. HUGE THANKS to everyone involved and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2010!
Audio from all the sessions at TechCon 2009 is available right here:
TechCon 2009 Programme
Introduction
Session 1: Unlocking Loudness
Andrew Mason explains loudness (compared to level), the standards and regulation relating to loudness and how loudness could be measured. Andrew also gives us an insight into what other broadcasters are doing and suggests how the TV world's issues may affect radio. This is engineering theory for all those working with broadcast audio.
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Session 2: The Role of Mayan Gods in Engineering Online Audio for Broadcast Performance
The BBC’s new Coyopa system aims to provide traditional levels of broadcast reliability to the delivery of online radio, be it streamed live, listen again or podcasts. Learn from James Cridland what the BBC’s aims were, including why a particular approach was taken and what was learnt by the project. He also unlocks the mystic connection with the justified ancients.
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Session 3: Harvesting Multimedia Content in the Field
Traditionally we have always enhanced standard news vehicles to add multimedia and online capability but BBC English regions have turned this approach on its head with their new iCav, using IP to solve the problems of news gathering for true multimedia teams, needing live connectivity from remote locations, whilst delivering value for money.
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Session 4: Battle of the Wireless Bands
Simon Mason takes you on a journey of exploration into the world of WiMAX and LTE, with a focus on the complex technology and networks required to deliver the high speed data services of the future. Which technology will win the race and why should the radio industry care?
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Session 5: The Magic of Processing
Making your station sound clear but distinctive has always seemed a black art to most engineers but Orban’s Peter Lee takes us through how the latest Optimod processors handle station output in order to deliver the desired station sound, for a range of platforms (not just AM & FM), so that technical staff can now realise editorial aspirations.
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Session 6: And the Winner is…
Alec Thomas examines what makes technical innovation award winning. The challenges of design, implementation and finally writing an engaging award entry.
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Session 7: Bid Up! - Spectrum Matters
As Head of Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs Julian McGougan offers you a view through the looking glass into the future availability and use of spectrum, liberalisation of ownership and usage, the inner workings of OFCOM auctions and why all this matters for ‘old-world’ radio.
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Session 8: Enhancing the Digital Experience
Both data and audio can enhance the listener experience on digital platforms and the team from Fraunhofer explain how their technology and standards are ready to be deployed right now to do just that.
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Session 9: The Realities of Delivering Broadcasts Over the Net
Richard Cooper explains the BBC’s approach to managing the challenges of online delivery for broadcasters. He takes a look at the crucial ISP relationship and costs, how to ride the peaks of audience demand, whether planned (New US President) or unplanned (snow), and the real benefits of having (near) real time data about the preferences of your online listeners.
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Session 10: Noise at Work Regulations - Is the Message Being Heard?
Do you know what responsibilities you have to protect the hearing of staff at your station? Are you aware of the possible consequences for you and your station? Our expert from the Health and Safety Executive, and an independent consultant guide you through the issues and solutions, to help you reach compliance with the regulations.
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Click here to download Liz's presentation, and here to download Tom's.
Session 11: What's in Your Pocket?
We asked students to show us how good they really are by producing a 60 second A/V presentation based on the combination of two themes, using just what is readily available to them (mobile phone, MP3 player, laptop), with the best entry winning a prize!
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Conference Round-Up with James Cridland
James gives us his (light hearted) round up of what we heard at TechCon 2009, what we should have learnt from it and what we might deduce about where Radio is headed.
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