24 l June 2013
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SOUNDBITES broadcast UNITED KINGDOM
Nugen Audiohas released an update to its LM-Correct loudness analysis and correction tool and its Loudness Management Batch (LMB) processor. The update adds a dialogue gate option to both tools that enables sound engineers to measure dialogue sections within source material automatically. In addition to the dialogue gate option, new presets within LM-Correct add a 10-second, short-term loudness sliding window that works in conjunction with the dialogue-gated programme loudness.
www.nugenaudio.com
Riedel’s Artist Input Monitor iOS app is now available through iTunes. The app can monitor and control up to eight freely assignable audio inputs of an Artist Digital Matrix Intercom system, giving the intercom administrator a new way to manage the 4-wire input levels of a system without having to be in front of a computer running the Director configuration software.
www.riedel.net
Preco is offering a free stereo to 5.1 ‘up-mixing’ enhancement with the purchase of either of Orban’s two loudness controllers – the Optimod-TV 8685 or 6585. Automated logging of loudness levels is carried out by a software application included at no extra charge with the units permitting verification of compliance. Preco is the exclusive UK distributor for Orban audio processing products.
www.orban.com www.preco.co.uk
University Radio Aachen has been equipped with a sapphire digital mixing console from Lawo, with 12 faders and VXPanel. The choice was made after a “technology task force” had visited audio console manufacturers at several trade shows, gathering information and attending demonstrations. The sapphire’s modular system core, motorised faders and extensive configuration capabilities won University Radio Aachen over.
www.lawo.de
Ofcom white space scheme: ‘testing must continue’
Stakeholders encourage caution as regulator seeks to develop plans for spectrum, writes Kevin Hilton
UK BROADCASTING and spectrum regulator Ofcom’s announcement of a pilot scheme for white space devices has raised new concerns over possible interference from the technology on digital TV transmissions and productions using wireless microphones. The TV White Spaces scheme is among the first of its type in Europe and is due to start during Q4 2013. Putting ‘white spaces’ – the
gaps between radio frequencies – to practical use has been part of Ofcom’s plans for the reorganisation of spectrum since it first made public its proposals in 2006. Big technology players including Microsoft are looking at the white space between frequencies used for digital terrestrial television (DTT) and PMSE (programme makers and special events: where the pro-audio industry sits), which includes wireless microphones and in-ear monitors, for new applications such as rural broadband, “WiFi-like services” and machine-to- machine (M2M) networks. The UK government is keen
to expand support for new telecom services, starting with 4G and moving into mobile broadband. In response to this Ofcom is planning to make more spectrum available in the future, possibly from the 700MHz band, for so-called 5G high-speed data links. Ofcom chief executive Ed
Richards comments: “Ofcom is preparing for a future where consumers’ demand for data services will experience huge growth. This will be fuelled
did pose risks to DTT, especially where there was weak coverage. He concluded that how affected DTT viewers might recognise, report and mitigate against white space device interference was unclear, so mechanisms to control any interference needed to be obvious. Alan March, representing both BEIRG and the Association of Professional Wireless Production Technologies, said that “solid evaluation and testing needs to continue”, with trials being “limited” at first and only in locations where disruption to existing “revenue generating” PMSE services can be avoided. He added that BEIRG believes that in the early days channels 36, 37 and 38 need to remain free of white space device activity. Arqiva operates the DTT
Ed Richards, Ofcom: “Ofcom is preparing for a future where consumers’ demand for data services will experience huge growth… White space technology is one creative way that this demand can be met. We are aiming to facilitate this important innovation by working closely with industry”
by smartphones, tablets and other new wireless applications. White space technology is one creative way that this demand can be met. We are aiming to facilitate this important innovation by working closely with industry.” The views for and against
white space devices were put during a stakeholders’ meeting with Ofcom on 26 April. Representatives from
Microsoft, Neul, spectrum management company Spectrum Bridge, the BBC and PMSE industry body BEIRG (British Entertainment Industry Radio Group) put their respective cases in a series of presentations. Stephen Baily from the BBC said that while M2M and new broadband services were “interesting technical opportunities”, the technology
transmission systems for both the BBC and commercial broadcasters in the UK. Group strategy and business development director Wendy McMillan, commented: “White space is a rapidly evolving area that has the potential to seed some very interesting innovations. The key to ensuring its success will be to work through the customer experience and ensure that TV viewers, and others using adjacent spectrum bands, are in no way adversely impacted by the use of white space spectrum.” Ofcom “anticipates” that
white space technology could be fully deployed in the UK during 2014. n
stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk
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