Podcasting began as a kind of “voice blog” for amateurs — a way for personal computer users to broadcast their voice over the internet. Now, the concept has evolved into something much bigger — a powerful way for communications professionals to create a wide range of programming on niche topics of interest for large audiences.
Television broadcasters have long relied on compelling content to maintain and increase audience loyalty in an increasingly aggressive marketplace. But with viewers now spoiled for choice, will strong content alone be enough to survive in the 21st Century? If not content, what other tools can broadcasters employ to actively engage audiences?
While international broadcasters covering this years Summer Olympic Games in Rio mostly worked in HD, 1920x1080, NBC used a fair bit of Ultra-HD equipment to cover specific events, such as the opening and closing ceremonies. The 4X HD resolution provided visual excitement to the events, even in slow motion.
It is always annoying when manufacturers change a well-established technical standard that works well for something different — especially when it is billed as “new and improved.” Now, a threatened shake-up of headphone connectors on smartphones and personal computers could have ramifications for professional gear as well.
KVM is more important now for broadcast-IP systems than it ever has been. As manufacturers turn to server based architectures private cloud installations have become more mainstream, requiring us to configure systems through traditional server control inputs, that is keyboard, video and mouse.
In this era of mobile podcasting, reporters often have to record interviews anywhere — in noisy coffee shops, on trains or on campaign buses. Getting clean audio for two or more people quickly on the go can be a challenge if the interviewer is not prepared for it.
Active noise reducing headphones are avoided by professional sound engineers, while passive designs are used. Why is this?
Immersive audio may be driven by virtual reality, but its arrival opens far more possibilities, including a re-birth of the “theatre of the imagination.”
