Iowa DTV Symposium - Content Track

HD Picture Quality - How Can We Make It Better?

Wed, 3 Oct 2007 11:00:00 CST

As we get closer to the analog shut off the public will increasingly turn toward our DTV services. The central focus in many communities will be on HD content. The visual quality of our content is substantially determined by the choices we make as we plan our productions. This discussion and presentation will illustrate the results of some of the choices that producers may want to consider as they plan their productions.

NASA Digital Television, Where We've Been, Where We're Going

Wed, 3 Oct 2007 09:30:00 CST

This presentation will provide a short history of NASA's digital television efforts since 1997. It will focus on work done to upgrade launch imaging systems at the Kennedy Space Center following the Columbia accident, the NASA Multi-Channel Digital Television System, Web Streaming of video from NASA centers, where NASA is on HDTV Production, and NASA's future direction in imaging. This will highlight a tapeless HDTV distribution system, the use of IP for broadcast quality video and internet distribution, and the future. Much of what NASA has experienced with digital television, particularly HDTV, mirrors industry trends and issues, but NASA has many unique requirements which have driven innovative solutions. A 5 minute HD video will be shown of the launch of STS-114, the Return-To-Flight launch.

The Digital Transition: OK, I was Wrong. (Partially.)

Wed, 3 Oct 2007 08:45:00 CST

Bruce A. Johnson does something no presenter should ever do in public: admit his mistakes! Of course, he wasn't ALL wrong. Join him for a fast-paced review of where we were, where we are, and what we still need to do to advance the DTV transition and not leave our viewers behind. BONUS: Real-life underwater HDV footage!

Myth, Media and Meta: Three Information Epochs and What They Mean for Broadcasting

Tue, 2 Oct 2007 16:30:00 CST

Humans have always created information faster than we create humans. And, consequently, humans are in a constant struggle to extract value from the "noise" of too much information in their environment. The title refers to epochs that are characterized by the techniques we've used. "Myth" being story-telling, poetry, music, etc. "Media" dates from Gutenberg and encompasses traditional broadcasting. "Meta" is the digital age, characterized by use of metadata, compression, "pull" distribution, and distribution systems that can learn user preferences. Broadcasters use all these techniques and social systems may enable them to be successful in "many-to-many" distribution in the future.

Everything Old Is New Again

Tue, 2 Oct 2007 15:45:00 CST

In between our aging analog tape collections and our tapeless broadcast future, lies the challenges of transforming television programs into digital data that can have many lives after broadcasting. The key to long-term program access is not only digitization, but also preservation -- a problem not just for archivists anymore, but involves producers, editors, techies and engineers, and many others. This session will examine some of the basic issues associated with digital preservation and longevity, which will turn us all into digital archivists any day now.

The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD: global cinemacasts, robotic cameras, and more

Tue, 2 Oct 2007 14:30:00 CST

The Metropolitan Opera has been delivering in HD since 1990. Now it's live worldwide, with multiple languages of subtitles, multiple picture and sound formats, as many as 15 cameras, and more. Opera in HD. Live. In a house that might perform seven different operas a week (and two different ones each day). With all cameras and mics invisible. With live distribution to cinemas all over the world in multiple HD and sound formats. With separate directors for the music and the intermissions, coordinated with different live radio shows. With setup in less than two hours. It has happened. The last two shows finished in the top-20 U.S. theatrical weekend box office even though they were shown only once (versus multiple movie showings). Next season will feature 33% more operas, and still more are planned for 2009. Learn how it's all done.

Digital Media: What's Next? And How We Got There.

Tue, 2 Oct 2007 13:45:00 CST

Digital Media What's Next? And How We Got There.

HDV at FRONTLINE

Tue, 2 Oct 2007 13:00:00 CST

A discussion of what works and what to watch for when using HDV. Historically Frontline producers have shot on more traditional acquisition formats such as Betacam or Digital Betacam. As low cost formats, like DV, proliferated our producers began to use them as well. These smaller cameras were well suited to second camera work and for use in locations where a larger rig was too conspicuous or inconvenient to use. Initially, we began using the Sony HVRZ1U as a means of shooting SD widescreen material on a natively 16x9 camera. When we began the transition to high definition acquisition in 2006 it was apparent that highly compressed formats, like HDV, would play a significant part in our future. In this presentation we will discuss the ways we have incorporated HDV into our production and post-production workflow. We will discuss what works and what to watch out for when using HDV and we will have ample opportunity for program participants to take part in the discussion.

Making the Move to Mobile Why How and When

Tue, 2 Oct 2007 11:15:00 CST

The mobile wireless space is one filled with options, opportunity, and to be sure, hype. Should a local television station care about having a mobile offering or is this a fad that will soon pass? This presentation will explore some of the basic questions and considerations for going mobile.

We Are Children of Technology

Tue, 2 Oct 2007 10:30:00 CST

How digital cameras, laptop edits and video on the web are going to change the world. We might like to think that technology is simply our tool. It is not. Each technology carries with it an architecture that it conjures up. The technology in a sense carries a kind of 'cultural DNA' that irrevocably defines a society and how it works. The invention of the automobile, for example, carried a kind of DNA with it - one which inevitably led to highways, suburbs, high oil consumption and even MacDonald's. The invention of television in 1939 carried another kind of cultural DNA with it. Television was expensive to produce and transmit and complicated to make. Hence it was a medium reserved for the very few... seen by the many. A mass medium. Now we are encountering a new technology: small, inexpensive broadcast quality video cameras; simple easy-to-use desktop editing systems and an internet that can carry everyone's video to everyone else for no cost. The old television model no longer works. New technologies have made it obsolete. But those new technologies, like all new technologies carry a DNA that is all uniquely their own. What kind of society will they create for us?

32 Weeks in a World Without Oil: Shaping the Future Through Serious Play

Tue, 2 Oct 2007 09:30:00 CST

What if there was an oil crisis? This year? How might our lives change? We found out by launching World Without Oil, a collaborative online storytelling project, the first "alternate reality game" to address a serious real-world issue. Hundreds of people joined together to chronicle the (imaginary, but realistic) global oil shock, in true Web 2.0 style: with thousands of blogs, videos, images and podcasts. The result has the unsettling ring of truth. Is this the way we will engage with today's pervasive problems, and foster collaborative solutions in our audiences and communities – by playing it before we live it? "By playing it out in a serious way, the game aims to apply collective intelligence and imagination to the problem in advance, and to create a record that has value for educators, policymakers, and the common people," says the Center for Media and Democracy. "Amazing and groundbreaking. The way it gets a grassroots movement designed to think about important problems and builds it around narrative – inspiring," says Jesse Alexander, executive director of Heroes, Lost and Alias.

The Future of Digital Delivery of PBS Content

Tue, 2 Oct 2007 08:45:00 CST

Balancing Act -- The digital revolution is upon us with new platforms, new ways of distributing new kinds of content, and new technologies that truly engage the audience in the process. And yet, at the same time, traditional television viewing is at record levels. The PBS strategy is to operate with one foot in the 20th Century and one foot in the 21st century to insure that local public television stations will remain viable public media institutions providing vital services to their communities in the digital future. John Boland will lay out the evolving strategy and invite your questions and comments.

Washington Update - Mark Erstling

Mon, 1 Oct 2007 16:30:00 CST

Washington Update

Washington Update - Jim Burger

Mon, 1 Oct 2007 15:45:00 CST

Washington Update

Consumer Update - Phillip Swann

Mon, 1 Oct 2007 14:30:00 CST

A forecast of what will happen to Digital TV and HD in 2008. This presentation will explore the ways that HDTV owners get the content they view on their HD sets, and quantify the future market for HD content. The presentation will also explore consumers understanding of whether the content they are viewing from their television provider or on DVD or gaming systems is truly in high-definition. Although past CEA market research has shown that consumers are enthusiastically adopting new HDTV sets, to date there has been little data on how consumers are using their HD sets, including what types of content they are receiving and viewing. This presentation will explore the ways that HDTV owners get the content they view on their HD sets, and quantify the future market for HD content. The presentation will also explore consumers understanding of whether the content they are viewing from their television provider or on DVD or gaming systems is truly in high-definition. Next year is the final year before the nation switches to Digital TV? Is America ready? Or will 2008 be the year when the transition fails before it even starts. Plus, will high-def sales continue to soar? Phillip Swann, president of TVPredictions.com and AKA "Swanni," offers his annual 10 predictions for the coming year.

Consumer Update - Maryann Baldwin

Mon, 1 Oct 2007 14:00:00 CST

Consumer Update - Joe Bates

Mon, 1 Oct 2007 13:30:00 CST

A forecast of what will happen to Digital TV and HD in 2008. This presentation will explore the ways that HDTV owners get the content they view on their HD sets, and quantify the future market for HD content. The presentation will also explore consumers understanding of whether the content they are viewing from their television provider or on DVD or gaming systems is truly in high-definition. Although past CEA market research has shown that consumers are enthusiastically adopting new HDTV sets, to date there has been little data on how consumers are using their HD sets, including what types of content they are receiving and viewing. This presentation will explore the ways that HDTV owners get the content they view on their HD sets, and quantify the future market for HD content. The presentation will also explore consumers understanding of whether the content they are viewing from their television provider or on DVD or gaming systems is truly in high-definition. HDTV: Consumers have the Set, but do they have the Content -- Attendees will learn: (1) How many consumers have HDTV sets? (2) Do consumers know if they are watching content in HD? (3) Are consumers aware of the availability of HD content? (4) Of consumers with HD-ready sets, how many are subscribing to HD content? (5) What factors drive the decision to subscribe or not to subscribe to HD content? (6) How much of the population currently accesses broadcast HD content via antenna? (7) Are HDTV reception households satisfied with the content? (8) What is the outlook for HD programming over the coming year?

Lunch with Keynote Speaker

Mon, 1 Oct 2007 11:30:00 CST

National Association of Broadcasters President and CEO David K. Rehr will be discussing NAB's efforts to educate all Americans about the switch to digital television (DTV) on February 17, 2009. NAB has launched an aggressive public awareness campaign to ensure that no American is left unprepared for the transition to DTV. After Congress made February 17, 2009, the hard date to end analog broadcasting in early 2006, the National Association of Broadcasters made the digital television (DTV) transition its single highest priority. NAB President and CEO David K. Rehr will be discussing the highlights of NAB's aggressive public awareness campaign, including: media and public relations efforts, marketing initiatives, grassroots outreach, DTV Speakers Bureau and the DTV road show. He will also discuss the importance of state broadcaster associations' involvement in educating local communities and how television stations across the country are taking the lead on the DTV transition. In addition, Rehr will highlight the need for different coalitions to work together to ensure a smooth transition on February 17, 2009, so that no American is left unprepared for the transition to DTV.

What Have You Done To My TV? - Marc Pearl

Mon, 1 Oct 2007 10:00:00 CST

Sponsored by NAB, this panel discussion will help broadcasters understand what is expected in their responsibilities for educating the public as we approach the February 2009 DTV transition completion date. This session will assist the broadcaster with consumer education challenges such as meeting the education goals, financing and partnerships.

What Have You Done To My TV? - Mary Lou Kenny

Mon, 1 Oct 2007 09:30:00 CST

What Have You Done To My TV? - Jonathan Collegio

Mon, 1 Oct 2007 09:00:00 CST

What Have You Done To My TV? - Jason Oxman

Mon, 1 Oct 2007 08:30:00 CST

What Have You Done To My TV? - Mark Erstling

Mon, 1 Oct 2007 08:00:00 CST

Iowa DTV Symposium 2007 Announcement

Wed, 8 Aug 2007 16:30:00 CST

Register now for the 2007 Iowa DTV Symposium - October 1,2,3. - For more information visit www.iptv.org/dtv - Featuring Keynote Address by NAB President and CEO David K.Rehr

THE HDV CHALLENGE - CAN YOU SEE THE DIFFERENCE

Thu, 5 Oct 2006 11:15:00 CST

More expensive cameras look better, right? You might be surprised. We'll show examples from a real world documentary that make us look hard and think again.

THE LITTLE FORMAT THAT COULD: GETTING THE MOST OUT OF HDV

Thu, 5 Oct 2006 10:30:00 CST

Mr. Megalos will be concentrating on HDV, rather than full-blown HD, and how productions can make the most of its advantages and overcome its shortcomings. He'll also touch on the upcoming AVCHD format, which is anticipated to succeed HDV while requiring similar production techniques.

TEACHERS' DOMAIN - WGBH'S ONLINE EDUCATIONAL SERVICE

Thu, 5 Oct 2006 09:30:00 CST

Teachers' Domain is an online educational service with two related components: * TD Collections - a digital library of classroom-ready standards-based multimedia resources * TD Courses - a series of online professional development courses for teachers of science K-12 This session will introduce the features of Teachers' Domain digital library and courses. Also, we'll provide a brief overview of localization efforts with other PBS stations, and discuss revenue opportunities through course licensing.

ANYTIME ANYWHERE MEDIA MEASUREMENT (A2/M2)

Thu, 5 Oct 2006 08:45:00 CST

A discussion of the research and development of the systems and technologies that will enable us to provide you with the most effective means to measure TV viewing across an expanding array of media platforms.

AUTOMATED MPEG CAPTURE FOR DVD PRODUCTION, ARCHIVE, WEB STREAMING AND VIDEO PODCASTING

Thu, 5 Oct 2006 08:00:00 CST

Mr. Stackhouse will explain how using off the shelf IT,prosumer and professional grade equipment KET has created digital video capture systems that automate the process of digitally encoding video.

VIDEO ON DEMAND - ARE YOU READY?

Wed, 4 Oct 2006 16:15:00 CST

Mr. Weber will discuss the consumer driven explosion of the cable Video On Demand (VOD)distribution platform, the audience shift underway, the impact to broadcasters and producers and the need to participate. WHYY has developed and implemented a complete end-to-end workflow and technology based solution to efficiently move broadcast content into the VOD distribution environment. This model will be presented in detail.

COMMUNITY CORRESPONDENTS

Wed, 4 Oct 2006 15:30:00 CST

Journalism in the 21st Century: using today's technology to make viewers into citizen journalists.

OPENING THE GATE: EXPANDING LOCAL SERVICE THROUGH ONLINE CONTENT PARTNERSHIPS

Wed, 4 Oct 2006 14:30:00 CST

Opening the Gate: Expanding local service through online content partnerships

PANEL DISCUSSION - INSIDE THE TRUSTED SPACE: PUBLIC MEDIA FINDS ITS NEW CALLING

Wed, 4 Oct 2006 13:00:00 CST

Robert Paterson's describes Trusted Space as the place where citizens can safely and openly discuss the complex questions of the day. He and others think that, in the digital age, Public Media can be such a place - a hub of community interaction and change. Robert Paterson, who led NPR's recent New Realities initiative, is joined by Northwest Public Radio and Television's (and Technology 360 blogger) Dennis Haarsager, and Iowa Public Radio Director of Content and Media, Todd Mundt in a discussion about how public media can engage these captivating ideas locally.

HD: THE FUTURE HAS ARRIVED. HAVE YOU?

Wed, 4 Oct 2006 11:15:00 CST

Mr. Campbell's 9 years of experience in the HD world have allowed him keen insight into the earliest days and current status of the HD industry. Mr. Campbell shares his experiences from the beginning when he was thought to be crazy for investing into HD to the present, when his cinematography skills and extensive HD library stock keep him busier than he ever envisioned. The future of HD he'd intuited has arrived, and, while sharing some of his stunning footage, he explains why everyone should be on the bandwagon.

EMERGENCY TRAINING AND INFORMATION NETWORK DEPLOYMENT IN ROCHESTER, NY, USING THE POWER OF DIGITAL TELEVISION

Wed, 4 Oct 2006 10:30:00 CST

WXXI has partnered with the local Metropolitan Medical Response System to develop an easily-deployable, continuing training and information delivery and display platform. WXXI's ETIN can be deployed in your community!

PODCASTING FOR MEDIA: HOW TO SUCCEED WITHOUT EVEN TRYING

Wed, 4 Oct 2006 09:30:00 CST

With the explosion of both audio and video podcasts a unique opportunity exists for traditional media to embrace and leverage this new medium . Learn how to implement a successful podcasting strategy in three easy steps.

PRODUCING FOR DVD AND FUTURE TRENDS IN INTERACTIVE DVDS

Wed, 4 Oct 2006 08:45:00 CST

As most of us know, gone are the days when program distribution beyond broadcast simply meant designing a snazzy VHS cover and making the dubs. When it comes to DVD's, consumers expect compelling and interesting "extras." This may be as simple as using program footage once destined for the cutting room floor or as complex as sophisticated interactive material using program footage, specially produced scenes, animation and graphics. David Anthony provides a peek behind the DVD production process of today and tomorrow with the object of making DVD design and production more of a seamless part of the program production process.

ANALOG SHUTOFF: IS ANYONE GOING TO TELL THE PUBLIC?

Wed, 4 Oct 2006 08:00:00 CST

In 2009, antenna viewers will find their TV tuners are completely obsolete. This presentation will discuss what public education has happened so far (zero), what education is planned to happen (not much), and what we as stations might be able to do about it.

LIBRARY/ARCHIVAL STORAGE OF DIGITAL VIDEO ASSETS

Tue, 3 Oct 2006 16:00:00 CST

In 2005 KET completed a $600,000 multi-year Digital Archive project culminating in the digital ingestion of 6500 programs from 3/4-inch and 1-inch tape. Plans are being made to carry the process forward to archive material created since the early 1990's on beta tape. Current productions have been captured digitally as they air since September 2005. Mr. Stackhouse will describe the various systems used in the initial archiving project and subsequent improvements and upgrades to the systems to deal with current projects. He will speak to the integration of traffic systems (ProTrack) and automation products (nVersion) with web-based databases (MS SQL) to manage digital asset storage, archive/backups and web delivery of streaming media and podcasts.

A TIPPING POINT: DECISION TIME IN BROADCASTING ON ITS ROLE IN NEW MEDIA

Tue, 3 Oct 2006 14:15:00 CST

For more than a decade, broadcasters have felt, with much justification, that they would be a major player in the "new media landscape." But the early momentum and enthusiasm for new media applications rose and fell along with the Internet boom and bust. Now, as the Internet economy continues along its second--and more sustainable--era of expansion, both stations and networks face a set of formidable challenges. Can the networks generate the requisite level of affiliate support to develop a true "system strategy?" Can the broadcasting system mobilize the capital required to compete in the totally deregulated market of online services? How do broadcasters embrace the explosion of user-generated content? And most important: what is the sustainable service role for mid-sized and smaller stations that make up the vast majority of broadcast networks? However difficult these questions may be, one element of doubt has been removed from the picture: online/new media service is no longer a financial black hole. There is revenue, literally tens of millions of dollars in online advertising and/or underwriting revenue that could be available to pay for service development.

WASHINGTON UPDATE

Tue, 3 Oct 2006 13:30:00 CST

Once again, this year has seen a great deal of Congressional and legal activity affecting broadcast television and digital content distribution, such as broadcast flag, HD radio, "analog hole," DTV Tuner mandate and other legislation, as well as a number of copy protection cases following the Supreme Court's epic Grokster decision.

LUNCH WITH KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Sailing Into The Storm - Mapping Our Course to a Safe Port

Tue, 3 Oct 2006 11:30:00 CST

Once upon a time millions came together in families, and as an audience, at a common time to share the insight and the wonder of the stories that we could deliver into their homes. They repaid us with their attention and with their support. Now the digital age has broken the connection to time and place. It has opened up the possibility of endless choice and for many platforms known and yet to be discovered. It has broken the whole idea of an audience, or a communal sharing, into millions of individuals who want things their way. It has broken the centrality of 3,000 years of media where one spoke to many. We are sailing into a storm. So what we do now? How do we hold our audience? How do we fulfill our mission as public broadcasters? How do we pay our bills when the underpinnings of everything we could rely on are eroding? What do we have to offer that will recommit our audience to us? I will do my best to answer these frightening questions. I cannot give you the specifics but I will do my best to provide you with a map and a course. To find the map and the course, we have to go high up above the chaos of the hurricane of the digital revolution to where we can see the pattern of the storm. When we can see the pattern, I hope that we can then make sense of our predicament. To see what is really going on, we have to first go back a long way and we have to go high. Then we will come back to sea level. So, I will first take us back in time to understand why the digital era has ironically launched a great return to the most traditional and the most human way of communicating. My purpose is to show you a model based, not on a consultant's dream, but on the observation of how humans are designed by nature to interact and communicate with each other. Then I will take us into the present where we will see how some new organizations are using these ancient and human of principles to build exceptionally successful enterprises that are shattering the traditional alternatives. Finally I will get us back to sea level where I will suggest both a safe port and a course for a successful voyage.

CONSUMER TRENDS

Tue, 3 Oct 2006 10:00:00 CST

A close-up look at consumers' purchases and usage of HDTV sets and other DTV appliances. Plus, predictions of the DTV world in the coming year.