Broadcast Engineering/Broadcast Technology
Two important media industries. i.e television and radio make use of the broadcasting system for their content delivery. Broadcasting, an important tool for mass communication is the method of distribution of audio and video content via any audio or visual communication medium, normally by using electromagnetic radiation (radio waves). The programs which we see on TV or listen on radio involve several steps like content acquisition, production, transmission and reception before they reach the end users. For the production and delivery of these programs several equipments namely camera, microphones, switchers, editing systems, storage systems, play-out and specialized technical facilities like studios, transmitters etc. are required. Broadcasting is the technology that encompasses all of the above equipment and various other media production systems. Apart for the commercial TV and radio, broadcasting technology has been used for the purposes of private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, experimentation, self-training and so on.
Due to the growth in the entertainment industry, broadcast engineering is becoming a lucrative career field across the world. India is the third largest television market in the world with over 400 registered satellite channels, 82 Mn Cable Homes, 60000 Cable operators and 6000 MSOs, 6 DTH Operators, 270 Private FM Stations, 170 AIR FM Stations and about 1400 DD TV transmitting stations. Digitalization of broadcasting and new media delivery methods like IPTV and Mobile TV are expected to result in huge demand for skilled manpower in broadcast media industry.
Broadcast Engineering which is considered as a sub division of electrical engineering can be defined as regulation of equipments for signal strength, clarity, and range of sounds and colors in radio and television broadcasting. Most of the engineering divisions like electrical engineering, electronics and communication engineering, computer engineering, information technology and audio engineering are integrated in broadcast engineering. Radio Frequency (RF) Engineering and Audio Engineering, the two prime areas of electrical engineering are also related with broadcast engineering.
Professionals involved with broadcasting are termed as broadcast engineering technicians. Broadcasting technicians are responsible for instantaneous updates and live pictures that flashes across our screens from any part of the world. Broadcasting technicians in their day-to-day affairs carry out their work on transmitter technologies of radio and television stations. They work for the entire chain in broadcasting, that is, right from the studio end to the transmitter end. Broadcasting technicians maintain the fluidity of broadcast signals through the use of sound and video equipment. It is these people who ensure the quality, the volume, color, brightness, contrast, strength and clarity of the broadcast program material to be transmitted. They install, test, operate and repair electronic equipment that is used to transmit radio, television and cable programs and control the input and timing of material to be signaled and the type of broadcast feed to be signaled - whether from camera, studio, local, network, live, or film programming. Broadcasting technicians also produce soundtracks for motion pictures, operate sound for live events and concerts and record music in recording studios.
Broadcasting technology is a career that suits those who have an interest in controlling and supervising broadcast equipments used for transmitting content to various channels. As a broadcasting technician, one should have knowledge of the latest technologies, such as DTV, NTSC and digital audio broadcasting. He must be well informed about broadcast automation systems for the studio, automatic transmission systems for the transmitter plant, maintaining radio towers etc. Ample job opportunities are available for these technicians with more radio and television stations coming up.
There are organizations related to the broadcasting field which works for the welfare of its members. AIR and Doordarshan Engineers Association is a body representing the Indian Broadcasting Engineering Services Officers (Group A) working in All India Radio and Doordarshan. Broadcast Engineering Society (BES) India is the Apex Body of government for maintaining exclusive affairs of broadcast engineering as a profession in the country. The BES India aims to project interests of broadcast engineering profession in India and overseas; open avenues for newest technologies through conferences and exhibitions; provide platform for interaction with broadcast professionals and industry across the globe and encourages broadcast professionals by offering various awards and prizes in different areas of broadcasting engineering.
Broadcast Engineering Eligibility
Education
Broadcast Engineering is not offered as a main discipline in undergraduate engineering courses. Candidates with 4 years bachelors course in electrical engineering, electronics and communication engineering, computer engineering, information technology and audio engineering can pursue a career in broadcast engineering. After graduation, the candidates can specialize in broadcast engineering at the post graduate level or can start working right after graduation with broadcasting firms.
Diploma, post graduate and certificate level courses in broadcast technology are offered by several Institutes in India. The pre-requisite for applying to these courses is 10+2 in science stream from any recognized institute with mathematics and physics as a compulsory subject. The candidates are also required to pass an entrance examination for getting admission. These courses are specifically designed to prepare people to work in technical positions at broadcast stations and other electronic media. Those who complete these courses are eligible to become a licensed Broadcast Engineer.
Some of the top institutes in India that offer courses in broadcasting engineering include Zee Institute of Media Arts, Mumbai; Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication, Pune. Indian Film and Television Institute, Meerut; Broadcast Engineering Society, New Delhi etc.
Broadcasting program will train candidates in the hard and soft skills that are required by every employer. These courses focus on understanding the technology required for content acquisition, production and transmission in radio and television broadcasting. Candidates are likely to learn to install, maintain and repair electronic equipment used to develop video and audio for broadcast. The course content involves troubleshooting broadcast equipment to component level, performing routine and preventative maintenance of computer systems and networks, and performing maintenance on all broadcast transmission systems etc. In addition to theoretical inputs, the students are also given extensive hands on experience in real working environment at in-house facilities. They are offered internship opportunities with local radio and television stations.
On completion of the course, students will develop good understanding of broadcast technologies, issues and operational and maintenance needs of broadcasting infrastructure. They are expected to assume responsibilities as technical experts / facility managers with production houses, broadcasters, network operators, integrators, broadcast equipment manufacturers, suppliers, media Institutions, and in other domains of broadcast industry. Students can also peruse higher studies in related areas like media technology, science communication etc.
Personal Skills
Those who wish to pursue a career in broadcast engineering must have sound knowledge in areas of math, physics, and electronics. They must possess computer proficiency and networking knowledge to operate in broadcasting stations and in equipments operating in digital technology. Although requirements vary from station to station, a broadcast engineer/ technologist should have knowledge in a wide array of technology, from modern digital methods to traditional broadcast systems. Knowledge of electrical and electronic equipment, ability to find and repair faults, good practical and technical skills are the vital attributes needed in this profession. A broadcast engineer should always keep up to date with new technologies in the digital and multimedia systems. Other essential skills required are patience, ability to work as a team, good communication skill, flexibility and willingness to work for long hours etc. Moreover, a broadcast engineer requires excellent problem solving skills, analytical bent of mind and passion of work so as to become successful in their career.
Job Prospects
All communication related organizations require services of broadcast engineering technicians. Ample job opportunities are available for skilled professionals in this field with the increase in number of television channels and radio stations. Broadcast engineering positions usually require working knowledge of audio engineering, computer engineering, radio frequency engineering or other closely related field. For entry level positions in this industry, a graduate degree with specialised technical training is needed.
Broadcast engineers work with a team which includes producers, studio managers, presenters and other technical staff in the broadcasting industry. Responsibilities of broadcast engineering technicians vary according to the size of the broadcasting organisation. In smaller stations, they handle numerous responsibilities while in larger stations tasks tend to be specialized. Even though the job title varies like broadcast technician, broadcast engineer, broadcast operator etc. all entail almost the same work profile. The major tasks include operating, maintaining, updating and repairing hardware and systems used across television, radio, podcasts and other channels, ensuring that programmes are broadcast on time to the highest possible level of quality and so on. An up-to-date knowledge of and flexibility with IT skills and new technology, e.g. digital and multimedia systems, is very much essential to be successful in this profession.
Broadcast engineers may work in a range of locations and varied situations. They may be required to work for long hours at late night while telecasting news and other live programmes. Apart from studio and set work, there may be outside broadcasts, when sound and images are relayed live back to a studio or straight to the network. What ever may be the location and media, the typical work profile of a broadcast engineer includes :
- Maintaining programming logs, as required by station management
- Controlling audio equipment to regulate the volume and sound quality during radio and television broadcasts.
- Monitoring strength, clarity and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals, and adjusting equipment as necessary to maintain quality broadcasts.
- Regulating the fidelity, brightness and contrast of video transmissions, using video console control panels.
- Observing monitors and communicating with station personnel to determine audio and video levels and to ascertain that programs are airing.
- Selecting sources from which programming is received, or through which programming may be transmitted.
Broadcast engineers may have varying titles depending on their level of expertise and field of specialty. Some of them are :
- Broadcast Design Engineer - Broadcast Design Engineer manages Broadcast Projects or leads efforts on Project subsystems. Their responsibilities include creating equipment lists; floor plans; rack and console elevations; conceptual and detailed audio, video, and control diagrams; patch panel and custom I/O panel layouts for technical systems. They assists with budgets, timelines, and members of his/her project engineering team in order to successfully execute the overall project plan.
- Broadcast Systems Engineer - Broadcast Systems Engineer alias Multimedia (MM) Software Engineer Development (BSD-SD) is responsible for developing features specific to broadcast streaming and transcode systems design on proprietary and industry standard multimedia frameworks.
- Broadcast IT System Engineer - The Broadcast IT Engineers provide direct technical and problem-solving support for broadcast based IT systems that includes broadcast based network, hardware, software, server environments and end-user software applications.
- Broadcast Network/ Maintenance Engineer - Broadcast network engineers are responsible for maintaining specialist equipment for video production and broadcast; setting up and monitoring audio visual links between studios and channel in different locations; installing and testing new facilities and equipment, monitoring transmission links during channel broadcasts; repairing hardware, software and other broadcast technology systems; developing and using awareness of best practice in health and safety for the workplace.
- Outside Broadcast Engineer - Outside broadcast engineers are responsible to look after the broadcast equipment and systems that are needed to televise sport, news, music concerts and other events that are not based in a TV studio.
- Remote Broadcast Engineer- Remote broadcasting is done from a location away from a formal television studio and is considered an electronic field production (EFP).
- Video Broadcast Engineer
- TV Studio Broadcast Engineer
Broadcast technicians with a wide range of skills and knowledge are more likely to find better job opportunities than those with focused skill sets. Both government and private broadcasting organizations offer varied job opportunities for broadcast engineering technician. Broadcasting engineers/ technicians/ operators are highly in demand in audio-visual media like television channels and radio stations. Small radio stations recruit only one broadcast technician whereas big radio stations hire multiple technicians, with requisite specializations and considerable experience in the particular area. They can easily find jobs in video and recording studios, theaters, live concerts, sports stadiums, film industry and in multimedia organisations. They can also work with space and marine agencies and can assist a recording engineer to set up his equipments and instruments. Most technicians start off their careers in small broadcasting stations as an assistant in network operations. Within a short span of years, after obtaining an exposure in this field, they can take the roles as supervisory technicians; broadcast engineers; chief engineers and even rise to managerial positions.
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