I think I did ask this some time ago but really can't remember the answer...
Can someone remind me what the software of choice is for non-linear editing in news at the moment - for example what's used by vjs in BBC regional newsrooms - Avid?, and typically which software package / platform?
Its not a vacuous question as I'm trying to weigh up different options for a project I've got to do.
Most new BBC regional installs (Norwich, Birmingham, Leeds, Hull - and I think Newcastle) use a combined hardware/software system from Quantel. It is based on dedicated Quantel hardware video servers (serverQ) with PCs running client software for browsing and basic editing (QView and QCut), and PCs with extra hardware to run higher end craft editing systems (QEdit, QEdit Pro etc.) It is also possible to link it to their high end eQ and iQ hardware editing systems - but I don't think the Beeb have bought these.
The BBC Network news operation in London are also moving to Quantel (and replacing their existing linear tape and Avid suites) - tied to a BBC Technology (now Siemens) control system - Colledia - which combined is called Jupiter.
Some BBC regions - who went non-linear for news (rather than features) early (Nottingham, Bristol?) - have Avids and Profiles with Omnibus automation, others (BBC London and Tunbridge Wells) have a Leitch editing system.
AFAIK very few BBC regions use software only solutions.
ITV News are going for an Avid based solution in their regions, I think, though ITN in London are based on an older, Quantel hardware + Omnibus software solution (Inspiration - based around Clipbox).
On location I think the Beeb do sometimes use a variety of systems - including Media 100 - though 2 machine linear tape (Beta SX, SP or DVCam) is still very popular for news location editing.
Its probably going to come down to a choice between Adobe Premiere Pro and one of the Avid DV products for me, once I've evaluated the demo versions of both.
Didn't realise just how much competition there was in the market though...
Stand alone solutions, such as editing on location, is one of the following:
Avid DV Express
Final Cut Pro
Fast Purple
Premiere Pro
Not sure many of those are used in news environments, though.
Think some are used at the more "featurey" end of news production. I think the BBC PDP stuff is a combination of Avid DV Express and Fast Purple. Think Premiere is not well liked by editors, though Final Cut is gaining ground in some areas (especially as it is a cheap HD solution - though HD isn't currently relevant in UK news - though it will be quite soon I suspect)
I have heard of some location editing on PC laptops (as opposed to two machine laptop DV or SX VT machines) - but I don't know how widespread it is.
BBC Three News use Fast Silver for their 60 Seconds bulletins.
HD isn't currently relevant in UK news - though it will be quite soon I suspect
Not too sure about "soon". "Eventually", perhaps!
Well the BBC has (so I read, apologies if its incorrect) committed to producing "all its shows" in HD by 2010, which is two years *before* analog->digital switchover is meant to complete. They haven't yet said which channels they'll actually transmit in that quality yet...
Well the BBC has (so I read, apologies if its incorrect) committed to producing "all its shows" in HD by 2010, which is two years *before* analog->digital switchover is meant to complete. They haven't yet said which channels they'll actually transmit in that quality yet...
If that's correct, the BBC have got a long way to go in upping the quality of many of its programmes, as have other broadcasters. So many low-budget daytime (and even primetime) programmes are shot on consumer PD-150 type cameras that give the inevitable poorer DV quality pictures and even more poorly shot results.
HD is a completely different ball-game. Focussing and exposure are critical. This is all fine on high-end programmes like drama and features where there is a proper crew. I personally can't see the BBC's entire output being HD by 2010. And that's without even talking about the fact that very few people will be able to receive HD and the problems with full HD bandwidth on digital transmissions.
Bristol uses Liquid Edition (the replacement for Fast Purple) for Inside Out and its PDP editing. For news Lightworks VIP non-linear editing is still in use, though by next summer the Quantel newsroom system should be in operation.
About 70% of English regions use Avid for PDP, the remaining use Edition but there is a general move towards Avid as it can be run on a standard BBC Desktop PC.
If that's correct, the BBC have got a long way to go in upping the quality of many of its programmes, as have other broadcasters. So many low-budget daytime (and even primetime) programmes are shot on consumer PD-150 type cameras that give the inevitable poorer DV quality pictures and even more poorly shot results.
HD is a completely different ball-game. Focussing and exposure are critical. This is all fine on high-end programmes like drama and features where there is a proper crew. I personally can't see the BBC's entire output being HD by 2010. And that's without even talking about the fact that very few people will be able to receive HD and the problems with full HD bandwidth on digital transmissions.
The BBC are already using Sony FX1 & Z1E's for DV production, some stuff for BBC4 has been shot, and BC Dv solutions are reccomending that all stuff done on PD's are shot with a HD format from this year. You can shoot in HD & downconvert and still get VERY good pictures (on par with digibeta) if you know what your doing of course!
The BBC have expressed specific interest in HDV for news, as the new sonys give true 16:9 and better picture quality and will replace PD150/170's for VJ's, the new 'local tv' loops etc.
Indead, it looks like low-end stuff will convert first! Odd but true.
