:-(
A former member
1970s must be!
SP
That's not quite what I was saying. I was saying that the regions don't have continuity suites like they used to. There's no reason why they couldn't do live continuity, but they're not really set up for it.
@Steve - So regions in England can't do live continuity? They used to have this capability, so when was it removed? I agree that even an "except for viewers in the North" would help but even without live continuity, the could surely, with perhaps help from the network, cobble some pres together in advance and play it out at the relevant time, perhaps including timeshifted programmes like you suggested. It just needs a bit of thought maybe.
That's not quite what I was saying. I was saying that the regions don't have continuity suites like they used to. There's no reason why they couldn't do live continuity, but they're not really set up for it.
MK
Which is a shame, especially considering that whilst non-news opt outs are not that common, they're hardly rare. I think it's something that needs looking at. We get regional idents into the news at 1, 6 and 10 and the pre-recorded announcements, at least in the North West, tend to be very lacklustre; so there's cope for improvement, whether live or not.
MA
Of course, we also have those promos that come up over the end credits of programmes too. The 'nations' have a proper clean network feed but the 'regions' do not. Ideally, this clean feed would be available for any timeshifted service.
The BBC English regions are simply not 'wired up' that way. Unlike the BBC Nations (and 'old' ITV) they have no dedicated Pres suites, or extra clean feed lines from London, instead the news studio gallery has to serve as one, it's not impossible to do, but there doesn't seem to be the inclination to do a comprehensive job.
As all the regions (and nations) are backhauled to London for DTT and D-Sat distribution, it might make sense to use a spare suite at Red Bee to perform these sort of ad-hoc opts, whatever method you choose requires money and resources however, which is the actual issue (as ever) of course.
Of course, we also have those promos that come up over the end credits of programmes too. The 'nations' have a proper clean network feed but the 'regions' do not. Ideally, this clean feed would be available for any timeshifted service.
The BBC English regions are simply not 'wired up' that way. Unlike the BBC Nations (and 'old' ITV) they have no dedicated Pres suites, or extra clean feed lines from London, instead the news studio gallery has to serve as one, it's not impossible to do, but there doesn't seem to be the inclination to do a comprehensive job.
As all the regions (and nations) are backhauled to London for DTT and D-Sat distribution, it might make sense to use a spare suite at Red Bee to perform these sort of ad-hoc opts, whatever method you choose requires money and resources however, which is the actual issue (as ever) of course.
MA
Interesting to see Red Bee's multiviewers are set up with incorrect AR settings
Still, seeing as that's how it looks on millions of domestic tellies too, I suppose it's quite apt
I know it's only November but here's what we're doing today...
http://i58.tinypic.com/mhvl0p.jpg
http://i58.tinypic.com/mhvl0p.jpg
Interesting to see Red Bee's multiviewers are set up with incorrect AR settings
Still, seeing as that's how it looks on millions of domestic tellies too, I suppose it's quite apt
IS
It was a 4:3 ident originally so that looks like the multiviewer is correct, just the material hasn't been ARCd. Which if it is just for the benefit of those photos probably wasn't worth doing.
Incidently it's not unusual for multiviewers windows to have a slighrly slightly odd aspect ratio to squeeze every last bit of space out of them. Even though the screen they use is the same ratio a bit of distorting is sometimes done because of the borders around each window and source displays
Incidently it's not unusual for multiviewers windows to have a slighrly slightly odd aspect ratio to squeeze every last bit of space out of them. Even though the screen they use is the same ratio a bit of distorting is sometimes done because of the borders around each window and source displays
MA
Yes, OK then, point accepted
Incidently it's not unusual for multiviewers windows to have a slighrly slightly odd aspect ratio to squeeze every last bit of space out of them. Even though the screen they use is the same ratio a bit of distorting is sometimes done because of the borders around each window and source displays
Oh, I know, I've faffed about doing just that myself
It was a 4:3 ident originally so that looks like the multiviewer is correct, just the material hasn't been ARCd. Which if it is just for the benefit of those photos probably wasn't worth doing.
Yes, OK then, point accepted
Incidently it's not unusual for multiviewers windows to have a slighrly slightly odd aspect ratio to squeeze every last bit of space out of them. Even though the screen they use is the same ratio a bit of distorting is sometimes done because of the borders around each window and source displays
Oh, I know, I've faffed about doing just that myself
NG
Of course, we also have those promos that come up over the end credits of programmes too. The 'nations' have a proper clean network feed but the 'regions' do not. Ideally, this clean feed would be available for any timeshifted service.
The BBC English regions are simply not 'wired up' that way. Unlike the BBC Nations (and 'old' ITV) they have no dedicated Pres suites, or extra clean feed lines from London, instead the news studio gallery has to serve as one, it's not impossible to do, but there doesn't seem to be the inclination to do a comprehensive job.
Actually - quite a few English regions do have second galleries, and they are often still called "Pres"...
Back in the 70s, the ERs used to do their own presentation between Network programmes for some reason during the day, so had simple self-op presentation desks. When Breakfast Time launched in 1983 these were often used for the Breakfast opts in preference to the main galleries which required more staff to operate. They were also often used for the short daytime opts that followed the hourly news summaries in the morning and afternoon. in many cases the areas used a combined sound and vision mixer, as would have been used in a small network presentation area (GVG Master series was common)
As regions re-equipped for digital production and relocated some moved to having a single gallery, but others retained the "Pres" second gallery model.
In some cases the second gallery was installed in the graphics area (often the Regional Station Assistants - aka the best junior job in TV - who did graphics, floor managed and directed short bulletins - were based in graphics)
I'm pretty certain the Mailbox has a Pres gallery in graphics. Southampton certainly did (but not sure if it was upgraded to digital)
I doubt any more will be built, as Mosart automation allows a large gallery to be run automated and perform the same functions (or more importantly run on the same low staffing) as a Pres gallery, and AIUI new English region re-equips will be Mosart.
noggin
Founding member
Of course, we also have those promos that come up over the end credits of programmes too. The 'nations' have a proper clean network feed but the 'regions' do not. Ideally, this clean feed would be available for any timeshifted service.
The BBC English regions are simply not 'wired up' that way. Unlike the BBC Nations (and 'old' ITV) they have no dedicated Pres suites, or extra clean feed lines from London, instead the news studio gallery has to serve as one, it's not impossible to do, but there doesn't seem to be the inclination to do a comprehensive job.
Actually - quite a few English regions do have second galleries, and they are often still called "Pres"...
Back in the 70s, the ERs used to do their own presentation between Network programmes for some reason during the day, so had simple self-op presentation desks. When Breakfast Time launched in 1983 these were often used for the Breakfast opts in preference to the main galleries which required more staff to operate. They were also often used for the short daytime opts that followed the hourly news summaries in the morning and afternoon. in many cases the areas used a combined sound and vision mixer, as would have been used in a small network presentation area (GVG Master series was common)
As regions re-equipped for digital production and relocated some moved to having a single gallery, but others retained the "Pres" second gallery model.
In some cases the second gallery was installed in the graphics area (often the Regional Station Assistants - aka the best junior job in TV - who did graphics, floor managed and directed short bulletins - were based in graphics)
I'm pretty certain the Mailbox has a Pres gallery in graphics. Southampton certainly did (but not sure if it was upgraded to digital)
I doubt any more will be built, as Mosart automation allows a large gallery to be run automated and perform the same functions (or more importantly run on the same low staffing) as a Pres gallery, and AIUI new English region re-equips will be Mosart.