Have the CD/Minidisc players made their way over to the new Broadcast Centre? There wasn't any music on the Football Focus fault I spotted, so was just wondering...
Don't think so - all "sound only" material now comes off an audio server AIUI. Not sure if this can be controlled "outside" of the automation system, i.e. manually.
It's a completely new (to BBC ONE and BBC TWO) automation system, in a different building, on a different site, using different equipment. The old area is already partially dismantled, and even if they could technically move back they wouldn't be able to as it would hold up the sale of BBC Broadcast which is expected to be completed in the next six months.
Even if it was still there the tape library has been moved, new rotas would be needed and none of the current broadcast material is on the servers.
Once it's been closed it's very diffrent to reopen it even if it is mothballed
Have the CD/Minidisc players made their way over to the new Broadcast Centre? There wasn't any music on the Football Focus fault I spotted, so was just wondering...
Don't think so - all "sound only" material now comes off an audio server AIUI. Not sure if this can be controlled "outside" of the automation system, i.e. manually.
Well it probably wouldn't make any difference on BBC1, as their breakdown music is the same 30 second loop every time. (Coming up Menu music)
What actually happened ahead of football focus on Saturday? I saw the weather was on, went out for about twenty seconds and then the breakdown caption was on? Was there any ident or was it straight in with the breakdown?
Also after Countryfile, the Skateboarders music began playing over the top of a Panorama Still that the announcer was talking about. After all that I ended up with Tai Chi to introduce The Politics Show. Thinking about it the music might have only swapped when we switched to the Yorks and Lincs signal.
As for Saturday Kitchen on BBC TWO how come there wasn't any breakdown caption or announcement, the screen just went black, and then when it did come on there was no apology or mention of it.
Another missing junction before today's Weakest Link on BBC TWO - long hold on the end of Snooker before a long hold on the beginning of Weakest Link, with no junction in between. As Nicky said, the automation seems to struggle with live programmes.
Excuse my ignorance, but am I right in thinking that if the BBC has now got automation for channels including BBC1 & 2 that there would now be no need for Network Directors et al and also, will all of the announcements now be recorded?
Excuse my ignorance, but am I right in thinking that if the BBC has now got automation for channels including BBC1 & 2 that there would now be no need for Network Directors et al and also, will all of the announcements now be recorded?
No. There has been automation for many years. It's just that BBC 1 & 2 are now using a different automation system. The Network Directors are still there programming the automation (even though sometimes it does seem to take on a life all of its own)!
Annos are still generally live, although pre-recorded ones are used at certain times of day. However there has been a recent trend towards getting the announcers to pre-record their annos before TX, even though they are sitting there and could easily do it live (when the Mic Amps are working properly).
I do hope the extra pre-recording that has been going on is only to help make the announcers and directors familiar with the audio servers.
What actually happened ahead of football focus on Saturday? I saw the weather was on, went out for about twenty seconds and then the breakdown caption was on? Was there any ident or was it straight in with the breakdown?
I happened to be in London on Saturday and saw the network junction.
The weather presenter (Helen Willits, I think) said 'goodbye' and then stood there smiling in to camera for an uncomfortably long time hoping that she might be taken off air. I think the next thing to happen was the audio from one of the Symbols went to air followed by an apology slide with anno (I think it was Steph Sabine). The Symbol music ran out and another anno was made introducing Football Focus, which was then cut to air directly from the slide.
So, the question has to be asked...
How long was the new system tested along side the old one before the new BBC One and Two programme transmission delivery systems went live?
Because given the problems of the past few days - it appears it wasn't quite long enough...
So, the question has to be asked...
How long was the new system tested along side the old one before the new BBC One and Two programme transmission delivery systems went live?
Because given the problems of the past few days - it appears it wasn't quite long enough...
No idea how long for but as has been mentioned many times by several of us above.... the only way to really iron out any problems is 'in anger' i.e. live on air.
AFAIK the software used has been used by BBC3 and the childrens channels for a couple of years (not in the new building though obviously)
So, the question has to be asked...
How long was the new system tested along side the old one before the new BBC One and Two programme transmission delivery systems went live?
Because given the problems of the past few days - it appears it wasn't quite long enough...
No idea how long for but as has been mentioned many times by several of us above.... the only way to really iron out any problems is 'in anger' i.e. live on air.
AFAIK the software used has been used by BBC3 and the childrens channels for a couple of years (not in the new building though obviously)
But there is a difference between ironing out a few bugs and going on air with a system which regually falls over.
I guess the political pressures of moving to the Broadcast Centre were greater than the fear of the channels falling off air. Not a good advert though if you are trying to attract new business and then demostrate you can't sustain the current output .
