The Last Leg

https://dpp-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/specs/c4/TechnicalDeliveryStandardsC4.pdf

That seems to suggest a backup is needed. Or is there a difference between an "OB" and a "remote studio" (probably more resilience in the latter)

It does seem to be covered under the resilience section.

When I worked in a major analogue studio environment we never had backups, perhaps very very rarely in the event of a majorly sensitive tx. We never lost a programme in all the years. Then we went 'digital' and all the studios had to have a standby vision mixer failure capability. But everyone told me that digits were far more reliable than analogue so why did we suddenly need all this backup that analogue never appeared to need?

lol, Digital is better in a lot of ways in all sorts of areas (IT, AV, etc) but there's no way it's as reliable

Depends how it's done I guess. Embedded vs running on top of an OS or whatever.

I think this culture of 'redundancy and backup' started late 1990s, and came in with the introduction
of large scale 'IT' based systems in broadcasting. I was involved with the installation of these early systems, and during the design stage you'd soon come up against a broadcaster's IT dept (as distinct back then from their Engineering department). They insisted on all sorts of 'redundancy'. I installed a server based news room in 1998 for a major European state broadcaster. Their IT dept insisted that every desktop client had two NICs and the entire network including switches was duplicated. I recall us wiring their building with red and blue CAT 5 cables, two completely 'electrically' separated networks. Nothing on the 'broadcast equipment' side was duplicated, beyond the video router having two CPU cards.

I always said IT and TV engineering should never mix, largely because the IT department had no comprehension of working evenings and weekends and absolutely no concept whatsoever of deadlines (especially imminent ones). The TV engineers should deal with it all assuming of course that they have had the necessary training and experience. Not my problem now of course.

As an IT man I shouldn't let you get away with that. But then I took a look at myself and thought "...yep, that's fair"

Many from the IT world simply don't understand the different and special requirements of broadcasting.

If a clip or programme has to go out at a pre defined time, it has to with frame accuracy. It's
important when you use a cashpoint that your money comes out, but it doesn't matter if it's
a second or two late (or early). Too many don't seem to understand and appreciate the difference.

I think there are a lot of people who cross the divide between the two disciplines now who definitely DO understand those things, just because we've ventured into that field. I'm an IT/AV technician, I understand both sides because I couldn't do my job properly if I didn't.

But it's interesting having this debate.

Just briefly referring back to The Last Leg, there was a little prop television on Adam's desk displaying the coloured bars that interrupted the show last week. Nice touch.

http://s24.postimg.cc/d28wq6tz9/20150703_233551.jpg


Update: It looks like they've given it a little item after somebody tweeted to get the CA on the show. It was "interrupted" by the breakdown slide and the CA insulting Adam. I have to admit, I like it when breakdowns and faults are blatantly referenced by programmes rather than feebly covered up like nothing happened.

The CA before the programme also said he hoped he would have a 'quieter cup of tea' this week.

Did somebody record it? I'm just curious.

It's repeated on 4seven tonight at 11pm.