Latest articles by JOHN LUFF
Display technology
Some of us remember Conrac monitors in broadcast stations being the crme de la crme. Conrac still manufactures CRTs for broadcast use (4:3 only), but
File-based workflows
Change is good in life. It is what encourages new thoughts and approaches to many things. The broadcast industry has seen three distinct eras in technology
HD and SD scopes
From the general-purpose oscilloscope, manufacturers have adapted a specialized version, the “waveform monitor,” to simplify its use for video and TV — and now, for digital TV.
Master control rooms
Rather than switching to lights out, unmanned operations, broadcast stations still require an engineer
Backup and UPS power
A few years ago, I visited a satellite transmission facility in a remote location that was designed to operate off grid if necessary for a considerable
Satellite services and systems, part 2
Last month's column began with a short reference to the first transatlantic satellite transmission over Telstar (1965). Of course, the more interesting
Satellite services and systems, part 1
Satellites first were used in television for short-duration transatlantic interconnection. Short could mean a few minutes, but at the time it was a technological
Video encoders
In the July column, A switcher's life cycle, I spoke about product life cycle and product maturity. Nowhere is this a more appropriate concept than when
Video encoders
It is often assumed that when someone is speaking of encoders, they're referring to MPEG-2. But with the expansion of encoding platforms and video compression
Camera crossover
Cameras can be thought of as optical analog-to-digital (A/D) converters these days. Photons respond in the lens as waves, and the sensor converts photons
Metadata
Many years ago, SMPTE and EBU joined forces to work on harmonizing content-related issues associated with interchanging digital bit streams. Though the
A recording conundrum
The history of video recording has a remarkably short timeline, at least in the commercial sense. The first generally available solution was the Ampex
Can you hear me now?
This is supposed to be a communications business. We build visual and audio communications with our viewers. Everything behind the scenes is done to get
Monitor from your sofa
In an ideal world, the master control operator in a TV station could sit anywhere on the planet. He or she would be able to see images in essentially
Master control systems
Master control has an auspicious sound to it. When you hear the words master control, you think of a technology that keeps everything running perfect
