editor's note
SMPTE Reminds Us That Standards Still Matter In a world where the term “broadcast quality” still means something, we can’t stress how important the role of SMPTE is in the current and future status of television technology. Even when tech behemoths attempt to take over the video streaming market with proprietary video protocols, the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers reminds us that in the end, if you want to maintain quality and allow more equitable opportunities, this is a business that still relies on standards. Our industry itself has a long history of vendors attempting to lock in customers with proprietary technology, however as we have moved further away from SDI and the locked gardens of the past several decades and closer to open, COTS-based technology (i.e. IP and the cloud), SMPTE’s role has become ever more important. Three years ago, the industry took a big step in this direction with the approval of the ST 2110 standard for video transport over IP networks. The engineers who worked on the standard were all too aware of how important it was to bring order to what was becoming a potentially chaotic situation, particularly in the streaming market. As standards go, ST 2110 stands as one of the most important projects SMPTE has ever undertaken but its acceptance was slow at first. However that is not the case anymore, according to John Mailhot, systems architect for IP convergence at Imagine Communications, who also edited ST 2110 documents through publication. “At the beginning [2110 compatible product] was built speculatively,” he told TV Tech recently. “Today, it is available because the market demands it.” No doubt, broadcasters’ move to the cloud, which many say was accelerated by the increased reliance on remote live production over the past two years, helped move the needle. And, as more vendors focused product development towards IP, options expanded and reliability improved, as Bob Kovacs covers in his article “Live Production Over IP Now Becoming the Standard” on p. 12. “IP certainly provides the same levels of reliability and quality as traditional SDI workflows, thanks to significant advances made in IP platforms and IP-based solutions,” said Marco Lopez, general manager for live production at Grass Valley, told us. “IP workflows unlock unprecedented flexibility and scalability, with many world-leading broadcasters already recognizing its transformational potential.” SDI was long heralded as the most reliable standard for media companies to connect for decades. IP brought more flexibility to the table, but many stayed on the fence waiting for improved reliability. With the advances that have taken place since the adoption of ST 2110, we’re moving ever closer to achieving both in one standard.
Speaking of SMPTE, last month the society’s executive director, Barbara Lange, announced that she was stepping down after 12 years. Lange played an important role in helping guide the association through the vast changes that have taken place for the past decade. “Thanks to transformational work directed by Barbara over the years, the Society has truly established itself as a home for media professionals, technologists and engineers around the world,” said SMPTE President Hans Hoffmann. “We thank Barbara for her tremendous work in leading SMPTE into its second century, and we wish her well in her future endeavors.” We extend our hearty congratulations to Barbara for a job well done! And don’t forget to attend SMPTE’s 2021 Annual Technical Conference, Nov. 9–18. Visit smpte.org to register.
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Vol. 39 No. 11 | November 2021 FOLLOW US
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