Production Process

Multi-cam setups are required for shooting the program, controlling and monitoring the shoot from the Production Control Room and recording the program. We look at the functionality of each equipment and its relevance in the production, post production and broadcasting chain.

Cameras, lenses are required for shooting the video. Camera converts the Audio / Video that it ‘sees’ into digital signals that can be transported over cable to the switcher. Camera requires a Camera Adapter (CA) and to control it’s settings it needs a Camera Control Unit (CCU) which is actually controlled using the Remote Control Panel (RCP), tripod and tripod adapter. To support the camera, we need to mount the camera on a tripod and therefore a suitable tripod adapter is required. For the cameramen to see the frame that is being sent to the PCR, viewfinder is required. Triax Cables connect the Camera in the studio with the Camera Control Unit in the PCR. This explains the complete camera chain, which is important for the shoot.

Switcher / Vision Mixer: The switcher switches between different video inputs such as various cameras, cassette players that are playing back stories, feeds coming through outdoor broadcast vans and other sources. The switcher itself contains several features which allow it to manage a program. These include the ability to mix several video sources with backgrounds in windows, keying of graphics seamlessly, controlling external devices such as clip and still stores, character generators and interfacing with play out automation using GPI triggers.

Microphones are important in recording audio which consists of Anchor Dialogue / Discussion / News reading. Other audio sources such as feeds, players, video cassette players, phone-in units are connected to the audio mixer. Audio mixer can combine various audio sources to give a single output to the Digital Video Cassette Recorder. It can also channelise the outputs so that specific audio channels are combined into specific outputs.

This explains the process of shooting and recording the programme / bulletin / capsule for television.

The Post Production Process :

Ingest / Capture: It begins with getting the program that has been shot into a non-linear editing system. The VTR is routed to the Non-Linear editing system using the Audio/Video Router. The tape is then played back in the VTR and captured in the Non-Linear Editing Station as the Audio/Video information flows through the cables and router. It is sometimes captured into a Video Server using an ingesting station. When captured into a Video Server the Audio/Video footage is available to all the Non Linear Editing (NLE) Systems connected via LAN to the Video Server’s Storage. High speed and redundancy ensure that multiple clients can access the same storage at once.

Editing: Once the Audio/Video footage is captured, it is available in what is called the “Bin”. The “Bin” is a repository of all available Audio/Video footage. It can be sorted on date/time of capture size, clip name etc. This way the editor has easy access to all the footage. The editor then places the footage on what is called a“TimeLine”. A timeline lets the editor define the sequence in which the Audio/Video footage should be finally mastered. It allows the editor to add cuts, trims, inserts etc. to modify the footage. Editing may also involve adding music / effects / voice-overs etc. The editor can also overlay graphics, supers, titles etc. to deliver the final mastered sequence.

Print-to-Tape: If the NLE is in the same network as the video servers being used for play out automation, then the mastered programme can be exported from the Non-Linear editing station directly to the Video Server for telecast. Sometimes, the episodes may have to be “Printed” to tape so that they can be ingested via tape into the Video Server. The NLE System plays back the entire programme as it is laid on the timeline and the VTR records it on tape.

Telecasting Process

Telecasting- Broadcasting visual images of stationary or moving objects are referred to as telecasting.

Telecasting is divided into two main areas of activity in the modern television and broadcasting world: Playout Automation and Uplinking.

Playout Automation process involves some essential equipment and software to work with the equipment.

Ingesting Station is PC with capture Card and ingesting software. It is used for capturing Audio / Video footage and storing it in the Video Server so that it can be telecast. It provides for the addition of some valuable data along with the clip such as, Clip ID, Name, Description, TC In, TC Out, Date, House Number, Segment Number, Topic, Author etc. Immediately upon finishing the ingest, the ingest station adds the clip to the Video
Servers Catalogue.

The Video Server plays the most central part in the Playout Automation Processes. It interfaces with the ingest station so that Video footage captured by the ingest station can be stored in its storage system. It cues up and prepares clips so that the clips can be played out by the Playout Automation Software. It provides the backend engine to the Playout Automation Software to enable it to control external devices such as VTRs, Switchers and Logo Inserters.

The Playout Automation Software-The essential elements of the Playout Automation Software include the playlist creation module, the Control Module and the Continuity module. The playlist creation module allows the operator to create a playlist using the available footage in the Catalogue. These may be programmes, promos, credit lines and commercials. A separate playlist is created for each day starting from 12:00 AM to 11:59:59 PM. When footage is still not available but needs to be scheduled, for example, in the case of deferred live programs, dummy entries are made in the playlist and they are replaced by the actual entries as soon as the required footage is ingested and updated in the catalogue.

The OnAir Switcher: Outputs of Both Video Servers is sent to an “On-Air Switcher” which is controlled by the Continuity of the Main Video Server which switches to the other Video Server automatically in case of failure. Sometime automatic switching may not be possible in which case the operator can switch manually.

The Graphics Station / Logo Inserter / Ticker Machine The switcher gives its output to the Graphics Station / Logo Inserter / Ticker machine as the case may be so that the Channel Branding and scrolls / tickers may be added. This output is then ready to be uplinked to Satellite for Broadcasting.

Uplinking Process

The process of converting the signals to Radio Frequency signal and sending it to satellite is referred to as uplinking. A critical function of channel, is that it require high quality redundant equipments to keep running 24 hours. These equipments include encoders, multiplexers, modulators, upconverters, high performance amplifiers and antennas. Also the antennas require a tracking system to align the dish accurately for uplinking to the satellite.

We are currently outsourcing the uplinking facilities from Essel Shyam Communications Limited (ESCL) for which we have entered into “Uplinking Service Agreement” on February 2, 2006 for a period of three years from the date of actual launch of the channel. The services to be provided / supported by ESCL is uplinking of approved TV Channels of our Company and / or our group company which have been specifically approved / permitted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India for uplinking. The uplinking fee is payable to ESCL within 15 days of receiving invoice before the commencement of the month. The agreement can be terminated by either party by giving 90 days prior written notice.

We have to hire space capacity on satellite which receives signals uplinked by teleport and distribute the same to various cable operators. We have entered into an agreement with Antrix Corporation Limited, a Government of India company under Department of Space for lease of 4.5 MHz space capacity on INSAT-4A satellite for the said purpose.

Downlinking Process

Downlinking is a process of receiving the radio frequency signal by using a satellite dish, decoding it and converting it to an audio video signal. The cable operator installs the dish that points to the satellite to which the television channel is uplinking. The satellite dish receives the signal and provides it to a decoder that can decode the MPEG2 encrypted or free to air signal and convert it to an audio video signal. This signal is further distributed over the cable operators’ network.

Competition
The competition in the television News broadcasting industry is very intense. The competitors for JANMAT are NDTV, Aaj Tak, DD News, Star News, Zee News and Sahara Samay National. We also face competition from some of the regional players such as Sun News, ENadu and Udaya News. The competitive landscape in the news broadcasting industry has recently undergone significant change like Doordarshan, the Government controlled terrestrial broadcaster, has recently launched its 24-hour news channel and has to be carried on the prime band by all cable operators according to a direction of the Government. As a result of competition, we have to continuously review our advertising sales strategy, increase our capital expenditures in order to differentiate ourselves from other broadcasters, increase our marketing, distribution & promotional cost, change our programming mix and review our employee retention policies.

Distribution Platform
The Government has recently, liberalized regulations for implementation of conditional access systems, in a phased manner, and has recently allowed Direct-to-home broadcasting, which may bring about changes in the broadcasting industry. A delay in introduction of alternative medium for news broadcasting and any future technological changes, may affect the news broadcasting industry.