Welcome to SBE Chapter 37
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SBE Chapter 37 is a group of broadcast engineers and multimedia technology professionals based in and near Washington, DC
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About SBE Chapter 37
SBE Chapter 37 is a local, Washington, DC-based professional organization of friendly radio, television, and multimedia technology professionals. Our group includes local, national, and international network technicians, consulting engineers, electronics manufacturers, and Federal employees working in media and broadcasting positions. If that describes you, you’re welcome to attend one of our meetings or join our group!
Most of our members live, work, or have roots in Washington, DC or the nearby Maryland or Virginia Suburbs. We meet most months to exchange ideas, increase our skill levels, and (sometimes) just to socialize. Chapter 37 is part of the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE), the only organization devoted to the advancement of all levels and types of broadcast engineering. With nearly 5,000 members and 114 local chapters worldwide, the SBE provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and the sharing of information to help media professionals keep pace with our rapidly changing industry. The SBE amplifies the voices of broadcast engineers by validating skills with professional certification, offering educational opportunities to maintain and expand those skills, and speaking out on technical regulatory issues that affect how you work.
Regardless of your area of broadcast interest, you are sure to find a warm welcome at the Washington DC Chapter of the Society of Broadcast Engineers. Please join us at our next meeting and try us out for size. We hope you will enjoy your visit.
SBE Chapter 37 Current Events
When: May 22, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Where: National Geographic Headquarters - Register Here
Address: 1145 17th St NW
Washington, DC 20036 United States
Sponsor: Leader Phabrix
After a long hiatus, Bits By the Bay, the Washington area technical conference for broadcast and production professionals, is returning for 2024 in a one-day form factor (aiming for a return to the full conference in 2025). Jointly organized by the DC SMPTE Section and SBE Chapter 37, the event will run from 2pm to 9pm, including dinner, and will feature three technical topics with multiple expert presenters.
The hybrid meeting will be held at National Geographic in downtown DC (Dupont Circle and Farragut North Metro). and is limited to 50 people in person. Attendance via Zoom is also available. Please register via the Zoom link for both virtual and in-person attendance. Presenters include Merrill Weiss, James Snyder, Renard Jenkins, Joe Castellano, Steve Holmes, Dan White, Mike Palmer, and other - stay tuned for further details!
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0tce-rpjkoGNb1r7Xd9dZhx3z-_Jvdz62s
PROGRAM SUMMARY
1) Ending Fractional Frame Rates and Interlace Part Two: The Education Continues
In the U.S. we have been living with the 29.97fps video frame rate since the advent of color in 1953. This legacy of NTSC analog television is so deeply ingrained in all aspects of broadcast and production that it's often forgotten or taken for granted. Some equipment and production software may not even provide an option to use integer (30/60) rates for recording or display.
There are many factors behind the continued use of fractional frame rates (as well as interlaced video), but most have become irrelevant over time. This session will review and continue the discussion of the problems created by these legacy concepts, and how they might finally be eliminated.
2) An Emerging Technical Standard to Protect Against AI Fakes: C2PA
C2PA is an open technical standard providing publishers, creators, and consumers the ability to trace the origin of different types of media. It provides the technical means to declare where media was captured, by whom, by what device, geolocation information from the point of capture, and any production or distribution processes that may have been applied. C2PA allows producers to lay claim to their video in a way that cannot be faked or modified. This not only protects their brand against AI fakes, but also allows them to better manage and monetize their own content and archives.
Technically, C2PA defines a schema for describing provenance and specific assertions of fact. It allows this description to be digitally signed and locked to the media file through the use of certificates and a hierarchy of certificate authorities – very similar to how internet domains are protected today by certificates.
3) Day-to-Day Operation in the Hybrid World of SDI and SMPTE 2110
This session walks through a typical day in the life of an engineer in managing quality and reliability in a hybrid SDI/2110 facility, which is where most of us will be the next few years. IP is just another I/O interface: It’s a way to get video, audio, and data to or from a switch. These presentations will discuss what operators and engineers need to know.
From: Cavell Mertz Spectrum Group
What: Interference Complaints and Dealing with the FAA
When: June 11, 2024 at 6:30 PM
Where: Capitol Airspace Group – Register Here
Address: 6350 Walker Lane, Suite 450
Alexandria, Virginia 22310 United States
Sponsor: Capitol Airspace Group
It happens to nearly every broadcast engineer eventually - someone routes a phone call or forwards you an email from someone complaining that your signal is causing interference, either to their signal or someone else's, but they are looking into it. Sometimes its another broadcaster. Sometimes its a member of the general public who insists its your fault and demands you immediately cease operations. But regardless of how it became your problem, there are people out there who are willing to help. The same can be said when dealing with any government entity, including the FAA. Whether moving to a different tower, constructing a new site, modifying an existing structure, adding frequencies to an existing installation, or even just correcting a height or coordinates, its good to have a friend who knows what they are doing, and how to speak their language. Cavell Mertz / Capitol Airspace Group is here to help.
SBE Chapter 37 Recent Events
With Jim Ragsdale, Chris Singleton, and Dave Van Dyke
With Merrill Weiss, Eric Wenocur, and James Snyder
With Mike Starling of WHCP Radio
SBE News
- Society of Broadcast Engineers Releases Broadcast Station Self-Inspection GuidesThe Society of Broadcast Engineers has released new Broadcast Station Self-Inspection Guides for FM and TV broadcast stations. The SBE partnered with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) to produce the documents, which are the Read more…
- SBE Elevates Andrea Cummis, RJ Russell and Conrad Trautmann to SBE FellowThe Society of Broadcast Engineers has elevated SBE members Andrea Cummis of Orange, NJ; Robert “RJ” Russell of Magnolia, DE; and Conrad Trautmann of Trumbull, CT; to the membership rank of Fellow. The SBE Board Read more…
- Be Aware of Potential 6 GHz Interference.The FCC recently authorized unlicensed very low power (VLP) devices in the 6 GHz spectrum band: 5.925-7.125 GHz. The FCC is also actively considering proposals to allow even greater VLP and LPI (low-power indoor) use Read more…
- Ninth SBE Compensation Survey Now OpenThrough May 16, 2024, the Society of Broadcast Engineers will conduct a survey to determine salary levels and benefits among broadcast and media technology engineers. The SBE conducted its first survey in 2016. This ninth Read more…
- SBE 2024 Membership Drive Runs March 1 to May 31With the theme, Shape the Future: Recruit a New SBE Member, the SBE will launch the 2024 Membership Drive on March 1, 2024, running through May 31, 2024. As with Membership Drives in previous years, Read more…
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