AES Seminar on TVBD ("White Space Devices") video

[Gotham Sound]

Hi Folks,

At last months AES, Henry Cohen chaired a seminar entitled, "TVBDs and Geo-Location Databases: An In-Depth Look and Their Impact on Wireless Microphone Usage" with an all star group of panelists. Here's the write up from AES' website:

Panelists

:

Jesse Caulfield

, Key Bridge Global

Joe Ciaudelli

, Sennheiser USA

Ira Keltz

, Federal Communications Commission

Michael Marcus

, Marcus Spectrum Solutions

Steve Mendelsohn

, ABC NY Jets

David Pawlik

, Skadden Arps

Edgar Reihl

, Shure, Inc.

James Stoffo

, independent entertainment production RF coordinator

Television band devices (TVBD) are a reality and the first of the geo-location databases directing TVBD operations are in the testing phase. Operating wireless microphones, IEMs, intercoms and cueing in this new environment requires understanding how the databases work and the rules governing both licensed and unlicensed wireless production equipment. This panel brings together a diverse group of individuals intimately involved from the beginning with TVBDs, databases and the new FCC rules as well as seasoned veterans of medium to large scale wireless microphone deployments to discuss how the databases operate, how to use the database for registering TV channel usage, and best procedures and practices to insure minimal problems.

Because this topic will define the future of wireless mics for the foreseeable future, we asked Henry if we could video tape the seminar. Here are the links:

Part 1: http://vimeo.com/32188941

Part 2: http://vimeo.com/32197887

Please note that due to union regulations at the Javits, we were limited to a single camera "anthropological" record of the event, and no audio feed - I had to post-sync the mp3 recording of the seminar to the video!

But, there is an amazing amount of information and opinions expressed at the seminar.

We are in the middle of writing an in-depth article on the new TVBDs and their effect on wireless mics which will appear in next month's Gazette, but in the mean time this video has a lot of information. One thing is clear: If you are eligible for a Part 74 FCC licence, GET IT!

Peter Schneider

Gotham Sound