In the course of upcoming capital spending decisions, the technical head office of the BR has initiated activities to systematically analyse requirements on a future video format. Based on the results, a choice of a compression format according to the DV- and MPEG standard respectively is to be made.

In conjunction with an area-wide digitalisation, the broadcast companies have to make a decision about the compression format to be utilised in the future. Based on the recommendations of an EBU/SMPTE-Team, which considers both the MPEG and DV formats suitable for studio applications, Bayerischer Rundfunk is committed to make a choice which respects business and technical aspects of the functional areas involved in capital spending decisions.

 

FLYING EYE has been commissioned to moderate the decision making process. For that purpose in a first step, three workshops in cooperation with divisions of the BR affected by the format choice, have elaborated decision criteria and their relative emphasis. Afterwards, in consideration of the criteria, the two format families were analysed and evaluated together.

 

The results obviously show the strong and weak points of the formats against individual criteria and therefore are a starting-point for further talks with product and technology suppliers.

"With these workshops, we have established a strong basis for the development of a capital spending strategy." states Herbert Tillmann, Technical Director of BR.