INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

On 5 February 2016, Dr. Sahab Singh (Associate Professor, Applied Science & Humanities) and Mrs. Poonam Yadav (Assistant Professor, ECS Dept.) along with 50 students from ECS, IT, CSE, EEE, & ECE Departments of Dronacharya College of Engineering, Gurgaon visited the 22nd International Conference & Exhibition on Terrestrial & Satellite Broadcasting based on the theme “Digital Broadcasting - Moving towards Multiple Platforms” from 4 - 6 February 2016 at Kempinski Ambience Hotel, Near Yamuna Sports Complex, Delhi. The visit was organized to give the students a brief understanding of Broadcasting Media and the expected growth of this sector in India.

BES EXPO 2016 : International Conference & Exhibition on Terrestrial & Satellite Broadcasting is the twenty second in the series of events to be organized by Broadcast Engineering Society (India). The event was inaugurated by Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting) on 4 February 2016. Shri. Dr. A. Surya Prakash (Chairman, Prasar Bharti), Shri. Jawahar Sircar (CEO, Prasar Bharti) and Shri J.S.Mathur (Special Secretary, Ministry of I&B) were also present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion Col. Rathore said that BES EXPO 2016 provided a unique platform for the participants to share their views on digital broadcasting. He said that that the laws of the land should learn to keep pace with changing technology. He also complimented the Broadcast Engineering Society (BES) for their efforts and initiatives in bridging the gap between educational institutions and professional bodies.

The students and faculty members from Dronacharya College of Engineering, Gurgaon were welcomed by Mr. Ajay Arora (Broadcasting Engineering Society) at the Exhibition on 5 February 2016. Nearly 300 companies from 25 countries displayed their products in BES EXPO 2016 directly or through their partners in India. Exhibiting companies included those from Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, U.K. and U.S.A. Exhibiting Companies included Argosy, Aveco, Broadcast Electronics, Canon, Digigram, Dolby, Exir Broadcasting, FOR - A, Grass Valley, Ikegami, Imagine Communications, Nautel, Octopus, News, Orban, Rohde & Schwarz, Sennheiser Electronics, Sony and Western Digital. Display of major broadcasting equipment manufacturers from all over the world showcased their latest equipment in the exhibition which was both beneficial to the delegates as well as to broadcast professionals as a whole.

Booth No. 1, 2, 3 was occupied by Prasar Bharati which is an autonomous Public Service Broadcaster, it covers not only the entire Nation but also extends a wide range of external services. The two departments namely All India Radio & Doordarshan of Prasar Bharti through their wide network of Studios and Transmitters broadcast various programs in the field of education, entertainment, sports, news, science & technology, agriculture, health etc.

At Booth No. 27, Christie’s India partner Falcon Technologies Pvt. Ltd. showcased a range of advanced, dependable and affordable visual solutions that are ideal for the broadcast arena in a simulated television studio setting. Mr. Shams Gulrez (Manager, Buisness Development) briefed about the company that it is renowned for their ultra - high resolution images, color fidelity, saturation and the flexibility to be designed in almost any shape or size, MicroTiles are the ultimate digital canvas for creating eye - catching sets that are perfect for high - definition television broadcasts. Ms. Namrata Sharma (Sales Coordinator) demonstrated a product Christie QuadHD84 LCD panel which is affordable and easy - to - use. She also described some of its features that it offers an easily deployable and affordable Quad HD display solution.

NETIA exhibited on Booth 33 with its partner CDM Technologies and Solutions. Mr. Rajendra Shingte (Sales Manager, Indian Region) described that in India, CDM represents the full NETIA Media Assist digital audio software suite, which includes radio automation, production, newsroom, scheduling, and playout modules, media asset management, and workflow management solutions. NETIA highlight new product features that enhance the flexibility and reliability of multichannel FM radio and Web radio playout and new capabilities that enrich multimedia production, as well as mobile and remote production workflows. The company also demonstrated its ability to integrate complex production ecosystems and simplify the publishing of content and data to the second screen.

The Students then visited the Volicon’s Observer Media Intelligence Platform exhibited on Booth No.10. Mr. Bob Dewmuth (Assistant Manager) gave an introduction to the students about the Company that it helps the broadcasters to capture media from a variety of sources and quickly produce and deliver compelling content to viewers via on - air broadcast, as well as digital and social media platforms. Together, Capture and Share facilitate the capture, extraction, processing, and distribution of content in the appropriate format for virtually any target outlet and device. In a fresh approach to multiplatform content creation and delivery, these applications leverage the Media Intelligence Platform’s unique content - recording capabilities and intuitive user interface to provide a much faster and more cost-effective model than is possible with conventional recording, editing, and packaging solutions.

The students then visited the Digital Radio Mondiale exhibited on Booth No. 15. Mr. Ruxandra Obreja (Chairman, DRM Consortium) explained the students that DRM standard comprises of two major configurations : ‘DRM30’ intended for broadcasts on short, medium and long wave up to 30 MHz and providing large coverage areas and low power consumption. The configuration for the VHF bands above 30 Mhz is DRM+, tailored for local and regional coverage with broadcaster - controlled transmission. It offers an improved audio quality similar to FM but across much wider areas, multi - lingual text news, improved service reliability, diversified content and many additional features. The company is proud to support the BES event and this year, the presentations and demonstrations will practically prove the progress made in India and will learn from India colleagues how the media landscape of India is changing.

Sony India Pvt. Ltd. exhibited on Booth No. A12, Mr. Harshit Malik (Sales Manager, India) guided the students that Sony is one of the most recognized brand name in world today, Sony Corporation, Japan, established its India operations in November 1994. In a span of 19 years, Sony India has exemplified the quest for excellence in the world of digital lifestyle becoming the country’s foremost consumer electronics brand. Mr. Amitab Kumar (Sales Manager, India) explained the students about the product categories which the company is producing including camera, recorder, switcher, camcorder and archive with restless commitment to quality, consistent dedication to customer satisfaction and unparallel standards of service.

After that the students visited MediaGuru exhibited on Booth No. 51. Mr. Bhavik Vyas (Sales Manager) explained the students about the company that it is a leading global media services company preserving and digitizing archives of content, in the form of video, audio, film, photographs or documents. It also provides end - to - end solutions for large scale digitization and digital asset management either on site or even off site with the best of experts overseeing the processes.

Monarch Innovative Technologies Pvt. Ltd. exhibited on Booth No. 24 & 25. Mr. Chandulal Shah (General Manager, International) gave an introduction to the students about the company that it develops the product built around the software and hardware solution and very simple to use user interface. Monarch Virtual Studio system and Monarch Amaze ME Multi PIP system are products specially designed to give sophisticated and realistic look for any kind of program like news, talk, shows, entertainment, sportscast, educational or game shows. He also briefed the students about the product categories including Virtual Studios and Sets, Production Switchers, Digital Mixers / Consoles, Playout Automation Software, On Air Graphics & Solutions, Characters Generators and Editing & Special Effects.

On Booth No. 47, Satcom Electronics Pvt. Ltd. (SEPL) was exhibited. Mr. Vivek Pal (Assistant Manager, Broadcast) described the students about the Satcom that it aims to provide customized solutions with value addition suited to meet client needs, increasing efficiency and reducing operational costs in the process. The product categories included Satellite Communication Equipment’s, Broadcast Equipment’s, UL Lightening Protection, Surge Protection Devices and Maintenance Free Earthing Solutions. He also discussed some features like video clip support, built - in audio mixer support, multiple video rehearsing, fancy special effects, key - frame based 3 D graphics and attribute editing.

The students then visited Mark Integration & technology Solutions LLP on Booth No. 32. Mr. Ankit Abhijeet (Assistant Manager) demonstrated the students about the Mark Group that it consists of two companies providing Broadcast Equipment and Services. These companies are backed up by team of industry veterans having the vast experience in Prasar Bharti, BECIL & IT Industry. He also explained that the company provides quality equipment at competitive prices manufactured by reputed Electrolink for FM & TV Transmitters, Channel Combiner, Antenna Patch panels, rigidlines etc. and Belco for FM & TV Antennas, RF cables, Cable Connectors etc. Besides imports, the company also developed indigenously low power FM Transmitter & Antenna for Community Radio Stations.

BES EXPO 2016 provided a unique platform and opportunity for participants and concerned stakeholders from across the world to share their ideas and experiences on the opportunities and challenges of the new age of digital broadcasting. The students came to know about the rapid changes in the information & communication technology. With the increasing number of smartphone users in India, the challenge would be to develop content and services for such platforms and consumers. Public Broadcaster was aware of the new challenges and would be constantly striving to keep pace with the new age technologies.

The expo provided the students with an exposure to gain knowledge about the latest developments in the industry.