Functional Capabilities of a Computer Control System for Television Switching

The function of the NBC computer control system for television switching is to provide the overall execution and control necessary to support the production of several independent streams of program material. This function includes all program switching along with control of all video and audio sources in the NBC plant. The primary input to the control system is a magnetic tape prepared by NBC Management Information Systems which contains a daily routine describing the program material for the day — including channel (Local NBC, Network, Regional Networks), time of action, length of material, text describing the material, and the associated video and audio sources of the material. The requirement of continuous operation and system reliability dictated a multi-computer configuration to support the required central function. The configuration chosen consists of two different types of computer systems, called channel processors and keyboard processors. Channel systems carry out the switching of program material and facilities control for a single operator-specified channel; keyboard systems provide all command and bookkeeping functions. The discussion is complete to the level of individual tally lights.

Print ISSN

0036-1682

Published

1976-10

Content type

Original Research

DOI

10.5594/J07549