Assembling an Electronic Newsgathering System

From the perspective of a technical operations director whose television station has more than a year's experience in the gathering of television news on videotape, the author examines the question, “How well does the electronic journalism (EJ) system fulfill the goal for which it was designed and assembled?” To achieve a coherent and functional system, the designers must bring together diverse experience involving microwave transmission, backpack cameras, portable VTRs, VTR editing and playback systems, vehicle construction and modification, and on-air news operations. Probably, few people have expertise in all six areas, so each of these subjects is discussed in turn. A framework — actually used — for assembling an EJ system from these elements is described. Strong points and weak points of the EJ system are examined, and reasons for the shortcomings and possible solutions for them are considered. It is hoped that the experience of WKYC-TV will benefit those who are now wrestling with the problems of installing a new EJ system.

Print ISSN

0036-1682

Published

1976-08

Content type

Original Research

DOI

10.5594/J07581