IAMT Training Courses

This 2 day course explains the basis of the technology used and how video and audio ‘essence’ is wrapped into computer files along with associated metadata. The techniques and technologies used to manage and store audio and video in a broadcast environment are explained, along with the main mechanisms by which video and audio is transported to audiences via different delivery platforms including satellite, terrestrial, cable, IPTV and streaming.

Syllabus

• Module 1 – Broadcast systems
• Module 2 – Video technology
• Module 3 – Television standards and technology
• Module 4 – Audio technology
• Module 5 – Video compression
• Module 6 – Synchronisation, conversion and standards
• Module 7 – IP and storage technology
• Module 8 – Transmission technology

Who’s it for?

• Engineers or technicians with a general electronics, computer science or IT background who need to be more familiar with the specific requirements of broadcast and media applications
• Almost anyone in the media technology industry who needs to build their understanding of audio and video, particularly those who are new to the industry such as apprentices and trainees
• Sales and marketing people, product managers, technical support staff, software developers and broadcast operational staff, IT staff or broadcast engineers and technicians requiring a refresher course in the fundamentals of audio and video

You will examine and discuss the types of systems, standards, software and hardware used and the changing market from the ‘convergence’ of today to the challenges of tomorrow. The course highlights the issues of integration, automation and reliability, given the way that people really work in a file-based environment, and why companies now need different types of products and services for their audiences and customers.

Syllabus

• Module 1 – Introduction to workflows
• Module 2 – Introduction to converged technology
• Module 3 – Integration and workflow support
• Module 4 – Metadata
• Module 5 – Media standards
• Module 6 – Asset management
• Module 7 – Planning and scheduling
• Module 8 – Acquisition
• Module 9 – Ingest
• Module 10 – Post Production
• Module 11 – Delivery
• Module 12 – Approaches to understanding requirements
• Module 13 – The future

Who’s it for?

• Anyone in the media technology industry who needs to understand broadcast workflows, particularly those who are new to the industry such as apprentices and trainees
• Sales and marketing people, product managers, technical support staff, software developers, broadcast operational staff, business analysts and R&D engineers

This course covers the assignment, routing and delivery of IP multicast for streaming RTP media, including:

• Assignment and use of Class D Multicast IP address space
• Mapping multicast MAC addresses (L2) to multicast IP addresses (L3)
• An overview of Real time Transport Protocol (RTP)
• Comparison between the 3 versions of the Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) and their use in requesting RTP streams within VLANs
• IGMP snooping on a L2 network
• The use of multicast routing using Protocol Independent Multicast (PIM) on an inter-VLAN and/or L3 routed network, including reverse path forwarding
• The difference between PIM operated in Dense Mode (PIM-DM) and in Sparse Mode (SM)
• Important timers used in IGMP and PIM protocols
• Gateway resilience using Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) and mapping resilient multicast forwarding at L3 and L2 using the Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP)
• Important timers and parameters in VRRP and RSTP
• Operation and use of the multicast routing table to forward IP packets using a multicast destination IP address
• Differences between Any Source Multicast (ASM) and Source Specific Multicast (SSM)
• An overview of the Session Announcement Protocol (SAP) and its use in describing and announcing RTP multicast streams that can be requested using IGMP

This course is about putting what you know into practice, so has at least 50% practical content.

Pre-requisites

Delegates should have an excellent understanding of basics of networks including Ethernet, forwarding of Ethernet Frames, IP and IP forwarding, resilience and failover in L2/L3 networks and some exposure to design & operation of enterprise-scale networks. They should have attended the IABM Network Essentials for Engineers and Advanced IP Networks for Engineers courses or have equivalent experience of network configuration and management backed up by similar training and certification.

Practical Sessions

• Lab 1. Multicast Forwarding at L2 and IGMP Snooping
• Lab 2. Multicast Forwarding at L3 across VLANs using IGMP and PIM
• Lab 3. Announcement of multicast streams in L2/L3 networks using SAP and the mini-SAP Server
• Lab 4. Load balancing and failover of multicast streams carried in separate VLANs across a resilient Layer 2 network consisting of leaf (access) switches and 2 redundant spine (core) switches

Modern businesses rely on IT networking for much of what they do and IT networks have evolved over the last 50 years to the point that they have the scale and performance to handle video and audio content cost-effectively. This is driving change in broadcast and media businesses. Most are in transition from bespoke digital interconnection standards, such as SDI and AES3 with their dedicated cabling and hardware, to a high-performance IT infrastructure with commodity-based compute-engines running software applications that serve, process, move and store pictures and sound over a suitably designed IT network with common cabling infrastructure. A similar transition has taken place in distribution and playout as IT servers become the norm and content is increasingly consumed by audiences via the internet.

Syllabus

• Module 1 – Network theory
• Module 2 – Ethernet and LAN Technology
• Module 3 – Internet Protocol and the Network Layer
• Module 4 – TCP and the transport layer
• Module 5 – Higher Layer Network Processes
• Module 6 – Broadcast Network Applications
• Module 7 – Network Security and Integrity
• Module 8 – Broadcast Network Infrastructure

Who’s it for?

• Technical operators and broadcast engineers or technicians who are unfamiliar with the basics of IT networking
• Apprentices or recent technology graduates and other new starters who need to understand the essentials of IT networks
• Established technical staff who need to increase their confidence and competence in IT networks
• Project or product managers, system integrators or designers who need a better understanding of the fundamentals of packet-switched networks
• Managers of engineering or technical support departments who need to improve their understanding of the underlying principles, jargon and concepts of networking

This single-day course will help those who attend to see the “big picture” overview of how IP networking is utilised within the Broadcast Industry. It’s aimed at sales and marketing professionals and those engineers and technicians who need a good overview and understanding in order to get the most from the IP Network Essentials and Advanced courses and undertake network configuration and troubleshooting.

The course will give an overview of the major protocols and technologies in the TCP/IP stack, including multicast IP, showing how these work via practical demonstration and discussion.

Objectives

• Overview of TCP/IP stack and how files and live essence can be carried in ‘packets’
• The role of IP and Ethernet
• Broadcast domains and VLANs – why and where they are useful
• The role of TCP and UDP
• The role of RTP, DHCP, DNS, SNMP and IGMP
• Standards for Transport of Professional Media, SMPTE 2022/2110 etc
• The effects of packet loss and delay on asset delivery in an IP network
• The need for QoS in an IP network and overview of how it may be implemented
• The need for accurate time synchronisation in a network and how PTP and SMPTE 2059 provide this
• Overview of Enterprise Network Architecture
• The need for automatic Registration and Discovery in connection management
• Overview of Multicast IP streaming using RTP and IGMP
• Overview of IGMP Snooping

Media file formats are used everywhere, from production to archive and consumption. File acquisition now routinely starts at the camera or audio recorder with file-based media essence and metadata passing along the entire broadcast chain including ingest, quality control (QC), post-production and onto delivery and archive via a range of file-formats and codecs.

Syllabus

• Module 1 – The fundamentals of file-based workflows in broadcast
• Module 2 – Metadata
• Module 3 – Video file formats
• Module 4 – Audio file formats
• Module 5 – Framework for Interoperable Media Services (FIMS)
• Module 6 – Digital Production Partnership (DPP)

Who’s it for?

• Any professional working with traditional broadcast video and audio technology who needs to increase their knowledge of, and confidence working with, file-based systems
• Sales engineers, technical operators, and technicians who are relatively new to the industry, including apprentices and other new-joiners
• Hardware and software developers who need a better knowledge of media file-formats
• Digital imaging technicians (DITs) and other production professionals
• Scheduling, traffic, library, archive and booking staff whose departments are transitioning to tapeless or file-based operation

This two day course will increase your knowledge and understanding of the broadcast and media industry and the technology and jargon it uses along with the main business and operational models in this sector. It’s ideal for new entrants to the industry as it helps to build insight and understanding into what makes the industry they have joined work. Even if you have worked in the industry for a while you will gain an understanding of the “bigger picture” and where your company’s products, services, customers or audience fit.

Syllabus

• Module 1 – Broadcasting today
• Module 2 – Technology basics
• Module 3 – Making programs
• Module 4 – Managing content
• Module 5 – Delivery to the consumer
• Module 6 – Broadcasters’ business
• Module 7 – Suppliers’ business
• Module 8 – The future

Who’s it for?

• Anyone whose work requires an appreciation of the technology as opposed to an in-depth understanding of it
• Broadcast and media professionals
• Suppliers and vendors
• Post production staff
• Facilities, service providers and related businesses

Designed to make artificial intelligence accessible and practical for everyone, from tech experts to creative professionals in the media and entertainment industry. Starts with the basics—defining AI, its history, and key concepts like machine learning and neural networks—providing a solid foundation that demystifies AI and empowers participants to engage with confidence. 4-5 hours

A series of videos providing an overview of the many challenges and opportunities in the industry. Covers both business and technology topics, and explores how various products and services fit in the Broadcast and Media Content Chain. 2 hours approx.

Builds understanding of what “workflows” are and why they are important. Includes the shift towards a more software-driven environment using cloud, virtualization, and AI-based solutions. 1 hour approx.

Provides newcomers to the industry with an introduction to the broadcast industry, giving an understanding of the technical terms in common use and the role technology plays in the business in which they operate. 4-5 hours

Provides an insight to the technology that transforms live images and transfers them to a High Definition picture on televisions and mobile devices. Covers image acquisition, video file formats and colour coding. 1 hour approx.

Explores the latest technologies, systems and workflows that comprise the IP and file-based broadcast facility. Explores storage and media management, the use of multiple platforms, and analyzes different production considerations and delivery requirements. 4-5 hours

A TV business focused course providing an understanding of OTT system types and services, and how to identify opportunities to integrate revenue generating integration with broadcast systems.

Introduces Video over IP, covering key standards to replace SDI in broadcasting. Starts with IP and RTP streaming basics, then moves into IP multicast and standards like SMPTE ST 2022, ST 2110, AES 67, AMWA NMOS, and PTP (IEEE 1588). Ideal for those with basic IP and SDI knowledge looking to understand IP’s role in modern broadcast infrastructure.