Future Media MSG Sem2-2014-15

Future Media – September 2015 Page 1 of 13

Future Media

Module Study Guide

Module Code MU60177E

Level 6

Credits 20

AY2015-2016 – Semester 1

© UWL 2015

London College of Music


Future Media

Contents

Section A Overview and Content Page No. 1 Welcome and Introduction to the Module 3 2 Administrative and Technical Support 4 3 Timetable/Venue/Rooms 5 4 Student Support and Guidance 17 5 Content of the Module 19 6 Aims of the Module 19 7 Learning Outcomes 19 8 Learning Resources Key Books

20 21

Section B Assessment and Feedback

9 Assessment: General Information 29 10 Assessments

Task 1 – Codec Report Task 2 – Group Research Report

30 32

11 Summative Assessment Grid 34 12 Statement on Plagiarism 40 13 Evaluation of the Module 41 14 Personal Development Plan (PDP) 15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Section C Module Programme

16 Guide to Learning Sessions 42 Research Group Contract Presentation Assessment Sheet

44 45


Module Leader and Teaching Team Details

Module Leader John Gummery

Field and School London College of Music

Email [email protected]

Phone 020 8231 2522

Location LCM Office – North Building

Module Tutor Justin Paterson

Field and School Ealing School of Art, Design and Media


Phone 020 8231 2490

Location

Facts and Figures

Module Code MU60177E

Level 6

Credits 20

Total Guided Learning Hours 200

Consisting of Teaching Contact Hours 42

Guided Independent Study Hours 158

Placement Hours 0

Assessment: Percentage of final marks assessed by:

Exam 0%

Coursework 75%

Practical 25%


Overview and Content 1. Welcome to the Module

Welcome to the Future Media module. This is a level 6 module that is part of all the BA (Hons) Music Technology courses. It is also part of BA Broadcasting. This Module Study Guide contains the key information about your lectures, assignments, tutorials and teaching and learning methods.

Module Summary

The technology for producing, broadcasting and distributing 'new digital media' is now changing and developing at an unprecedented and rapid pace. It is therefore important for any student aiming to work in today’s creative industries to have a realistic overview of what is really happening now, and what is just around the corner. With this in mind the Future Media module has been developed to allow you to study the overall breadth of this topic and to investigate some selected areas of your choice in greater detail. This is primarily a theoretical module designed to help you develop your awareness and understanding of the myriad of new digital technologies. You will study the fundamental scientific principals of how these technologies and systems work and how they continue to evolve, overlap and converge. This module will not turn you into scientists but it will give you a common language so that you can communicate with others in the industry and confidently evaluate the emerging technologies of the future. The module will also examine how broadcasting institutions and equipment manufacturers are developing convergent digital technologies to bring new services to the public. As part of this we will consider the political and commercial drivers for change and the consequential implications for society. This module should represent 200 hours of your work. Some of this time will be spent in lectures, seminars and tutorials but most of this will be self-directed study and research time, either as part of the group assignments or on your own individual work

Section

A


2 Administrative Support

Name Wendy Chevous

Job title Administrive Officer


Phone 0208 231 2467

Location TC 375

External Examiner(s)

The External Examiner(s) for this module are listed below. Please note that this is provided for information only; students are not permitted to enter into any correspondence with External Examiners.

Name Nikos Stavropoulos Job Title Senior Lecturer Institution Leeds Metropolitan University


3. Timetable

Week 1 Date: 21 September Lecture: Digi-World

This lecture will look at the 'Information Age' that we now live in, what it means to us and how it affects our lives. We will also tackle some key questions to begin our research.

Seminar: Introduction to the module

Introduction to resources, books, Module Study Guide and Blackboard. How the module will run. Overview of all the assignments. Briefing session for Assignment 1 – structure, recommended length, referencing details.

Seminar briefing for next week – Historical audio/video formats

Independent study:

Familiarise yourself with the book list and find out where the books and journals are in the Library. Explore the E-resources available on-line through Blackboard, Myilibrary, Keynote, Mintel, etc.

Prepare for next week’s seminar on consumer audio and video formats. You will be expected to be able to describe one.

Reading: Make a start on any of these: Digital Television - H Benoit, chapters 1 - 3

Newnes Guide to Television and Video Technology - K. F. Ibrahim,


Week 2 Date: 28 September Lecture: Digital Theory 1: Units and measurements revision. Digital theory & principles for audio digitisation. Bandwidth, data rates, aliasing, quantisation, jitter Dynamic range and the audio spectrum.

TV Technical Standards and their history: PAL, PAL Plus, Wide screen TV,

NTSC, SECAM, High Definition TV (HDTV), Super HD, Super High Vision Seminar: Historical video and audio formats

Discussion around the longevity of domestic audio and video formats that you may remember from your childhood. We will discuss as many as we can fit in.

Independent study:

Start to research the choice of topic for assignment 1 and bring your ideas to next week's seminar group.

Form a group for working on Assignment 2 & 3. Reading: If you are new to this subject some background reading from the following would be helpful:

DVD Demystified - Jim Taylor

Digital Audio Technology - Jan Maes A good book to bring you up to date on many of the current audio formats. Media in the Digital Age - JV Pavlik

Pre-session reading: Digital Television - H Benoit. chapter 2


Week 3 Date: 5 October Lecture: Digital Theory 2: Digital theory & principles for Image digitisation. Audio and video digitisation, Component and composite video

Why digital video? Origins of video standards, Introduction to MPEG video compression

Seminar: Briefing session for Assignment 2 & 3.

This will look at the correct ways to present your written work, How to correctly reference from books, URLs, magazines, etc., and why we do this. We will also look at some example essays. Task 1 Tutorial - Comments and feedback.

Discuss your ideas for Assignment 1 for comments and feedback.

Independent study:

Your research group should hold its first meeting and discuss possible topics of common interest that might be suitable for Task 2.

Individually - Work on material for Assignment 1 Important:

Members of each research group must be able to establish a good working relationship. Consider setting up a time each week outside of the formal teaching sessions when everyone can meet. Group members should keep in regular communication with each other to enable the group to work smoothly and efficiently. Keep a record of group meetings, attendance and dynamics.

Reading: Digital Television - H Benoit. chapter 2 DVD Demystified - Jim Taylor Introduction to Digital Video - John Watkinson Compression in Video and Audio - John Watkinson


Week 4 Date: 12 October Lecture: Compression Techniques 1

The Holy Grail of Digital Technologies. This session will cover terms such as, Lossless, Lossy, Perceptual coding, MPEG coding, compression fundamentals, video and image compression types, JPEG

Seminar: Assignment 2 & 3. Set up and confirm groups Groups for this part of the module will be confirmed at this stage and each research group must draw up and sign a 'Research Group Contract' describing how you will work together. (See Appendix page 47) Activity: How to plan, design and conduct a survey on radio use Independent study: In your research group meeting discuss the topic of assigning roles to individual group members. Groups draw up and sign their 'Research Group Contract' to present at next week’s session.

Make a note of what radio stations you listen to over the week and how you use the radio for the next lecture.

Reading: Digital Television - H Benoit. chapter 3 Compression in Video and Audio - John Watkinson DVD Demystified - Jim Taylor Digital Audio Technology - Jan Maes Pre-session reading:

Digital Television - H Benoit - section 3.5


Week 5 Date: 19 October Lecture: Compression Techniques 2 - Audio Compression Psychoacoustics, audio masking, hearing threshold Audio compression types, MiniDisc, MP3, AAC, Ogg Vorbis. High resolution 24 bit/96 Khz audio Task1 hand in revision Activity: Take part in our radio survey Workshop: Codec Listening tests

Comparisons of subjective sound quality between different audio codecs. Demonstration of AAC plus codec and listening tests

MUSHRA listening tests Independent study: Finish work on Assignment 1 Reading: Web Radio - radio production for Internet streaming Chris Priestman

Digital Broadcasting - P Dambaher Pre-session reading: Basic Radio Principles and Technology - Ian Poole


Week 6 Date: 26 October Lecture: Digital Radio: How do we use radio today?

How do you use radio and how much would you pay for a radio? Results from the radio use survey.

A review of global digital radio strategies:

The electromagnetic radio spectrum. How UK Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) works. Who sets the

technical standards? Future developments for radio. Costs, alternatives, changing the role of 'radio' on the Internet.

The future for AM digital radio and satellite digital radio systems. US – HD Radio and SiriusXM satellite radio DRM – Digital Radio Mondiale Internet radio Seminar: The seminar sessions this week will only be for individual

Assignment 1 support and hand in revision

Independent study:

Do not forget to submit Assignment 1 using the Turnitin dropbox on Blackboard

by midnight on 29 October Reading:

The Long Tail – Chris Anderson

HDTV and the Transition to Digital Broadcasting: Understanding New Television Technologies – Philip Cianci

Communication Technology Update: production and transmission – August Grant


Week 7 Date: 2 November Lecture: Television & Internet Broadcasting

This lecture will look at the different variations of digital TV available in the UK, their history and technical capabilities. This will include Terrestrial, Cable, Satellite, Internet and a review of traditional analogue television formats. We will also consider the impact of DVB-T2.

This lecture will also look at emerging forms of broadband Internet broadcasting/narrowcasting streaming systems such as: ADSL, ADSL2, ISDN, cable modems, Netcasting, Streaming and Internet2 possibilities. We will also consider the impact of VoIP, Web 2.0 and 3G technologies

Seminar: Convergent Technologies - Discussion How much convergence can technologies achieve?

A look at the developing consumer electronics market and the potential of future convergent digital technologies

Revision of Assignment 2 and Group Contract

Independent study: Research group meeting and project. Finalise the topic for your group research.

How much do you pay each month to watch TV? Reading: Digital Korea – Ahonen O’Reilly

European television in the digital age: issues, dynamics and realities. - Stylianos Papathanassopoulos

Pre-session reading : The Long Tail – Chris Anderson


Week 8 Date: 9 November Lecture: The Future of the Internet 1

The lecture will consider the technical, political, economic and aesthetic motivations around our experience of the Internet and the Web. We will consider a number of issues and following them up with discussion in the seminars.

Key Areas / Themes / Questions: Future Scenarios: What will the internet be like in 10 years? Living the Online Life: Being Digital Changing Modes of Interaction: Access and Mobility: What happened to the digital divide?

Seminar: Who Owns the Future?

We will follow up questions raised in the lecture and from Jaron Lanier's "Who Owns the Future" (selection available on Blackboard)

Long Tail Theory What is the Long Tail? Web 2.0 definitions Micropayments and Monetisation of User Generated Contribution:

Tutorials: Feedback and comments on your work for Task 1. Groups to report back on the progress you have made on your research for Task two. Independent study: Research group meeting and project.

View Box of Broadcasts material for this session

Reading / Viewing: Jaron Lanier "Who Owns the Future" (selection) and see videos below Lanier: http://www.theguardian.com/technology/video/2010/feb/20/jaron-lanier-web20 Lanier: http://www.jaronlanier.com/futurewebresources.html The Long Tail – Chris Anderson (Selection) Internet Society, Future Scenarios (2009)


PDF: http://www.internetsociety.org/internet/how-it%E2%80%99s-evolving/future-scenarios?gclid=CMvrzJ_l47kCFTPItAodd0MACQ Video: http://www.internetsociety.org/internet/how-it%E2%80%99s-evolving/future-scenarios?gclid=CMvrzJ_l47kCFTPItAodd0MACQ BBC Horizon - Defeating the Hackers http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01rg025

Week 9 Date: 16 November Lecture: Future of the Internet 2

The lecture will continue our investigation around the development and impact of the Web. Key Areas / Themes / Questions: Don't Be Evil: Ownership, Siren Servers and Big Data: Who owns the future? Apps: The Web As A Platform Security and Commerce: Future Hacking The Internet of Things: Connected Objects The Apocryphal Web 2.0: Who 'versioned' the web? The Failure of Web 2.0 Web Technologies: Does HTML5 rock?

Workshop: Surround Sound Evaluation

We will audition some of the latest releases of 5.1 and 7.1 music on the DVD-Audio, BluRay Pure Audio format, DTS, Dolby Digital and SACD. What are the future opportunities for surround audio production?

Independent study: Research group meeting and project.

Consider how often you go to the cinema and what kind of films do you like to watch. We will be discussing this next week.

Reading: Self selected


Week 10 Date: 23 November Lecture: Digital Cinema

Digital technologies are making a big impact on developing and improving the cinema experience. We will examine future digital filmmaking, broadcast and distribution options. Is there a clear business plan for digital cinema?

Surround Broadcasting

Is the UK being left behind in the world of surround broadcasting? An overview of what new 5.1 services are being used on TV and radio across Europe.

Seminar: Assignment 2 & 3 support

Group tutorials - Your group will be given a final timetable for your presentation slot in week 12 or 13

Raise any questions you may have about the direction of your research and progress with your project.

Tutorial: Group tutorials to discuss your research Groups to book a time for their presentations in week 12 & 13 Independent study: Research group meeting, discus ideas for your presentation. Reading: Self selected


Week 11 Date: 30 November Lecture: Presentation Techniques How to walk-the-walk and talk-the-talk…

Some tips and techniques on how to improve your presentations. This will cover communication skills, non-verbal communication, PowerPoint ideas, slide design, etc.

Module Evaluation

From this week there will be an opportunity for you to say what you think about this module and how it could be improved. This will be through an on-line survey with links form the student portal.

Independent study: Research group meeting and project. Rehearse your presentation, it should be 10 minutes long. Reading: Self selected Week 12 Date: 7 December

Group Presentations

Time and place to be booked by you

Your group will present the results of your research to an assessment panel plus 10 minutes for informal questions afterwards.

Week 13 Date: 14 December

Group Presentations

Time and place to be booked by you

Your group will present the results of your research to an assessment panel plus 10 minutes for informal questions afterwards.

Hand in group report before midnight on

Thursday 17th December 2015


4. Student Support and Guidance

Blackboard

All the key information you require to complete this module will be made available through the University’s Virtual Learning Environment, Blackboard. Please check the module site regularly for additional resources or information made available while the module is running. Updates or changes will be communicated to you via Blackboard announcements and/or email – so please also ensure that you check your student email account regularly. Logging on Log on to Blackboard at http://online.uwl.ac.uk using your normal UWL username and password. Help and support There are Help Pages at http://uwl.ac.uk/blackboard - these provide guidance for all students in making use of the University's online learning platforms. All technical issues with Blackboard, Turnitin and PebblePad should be reported to the IT Service Desk. You can do so by: • Talking to staff in any IT Suite or Library • Calling 0300 111 4895 (internal phone extension 2222) 24hrs a day 365 days

a year • Emailing [email protected]

Learning Support

Learning Support is free and available to all UWL students. Your first point of contact for any enquiry about support available for writing, maths, structuring essays, revision techniques, or any other support you require with academic skills is [email protected] .

The University also offers you the opportunity to test and improve your own academic and employability skills throughout your course. A series of self-diagnostic tests on employability, academic writing, numeracy, digital skills and referencing is available online, and can be accessed wherever and whenever you have an internet connection. As well as the tests, there are associated resources which are intended to help you improve your skills. Both the self-diagnostic tests and resources can be found on the Study Support Online community inside Blackboard. Look for the link to Study Support Online when you log on at http://online.uwl.ac.uk


First Point of Contact: If you need to discuss any issue to do with this module, the first point of contact is the module leader, who is named at the start of this guide. If the module leader is unable to deal with the problem, you should then raise it with your course leader, and then with your Head of School. The Head of School responsible for this module is Sara Raybould and can be contacted at [email protected]


5. Content of the Module

The module will examine how a broad range of digital broadcast systems and new distribution mediums work at a basic technical level. It will examine the development of a range of audio and video formats to see which ones have endured and what this can tell us for the future. It will also look at how new convergent digital technologies are effecting both content producers and consumers.

6. Aims of the Module

The module aims to give you an overview of the concepts and technologies involved in digital broadcast systems and the scientific principles that underpin their operation.

To develop your awareness of the rapid growth of digital based distribution, exhibition and broadcast systems. To allow you to investigate and research how broadcasting institutions and the consumer electronics industry are using new convergent digital technologies and the implications for todays consumer. To give you the opportunity to experience working professionally in a group and to stage a well-managed and informative presentation in a corporate style.

7. Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the module you will be able to:

1. Confidently communicate the fundamental scientific principals of a wide range of digital broadcasting, distribution and communication systems to both a specialist and non-specialist audience.

2. recognise and articulate key market trends in digital broadcasting

and the consumer electronics industries and to draw conclusions pertinent to their future development.

3. demonstrate an effective and professional relationship while

working with others in a group to achieve a common goal.

4. independently research a topic and write an extensive and critical analysis in a formal style correctly referencing all sources.


8. Learning Resources

The UWL e-learning system, Blackboard, will be an integral part of your experience on this module. You should regularly visit this site to keep up with announcements, links to news stories, lecture notes, relevant web links, grades, presentation times, etc. There are also links to a range of electronic resources. All your work will be submitted electronically through Turnitin and all feedback will be delivered through this system.

The Library

The Library is open seven days a week providing students access to books, periodicals, videos, CDs, records, CD-ROM databases and online databases. The resources in the LRC are divided up roughly by subject areas.

The books relating to the subject of Digital Broadcast Media are spread over several sections of the library. I will introduce you to some of the resources available and how they might be used on this module during the lectures. I will also endeavour to bring any new publications to your attention as they become available.

Recommended resources E Direct Blackboard electronic resources Myilibrary Mintel consumer trends and market intelligence Keynote market research reports AES journal


Recommended Key Books

Digital Television (2nd ed) Herve Benoit Focal Press, (2002) Shelf number: 384.55094 BEN

This will be the main reference book for the module. It covers the fundamental principals of colour TV, the digitisation of sound and image, compression techniques, MPEG1, MPEG2 and the principals of DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting)

Also Digital Television: Satellite, Cable, Terrestrial, IPTV, Mobile TV in

the DVB Framework (3rd ed.), Herve Benoit Focal Press, (2008)

MP3: The Meaning of a Format Jonathan Sterne Duke University Press (2012) This covers the hundred-year history of the world's most common format for recorded audio. Understanding the historical meaning of the MP3 format entails rethinking the place of digital technologies in the larger universe of twentieth-century communication history, from hearing research conducted by the telephone industry in the 1910s, through the mid-century development of perceptual coding (the technology underlying the MP3), to the format's promiscuous social life since the mid 1990s.


DVD Demystified (3rd Ed.) Jim Taylor, Mark Johnson & Charles Crawford McGraw Hill, (2006) Shelf number: 621.39767/TAY

DVD Demystified provides almost every technical and practical detail about this method of encoding data on disks and its applications. It helps you understand DVD thoroughly from both technical and consumer perspectives. This book covers how data (computer data, sound, video, or a combination of the three) are encoded on DVD and also how DVD players read and play this data.

Who Owns the Future Jaron Lanier

Allen Lane (2013)

Jaron Lanier is a philosopher and computer scientist who has spent his career pushing the transformative power of modern technology to its limits. From coining the term 'Virtual Reality' to developing cutting-edge medical imaging and surgical techniques, Lanier is one of the premier designers and engineers at work today, and is linked with UC Berkeley and Microsoft.

Other recommended books: The Long Tail Chris Anderson Random House (2007) Shelf number: 658.802/AND

What happens when there is almost unlimited choice? When everything becomes available to everyone? And when the combined value of the millions of items that only sell in small quantities equals or even exceeds the value of a handful of best-sellers?

Being Digital Nicholas Negroponte

Knopf, (1995) Shelf number: 303.483/NEG

This book explores the impact of digital technology on how we live our lives, how global business works and has ideas about where all this change will take us.


A Broadcast Engineering Tutorial for Non-Engineers (3rd ed.)

Focal Press (2005) Graham Jones Shelf number: 621.384/JON *Also available as an e-book from myilibrary

Newnes Guide to Television and Video Technology: (4th ed.) The Guide for the Digital Age - from HDTV, DVD and Flat-screen Technologies to Multimedia Broadcasting, Mobile TV and Blu Ray.

Newnes (2007) K. F. Ibrahim *Also available as an e-book from myilibrary

Digital Korea: Convergence of Broadband Internet, 3G Cell Phones, Multiplayer Gaming, Digital TV, Virtual Reality, Electronic Cash, Telematics, Robotics, E-Government and the Intelligent Home Futuretext (2007) Tomi Ahonen & Jim O'Reilly Digital Korea is a study of the most advanced country in the world for digital convergence. Much of what we see in South Korea today sounds like science fiction but forms the solid reality of life today. This book provides an invaluable insight into what the future could hold for society in the UK. Newnes Guide to Digital TV Richard Brice

Focal Press, (2003) Shelf number: 621.388/BRI

A uniquely concise and readable guide to the technology of digital television. The 2nd edition includes more information on HDTV (high definition) and ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) - the body that drew up the standards for Digital Television in the U.S. Covers most aspects of this subject, a very useful book.


Media in the Digital Age Columbia University Press (2008) John V. Pavlik

Shelf number: 302.231/PAV

Pavlik critically examines our current digital innovations of blogs, podcasting, peer-to-peer file sharing, on-demand entertainment, and the digitization of television, radio. He considers their positive and negative implications. He focuses on present developments, but he also peers into the future, foreseeing a media landscape dominated by a highly fragmented, though active audience and intense media competition. An Introduction to the Psychology of Hearing (5th ed.)

Academic Press (2004) Brian Moore

Shelf number: 152.15/MOO

Mobile TV: DVB-H, DMB, 3G Systems and Rich Media Applications

Focal Press; (2007) Amitabh Kumar Shelf no: 621.38807/KUM This book describes in detail enabling technologies and protocols such as MPEG-4, H.264, AAC+,3GPP-PSS and 3G-324M. It contains detailed chapters on DVB-H, DMB and 3G technologies for mobile TV.

MPEG Handbook (2nd Ed) John Watkinson Focal Press: (2004) Shelf no: 621.38970218/WAT

A new book from the well respected author and digital guru. Covers all aspects of MPEG audio and video compression. A complete professional 'bible'’ on all aspects of audio and video compression using MPEG technology. The MPEG Handbook is both a theoretical and practical treatment of the subject. Fundamental knowledge is provided alongside practical guidance e.g. how to avoid quality loss or the creation of MPEG elementary streams and their multiplexing into transport streams (including the problems involved in synchronizing all of the signals in a multiplex). The clarity of explanation and depth of technical detail combine to make this book an essential and definitive reference work. Gives a comprehensive treatment of significant extensions made available by MPEG4, such as object coding, mesh coding and animation.


Convergence in Broadcast and Communications Media John Watkinson Focal Press (2001) Shelf number: 621.382/WAT

Convergence in Broadcast and Communications Media offers concise and accurate information for engineers and technicians tackling products and systems combining audio, video, data processing and communications. Without adequate fundamental knowledge of the core technologies, products could be flawed or even fail. John Watkinson has provided a definitive professional guide, designed as a standard point of reference for engineers, whether you are from an audio, video, computer or communications background. *Also available as an e-book from myilibrary

Video Compression Demystified Peter D. Symes

McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing,

(2001) Shelf number: 621.388/SYM

In Video Compression Demystified, specialist Peter Symes paints the full video compression picture in a friendly, not-too-big, not-too-technical introduction that explains what happens in compression, why compression works, and what will stop it from working. You'll explore all the major compression standards, JPEG, MPEG-2, and more starting with the basics and moving on to compression tools, performance considerations, transmission/storage quality, transport schemes, and audio considerations.

Communication Technology Update: production and transmission (10th Edition)

August Grant, et al. Focal Press, (2006) Shelf number: 621.382/COM

Provides you with the latest trends and developments in all areas of communication technologies, electronic mass media, computers, games and telephony.

* Also available as an e-book


Television

European television in the digital age: issues, dynamics and realities. Stylianos Papathanassopoulo Polity, (2002) Shelf number: 384.55094/PAP

The Television Handbook (3rd ed.) Patricia Holland Routledge, (2005) Shelf no: 791.450941/HOL An Introductory History of British Broadcasting (2nd ed.) Andrew Crisell Routledge, (2002) Shelf no: 384.540941/CRI

Radio Basic Radio: principles and technology Ian Poole Newnes, (1998) Shelf number: 621.384/POO Radio in the Global Age David Hendy Polity Press (2000) Shelf number: 384.54/HEN Radio Communication D Green Longman / Pearson Education (2000) Web Radio-radio production for Internet streaming Chris Priestman Focal Press, (2002) Shelf no: 384.5402854678/PR

RF & Wireless Technologies: Bruce Fette, et al. Newnes/Elsevier, (2008) Shelf number: 621.384/FET

Up-to-date information and detailed descriptions of software defined RF, using frequencies smarter, and, using more of the spectrum, with ultrawideband technology. Also covers emerging cognitive radio technologies.

Cinema

The EDCF Guide to Digital Cinema Production Lars Svanberg

Focal Press (2013) Shelf no: 778.53/EDC


Audio

Surround Sound: up and running (2nd ed.) Tomlinson Holman

Focal Press, (2007) Shelf no: 621.389334/HOL

This volume offers practical information for recording engineers. Key features of the guide include: market rationale for converting your studio to 5.1 channel capacity; step-by-step instructions for setting up a monitoring room; mixing tips for multi channel sound; and distribution formats.

*Also available as an e-book from myilibrary

Spatial Audio Francis Rumsey Focal Press, (2001) Shelf no: 621.389334/RUM

A comprehensive study of the very latest spatial audio technologies and techniques. Spatial Audio explores the principles and practical considerations of spatial sound recording and reproduction. Particular emphasis is given to the increasing importance of multi channel surround sound and 3D audio, including binaural approaches, without ignoring conventional stereo. The book covers the basic technical and systems information in this relatively new field, including things like standards relating to multi channel sound, track allocations, studio acoustics and program interchange. The content is broad and generic, and includes Ambisonics and binaural systems.

*Also available as an e-book from myilibrary

An Introduction to Digital Audio (2nd ed.) John Watkinson Focal Press, (2002) Shelf number: 621.3893/WAT

Highly recommended for this module. A slimmed down, simplified version of Watkinson's 'The Art of Digital Audio'. Covers all the basics of digital theory, interconnections, synchronisation, recording formats and broadcast applications. Useful information about many of the latest digital recording and broadcasting formats.

The second edition also covers digital audio broadcasting, all aspects of DVD, networked audio and MPEG audio compression. *Also available as an e-book from myilibrary


Super Audio CD James Angus Focal Press, (2001) Shelf number:

This book provides a thorough introduction to the SACD format from Sony/Philips and general issues regarding one bit audio technology. It covers the physical media, format, typical players, coding of SACD signals and SACD authoring.

The MiniDisc Jan Maes Focal Press, (1998) Shelf number: 004.56 MAE

Everything you could want to know about the Mini Disc format from those nice people at Sony. Covers Sony's ATRAC compression system.

Modern Recording Techniques (6th edition) David Miles Huber, Robert E Runstein Focal Press, (2005) Shelf number: 789.91 HUB

Very good all round introduction to the sound studio. The digital sections cover basic digital theory, sampling, editing and pro recording systems. *Also available as an e-book from myilibrary

Market Research Journals There are two sets of market research journals kept in the LRC. These provide in-depth analysis of many relevant industry sectors and include company profiles, background, market analysis and predictions. They are also available through the library’s Electronic Resources pages. Keynote Mintel Magazines Newspapers New Scientist Financial Times Wired The Times The Economist The Independent Audio Media The Guardian


Assessment and Feedback 9. Assessment Information

Assessment will be based on a submission of an individual report for Assignment 1 in week six. This will be submitted on-line through Blackboard. This is followed by the Assessment 2 group presentation in week 12 or 13 and the submission of the Assessment 3 group report in week 13.

All written work on this module is submitted through Turnitin. There will be a clear link to the Turnitin Assignment from the of the Blackboard course menu. You will need to ensure that your assessment is uploaded as a single document, and in the correct format (e.g. a Word document or PDF – the acceptable file formats are displayed on screen when you come to submit via Turnitin). Turnitin generates an Originality Report, and you are encouraged to make use of this facility as a support tool to help you ensure the source material in your assignment is correctly referenced before final submission. You will be able to submit revised drafts of your work up until the assignment due date. Only the final version will be marked by your tutor.

Section

B


10. Assessments

Assignment 1 – Codec Report Weighting 25%

Responsibility Individual work Set Week 1 Aim To allow you to engage in independent research and analysis of a chosen form of digital data compression. Form A report in either word (.doc) or (.pdf) format Hand in Week 6: Before midnight on Thursday 29th October

Through the Turnitin drop box found on the Digital Broadcast Media page in Blackboard. Turnitin will confirm when your work has successfully uploaded.

Brief: Investigate a form of digital data compression of your

choice. Clearly describe how the codec works at a technical level and how it is used. Discuss it's strengths and weaknesses, limitations and what new developments, products, working practices, etc., have been possible through it's use. Clearly show where your information has been found by referencing all your sources using the Harvard system.

Length: 1500 words (+/- 10%) (please include a word count) Note: this does not include you references Overall Weighting:

25% – individual mark

Feedback For this assessment there will be general feedback given in the seminar session in week 8. Then individual feedback will be on Blackboard through Turnitin feedback page in week 9.


Recommended Approach

1. Check that you are researching the latest version of your chosen codec, as this is a rapidly developing field of technology.

2. Make sure you separate the method of

compression from the media format or broadcast system that uses it and focus on that.

3. In your written work ensure that you reference all

your sources correctly using the Harvard system. This demonstrates you have done the research and protects you from accusations of plagiarism.

4. Please include any diagrams or pictures to help you

explain things more efficiently and save on words.

5. Check the word length of your work and include this.

6. Keep a backup copy of your work. You may be

asked to produce it.


Assignment 2 & 3 Group Research Project Responsibility Individual and group work Presentation Group presentation during weeks 12 & 13, Group report

handed in before midnight on Thursday 17th December through Turnitin on Blackboard.

Set Week 3

Aim To allow you to engage in detailed research and analysis of a chosen area of digital broadcast technology.

Form A 10 minute group presentation and a detailed group research report. Length Minimum of 1500 words from each group member (Maximum 2000) Note: this does not include you references Brief: The Report (weighting 50%)

Working in a self-selected group of 3 - 4 members you are required to research and analyse a chosen area of digital broadcasting or distribution. Your chosen topic must be discussed and agreed with your lecturer. The group with produce a corporate style report for which you are required to contribute a minimum of 1500 words each. The final report will be compiled from the individual contributions or sections into a single document in PDF or Word format.

The report must describe in detail how your chosen technology works, it's developmental history, how it is being, or has been, launched into the market place. You should carry out a thorough market analysis in which you make reference to its current market share, competing formats, costs and future developments and predictions.

The report will have a short introduction that clearly outlines which sections of the report were produced by each group member. You can also describe any other areas of individual responsibility that the group has agreed upon. You are also required to include a copy of your group contract within the report. Most importantly your report must offer clear conclusions about the long-term viability of your chosen area of technology.


Brief: The Presentation (weighting 25%)

Your group is required to make a ten-minute corporate style presentation to an assessment panel. Your presentation will summarise the findings of your research and present your conclusions as clear and reasoned arguments. You may use whatever technologies and/or presentation methods in your presentation but it must maintain a high professional corporate standard and communicate its message as clearly as possible. It is also very important that your presentation runs as near as possible to the 10 minutes allowed. Marks are deducted for presentations that over-run. Each group will also be expected to answer informal questions from the panel afterwards to clarify any points that you have made.

Individual Work: Decide within the group your individual area of responsibility. Keep a record of all group meetings, attendance and group dynamics and include this with your report.

Group Contract: You must include a copy of your Group Contract with the report. (See page 44)


Recommended Approach

1. Discuss the project with your lecturer in your group tutorials before you start to ensure that the chosen topic is acceptable and viable.

2. Decide within the group your individual area of

responsibility and agree this. Aim to balance the workload evenly.

3. Ensure that you reference all your sources correctly

using the Harvard system. 4. Keep backup copies of all your work.

5. Plan and rehearse the presentation in advance to ensure there are no technical difficulties on the day and that it runs for the correct length of time.

6. Be sure you know how to use the equipment in the chosen venue and that you have rehearsed there. Timing of feedback:

For the final assessment there will be individual feedback on Blackboard. This will give you feedback both on the group presentation and your contribution to the group report. This will be available after the work has been double marked and seen by the external examiner, but before they have been ratified by the module assessment board, which will be in the last week of February.

11. Summative Assessment Grid

Assignments Module learning outcome

Word count or

equivalent

Due date (week no.)

Threshold Pass mark

Weighting

A1 - Report

1 & 4 1500 6 40% 25%

A2 - Presentation

1, 2, 3 & 4 10 minutes 12 - 13 40% 25%

A3 - Report

1, 2, 3 & 4 1500 14 40% 50%


Assessment Criteria

Marking parameters - a rough guide

Both the assessments, Compression essay and the Research Project, should accurately represent your abilities in the following areas: scientific and technical understanding, conceptual understanding, market awareness, analytical thinking and presentation skills. You should take whatever steps necessary to make sure that you present yourself well in all these areas. This short list gives a guide to what is being looked for when the work is marked.

Assessment Criteria for both written assessments

Work must match the brief: The work must be the correct length as required in the brief. A minimum word count has been set for these assignments and marking penalties will be applied in the event of this requirement not being met. Technical and scientific issues: Accurate, very assured, correctly describing the fundamental scientific principals of how the technology works. This should cover all key elements and functions of the technology. Research: Clear evidence of independent research that is thorough, in depth and up to date. Covers all relevant issues such as costs, history, uses, future developments, competitors, etc. All sources correctly referenced using the Harvard system. Conceptual integrity of the idea: Was it a good idea? How relevant was your subject to the module? How original and ambitious was the task? Conclusions: Clear, thorough realistic and covers the long-term viability and future opportunities.

Presentation:

The skill of revealing your work to others. Correct use of form, language and style. Professional, imaginative, perceptive, original, articulate, thorough and clearly structured.


Assessment Criteria for the Presentation

Technical and scientific issues: Accurate, very assured, describes the fundamental scientific principles of how all key parts of the technology work.

Professional presentation: Articulate, clear corporate style, thorough, clearly structured, well organised and runs for the correct length of time. Communicates very well in all respects with the audience.

Innovative presentation:

Imaginative, perceptive, original, challenging, made good and appropriate use of available presentation technologies.

Research: Clear evidence of depth of research, thorough, covers costs, history, future developments, challenges and possibilities.

Conclusions: Critical and considers the long-term viability, clear, feasible, shows vision and recognises future opportunities and threats.


Generic Course Grade Descriptors

These generic criteria are used on to describe your work and they can be applied to all assignments on this module.

80-100% (First)

• Demonstrates an exceptional degree of commitment, creativity, research and innovation.

• Represents absolute professional quality in all areas that is beyond reproach in every aspect.

• Exceptional skill and ability is exercised equally with regard to form, content and function.

• The work is so robust that it is almost impossible to find weaknesses in any area.

• The quality and vision of the work engages the imagination, spirit and emotions of the recipient.

70-79% (First)

• Exceptional work - exciting and innovative. • Outstanding in its ideas - perceptive, articulate, imaginative,

thorough. • Clearly structured, maintaining a high level of audience interest. • All elements combine to knowingly create the required finished

product. • Artistically, technically, commercially and scientifically very

assured. • Outstandingly clear message and wholly appropriate use of the

medium • Very successful in communicating on informative and emotional

levels and demonstrates a synthesis of original ideas.

60-69% (2.1)

• Overall a successful piece of work, which fulfils its aims with clarity.

• Cohesive in structure and impact. • May have many of the qualities of work in the 70+ categories but

without that level of vision, accuracy, excitement or innovation. • There may be very minor parts of the work which do not function

to the utmost - perhaps convention used without thought, or would benefit from a little additional attention to detail.

• Appropriate use of the medium and technically assured. • Makes reference to external knowledge, its relationship to the

work and describes what has been learned through the process.


50-59% (2.2)

• Successful in meeting its aims and overall meaning is clear.

There may, however, be problems with structure or execution which lead to some confusion in parts.

• Often lacking in imagination, uninspiring and very conventional. • Concept is limited, so that the final work may lack cohesion and

integration. • May omit some important (but not crucial) aspects of the tasks. • Overall, technically competent (the lower marks may have

problems here at times, but even these will have their saving graces).

• Generally appropriate use of the medium, but perhaps there is a better way of realising the task.

• Reference to knowledge learned in class and some discussion of ideas and the meaning of the work.

40-49% (3rd)

• The work may communicate with difficulty, the audience/reader has to concentrate to draw out what it means and often an inappropriate medium has been used for the job.

• May have elements that are poorly structured and confused. • Some work may show only a very limited ability to select,

structure, prioritise information, omits some important aspects, and/or includes irrelevant material.

• Lacks cohesion and may be scrappily presented. The work does communicate its message, but only partially.

• Overall the work shows a fair degree of competence although there are some obvious technical problems.

• Written work is limited to a description of the production process and makes no reference to external sources of knowledge.

• Demonstrates correct use of grammar and accurate spelling


20-39% (fail – a resit will be required at a later date)

• The body of work presented suggests that 200 hours of

appropriate student involvement has not been engaged in. • Fails to answer the key technical requirements of the brief and

the project has limited meaning. • Fails to communicate a coherent message, perhaps through a

mixture of lack of logical thought, poor organisation of material and/or technical ineptitude.

• Shows significant omissions in content, or the meaning is confused with irrelevant material.

• It may be possible for a student to show basic technical competence, but is unable to apply these skills to produce meaning.

• Generally, however, a fail will exhibit both an inability to understand the requirements/functions of the medium and lack of skill in its execution.

• Glimpses of creative, technical, scientific or organisational skills may result in a mark in the higher section of this mark range.

1-19% (fail - a retake will be required when the module runs next)

• The body of work presented very strongly suggests that appropriate student involvement falls far short of 200 hours.

• The work is of a very poor standard throughout showing little or no understanding of the brief.

• So heavily flawed conceptually that the work is rendered almost entirely meaningless.

• There are significant problems associated with fulfilling the technical and scientific requirements of the brief.

• Shows crucial omissions in content and the meaning has disappeared in a welter of irrelevant material.

0% (fail)

No work was submitted for assessment.

Pass mark 40% is the minimum pass mark for the module.


12. Statement on Plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as the presentation by a student of work for assessment which is not his/her own, in the sense that all or part of the work has been copied from that of another person (whether published or not) without attribution, or the presentation of another's work as if it were his/her own. Any student who knowingly permits another student to plagiarise his/her own work will also be regarded as having breached the General Regulations. Self-plagiarism can also occur if a student does not reference their own, previous, work. See also: Student Handbook Section 3. University Regulations and Student Code of Conduct For further advice on plagiarism go to the UWL website: http://www.uwl.ac.uk/students/current-students/Advice-students-plagiarism As detailed in Section 4 above, the Learning Support Team are available to help with any issues you may have with academic writing and referencing.


13. Module Evaluation

This module will be evaluated on-line at the end of the module. You will receive an email with the link to the evaluation site, probably around week 11. Your comments are strictly confidential and will help us develop the module for the future.

14. Personal Development Plan (PDP)

The group project and associated group contract will contribute to your personal development.

15. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


Module Programme 16. Guide to Learning Sessions

Lectures:

The lectures will be used to present theory and scientific principals behind the technologies that we will be examining on this module. Some lectures are open ended due to the rapid developments that can, and do, take place in this field. The lectures can be up to 2 hours long and will include some practical examples, where possible, to illustrate the subject. You should make thorough notes during the lectures. There will be many opportunities to ask questions and to further discus the topic in the seminars. Slides for the lectures will be available on Blackboard. You are expected to attend all the lectures on this module.

Seminar/Workshops:

These sessions will be a forum for further discussions and an opportunity to explore and experience some of the technology. They are designed to support you through the process of conducting your work and research. Students will be expected to prepare and present work at these sessions. There will also be the opportunity for some revision, covering areas that may not be already familiar to all students.

Tutorials:

Tutorials can be booked either individually or for your group. These sessions will be booked towards the end of the module for discussion about your research and feedback on completed work. It is your responsibility to book tutorials.

Self Directed Work:

Self directed work and research are essential elements of this module. You are expected to take responsibility for organising your work, research and reading efficiently in order to hit the deadlines set. This is crucial for your research group work for Assignment 2 as this is dependent on collective participation.

Section

C


Blackboard: The UWL On-Line system, Blackboard, will be an integral part of your experience on this module. You should regularly visit this site to keep up with announcements, links to news stories, lecture notes, relevant web links, grades, presentation times, etc. There are also links to a range of electronic resources.

If you do not participate fully it will be difficult for you to achieve the assessment criteria and your marks may

be seriously affected


Research Group Contract

You are required to work in groups of three or four for Assignment 2, ‘Group Research and Market Analysis’. As the first step in this process each group is asked to complete a group contract. This is designed to help you all reflect critically on your previous experiences of group work, to define goals and reasonable expectations for the group and to identify the ways in which the group wishes to operate, including the use of sanctions.

Headings for the contract are as follows: 1. Three things the group wants...... 2. Three things the group doesn’t want...... 3. How we will achieve our aims..... 4. What we will do if things go wrong........

Each member of your group will be asked to sign the contract, and one copy of the completed document should be given to your module leader, with another copy included with your research report. The document should be referred to in any discussion relating to the operation of the group in the future. In the event of any unresolved difficulties a meeting may be called between the members of the group, and the module tutor, who will act as moderator.

Successful group work can result in the production of work that is significantly better and more satisfying than the efforts of individuals alone.... unsuccessful group work can be a complete nightmare! resulting in considerable frustration and time wasting. It is therefore essential that all students take responsibility for the smooth running of their group, conduct themselves in a professional manner and take appropriate action to identify problems, and devise solutions as necessary. The UWL handbook on “Working in Groups” gives valuable advice on this topic.


PRESENTATION ASSESSMENT SHEET

Future Media - Assignment 2

Group Number: Topic: Presentation Criteria Mark out of 10

Technical and scientific issues: Fundamental scientific principals of how the technology works, comprehensive, accurate,

very assured 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Professional presentation: Articulate, thorough, clearly structured and delivered, well organised, corporate style good use of available resources, punctual 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 and runs to time

Innovative presentation: Imaginative, perceptive, original innovative use of technology. Stimulates and maintains audience interest 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Research: Clear evidence of depth and thoroughness. Covers costs, history, future developments, is up to date and relevant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Conclusions: Long term viability, clear, realistic, identifies future opportunities/problems 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TOTAL

Documents

Future Media MSG Sem2-2014-15