Servers in news and sport: evolution and revolution

Disc storage is already in widespread use throughout TV news and sports production. The pressures falling on broadcasters to cope with a rocketing demand from a modern day audience intolerant of lateness, mistakes and amateur presentation are immense and there is an increasing expectation that the new disc technology will dramatically ease the burden. But, is disc technology ready? Can it be expected to revolutionise the whole production process in one fell swoop? Can it reside in, and work with, an existing production system and allow it to evolve into something better and faster? The answer is yes... depending on the disc technology used. This paper looks at the impact that available disc technology is currently making on the production processes of TV news and sport. The different choices available are measured against the imposing demands of the broadcast environment and their ability to provide an integrated solution is assessed. The paper concludes with an examination of how suitable disc technology, developed for broadcast television really can, and is, changing the way that news and sports programmes are being made.