Ample Opportunities in Broadcast Engineering
Two important media industries. i.e television and radio make use of the broadcasting system for their content delivery. Broadcasting, an important tool for mass communication is the method of distribution of audio and video content via any audio or visual communication medium, normally by using electromagnetic radiation (radio waves). The programs which we see on TV or listen on radio involve several steps like content acquisition, production, transmission and reception before they reach the end users. For the production and delivery of these programs several equipments namely camera, microphones, switchers, editing systems, storage systems, play-out and specialized technical facilities like studios, transmitters etc. are required. Due to the growth in the entertainment industry, broadcast engineering is becoming a lucrative career field across the world. India is the third largest television market in the world with over 400 registered satellite channels, 82 Mn Cable Homes, 60000 Cable operators and 6000 MSOs, 6 DTH Operators, 270 Private FM Stations, 170 AIR FM Stations and about 1400 DD TV transmitting stations. Digitalization of broadcasting and new media delivery methods like IPTV and Mobile TV are expected to result in huge demand for skilled manpower in broadcast media industry. Broadcast Engineering which is considered as a sub division of electrical engineering can be defined as regulation of equipments for signal strength, clarity, and range of sounds and colors in radio and television broadcasting.
Eligibility
Broadcast Engineering is not offered as a main discipline in undergraduate engineering courses. Candidates with four years bachelors course in electrical engineering, electronics and communication engineering, computer engineering, information technology and audio engineering can pursue a career in broadcast engineering. After graduation, the candidates can specialize in broadcast engineering at the post graduate level or can start working right after graduation with broadcasting firms. Diploma, post graduate and certificate level courses in broadcast technology are offered by several Institutes in India. The pre-requisite for applying to these courses is 10+2 in science stream from any recognized institute with mathematics and physics as a compulsory subject. The candidates are also required to pass an entrance examination for getting admission.
Career Avenues
All communication related organizations require services of broadcast engineering technicians. Ample job opportunities are available for skilled professionals in this field with the increase in number of television channels and radio stations. Broadcast engineering positions usually require working knowledge of audio engineering, computer engineering, radio frequency engineering or other closely related field. For entry level positions in this industry, a graduate degree with specialised technical training is needed. Broadcast engineers work with a team which includes producers, studio managers, presenters and other technical staff in the broadcasting industry. Responsibilities of broadcast engineering technicians vary according to the size of the broadcasting organisation. In smaller stations, they handle numerous responsibilities while in larger stations tasks tend to be specialized. Even though the job title varies like broadcast technician, broadcast engineer, broadcast operator etc. all entail almost the same work profile. The major tasks include operating, maintaining, updating and repairing hardware and systems used across television, radio, podcasts and other channels, ensuring that programmes are broadcast on time to the highest possible level of quality and so on. An up-to-date knowledge of and flexibility with IT skills and new technology, e.g. digital and multimedia systems, is very much essential to be successful in this profession. Broadcast engineers may have varying titles depending on their level of expertise and field of specialty. Some of them are:
* Broadcast Design Engineer
* Broadcast Systems Engineer
* Broadcast IT System Engineer
* Remote Broadcast Engineer
* Video Broadcast Engineer
* TV Studio Broadcast Engineer
Remuneration
fresh graduate in this field can earn an initial salary between Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 20,000 per month. The initial pay scale of a fresh broadcast engineers with excellent technical skills will be not less than Rs. 25000/- per month. A well-experienced engineer can expect higher pay packages, about Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 60,000 per month depending on their employer.
Institutes
Some of the top institutes in India that offer courses in broadcasting engineering include:
* Zee Institute of Media Arts, Mumbai
* Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication, Pune
* Indian Film and Television Institute, Meerut
* Broadcast Engineering Society, New Delhi
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