Will you be producing everything in HD? Once the project is completed, the production and transmission will be in both SD and HD, since most of the viewers do not have HD receiving equipment yet. Why did it take so long for the MOI to decide to build an HD facility? When HDTV was launched, […]
Will you be producing everything in HD?
Once the project is completed, the production and transmission will be in both SD and HD, since most of the viewers do not have HD receiving equipment yet.
Why did it take so long for the MOI to decide to build an HD facility?
When HDTV was launched, there were two standards: 720p and 1080i, and then, along came 1080p. It looked like there were some differences of opinion on what common standard to adopt and which would be the best format globally. Now that everyone seems to have agreed on 1080p, we decided it was time to invest. We are the first country in the world perhaps to implement 1080p across the entire chain. Some parts of the workflow may not be 1080p but at least 95% will be in this format by the time this project is completed.
Also, we had to construct a brand new building to accommodate our new complex and this had to be ready before the systems integrator could begin work.
Do you have any archival projects in mind given that you have decades of content that need to be digitised?
We have been working on this project since 2004. We have 180 engineering staff between our Muscat and Salalah operations so we undertook this as an in-house project and have been converting all the material on our old tapes to digital. Even our old 16mm and 35mm tapes are being cleaned, edited and digitised in house. About 40% of the work has been completed. On the audio side, we have been working with NETIA to digitise our tapes.
Right now, the objective is merely to transfer everything to a digital medium.
However, we have not pinned down the format in which we would like all this content archived eventually. This is one of the objectives of coming to CABSAT this year. We will be looking at archiving standards for both audio and video.
I hear Oman MOI has also invested heavily in some radio projects?
In the last two years, the Ministry of Information has launched some tenders for new MW and FM radio transmission. There are plans for more projects in this area in the future.
The Ministry is also planning to migrate from analogue terrestrial TV transmission to DVB-T (digital TV) transmission. This is a five-year plan that will begin later this year. We intend to work with an outside consultant for this.
What are some of the most recent projects you have completed for broadcast?
One project that has literally just been handed over to us is an FM radio transmitting station for our Holy Quran Programme. It was a two-year project and has been completed by Rohde & Schwarz. The objective was to ensure that our Holy Quran programme would be made available across the country to all listeners. Another project that is nearing completion is a radio automation and digital media archive system. We have also recently awarded a contract for the renovation of our radio studios and the master control room. Our radio studios were created in the 70s. They will continue to operate out of our old building but we will work with NETIA and Studer to make it state-of-the-art and digital.
The Ministry is also presently evaluating a tender to develop the infrastructure for a fully operational web-based information and service portal for the Government of Oman.
What is the vision of the MOI?
As per the Royal Decree issued recently in October 2010, a new entity called The Public Authority for Radio and TV will be formed. The idea, I believe, is to give Oman Radio and TV more flexibility and power to run its activities on a commercial basis and in a more competitive environment. It will mean more commercial production of programmes and running the station like any other commercial entity.
What are some of the merits of working in Oman?
We have been very lucky that we have had no limitations in terms of issuing tenders and have had the opportunity to work with some of the best international players on our projects. We award our tenders according to WTO standards. Cost is important but adherence to international best practices is also a pre requisite to awarding tenders.
Are new media platforms part of your new plans?
New interactive media platforms will play a big role in the future of TV and we are aware of this. We are studying the available standards and the need of our people and have plans to introduce such services in the future once we have a more clear understanding of their efficacy.
What are some of the key challenges Oman MOI faces and how are these being addressed?
Like all broadcasters, we see huge changes in technology and with so many global formats, its sometimes difficult to make the right choice on what new technology to adopt. Thats the challenge.
What training provisions do you have in Oman presently to upgrade the skills of your employees?
First of all, I am very proud to point out that more than 90% of our engineering staff in the Ministry of Information are Omanis. We will continue to train them on all new technologies. We have a standard contract with most companies with whom we sign up projects to conduct extensive training for our engineers at their international premises. We also have a training centre in Muscat that is designed to train media and engineering graduates in the basics. Those who show potential are then sent abroad to learn more. Some of them join us at our facility for hands-on experience.
Any last words?
I believe that all broadcasters in this region should sit together and agree to adopt one common standard. For instance, I hope all the regional broadcasters can agree to deploy one set-top box for conditional access reception in the Middle East rather than making different choices. It would work in the interest of all parties concerned eventually.
