Have online videos lowered the standards of television production?

Yes because nowadays if you want to record something you don’t need proper camera equipment, you simply need your phone. Its that simple your mobile phone is something that you are likely to have on you already and to be able to capture those one of a kind moments that are YouTube famous.  Which basically means the quality isn’t the same, these videos that are shot are grainy, blurred from not being in focus; you may not even be able to hear sound.

However when you think about it is the standard really lowered?

What I wrote above is a is a simple go to answer, it may be true but is it right?

No because of the kind/type of videos, that is created. At the time of video capture you’ll most probably look and see if you can see what you’re choosing to film and if you can that is good enough. You personally know that it isn’t good quality but what matters is what your filming, if you can get the video of you mate jumping off that really high thing and he survives and you got it on camera. Well job done, lets upload that to YouTube.

But when you think about it that’s not the only type of video on YouTube, for years now people have been uploading How To... videos, these are shot by a webcam attached to your computer or perhaps an integrated camera in your laptop. They can also be recorded via mobile phone, it doesn’t really matter; although obviously these types of videos do take longer to make. Capturing something spur of the moment your not likely to edit it you may add titles make it look a little more presentable, but you not going to go crazy and edit it. How to films like make-up the person doesn’t want to show you the whole process, no one wants to sit there and watch another person apply foundation. In the same way you’ll see something edited on TV, your see the beginning perhaps the middle but what you want is to see the transformation from how they first looked to how they look now. The person is performing the task in real-time but you’ll get to see it in QuickTime, so you won’t be watching one long stream of video; its several cut together.

Of course this isn’t the only QuickTime example, most videos on YouTube that have been purposely recorded to entertain/inform/educate are edited. Mainly because the likelihood of that person being able to do what they want to show you in one take is extremely low. Even if they did at some point they may have rambled on or they personally aren’t pleased with one bit; they can quite easily keep one bit and re-record another or remove something, then put it all together and upload.

Right now looking at TV production I don’t believe that online videos have, about 6 months or more have passed since ITV & BBC took their soaps and started producing them for HD viewers. They aren’t the only ones, broadcasting giant Sky has its own HD channels, as well as Disney, the list goes on. So considering that the channels behind our public broadcasting are now shooting in HD, what effect have online videos really had, they’ve only managed to push forward the production of TV. I think this is probably because the better that gets the better all video technology gets. Someone strives forward; eventually what helped them to do that will become available to others. 3D was at one time only available if you went to the cinema, well now you can have a 3D TV at home which is also HD.

In our constantly developing world, the possibilities are endless.

How has the digital world changed the way we consume and create TV?

Accessibility

If I missed an episode of Eastenders and I missed the omnibus on Sunday, what would I do? I would go on this website http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/

"BBC iPlayer" is the BBC service that allows you to watch or listen to BBC Content on the internet or, if your device permits, download BBC Content using BBC iPlayer

It’s the same for ITV, C4 or Five, all of these channels have their very own website which allows you to go on and re-watch a programme you missed during the week. For the BBC this could mean TV or Radio; of course these aren’t the only channels that provide this service from MTV to Sky, most major channels provide an on demand format that allows you to watch back something you missed. And you don’t necessarily need to go online; certain satellite broadcaster’s provide that service through the TV. Although seen as another internet access you have the ability to watch shows missed through catch up via the designated channel.

Speaking of satellite broadcasting one of their main features is being able to allow their customers the ability to record programmes. Sure we could do this ourselves, with a VCR, video tape and timer if you’re not at home, but that’s an awful lot of work. It is now possible to have that all in one system; people who own a Sky+ box know that if they wish to record something they can with the touch of a button; that programme will now be saved on their Sky+ box for however long they please. Using a Sky+ box you can record two things simultaneously and watch a pre-recorded show; a show that you yourself may have recorded or perhaps it’s been recorded by Sky as a way to cater to your needs. Sky is of course not the only broadcaster to do this, their major competitors Virgin Media provides the exact same service.

Coming back to the internet there are of course other ways to watch TV programmes on it that you can’t perhaps get on BBC iPlayer, ITV player, 4oD etc.  There are many sites dedicated to allowing people to catch a programme missed, unavailable in your country or not yet broadcasted in your country. Personally I use sites like sidereel.com & watch-series.com, these allow me to watch shows that are no longer on TV or are currently airing in the States and won’t show up on our TV’s until next year etc. 

Improved & easier

Digital now allows for us to watch TV in HD and 3D, with certain broadcasting channels now choosing to have their own HD channels as another way for viewers to see their favourite programmes. For the most part this means purchasing an upgrade of your satellite provider so if you have Sky+, you would be more likely to buy the Sky+ HD box then buy the individual channels. The TV you own doesn’t necessarily matter as the Sky box will still work; however with the digital switchover on the horizon, stores are popping up that specialise in switching over your TV to digital so when the analog signal is turned off, even without satellite your TV will be able to pick up the digital signal.

Brief History of TV in the UK and abroad?

In the UK broadcasting started with the BBC with the idea of Public Service Broadcasting; this translated to everyone has access, pays the same and they have the right to complain. This meant that they would need to be maintaining standards; whilst responding to the public, giving them what they want and need.

Public service used to be solely the BBC but over time it now consists of the BBC, ITV and C4.Here’s a timeline that shows the development of the BBC and when the other channels came into the picture.

 June 1920

• opera singer Dame Nellie Melba performs at Marconi's factory to demonstrate wireless potential for entertainment

May 1922

• 2LO & 2MT experimental radio stations set up by the Post office. Leads to the formation of the British Broadcasting Company

October 1922

• Daily broadcast began from the London Birmingham & Manchester. Initially the purpose of the BBC was commercial: to sell radio sets.

25^th August 1923

• Sykes Committee recommended BBC to be funded by license, no advertising and to be publicly not privately owned

1925

• BBC could be heard throughout most of the UK.
• John Reith becomes the first director general of the BBC
• Reith's vision for the BBC: Inform, Educate & Entertain the nation, free from politcal interference and commercial pressures.

January 1927

• BBC becomes the British Broadcasting Corporation when it granted its first Royal Charter.
• John Reith is knighted

March 1936

• World's first regular service of high-definition TV.

July 1939

• TV service suspended
• New emphasis on 'lightening the tone' and morale-boosting. With Its that man again attracting 16 million listeners.

 1943

• Sincerly Yours with Vera Lynn - The forces' sweetheart 
• War reporting unit; the new lightweight recording equipment allowed BBC reporters to follow the troops into battle. this enhanced the BBC's reputation for honesty and accuracy.

1940-1942

• BBC realise that their audience is far more multifaceted, more popular programmes are needed such as: Workers' playtime, Music while you work, and Desert island discs.

 2nd June 1953

•  the Queen's Coronation is watched by 22 million TV viewers

September 1955

• ITV is launched, advertising is used to generate revenue. BBC loses it hold on TV broadcasting

April 1964

• BBC2 is launched

1967

• Restructuring of radio stations
• Radio 2: light programme
• Radio 3: third service
• Radio 4: home service
• BBC2 is broadcast in colour

1969

• BBC1 is broadcast in colour

1971

• The Open University is launched. programmes are broadcast at night.

1972

• Ceefax is launched

1973

• Commercial radio.
• LBC is launched in London. The BBC loses its hold over the radio.

1982

• Channel 4 is launched

1985

• Peacock Committee recommends privatisation of Radio 1&2

1989

• Satellite TV begins. BSB and Sky Tv soon merge to become BSkyB

1990

• Radio 5 is launched, creating sports and learning opportunities. Its the first new BBC national radio station in 23 years.

1997

• BBC News 24 is launched, only cable viewers can get it as first.
• Channel 5 is launched.

1998

• ONdigital is launched. Its the world's first digital terrestrial TV Network. Owned by Carlton & Granada.

2001

• ONdigital is rebranded ITV Digital
• Digital expansion. New channels are BBC3 & BBC4, with CBBC & CBeeBies for kids.

2002

• After the colladpe of ITV Digital a consortium of the BBC, BSkyB and Crown Castke International is granted DTT license.
• Freeview is launched.
• BBC launches its new radio stations for the digital age.
• Radio 1 extra, BBC Five Live Sports Extra, 6 Music, BBC 7, BBC Asian Network and BBc World Service.

2003

• The Hutton Report. BBC is severely criticised for broadcasting news stories which suggested the government "sexed up" Iraqi WMD claims. The Chairman and The Director General resign.

2006

• Royal Charter is renewed. 'Building a digital Britain' is at the heart of the government's vision for the BBC.

Understanding Video Technology

For this assignment we had to answer 3 questions to do with broadcasting and the way in which the digital world has effected how we consume the media.

I have answered the questions in my own words in my view of the media. As well as the internet, I have also used the book Power without Responsibility (2003) Curran & Seaton to help me answer the brief history of broadcasting.