What Does A Broadcast Technician Do?
Broadcast technicians are integral members of the television and radio industries because they are responsible for operating and maintaining the equipment that transmits programs on radio or television to their respective audiences. They set up and operate the audio equipment and ensure that the transmitters are working fine to ensure that what is aired gives the best quality sound and videos. They also collaborate with other personnel to make sure that the programs are getting transmitted clearly.
Part of the work of broadcast technicians is to ensure that all equipment is ready and functional. They look at program schedules in advance, see to it that the signals are receiving and even make sure that the antennae and receiving dishes are in line with each other so that broadcasts from the field are going to be clear. When taping programs inside the studio, broadcast technicians decide the number and location of microphones and test them to make sure that the sound is captured clearly. They are also responsible for recording the program into tape or film.
Editing is part of the job of broadcast technicians. After getting a program recorded, they will have to review its quality before it is aired. If the sounds or images need to be adjusted, they make the necessary edits using appropriate computer software. During live transmissions, they also see to it that the images broadcasted are crisp and clear. They make adjustments to the video’s brightness and fidelity if it is necessary. In the event that a signal fails and the scheduled program cannot be shown, the broadcast technician has to make the necessary substitutions so that the station can continue with its programming and not lose audiences.
Broadcast technicians typically perform their work inside studios which are air-conditioned. There are times when they will have to set up their equipment outdoors for programs that require to be shot on specific locations. This is especially the case in movie productions where the film is often shot on location in different parts of the world. When work is done outside, they may have to set up their equipment in all sorts of weather conditions.
Broadcast technicians also have to know how to fix their equipment when they malfunction. Although more extensive repairs are typically done by repairmen who are more knowledgeable about these equipment, broadcast technicians must know how to make emergency repairs when they are necessary. They have to be handy with tools to be able to fix minor issues when they come up. When more extensive repairs need to be done on a piece of equipment, broadcast technicians make the necessary arrangements to get it fixed.
Although broadcast technicians normally work behind the limelight, they may be asked to make commercial dubs. They may also work together with a production team to come up with educational or training films on various topics. Their opinion on the type of equipment to be used for the production is necessary. In addition, they may also be asked for their creative inputs on the script. They may also play a role in creating graphics for a production.
Broadcast technicians who handle supervisory roles may need to handle other responsibilities not related to the actual manipulation of audiovisual equipment. For example, they see to it that there is a broadcast technician on-board for the entire time that the station is in operation.
Developing a schedule for employees is an important part of their work since the operations of a radio or TV station could be crippled without a broadcast technician to take care of transmitting the programs. Supervising technicians also give technical instructions to all members of the broadcasting team to ensure that they are able to record the best quality sounds and videos. If they encounter problems during filming, they are the ones who try to figure out ways to solve them.
It is also part of their work to instruct new hires about how to put graphics, edit videos and record sound on tape. They also orient them on how to use the station’s equipment and computer software so the new hires will be able to conduct editing and production work as well as transmit programs to audiences when left to do the job on their own.
Career Spotlight: Broadcast Technician
Broadcast technicians setup monitoring equipment that is responsible for transmitting sounds and images over radio and television. You see to it that the incoming and outgoing signals are clear and re[...]
