How to Be Broadcast Quality Control Technician - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

May 10, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The role of a Broadcast Quality Control Technician is essential for ensuring the quality of broadcast material. When working in television, film, and streaming services, these technicians use their technical knowledge to review and analyze audio and video content. This involves making sure that the audio levels are correct, checking the color correction and adjusting the aspect ratio.

Failing to do this can lead to poor audio or video quality which could have a huge impact on the overall production. it is important for Broadcast Quality Control Technicians to be familiar with different broadcasting standards so they can ensure that the content meets the necessary requirements. All in all, this job plays an important role in making sure that viewers receive the best quality material.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. Broadcast quality control technicians typically need to have at least a high school diploma or GED.
Earn a college degree. Many broadcast quality control technicians pursue a degree in broadcasting, telecommunications, or a similar field.
Gain experience in the television industry. Many broadcast quality control technicians gain experience through internships or hands-on training programs.
Obtain certification. Several organizations, such as the Society of Broadcast Engineers, offer certifications in broadcast engineering. Having one of these certifications may help you stand out in the job market.
Find a job. Once you have completed your education and gained experience, you can begin looking for a job as a broadcast quality control technician. You can find job postings online or through industry publications.

The success of a Broadcast Quality Control Technician is greatly dependent on having reliable and qualified abilities. To ensure that they can do their job effectively, technicians must have a deep knowledge of video and audio technologies, be able to troubleshoot any technical issues that arise, and have an eye for detail when it comes to maintaining the highest standards of quality control. Additionally, a technician must possess strong communication skills in order to effectively communicate with other members of their team. When all of these criteria are met, technicians are able to provide the best possible viewing experience for audiences and ensure that their work meets the highest standards of quality.

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Job Description

Monitor, evaluate and adjust broadcast sound and video signals to ensure high-quality broadcasts.
Monitor the delivery of broadcast media assets and communicate with other departments to ensure quality standards are met.
Utilize broadcast quality control equipment such as waveform monitors, vectorscopes, and audio meters to detect broadcast defects.
Evaluate, diagnose and troubleshoot broadcast video and audio issues.
Set up and maintain broadcast equipment to ensure optimal performance.
Verify the accuracy of broadcast material prior to transmission.
Analyze broadcast programming for errors and inconsistencies.
Develop and implement quality control procedures for all broadcast operations.
Maintain a database of all broadcast quality control activities and results.
Monitor quality control operations and provide feedback to management regarding areas of improvement and progress.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of audio and video broadcast standards.
Ability to program and troubleshoot broadcast equipment.
Expertise in audio and video signal flow and routing.
Proficiency in setting up and operating video switchers, audio mixers, and other broadcast equipment.
Familiarity with digital media formats and codecs.
Ability to monitor, analyze and adjust audio and video levels according to technical specifications.
Ability to detect and eliminate audio and video defects.
Skilled in the use of audio and video diagnostic tools and QC software.
Ability to identify and solve problems quickly and efficiently.
Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Broadcast quality control technicians play an essential role in the broadcasting industry. They are responsible for ensuring that all audio and video content meets the station's standards before it is broadcast. Without proper quality control, broadcasts could be filled with technical errors or distorted audio and video, resulting in a poor customer experience.

To be successful in this role, a broadcast quality control technician must have an eye for detail and a strong background in technical knowledge. They should be familiar with digital media equipment, video editing software, and audio recording techniques. they must also be able to spot any potential technical issues before they occur, as well as identify any flaws in the content that could lead to an unsatisfactory end result.

Having these skills allows broadcast quality control technicians to provide the best possible service for their clients and ensure the highest quality broadcasts for their customers.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in quality control for broadcast media?
How do you stay up to date on current broadcast industry standards and technologies?
Describe a recent project where you implemented a quality control system.
What steps do you take to ensure the accuracy of all content sent for broadcast?
How do you troubleshoot problems or issues that arise during the quality control process?
Can you explain the differences between linear and non-linear editing?
What experience do you have in creating technical documents such as test plans and checklists?
What strategies do you use to ensure that broadcast content meets all regulatory requirements?
How do you prioritize tasks while managing multiple quality control projects?
What methods do you use to assess the overall quality of a broadcast production?

Common Tools in Industry

Waveform Monitor. A device used to monitor video signals, often used to ensure broadcast quality. (e. g. Leader Instruments LV5490)
Video Test Generator. Used to generate test signals to check the performance of broadcast systems. (e. g. Evertz 7700VIP-TG)
Loudness Meter. Used to measure the audio loudness of a broadcast signal. (e. g. Nugen Audio LM-Correct2)
Vector Scope. Used to measure the colorimetric accuracy of a broadcast signal. (e. g. Tektronix WVR 8200)
Audio Analyzer. Used to measure audio levels and distortion in broadcast signals. (e. g. Fluke DSP-4100)
Digital Multimeter. Used to measure electrical parameters in broadcast equipment. (e. g. Fluke 87V)
Protocol Analyzer. Used to troubleshoot and debug digital protocols in broadcast systems. (e. g. Tektronix WCA200A)
Bit Error Rate Tester. Used to measure the quality of digital transmission in broadcast systems. (e. g. Rohde & Schwarz BER-DP)

Professional Organizations to Know

Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE)
National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)
Audio Engineering Society (AES)
International Association of Broadcast Manufacturers (IABM)
National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS)
Radio and Television Digital News Association (RTDNA)
Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC)
Society for Broadcast Engineers (SBE)
Video Services Forum (VSF)
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

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Common Important Terms

Audio. Refers to sound, and is comprised of frequency and amplitude.
Video. Refers to moving images, and is comprised of frames per second and resolution.
Compression. Technique used to reduce the size of audio and video files by removing redundant information.
Codec. A combination of software and hardware that encodes and decodes digital audio and video.
Metadata. Data that describes other data, such as the length of a video, the author, etc.
Quality Control. Process used to ensure that audio and video meet certain technical standards.
Encoding. Process used to convert audio or video files into a specific format.
Mastering. Final step in audio production where audio is mixed and prepared for release.
Standards Conversion. Refers to the process of converting audio or video from one standard to another.
Timing. Refers to measuring the accuracy of timing between audio and video in a broadcast system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Broadcast Quality Control Technician?

A Broadcast Quality Control Technician is a professional who is responsible for ensuring the technical and aesthetic quality of audio and video broadcasts.

What are the responsibilities of a Broadcast Quality Control Technician?

The responsibilities of a Broadcast Quality Control Technician include monitoring audio and video signals for consistency, adjusting audio and video levels, and troubleshooting technical issues.

What qualifications are required to work as a Broadcast Quality Control Technician?

To work as a Broadcast Quality Control Technician, one must possess knowledge of broadcasting equipment and technology, proficiency in audio and video editing software, and experience in the broadcast industry.