VIDEO ENGINEERING - 2025/6
Module code: TON2018
Module Overview
This module will introduce you to aspects of video engineering systems, from 625-line analogue systems to digitally-delivered HD systems. It concentrates on why video engineering is important to professional audio systems and emphasises the knowledge and understanding that is needed by an audio professional (operational or maintenance), rather than a designer of video systems. As video becomes ever more present in the audio engineer's professional career, fundamental knowledge and practical skills are increasingly important. You will look at analogue video waveforms on an oscilloscope, and examine digital bit streams down to binary data level, as well as learning the basics of setting up a camera for filming or streaming. You will also learn about TV sound and comms systems and how these differ to music recording studios.
Module provider
Music & Media
Module Leader
HAIGH Alan (Music & Med)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 5
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Workshop Hours: 3
Independent Learning Hours: 89
Lecture Hours: 29
Laboratory Hours: 5
Guided Learning: 2
Captured Content: 22
Module Availability
Year long
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
TON1028 Audio Engineering & Recording Techniques 1
Module content
Indicative content includes:
- Analogue video signals.
- MPEG video coding.
- SMPTE and EBU time code formats.
- The serial digital interface and embedded audio
- Coax and Fibre interfaces
- Standard and High Definition digital video formats
- Basic lighting and camera operational principles
- The design, signal flow and operation of sound desks and comms system in television
- The human visual system and measuring colour
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Coursework | 50 |
| Examination | Examination (2 hours) | 50 |
Alternative Assessment
This module involves group work, which may not be feasible to run as a resit. In view of this, if you fail the coursework you will be asked to complete an investigative report that meets the same learning outcomes.
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate and develop knowledge and understanding of video engineering principles.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
- Coursework; and
- 2hr examination
Formative assessment
Formative feedback will be given to individual students in the form of regular revision questions in lectures, and in the lab and workshop sessions.
Feedback
Written feedback is given on the coursework assignment. Students receive verbal feedback on their practical work throughout the module, particularly in labs and practical workshops.
Module aims
- To introduce you to analogue and digital video fundamentals, which underpin all modern uses of video systems. To have an emphasis on knowledge useful for audio engineers.
- To develop an understanding of issues in synchronising audio and video content using all current worldwide frame rates and standards.
- To introduce you to basic digital video coding and compression systems for file storage and streaming.
- To introduce you to some common video formats and interfaces.
- To introduce you to audio techniques used in common broadcast systems, including those used in TV studios and Outside Broadcast Vehicles.
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Describe the basic technical features of analogue and digital video standards | KCP |
| 002 | Describe the three colour system and explain how colour can be measured with reference to common video colour spaces. | KCP |
| 003 | Describe the 4:4:4, 4:2:2, 4:1:1, and 4:2:0 formats described in ITU-R BT 601 and 656 | KCT |
| 004 | Describe the methods used by the MPEG2 standards to reduce the bit rate. | KC |
| 005 | Describe the technical features of all SMPTE or EBU time code formats. | KC |
| 006 | Design, implement and report on signal path set up for remote video and audio signals in TV studios | KCPT |
| 007 | Explain the process in synchronising sound and picture in film and television. | KCP |
| 008 | Demonstrate logical problem-finding skills | T |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to: develop your practical skills and knowledge in fundamental video engineering, useful to audio professionals. The practical skills are taught in small lab groups allowing multiple feedback and interaction points. The strategy also builds on and refines your skills in fault finding and system diagram design and implementation.
The learning and teaching methods include:
• Lectures.
• Labs and practical sessions.
• Coursework assignments and feedback.
• Guided reading.
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: TON2018
Other information
Digital capabilities: the module introduces the theoretical and practical fundamentals of digital video, giving you an accurate understanding of what the term "digital" truly means, as well as a theoretical understanding of how video is converted to and from the digital domain compared with previous modules on digital audio. As part of the coursework assignments, you will also develop skills in: Configuring digital mixing consoles. signal routing using computer based control systems, digital audio embedding and de-embedding, tools for creating reports and diagrams.
Employability: the knowledge and skills developed within this module are the fundamentals of a successful career in the audio or video / broadcast industry. The lectures and workshops cover fundamental video systems, required to understand and fault-find in practical situations. The coursework is designed as team exercise. Working on a complex project together as essential transferrable skills relevant to most jobs. The written hand in is a systems diagram drawing and professional report write up, again of essential skills in many occupations. The module also includes some content which currently is needed in industry to fill a skills gap in the TV industry. Skills in practical Broadcast engineering in video and audio and knowledge of broadcast comms systems in particular.
Sustainability: as part of the theoretical understanding of video, the topics will also discuss aspects of sustainability in professional video, such as the importance of backwards compatibility (for example in broadcast and modulation systems), and power efficiency, using LED lighting.
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) BSc (Hons)(YEAR LONG) | Year-long | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) BMus (Hons)(YEAR LONG) | Year-long | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.