Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

CUFBRD501A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Operate master control

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency CUFBRD501A - Operate master control
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to monitor and switch incoming and outgoing television or radio transmission signals using master or network control equipment.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application The skills and knowledge outlined in this unit apply to senior operators working in large-scale or network broadcasting facilities.Master control is where traffic flows of incoming and outgoing signals are managed, monitored and assessed. Consequently, senior broadcast or transmission operators working in master control are expected to manage complex operational activities incorporating a high level of responsibility, including the management of a broadcast operations team.Specifically they evaluate multiple sources of incoming and outgoing data to and from master control. They are required to assign signals of vision, sound and data to appropriate external and internal destinations. In addition, they need to ensure that the best technical quality of program sources and signals is achieved, which may involve workarounds when faults or equipment failures occur.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field Media and entertainment production - broadcasting
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Plan master or network control resources
  • Analyse production and transmission requirements to determine overall master or network control requirements
  • Ensure schedule information is accurate and resolve identified problems in close collaboration with relevant operational and production personnel
  • Ensure access to required input and output feeds are available to meet transmission and production requirements in accordance with available equipment and signal pathways
  • Communicate with relevant operational and production personnel on a needs basis and in sufficient time to resolve potential issues, problems and required changes
  • Suggest creative and technical solutions to complex situations in collaboration with relevant operational and production personnel
       
Element: Schedule feeds and equipment requests
  • Organise appropriate line connections and switching for incoming and outgoing feeds according to transmission and production requirements
  • Ensure that equipment is connected according to transmission and production requirements and that it is in good working order
  • Measure signal parameters before and after conversion to ensure converted product meets required standards
  • Switch feeds and up-links and down-links as required according to production and transmission requirements
  • Complete workplace documentation as required and in accordance with enterprise protocols
       
Element: Monitor incoming and outgoing feeds
  • Check that feeds are correct and of a suitable quality to meet required technical standards of the enterprise
  • Use appropriate equipment to verify that signals are operating within required specifications, and that there is no distortion
  • Accurately diagnose nature and causes of faults and problems and take appropriate actions to resolve them
  • Adjust systems as needed to ensure signals are within specification and utilising appropriate reference test signals
  • Communicate with feed providers to maintain required technical quality of material and provide solutions to overcome operational issues as needed
  • Maintain contact with relevant feed providers to facilitate efficient switching of up-links and down-links
       
Element: Provide general technical and operational support
  • Liaise with relevant operational personnel throughout production or transmission processes to provide required feed switches
  • Provide assessment of transmission levels and advise relevant operational personnel of problems with the quality of the feeds
  • Switch feeds into and out of master control as requested by relevant operational and production personnel and ensure appropriate communications are maintained at all times
  • Where appropriate, ensure that incoming signals are recorded or ingested to required formats, including delivery to relevant transmission and production destinations
  • Organise alternate fail-safe and back-up signal paths in the event of breakdowns or failures of designated prime sources
  • Identify and diagnose problems with equipment and take action to remedy or refer to maintenance crew for resolution
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

correct interpretation of transmission schedules

accurate and timely switching of feeds according to production and transmission requirements

ability to check quality of vision and/or sound feeds

collaborative approach to work, including the ability to supervise team members

effective verbal communication with a range of individuals, including use of talkback/intercom communication devices.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

practical demonstration of skills through directing incoming and outgoing signals according to real or simulated schedules

access to a range of complex master control equipment used in broadcasting facilities

access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required

use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance

observation of the candidate operating master control in a large-scale or network broadcast facility

written or verbal questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

BSBWOR502A Ensure team effectiveness.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills sufficient to:

liaise with a wide range of operational, production and client personnel

deliver clear and viable communication between disparate centres and personnel, including effective use of two-way communication devices

negotiate solutions to problems and conflicts

manage a team of operational personnel

self-management and planning skills in the context of:

working under pressure and to tight deadlines

scheduling and planning complex transmission activities

managing work calmly and effectively to achieve goals and results

addressing and solving problems in a timely and collaborative manner

technical skills sufficient to:

operate specific master control operating equipment

achieve accurate timing of switches and feeds

assess quality of audio and vision signals and sources

judge picture-to-sound synchronisation

check equipment is working to specifications

diagnose problems and faults in equipment and undertake basic maintenance requirements, e.g. functional testing

initiative and enterprise in the context of demonstrating:

original and innovative approaches in the use and organisation of transmission facilities

flexibility and reliability

learning skills in the context of keeping up to date with technological changes affecting master control operations

literacy and numeracy skills sufficient to:

interpret written and computerised information, e.g. schedules, resource allocation

complete workplace documentation and reports

interpret and manage allocated budgets

note, calculate and implement specific timings for transmissions and production needs

Required knowledge

industry knowledge, including:

roles and responsibilities of personnel in broadcast operations and production

sound understanding of the characteristics of television standards, e.g. PAL, NTSC, SECAM, DVB

sound understanding of radio or television broadcast systems and transmission facilities

sound understanding of the features and capabilities of satellite delivery equipment: earth stations, up-links, transponders, satellite receiving dishes, satellite footprints

sound understanding of radio or television delivery methods: cable, terrestrial, microwave, satellite

understanding of technical and artistic elements involved in production

sources of advice, information and technical support

issues and challenges that arise in the context of operating complex master control facilities

concept and judgement of image and audio broadcast quality

OHS standards as they apply to working in broadcast operations

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Production and transmission requirements may include:

action replays

back-ups

compiles

dubs/copying, e.g.:

copying from tape to tape in the same format

copying from a source tape in one format to a destination tape in another format, e.g. from analogue to digital

copying from a tape to disk

copying from tape to computer hard drive

edits

recordings

replays

transfers.

Operational and production personnel may include:

camera operators

editors

floor manager

head of department

ingest operators

news editor

presentation operators

producer

technical/specialist personnel

station manager

supervisor

tape operators

technical director

transmission operators.

Feeds may include:

analogue

audio/video replay machines

cable

data

digital

fibre optics

live-to-air broadcasts

multiple feeds

outside broadcast input/output

pre-recorded material

single feeds

sound

studio output/input

vision

vision and sound.

Equipment may include:

audio phase vector scope

CCUs

colour monitors

control panels

digi-carts

down-links from satellite

fibre optics

frame stores/still stores

landlines

microwave links

noise and distortion meters

oscilloscopes (scopes)

servers, e.g. transmission, archival

switchers

talkback/two-way communication devices

test tone generators

up-links to satellite

UPS (uninterrupted power supply)

video/audio recorders

video/audio replay machines

VU and peak program meters

waveform and picture monitor

waveform monitors.

Signals may include:

analogue

audio

combination of vision and audio

data

digital

NTSC

PAL

SECAM

test signals

vision.

Conversion may include:

analogue

aspect ratios, e.g. 4:3, 16:9

AVI

compressed formats, e.g. MPEG2

DAB

digital

FM/AM

HDTV

DVD/CD

MP3

NTSC

OGG

PAL

WMA.

Documentation may include:

budget information

computer generated

contact numbers

equipment manuals

fault reports

in barcode format

manually written

network maps

production information

production schedules

timelines

traffic requirements

transmission schedules.

Faults and problems may include:

blocking/pixellation

cable faults

colour degradation

data entry errors

ghosting

image tears

impulsive noise

line breakdown

link fades

machine breakdown

overruns

picture distortion

picture freeze

picture out of synchronisation with sound

power or transmission signal loss

satellite occlusions, e.g. thunderstorms

sound distortion

tape machine faults.

Feed providers may include:

archival organisations

clients, e.g. channel owners

outside broadcast productions

private operators

program distributors

radio stations

studio productions

television stations.

Transmission and production destinations may include:

audio suites

design department

homes

outside broadcast

point to point, e.g. live satellite interviews

post-production suites, e.g. Dolby suites, editing suites

presentation booths

schedule monitors

studio

syndication stations.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Analyse production and transmission requirements to determine overall master or network control requirements 
Ensure schedule information is accurate and resolve identified problems in close collaboration with relevant operational and production personnel 
Ensure access to required input and output feeds are available to meet transmission and production requirements in accordance with available equipment and signal pathways 
Communicate with relevant operational and production personnel on a needs basis and in sufficient time to resolve potential issues, problems and required changes 
Suggest creative and technical solutions to complex situations in collaboration with relevant operational and production personnel 
Organise appropriate line connections and switching for incoming and outgoing feeds according to transmission and production requirements 
Ensure that equipment is connected according to transmission and production requirements and that it is in good working order 
Measure signal parameters before and after conversion to ensure converted product meets required standards 
Switch feeds and up-links and down-links as required according to production and transmission requirements 
Complete workplace documentation as required and in accordance with enterprise protocols 
Check that feeds are correct and of a suitable quality to meet required technical standards of the enterprise 
Use appropriate equipment to verify that signals are operating within required specifications, and that there is no distortion 
Accurately diagnose nature and causes of faults and problems and take appropriate actions to resolve them 
Adjust systems as needed to ensure signals are within specification and utilising appropriate reference test signals 
Communicate with feed providers to maintain required technical quality of material and provide solutions to overcome operational issues as needed 
Maintain contact with relevant feed providers to facilitate efficient switching of up-links and down-links 
Liaise with relevant operational personnel throughout production or transmission processes to provide required feed switches 
Provide assessment of transmission levels and advise relevant operational personnel of problems with the quality of the feeds 
Switch feeds into and out of master control as requested by relevant operational and production personnel and ensure appropriate communications are maintained at all times 
Where appropriate, ensure that incoming signals are recorded or ingested to required formats, including delivery to relevant transmission and production destinations 
Organise alternate fail-safe and back-up signal paths in the event of breakdowns or failures of designated prime sources 
Identify and diagnose problems with equipment and take action to remedy or refer to maintenance crew for resolution 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUFBRD501A - Operate master control
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

CUFBRD501A - Operate master control

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: