For 20 years, the BBC's highly successful "Antiques Roadshow" has entertained British audiences with its cadre of knowledgeable experts whose eyes for detail can swiftly discern the authentic from the replica. Recently, the BBC selected JVC's DIGITAL-S with 4:2:2 sampling and mild 3:3:1 compression as its digital video production format. This landmark BBC decision marks the first British Broadcaster to adopt DIGITAL-S.

Individual program producers at the BBC, have the latitude to select a production format that they think best meets their technical specifications. In the case of "Antiques Roadshow," the producers actually held operational trials that pitted JVC's DIGITAL-S against competing digital formats before making a final decision.

Measured for its balance of quality, cost and ruggedness (such as robust 1/2-inch metal particle tape) DIGITAL-S triumphed. "Because we work to such exacting standards, and because "Antiques Roadshow" is one of the premier BBC shows, we must maintain very high production values," explained Steven Wood, one of the show's directors. "We didn't following any of the competing digital formats because, productionwise, they didn't perform to sufficient quality and DIGITAL-S does, and that was fundamental."

The BBC is using JVC DIGITAL-S BR-D85 VTRs with pre-read for the production of "Antiques Roadshow," These new VTRs replaced the BBC's use of D3 recorders, and are versatile high-end units that save money. For instance, the BR-D85's built-in pre-read capability allows users with analog systems to perform layering and A/B style editing with only 2 VTRs – a highly economical benefit.

Each edition of "Antiques Roadshow" is composed of many 2 to 4 - minute appraisals. Experts evaluate "antiques" brought in by the public to determine if the piece is a worthwhile treasure or worthless junk.

Multiple digital cameras capture these unrehearsed sequences at various locations throughout Great Britain, where the BBC's "Antiques Roadshow" is taped weekly. On a typical day of shooting, 12 to 20 sequences are taped.

Digital cameras that acquire the footage are connected to a mobile on-site mixer which feeds the serial data stream into rackmounted DIGITAL-S BR-D85 VTRs, setting the stage for post production. Actual post production of these recorded tapes takes place at an editing suite in BBC Bristol, where the sequences are assembled using JVC's DIGITAL-S. The goal of creating a final product with seamless flow that maintains the extemporaneous and "live" feeling of the prerecorded sequences is easily and economically achieved with DIGITAL-S.

"We always knew that DIGITAL-S provided the best possible cost-to-performance solution for broadcasters," said Neil Burtonshaw, head of JVC's Broadcast Division. "Indeed, we are simply delighted that the BBC selected JVC's DIGITAL-S to use for it premier program, "Antiques Roadshow."