James E. O'Neal

James E. O’Neal has more than 50 years of experience in the broadcast arena, serving for nearly 37 years as a television broadcast engineer and, following his retirement from that field in 2005, moving into journalism as technology editor for TV Technology for almost the next decade. He continues to provide content for this publication, as well as sister publication Radio World, and others. He authored the chapter on HF shortwave radio for the 11th Edition of the NAB Engineering Handbook, and serves as contributing editor of the IEEE’s Broadcast Technology publication, and as associate editor of the SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal. He is a SMPTE Life Fellow, and a member of the SBE and Life Senior Member of the IEEE.

Latest articles by James E. O'Neal

NAB personnel, along with a Dominion Energy engineer, inspect the BPS equipment installation being trialed at one of the utility company’s substations.

BPS Gaining Traction in Broadcast and Other Sectors

By James E. O'Neal Published 4 August 26

Merkhet launch, D.C.-area testing show encouraging progress

Broadcast

This “Founded in Philly” set provides a sample of how CBS O&O stations will be using virtual and augmented reality in connection with their Semiquincentennial programming initiatives.

Broadcasters Prepare for Nation’s 250th Birthday Bash

By James E. O'Neal Published 1 June 26

Event Production Networks, station groups roll out special programming and advanced tech

Event Production

A contract cameraman covers the July 3 parade in Washington, D.C., from the sidelines. The parade marked the first time the author saw one of the (then)-new ‘minicams’ in use.

Remembering Television’s Role in the U.S. Bicentennial

By James E. O'Neal Published 7 April 26

Broadcast History How will the 250th honors differ from 50 years ago?

Broadcast History

The History of ENG, Part 5: Satellite Enters the Picture

By James E. O'Neal Published 11 February 26

Sometimes the shortest path back to the station is 44,472 miles long

Production

The History of ENG, Part 3: Camera Advances Push ENG Into the Modern Era

By James E. O'Neal Published 24 October 25

ENG HISTORY Newsgathering gear got lighter, more compact and more reliable

ENG HISTORY

Triangle Publications used this modified Chevrolet panel truck in their ENG trialing some 60 years ago at its Altoona, Pa., property, WFBG-TV. In addition to a rooftop hatch, the van was also equipped with a “24-volt battery box,” a 1-kilowatt DC-to-AC inverter and a second generator coupled to the vehicle’s engine. The vidicon camera used in the project was a Sylvania industrial model with a small TV set mounted on top, as the camera had no electronic viewfinder.

The History of ENG, Part 2: Turning ‘You Are There’ Into Reality

By James E. O'Neal Published 6 October 25

Eng History ENG moves into true electronic journalism with the Triangle experiment

Eng History

‘Ground zero’ for ENG appears to be ‘on-the-scene’ coverage in August 1928 of New York Gov. Al Smith announcing his candidacy for U.S. president. The event was televised over General Electric’s Schenectady station, WGY. Ernst Alexanderson (right), who headed up GE’s early television research and was responsible for the live event coverage, is seen here with assistant Ray Kell, examining a 48-line mechanical scanner used in his TV broadcasting initiative.

The Origins of Electronic Newsgathering

By James E. O'Neal Published 4 August 25

Tracing the beginnings of television news’ most essential ingredient

Remote Production

C. Frances Jenkins (second from left) explains the workings of his apparatus to those present at his June 13, 1925, television demonstration.

Television and Film Pioneer C. Francis Jenkins Honored

By James E. O'Neal Published 16 June 25

HISTORY Ceremony commemorates 100th anniversary of video transmission

HISTORY

ONE Media Technologies Hosts NextGen TV ‘Interop’

By James E. O'Neal Published 6 June 25

NEXTGEN TV Latest trials focused on DRM, BPS, cloud-delivered 3.0 and more

NEXTGEN TV

ATSC To Showcase NextGen TV Progress at 2025 NAB Show

By James E. O'Neal Published 4 March 25

Expect numerous ATSC 3.0 demos, product rollouts and technology presentations

Events

Five Years Later, Has 5G Lived Up to Its Promise?

By James E. O'Neal Published 4 November 24

The high-speed connectivity standard continues to drive change in live production

Infrastructure

SMPTE’s Media Tech Summit Puts AI, IP in the Hollywood Spotlight

By James E. O'Neal Published 30 October 24

Seven years after its adoption, panelists say ST 2110 is entering its ‘mature phase’

Events

The Evolution of Intercoms: How Communication Tech Transformed Television Production

By James E. O'Neal Published 10 September 24

HISTORY From telco ‘party lines’ to IP and the cloud

HISTORY

Latest ATSC 3.0 ‘Plugfest’ Targets Transport, DRM, and More

By James E. O'Neal Published 12 June 24

NEXTGEN TV Broadcast tech teams from around the world gather for 3.0 “Interop

NEXTGEN TV

Looking Back at Broadcasting's First 100 Years

By James E. O'Neal Published 18 January 22

Broadcasting's Centennial The early 1920s saw rapid advances

Broadcasting's Centennial

NextGen TV Poised to Move Out in Big Way in 2020

By James E. O'Neal Published 28 April 20

Television gets ready for its next chapter

Events

It Is Time to Rethink EAS?

By James E. O'Neal Published 30 April 14

Several months ago, I shared my thoughts in this space about our country’s Emergency Alert System, explaining its somewhat tortuous history and underpinnings.

Opinion

PBS Revamps Satellite Transmission Facility

By James E. O'Neal Published 12 February 14

PBS has completed renovation and expansion of its 37-year-old Northern Virginia Satellite Operating Center, or “SOC.”

Business

2014 CES: A First-Timer's View

By James E. O'Neal Published 10 January 14

The exhibit floors were open for a total of 33 hours and there were more than 3,500 exhibitors. If I did the numbers correctly, that works out to about 34 seconds of face time with each exhibitor.

Events

Discovery Bridges IT, Broadcast

By James E. O'Neal Published 19 October 05

Television "in the round" might be the best way to describe the new Discovery Communications Discovery Television and Technology Center that began operations on Aug. 1.

Business

Discovery Bridges IT, Broadcast

By James E. O'Neal Published 19 October 05

Television "in the round" might be the best way to describe the new Discovery Communications Discovery Television and Technology Center that began operations on Aug. 1.

Business