NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories Bulletin

Toru KURODA, publisher, Director of STRLToru IMAI, editor-in-chiefIchiro YAMADA, editorKensuke HISATOMI, editorMasaru MIYAZAKI, editor

Yoshiki NAKAJIMA, editorIkuko SAWAYA, editorYuki OGAWA, editorLayout & Design : Yohko OHTADTP : Media-jin, Inc.

© NHK Science & Technology Research LaboratoriesAddress: 1-10-11, Kinuta, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-8510, JapanPhone: +81(0)3-3465-1111 Fax : +81(0)3-5494-3125http://www.nhk.or.jp/strl/index-e.html

Editors

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FROM THE EDITORS

NHK TECHNOLOGY

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NHK’s Latest Research Achievements Introduced at NAB Show 2017

This issue gives an overview of our annual event “Open House 2017” held at NHK STRL. If you find any demonstra-tions that you are interested in, further information can be found at our web site. You can also find pictures and videos of each demonstration from the event. Please visit our web site (http://www.nhk.or.jp/strl/open2017/index_e.html).

It has been one year since the start of test satellite broadcasting of 4K/8K Super Hi-Vision in Japan. We have broadcast about 8 hours every day including 8K live programs such as sumo wrestling and the New Year’s Eve show “Kohaku Utagassen”. These days, sumo wrestling is broadcast in HDR with a wide color gamut. Each NHK station has a Super Hi-Vision receiver and visitors have experienced the dynamic motion of sweating wrestlers through ultrahigh-resolu-tion images and the impressive sound when wrestlers collide with each other through the immersive 22.2 multichannel sound. We will start a regular 4K/8K Super Hi-Vision service next year. We look forward to the day that viewers can enjoy these exciting experiences at home. (K.H)

NAB Show 2017, the world’s largest broadcasting technology exhibition, was held in Las Vegas, U.S.A., from April 22 to 27. At this expo, NHK set up an 8K Super Hi-Vision 8K theater and used the latest bright projector system to screen an 8K digest that included the newest contents. NHK also set up two living-room theaters. These areas showcased NHK’s current experimental home-viewing environment for receiving 8K broadcasts and the anticipated future home-viewing environment for actual broadcasts. In addition, NHK displayed the latest technologies, including 8K production systems and measurement technologies, AR technologies, and human-friendly broadcasting technologies.For 8K production systems, NHK exhibited a real-time codec*1 for program contribution transmission in 8K and an FPU*2 for the wireless transmission of 8K signals. NHK also introduced the developmental status of 8K relay systems. For measurement technologies, NHK presented a spatial

resolution measurement system. This technology holds great promise for 4K/8K cameras, since not only the pixel count but also the spatial performance that express the ability of imaging systems to capture/render fine detail.Booths exhibiting 8K technologies were greater in number at NAB Show 2017 than ever before. In the midst of this trend, NHK’s booth drew a high level of attention since NHK pioneered the research and development of 8K. In the exhibition hall, NHK received comments such as “The 8K contents were rich, and I could get a real sense that the technology has advanced to the start of broadcasting.” and “When I saw the living-room theaters, I felt that 8K could really be introduced into homes. It is a system that people definitely desire.”Marching onward, NHK will continue to advance the research and development of broadcasting technologies such as 8K to create a new broadcasting culture.

*1 Codec: Coding/decoding device for compressing/expanding video and other types of signals.*2 FPU (Field Pick-up Unit): A portable, wireless transmission device for program contribution transmissions of outdoor relays and reporting footage.NHK booth 8K living-room theater