It has been 85 years since NHK's Science and Technology Research Laboratories began researching next-generation broadcasting and other technologies. After playing a pioneering role in the launch of color TV and HDTV, the Japanese public broadcaster is prepping for another major technological leap forward coming in 2018: 8K Super-Hi Vision.
One of two new NHK 8K trucks
NHK's 8K Super-Hi Vision, which offers 16 times the resolution of HD and 22.2-channel audio, has impressed viewers with breathtaking demonstrations of live sports and other content at trade shows and theaters. Although the format faces an uphill battle - both technically and in terms of consumer and broadcaster adoption - NHK is undaunted in its mission to launch Super-Hi Vision broadcasting by 2018.
SVG sat down with representatives of both NHK STRL and NHK Broadcast Engineering Department (which handles in-the-field production) in Japan to get an update on the evolution of 8K Super-Hi Vision and their expectations for an ambitious three-year timeline to launch. Here are eight things you need to know about NHK's 8K plans in the coming years.
1. When is NHK planning to launch 8K Super-Hi Vision Broadcasting to the home?
NHK recently published a three-year roadmap that entails the launch of 8K test broadcasting in 2016 with plans to roll out full 8K services by 2018. NHK then plans to provide broadcasting and services to the world's highest standards by the year 2020 to coincide with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
NHK recently hosted the world premier of 8K broadcasting via satellite during its annual NHK STRL Open House May 28-31. Signals were transmitted from the NHK Broadcast Center (in Tokyo's Shibuya ward) to STRL (in Tokyo's Setagaya ward) via satellite broadcasting.
2. What sports events will NHK produce next in 8K?
All roads lead to Tokyo 2020 for NHK. The broadcaster expects the Tokyo Games to serve as a coming-out party for 8K Super-Hi Vision and plans to roll out the largest-scale 8K production to date at the 2020 Games.
In the meantime, NHK has committed to produce live shows at Super Bowl 50 next February and the Rio Olympics next August and will continue to produce Super-Hi Vision shows of domestic sports events, such as golf, sumo wrestling, tennis, and baseball.
NHK produced a Yankees-Mariners three-game series in 8K at Yankee Stadium in July.
NHK has a growing catalogue of live multicamera 8K productions at major sports events from which to draw knowledge. In addition to the 2012 London Olympics, 2014 Sochi Olympics, 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, 2015 Wimbledon Championships, 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, and three MLB Mariners-Yankees games this past summer, NHK has produced live 8K shows at a long list of domestic events. That is on top of drama and documentary productions, for which NHK is developing its own end-to-end 8K production system covering cameras, recording, editing, graphics, and visual effects.
3. What cameras is NHK using for live 8K sports productions?
NHK continues to work with a variety of vendors to evolve the cameras it uses. At the World Cup in Brazil, for example, the company deployed three 8K Ikegami SHV8000 60-fps cameras, two FOR-A FT-ONE 4K cameras for slo-mo replay, and one Sony F65 4K camera for features. However, that will change when NHK arrives at the Rio Olympics next summer.
Ikegami's SHK-810 8K camera was unveiled in March and will be used regularly by NHK.
Ikegami introduced the first-generation 8K UHDTV camera with NHK in 2002. Last March, Ikegami introduced its fourth-generation 8K UHDTV camera, the SHK-810, which 10% the size and weight of the first generation and features a single 33 million-pixel Super 35 CMOS sensor. NHK debuted this camera at the Yankees-Mariners games in New York in July and plans to use it extensively for upcoming productions.
Hitachi's SK-UHD8060 8K camera on display at NHK's booth at the CEATEC Show this month
NHK has also worked with ASTRODESIGN, Hitachi, and others to develop a variety of 8K systems. ASTRODESIGN's 2-kg CUBE uses a new 120-fps single-chip CMOS sensor that was tested in Brazil but not used in the actual production. Hitachi, meanwhile, is developing the SK-UHD8060 8K camera, which can be used in a fixed or handheld configuration.
NHK says it will continue to work with vendors to research and develop full-spec 8K single-chip cameras capable of 120 fps and wide color gamut. Lensing also continues to present a major challenge for live 8K production, but advances are being made with each passing show, according to an NHK Broadcast Engineering rep.
As for getting the signal out of the camera, NHK has developed U-SDI (UHD Signal/Data Interface), which can transmit full-spec 8K video signals (which have about 100 times the data of HD) over a single cable. In addition, the company has created a 22.2-channel sound-multiplexing device that enables simultaneous transmission of video and sound signals during production.
Inside NHK's new Ikegami-centric 8K truck
4, What trucks is NHK using to produce live sports in 8K?
Last month, NHK rolled out two brand-new 8K Super-Hi Vision mobile units, each with two trucks: one for 8K video, the other for 22.2-channel audio. Each mobile unit - one developed by Sony, the other by Ikegami - carries up to 10 cameras; the audio van is compatible with conventional stereo and 5.1-surround production gear.
According to an NHK Broadcast Engineering Department representative, the two trucks are similar in footprint and equipment but are each - not surprisingly - heavy on Sony and Ikegami gear. The Ikegami 39-ft. single-expando truck features 10 Ikegami 8K cameras (a mix of SHV- 8000 and SHK-810 units) and a 16-input/four-output, 1M/E switcher. Technical infrastructure on board includes an 8K/4K/2K router, 8K downstream keyer, and an 8K recorder and
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It has been 85 years since NHK's Science and Technology Research Laboratories began researching next-generation broadcasting and other technologies. After playing a pioneering role in the launch of color TV and HDTV, the Japanese public broadcaster is prepping for another major technological leap forward coming in 2018: 8K Super-Hi Vision.
