Japan Broadcasting Corp (NHK) and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. on Tuesday reported successful testing of international transmission of Super Hi-Vision video over the regular shared network, Asia Pulse reported.
Super Hi-Vision is a next-generation video format with a pixel resolution 16 times that of today’s high-definition television.
The goal is to begin test-broadcasting in Super Hi-Vision around 2020. Initially, the format would be used for public viewing on giant screens of sports events.
The Super Hi-Vision technology has already been developed to the point where signals can be transmitted internationally over leased lines and via satellite. Being able to use the shared network will significantly lower communications costs.
For the test, the Super Hi-Vision video was compressed to reduce the volume of data, then transmitted via the shared network of high-speed fibre used by such entities as universities and research institutions.
The signals originated from NHK’s Science & Technology Research Laboratories in Tokyo, travelled via Britain to the BBC in London, and came back to an NTT centre in Tokyo. The total distance travelled came to roughly 80,000km, with a time lag of only 0.3 second or so. In comparison, Super Hi-Vision transmission via satellite over the same distance has a time lag of around 1.2 seconds. (Source: ABU)