8 Broadcast Technology No.49, Summer 2012 ● C NHK STRL

Fusion of Broadcasting and Broadband

Mobile Multimedia Broadcasting in the VHF-Low BandVHF channels 1 to 3 (VHF-low band), which had previously been used for analog TV broadcasting, are now being exam-ined as a means of providing multimedia broadcasting ser-vices. This exhibition presented a VHF-low-band multimedia broadcasting service concept along with various receivers and technologies to attain stable reception on mobile receiv-ers.

Consultation Booth of Digital Broadcasting ReceptionIn response to our having entered the full-scale digital broad-casting era, this section introduced the expanding range of content and services that is becoming available through the fusion of broadcasting and broadband communications. It also explained how digital TVs operate and their useful func-tions. In addition, we answered questions related to the To-kyo Sky Tree and digital broadcast-ing reception.

Hybridcast will provide attractive services by combining broadcast and broadband communications. We demonstrated the feasibility of this sys-tem with a prototype receiver constructed in cooperation with TV manu-facturers and exhibited technologies that will enable us to provide ad-vanced services.

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Social TV “teleda”Our R&D on the social TV teleda system is aimed at devel-oping a new type of TV-centered communications. We de-scribed a future social TV system that includes functions for viewers to watch programs while feeling connected with oth-er viewers and showed a conceptual image of the social tele-vision system that broadcasters are working towards.

CG Video Content Production System for SNS UsersWe are conducting research aimed at offering a fun way to communicate through video content by providing an envi-ronment where users can eas-ily create CG (computer graph-ics) videos. We presented a system that works with a so-cial networking service (SNS) to allow SNS users to easily produce and distribute CG vid-eo content.

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Human-friendly Broadcasting Service

Super Hi-Vision

Technologies for News Services in Easy Japanese for Non-native ResidentsWe are advancing with our research on converting news text into simplified Japanese because many non-native residents in Japan who are proficient in conversational Japanese find it difficult to com-prehend the more complicated Japanese of news broadcasts. The support systems were pre-sented, including a rewriting application.

Large-capacity Transmission Technologies for the Next Generation of Terrestrial BroadcastingWith the goal of providing large-capacity content such as Super Hi-Vision (SHV) for the next generation of terrestrial broadcasting, we are con-ducting research to expand the transmission capacity. This exhibition included an SHV transmission tech-nique that uses two 6-MHz UHF-band channels.

System for Adjusting Background Sound Levels in TV ProgramsAs people get older, they often find that background sound in a TV program is too loud; it difficult to hear what is being said by announcers and actors. To deal with this issue, we are researching technology that will allow viewers to adjust the volume balance between the speech and background sound for easier listening. This section presented a prototype device that can automatically discriminate speech/non-speech sound segments and adjust the background sound level separately.

120-Hz Super Hi-Vision Image SensorTo enhance the picture quality of SHV, we are developing an image sensor that is ca-pable of capturing clear images of fast-moving subjects. Our new proto-type image sensor with a 120-Hz frame rate for the SHV system was exhib-ited.

Program Recommendation System Based on Estimation of Viewer’s Level of InterestStudies are underway on a technology that can estimate the interest that viewers had after viewing programs in order to recommend programs that are likely to suit their preferenc-es, which should make it easier for them to find programs that they will enjoy. We presented a technique to estimate the degree of interest in a pro-gram based on factors such as their viewing behavior and a personalized program recom-mendation system that adapts to individual preferences.

Super Hi-Vision Transmission over Shared Global IP NetworksWe are working to set up public viewings of SHV at multiple locations throughout the world. We presented a system that transmits SHV sig-nals over ultra-high speed shared global IP networks.

System for Real-time Estimation of the Unpleasantness of Shaky ImagesVideo images with significant shaking or prolonged small movements are potentially unpleasant to watch. To enable such video segments to be detected during the production stage for later editing, we constructed a prototype sys-tem that accurately estimates the degree of potential un-pleasantness from viewing shaky images in real time.

Compact Camera Head for Super Hi-VisionResearch continues on a portable, compact SHV camera that uses a single-chip color imag-ing scheme. We constructed a prototype compact SHV cam-era head that incorporates a 33-million-pixel color imaging device.

Speech Recognition for Live Closed-captioningWe are studying how automatic speech recognition can be used to make our closed-captioned programming reach more people. Automatic speech recognition is already in use for captioning news and sports programs, and we have devel-oped new technology to im-prove recognition accuracy in information programs.

Text-to-Sign Synthesis Using Corpus-based Machine Translation for Meteorological InformationWe are seeking to enhance our sign language services that translate Japanese text into Japanese sign language CG (com-puter graphics) animations. This exhibition included a system that translates weather-news text into sign language sentences based on clause (phrase) unit transla-tion examples and generates a CG video showing the corresponding sign language.

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Super Hi-Vision ScreeningThe STRL auditorium was used for a Super Hi-Vision screening. The screening featured an SHV of the last launch of the space shuttle Endeavor in May 2011 and the last launch of the space shuttle Atlantis in July 2011. Viewers were impressed by the 33-million-pixel high-definition video and powerful 22.2 multichannel sound of the final space shuttle launches.

Touch-panel Interface for Down-conversion of Super Hi-Vision ImagesA function to crop SHV images to produce a regular HDTV signal is expected to increase the program production potential for HDTV programs. We presented a new touch-panel interface that makes the cropping op-eration more intuitive.

Super Hi-Vision Projector Operating at 120 HzTo increase the picture quality of SHV, we are working on a means of capturing clear images of fast-moving subjects at a frame rate of 120 Hz. Our new project demonstrated an SHV video program with a 120-Hz frame rate.

HEVC Real-time DecoderWe are advancing with our research on video coding to trans-mit high-definition video signals using efficient data com-pression. This exhibition presented a software decoder that is capable of real-time decoding/display of bit streams com-pressed by an ad-vanced video coding scheme, HEVC.

Super Hi-Vision Distribution Service for Cable Television SystemsResearch is underway on enabling SHV broadcasting to be sent over cable TV networks. Our technique will enable the efficient distribution of SHV signals, which require a greater bandwidth than ordinary HDTV signals, by splitting the signals into multiple car-rier waves to be transmitted via existing cable TV net-works.

Transmission Technologies for 21-GHz-band Satellite Broadcasting21-GHz-band satellite broadcasting will be capable of trans-mitting the large amount of data in SHV signals. This ex-hibition included a wideband modulator/demodulator that features an equalizer to compensate for the fre-quency characteristics of the transponder, along with engineering models of a 21-GHz-band satel-lite transponder and a shaped reflector antenna.

Optical LAN for Super Hi-VisionWe are working to develop an ultra-fast optical network for transmitting SHV signals between the studios, video servers, and editing rooms in a broadcasting station. We presented our latest prototype, which is capable of transmitting two channels of uncom-pressed 72-Gbps SHV signals over a single optical fiber cable.

145-inch Super Hi-Vision DisplayWith the goal of constructing a high-quality SHV display device, we are increasing the resolution and screen size of self-emitting, direct-view plasma display devices. A 145-inch SHV plasma dis-play device with a new panel driving technology was exhibited.

Sound Production System for Super Hi-Vision Research moves forward on techniques for easily, yet cre-atively, producing high-quality 22.2 multichannel sound programs. A demonstra-tion of 22.2 multichannel sound program produc-tion was presented using our latest equipment.

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Enhancing ProductionTechnologies for Rel iable IP V ideo StreamingIP networks are affected by issues with the available transmission bandwidth and delays due to heavy traffic. Wire-less LANs also face signal interruptions due to obstacles. This exhibit presented a multiple-path technology to ensure re-liable video transmissions under these circumstances.

Transmission Technologies for Digital Wireless MicrophonesThe Japanese Ministry of Internal Af-fairs and Communications is studying a frequency reallocation plan for licensed wireless microphones, which will re-quire new technologies to transmit stable sound with a short delay in the newly assigned frequency band. This section presented an experimental radio microphone transmission system based on the plan.

Space-Time Trellis Coded MIMO Transmission SystemIn response to the frequency realloca-tion plan by the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, STRL is examining a frequency change for the 700-MHz-band field pickup unit (FPU) currently being used for mobile relay broadcasts of road races, etc. We introduced an FPU mobile relay system that incorporates the space-time Trellis coded MIMO transmission scheme.

Virtual Competition System Using a 4K CameraThis system combines an automated camera platform capable of control camera movement precisely and a 4K camera to enable virtual video competi-tions between athletes who have com-peted separately by using shots with the same camerawork.

Time Associated Zapping ServiceResearch is underway on a future broad-casting service that will enable users to easily find and view previously over-looked/missed programs. We illustrated a service concept in which a user can quickly zap through a massive past-broadcast program database using a remote control and displayed its sup-porting technologies for distribution, ar-chiving, etc.

Video Retrieval System for Program ProducersWe are making progress on a technol-ogy to retrieve desired programs and scenes from a massive amount of video in a database during the program pro-duction process. This exhibit featured an automated keyword indexing technol-ogy for video content details and a video scene retrieval system.

Ultrahigh-speed, High-sensitivity CameraA camera system to capture a split-sec-ond phenomenon at ultra-high speeds is being developed to produce more at-tractive sports and science programs. We exhibited our new back-side-illumi-nated, ultrahigh-speed, high-sensitivity camera, which is thirteen times more sensitive than a conventional camera.

Management of Audio Level for Digital TV Using Loudness NormalizationNHK will introduce a new audio level management system based on the ITU-R standardized “LOUDNESS” meter with the aim of eliminating audio level jumps that occur when switching between TV programs and/or TV stations in digital broadcasting. A demonstration of this level management technique allowed visitors to see how it works and hear the resulting sound.

Advanced Studio Lighting EquipmentThis section presented advanced studio lighting equipment that features new light sources to replace conventional lighting systems, including LEDs, organ-ic LEDs (OLED), and electrode-less light sources.

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Interactive ExhibitsExperience a Tactile Display for Barrier-free BroadcastingIn a game involving escaping from a maze, visitors experi-enced our tactile display technology to recognize figures and shapes by touching them with their fingers.

Experience 22.2 Multichannel Sound at HomeThis system reproduced SHV 22.2 multichannel sound using six loudspeakers installed on a TV set.

Experience Gesture-based InteractionThrough the use of a gesture-input camera that detects hu-man body and hand movements, visitors could make a CG character move in the same that they did.

Experience Visual Line DetectionThe gaze detection system to identify where a user is look-ing was incorporated into this game in which visitors played goalies blocking soccer balls by simply moving their eyes.

Integral Three-dimensional TelevisionOur research continues on an integral three-dimensional television system. This year’s open house presented an integral 3D display that incorporates a video system with 8000 scanning lines, technology for controlling the shape of the 3D image viewing area, and 3D vid-eo reproduction technology based on 3D modeling.

Next-Generation Broadcasting Devices

Holographic Data Storage TechnologiesHolographic recording technology is a means of ultra-large-capacity, high-speed recording. Our goal is to use it to record Super Hi-Vision (SHV) signals. This exhibit displayed an experimen-tal system that achieves a higher data transfer rate by increasing the 2D page data readout speed to ten times that of previous devices.

Ultra-fine Spatial Light ModulatorWe are researching an ultra-fine spatial light modulator (SLM) with the eventual aim of constructing a three-dimensional television using holography. We pre-sented a new ultra-fine SLM that uses a magneto-optical effect.

High-density Recording Technologies with Thin Optical DisksTo attain large-capacity thin optical disks with a high-speed recording capa-bility, we are researching high-density recording technology that uses a small-er optical beam spot. On exhibit were a narrow-track pitch disk that makes it possible to record four times the data of a conventional disk and a precise optical head positioning technology.

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NHK Museum of Broadcasting Utilization and Develop-ment of NHK Technology

In November 2011, NHK’s development of satellite broadcasting was cer-tified as an IEEE Milestone. This Milestone award reflects the high level of international recognition in the field of electrical and electronic tech-nology that this effort has acquired over the twenty five years since sat-ellites became practical. The satellite broadcasting section of the Museum of Broadcasting exhibited equipment, photographs, books, and documents from the era when the R&D was being conducted on satellite broadcasting.

NHK Engineering Services, Inc. licenses NHK’s patents and the technological knowhow devel-oped through its R&D activities, with its mis-sion being to return the benefits of broadcast-ing technology to society. The exhibit featured NHK’s technologies that have been patented or are currently under development and which have uses in diverse fields. They included high-sensitivity EM-CCD camera for space explora-tion, JPEG2000 coding technology, and high-speed speech rate conversion technology.

A Metadata Supplementation Technology for Earthquake Disaster Archives

P2P Live Video Streaming System

One of the four main objectives in NHK’s cor-porate plan is the use of broadcasting and the Internet in the event of natural disaster to support recovery efforts in disaster-affected regions. We presented approaches to support archiving and the use of the vast amount of video (tens of thousands of hours’ worth) from last year’s earthquake and tsunami di-saster. This trial involves the application of the video analysis and metadata editor technolo-gies under development at NHK’s STRL.

We are researching a live data streaming sys-tem using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) technology for low-cost, stable, large-scale distribution ser-vices.Our efficient, yet reliable prototype system pro-vided live streaming of lectures and research presentations from this year’s STRL open house.

Poster Exhibits

- A Parallel Distributed Processing System Using Pull-based File Transfer Protocol- Downloadable Conditional Access System- Effect of Human Body on Radiation of Transceiver in VHF and UFH Bands- Multichannel Audio Format for Super Hi-Vision- Translation Knowledge Acquisition from Bilingual Broadcast News Scripts- Haptic Technologies for Representing Three-dimensional Shapes- Improved Properties of Signl Readout Circuit for Organic Image Sensor- Pixel-parallel Readout Three-dimensional Integrated Image Sensor- Ultra-fast Storage Device Utilizing Magnetic Nanowires- Low-temperature Fabrication Technologies of Oxide Semiconductor Thin-film Transistors- Air Stable N-Type Organic Thin-film Transistor and Its Application to Inverter Circuits- Material Technology for Energy-efficient PDPs