London – IBC has announced that this year’s International Honour for Excellence will be presented to NHK Science and Technology Research Laboratories (STRL). The award will be presented to NHK STRL during the Awards Ceremony on 9 September.

NHK’s Science and Technology Research Laboratories has been at the forefront of research in broadcasting technology, working on both practical solutions to current issues and visionary future technologies which transform the way professionals create content and audience enjoyment. It is the pioneer of what we know today as high definition television, including the development of plasma displays.

Among its research is Super Hi-Vision, the implementation of high resolution broadcasting which offers a screen resolution 16 times greater than today’s HD, together with 22.2 channel immersive surround sound. NHK STRL engineers are working on the complete chain, from high resolution high speed CMOS cameras through recording and transmission equipment to screens and projection displays.

At the same time, NHK is also addressing the second screen, helping a consortium of broadcasters launch an experimental service, Hybridcast, which synchronises content on a tablet with the programme on television.

Peter Owen, Chair of the IBC Council commented, “The contribution to broadcasting technology made by NHK cannot be underestimated. Their work has always been revolutionary, but equally important NHK has been generous with its efforts, collaborating with international bodies like the ITU, ABU and SMPTE, along with its contribution to global standards like MPEG.”