Tokyo – NHK started test satellite 4K/ 8K(Super Hi-Vision) broadcasting in August and is enthusiastically producing content. Facilities have been also actively developed by Japanese industry for the launch of practical broadcasts, in two years from now. NHK, jointly with KDDI Corporation, Jupiter Telecommunications Co., Ltd.(J:COM), and Japan Digital Serve Corporation, has now developed the first prototype compact receiver system for 4K and 8K broadcasts on cable TV.

The prototype receiving system is the first to use the channel bonding technology developed by NHK for splitting 4K/8K signals into multiple cable TV channels. This technology has the advantage that it can utilise existing cable TV facilities and transmission infrastructure in their present form. The miniaturisation of this 4K/8K cable TV reception equipment was achieved by the development of a demodulation LSI* that converts cable TV signals into video and audio signals.

Now all the main modules for 4K/8K reception on cable TV are ready. High expectations are now being placed in the development of a commercial version of cable TV receivers for the practical start of 4K/8K broadcasting. *Produced by Socionext Inc. NHK will display the prototype receiver system at CEATEC JAPAN 2016 in October.