BBC Research and Development will trial Ultra High Definition (UHD) broadcasts this summer. In a series of closed trials, BBC R&D will work with research partner, Arqiva, major consumer electronics vendors and technology providers to explore the delivery of live UHD content over broadcast and broadband networks.
The trials mark the first time live UHD coverage will have been delivered simultaneously over Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) and IP technologies to the home. The live UHD streams will be transported from Brazil by satellite to the UK where they will be decoded and distributed, via existing broadcast and super-fast broadband infrastructure, to a number of compatible consumer UHD TV sets in selected R&D facilities.
“BBC R&D has an outstanding track record as a catalyst for bringing the industry together and delivering the future of television to audiences,” said Matthew Postgate, controller, BBC R&D. “These trials are an excellent example of that tradition as a major technical achievement, such as distributing UHD TV over DTT and IP simultaneously from Rio, can only be made possible by close collaboration with a range of organisations.”
The aim is to better understand the latest UHD distribution technologies and standards in a live outside broadcast, helping to inform future development, best practices, and to ensure UHD TV services have an impact when they launch. BBC R&D aims to focus on three key areas of research: a future hybrid broadcasting model; delivering UHD TV efficiently; and delivering high quality UHD TV.
