The Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) held the 55th International Broadcast Equipment Exhibition (InterBEE2019) for three days from November 13 to 15 at Makuhari Messe Convention Center located at Chiba City, near Tokyo. Under the slogan of “Conveying the Possibilities of New Media to the World,” a record number of 1,158 companies and organizations including 632 from 37 countries and regions overseas, exhibited at 2,125 booth spaces. JEITA proudly announced that the total visitors marked 40,375.
This year's show floor was consisting of four categories: Video Production & Broadcast Equipment, Professional Audio Equipment, Video Expression & Professional Lighting, and ICT/Cross Media.
The hot topics of Video Production & Broadcast Equipment stage were proliferation of 8K Ultra HD camera, content, and display.
Top-notch camera manufacturers in Japan such as Panasonic, Sony, Canon, Astrodesign, Hitachi Kokusai Denki revealed their latest 8K camera solutions. Panasonic, for example, introduced the world’s first 8K multi-purpose camera with organic sensor and global shutter. Astrodesign demonstrated 8K microscopic camera, which is absolutely compact and lightweight.
Visitors were also dazzled by such 8K sports content as Rugby World Cup 2019, Japan Swimming Competition, National Championships in Athletics among others. Particularly super slow-motion replay of pristine quality video captured eyeballs.
As regards 8K display, NHK, Sony, Astrodesign, NHK Technologies, and Cannon demonstrated breakthroughs in technologies.
NHK built three rooms for 4K and 8K presentation. In the first room NHK set up 88-inch 120Hz sheet type OLED display developed jointly with LG Display and Astrodesign, and showed fascinating 8K video featuring Rugby World Cup 2019. Thickness of such display is about 1 millimeter.
Ardent Rugby World Cup matches were played at twelve stadiums all over Japan from 20 September to 2 November. NHK broadcasted nine action-packed matches via BSAT-4a satellite, where they hold one 4K and one 8K channel. J Sports broadcasted all matches via JCSAT-110A satellite in full HD and 4K.
In the second room NHK introduced Sony’s 120-inch and 85-inch 8K resolution TVs and showed 8K program specialized in national treasure, Horyuji Temple. 120-inch 8K TV is not sold at Japanese local electrical retailers. They must have bought from Sony in China where they said they have already started selling.
In the third room they unveiled flexible 30-inch 4K OLED-based TV developed jointly with Sharp. Actually it is the first time for NHK to roll up and down such type of TV in front of visitors while showing 4K 60Hz content. According to NHK the thickness of the screen is 0.5 millimeter. It seemed a larger size flexible TV than 30-inch will be available in near future.
Sony built 8K x 4K HDR 120Hz Crystal LED display in front of their booth and released 8K video of Sony Hawaiian Open Golf Tournament. This display is as large as 19.3m x 5.4m and its resolution was proclaimed as high as 15,360 pixels x 4,320 pixels. Sony also unveiled the latest version of 8K portable camera UHC-8300 and 4K slow motion camera HDC4800.
Astrodesign arranged stunning 8K World with 250-inch screen and 37,000 ISO lumens Insight Laser digital projector developed by Delta Projector and powered by Astrodesign. The 8K content presented was colorful fashion event called Tokyo Girls Collection 2019. Astrodesign also unveiled 8K microscopic camera to be used for surgery and 8K camera with fisheye lens for VR (Virtual Reality) shooting.
In addition they set up 8K theater and screened the latest video named “Kanashimino Kunino Alice (Alice in Heart-Broken Country).” In the theater, visitors wore ExpanD glass and enjoyed 8K x 3D x Interactive video.
NHK Technologies introduced rear projection 170-inch 8K Acryl Screen. The content screened was beautiful scenery of Yellow Stone. They also exhibited 8K 3D microscopic camera system and astonished visitors showing video of actual ophthalmic surgery.
Canon used 120-inch 8K display made of four 4K 60-inch TVs and introduced fascinating video of ancient Kyoto taken by their own 8K camera.
Besides the above-mentioned demonstrations, a new initiative at the show named InterBEE Sports attracted visitor’s attention. Such companies as JVC Kenwood, Mediaedge, Entania among others showcased next generation broadcasting and communication capabilities that will enhance sports entertainment. JVC Kenwood unveiled Connected CAM Studio KM-IP6000 and Mediaedge introduced 240Hz high speed box camera called QDCAM. InterBEE Sports also hogged the spotlight by offering unique video of sitting volleyball over 200-inch screen.
In the course of shifting broadcast system from SDI to IP, key manufactures in the world jointly constructed IP Pavilion and demonstrated interoperability based on SMPTE ST2110, ST2110-30, and ST2022-6. It was particularly interesting to find out four Japanese IP gateway manufacturers such as NEC, Media Links, Fuyo Video Agency, and FOR-A successfully conducted high-caliber 10Gbps live video transmission with their gateway model, MF4200, MDP3020, IPG3000, USF-10IP-TRC respectively. IP switch was provided by Alaxala Networks.
In addition Nara Television Company unveiled all IP OB Van at IP Pavilion. Inside the van they installed Sony’s IP live system manager PWS-110NM1, IP production switcher XVS-6000, and many other avant-garde IP solutions. They proudly said that they used 10 Sony 4K cameras and such OB Van, and successfully broadcasted this year’s Senior High School Baseball Games.
As regards 5G (next generation communication technology) solution, two telecommunication companies, SoftBank and Rakuten Mobile revealed their recent development.
SoftBank proudly said they transmitted live 8K video of International Basketball Matches with 300Mbps over their 5G networks. They used MPEG DASH format. They also revealed that extremely low latency transmission of Noh-Kyogen live video from Ooenougakudou in Kyoto to various viewing site was accomplished. The format was 8K 60fps 100Mbps based on MMT.
Rakuten Mobile together with NHK Technologies demonstrated 8K video transmission via 5G networks from Yoyogiuehara studio in Tokyo to Makuhari Messe convention center in Chiba. Technical support for demonstration was made by NEC and Nokia.
In the satellite communications and broadcasting equipment stage, a number of leading players such as AT Communications, Moubic, Kato Denki/Tokyo Keiki, Matsuura Kikai Seisakusyo showcased their latest products and services.
AT Communications rolled out two SNG vehicles this year. One of the vehicles was made of 1.2 meter antenna on the roof and 10 meter pole with FPU and IP camera on the top. In this 4WD car, NTT’s 4K encoder HC11000E and Paradise Datacom’s Q-Flex DVB-S2 satellite modem are installed.
Other notable products at AT Communications booth were portable Ku-band flat antenna, CCT series flyaway system, and Inmarsat Global Express anntena made by Cobham. Very small flat antenna (470mm x 300mm x 55mm) was made by SATCUBE in Sweden and it weighs only 8kg. CCT series flyaway system is offered in the antenna diameter of 75cm and 120cm.
Regarding SATCUBE, Makio Komatsubara, President, said “Long-cherished VSAT services will start in Japan from April 1 2020 by using Ku-band transponder to be provided by SKY Perfect JSAT.”
Moubic owns SNG vehicle named Moubic-M01 and is very active in video contribution services. Makoto Ozawa, President, proudly said “We have been very busy recently with our digital SNG vehicle. We were asked to uplink Rugby World Cup, Formula One Japanese Gran Prix, and MotoGP Japan.”
Besides contribution business, Moubic sells video-related products from such companies as Vislink Technologies and Newtech At this year’s InterBEE2019, they introduced Vislink’s Mantis MSAT and DVE6100 4K HEVC multi-format exciter in addition to Newtec’s MDM6100 ASI modem and MDM6000 IP modem for satellite gateway.
Kato Denki teamed up with Tokyo Keiki launched 1.2 meter parabolic antenna on-the-move and tried to sell to broadcasters for their SNG operation. The attendant at the booth proudly added that they also made 4.5 meter Cassegrain reflector and provided recently to Yamagata Broadcasting Company and Television Kanazawa Corp.
The latest offering on the floor from Matsuura Kikai Seisakusyo was a specialized small-size flyaway on their unique pan head, which was made for SKY Perfect JSAT.
It was obvious that in preparation towards the commencement of full commercial services at the time of 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, the Japanese public broadcaster NHK is further expanding 4K/8K production especially for premium sports. At the same time other commercial broadcasters are gearing up to broadcast 4K and 4K HDR content not only over right-hand polarized transponders but also via left-hand polarized transponders of BSAT-4a and JCSAT-110A. According to A-PAB (the Association for Promotion of Advanced Broadcasting Services), 4K/8K channels broadcasted in Japan are eighteen at last count. One more broadcaster WOWOW plans to commence 4K channel from December 1, 2020.
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Naoakira Kamiya is the Managing Director of the Satellite System Research Institute and Director of the Japan Satellite Business Association. He can be reached at: zum05241@nifty.ne.jp
