Asia-Pacific Broadcasting (APB) BroadcastAsia2017 Show Daily - Day 2 | Page 25

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BROADCASTASIA2017 SHOWDAILY 25
24 May 2017
Addressing the next generation
of broadcast technology
The BroadcastAsia2017 International
Conference is addressing some of
the strategic technologies that we
have been talking about for some
time. Among them are high dynamic
range (HDR), 4K/Ultra HD (UHD) and
Integrated Broadcast Broadband
(IBB) services.
Having released a number of ITU
standard documents, the industry is
working on how we could make best
use of HDR to enhance user experi-
ence. One of the critical questions
that the industry would debate is
the use of HDR in full HD. The UHD-
1 Phase 2 specification and future
workflows will incorporate HDR,
from production to delivery — full
HD with HDR could also create the
“wow” factor.
One crucial question we need
to ask is how we can monetise in-
vestments on new infrastructure to
support HDR and user readiness to
consume on the correct device. To
optimise ROI, broadcasters need to
offer content on multiple platforms
with varying features, resolutions
and interactivity to fit the platform.
Although it may currently represent
Dr Amal Punchihewa, director of Technology and Innovation at the Asia-
Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), is presenting the Chairman’s Welcome
Address at today’s Next Generation Broadcast Technology 1 conference track.
He shares with the Show Daily on how to create the ‘wow’ factor.
a small percentage, users are access-
ing content via mobile networks.
HDR may not be suitable for all
programmes. Among some of the
challenges in delivering media con-
tent will be identifying content that
can be produced and delivered as
HDR, and managing signalling and
data transmission issues for HDR. It
would thus be useful to have an HDR
delivery roadmap for the future.
Today’s conference features a
panel discussion chaired by Thierry
Fautier, president – chair of the Ultra
HD Forum. This panel is discussing
the deployment and use of HDR and
4K/UHD in combating competition
in the media landscape. While a
number of broadcasters are still in SD
with analogue terrestrial broadcast-
ing, it is quite challenging to move to
4K/UHD infrastructures. Broadcasters
who operate direct-to-home services
may offer a hybrid of upscaled SD
and native HD. This growth and the
production infrastructure need to be
supported by affordable receivers
in the market. For the migration to
4K/UHD, the road is long as some
broadcasters are still in SD and yet
to go full digital.
HEVC/H.265 compression,
which helps maintain video quality
with reasonable bitrate for limited
bandwidth, is important for 4K/UHD
services. As there are no objective
methods to evaluate video quality,
statistical methods could enable ef-
ficient video processing to support
TV Everywhere.
In recent times, the cellular
industry has been developing solu-
tions and services for the broadcast
industry. Cellular networks will
influence the complete value chain
of broadcasting from creation to
delivery. 5G networks claim that they
could play a vital role in the future
of media networks. Some trials
have been carried out to broadcast
sports and special events using LTE
in broadcast mode for locations.
5G could also play a role in
remote and distributed production
using complex slicing technologies.
NHK offered UHD-1 or 4K
Live streaming services of the
Rio Olympic Games based on its
Hybridcast platform in 2016. The
Japanese public broadcaster also
produced some programmes in
8K, which were screened to the
public at certain locations as a nar-
rowcast. Currently, UHD-1 services
are operational via satellite too.
4K/UHD content is also offered via
multi-platform, including over-the-
air using satellite broadcasting and
over broadband networks such as
live streaming or on-demand.
While Japan is gearing up for the
Tokyo Olympics, the plan is to air
coverage of the games in UHD-2 and
UHD-1. Since August last year, Japan
has been conducting Super High Vi-
sion (SHV) or UHD-2 test broadcast,
which may see full deployment by
next year. UHD-2, with the Hybrid
Log Gamma (HLG) HDR standard
and Wide Colour Gamut (WCG), will
enable new viewing experiences.
Last but not least, the session on
HbbTV is discussing about HbbTV
2.0.1, and is highlighting how mar-
rying broadcast with broadband can
enable new revenue streams.
HbbTV is the most widely de-
ployed global hybrid standard.
HbbTV services could facilitate over-
the-top (OTT), richer programme
guides, interactive advertising, and
so on. Australia, New Zealand and
Singapore have already deployed
HbbTV-based integrated broadcast
broadband services that have been
operational over the past three years.