12 January-February 2016
NEWS & VIEWS
Japan ready for 8K , but 4K steals the show at Inter BEE 2015
by shawn liew
TOKYO – The countdown has begun . As Japan intensifies its preparations to host the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2020 , visitors to Inter BEE 2015 were drawn to the NHK booth , where the Japanese public broadcaster highlighted its development in 8K Super Hi-Vision .
This included a music clip presentation of Japanese rockband Sakanaction in the full glory of 8K high-definition video , as well as an 8K , four-screen multi-monitor display displaying 16K video content .
NHK , of course , has already confirmed that it will commence test broadcasts of its 8K technology this year , followed by satellite transmissions in 2018 , eventually culminating in widespread deployment by 2020 .
While continuing to demonstrate its ability to deliver 8K content , NHK is also actively working with a number of equipment manufacturers to enhance its 8K ecosystem .
These include Hitachi Kokusai Electric , whose SK-UHD8060 Super Hi-Vision 8K camera took pride of place at the Hitachi booth . Developed jointly with NHK , the SK-UHD8060 features a single 33-million-pixel CMOS sensor and can transmit simultaneous 8K , 4K / Ultra HD ( UHD ) and 2K format signals at 60fps . The camera weighs about 13 pounds ( 5.9kg ), draws about 60W of power , and has a 12-inch 4K / UHD viewfinder and 8K Raw SSD video recorder .
Hitachi Kokusai is also offering an “ easy transition ” to 4K / UHD with minimal cost , as the company ’ s SK-UHD4000 4K colour camera system continues to attract interest . Able to support current HD lenses , the SK-UHD4000 camera can be used with existing 2 / 3-inchformat ENG and studio / field lenses , without having to deploy an opti- cal-mechanical adaptor between camera and lens . A high-precision four-sensor optical system and the latest in MOS sensor technology supports both 4K ( 3840x2160 ) and 2K ( 1920x1080 ) simultaneously . Camera controls and footprint are the same as current broadcast HDTV cameras , making it easy to replace existing 2K infractructure with minimal difficulty .
Shinji Takitani , assistant manager , Global Business Development , Sales Mangement Division , Hitachi Kokusai Electric , explained : “ For instance , South-east Asia is not yet ready for 4K , but we are ready to deliver 4K , as we continue to demonstrate .”
Away from its range of broadcast cameras , Hitachi Kokusai also holds the number one share in Japan for microwave link solutions , declared Akihiro Nishibashi , manager , Product Strategy and Planning Department , Business Planning Centre , Video & Communications Systems Division , Hitachi Kokusai Electric .
At the Hitachi booth , visitors were also introduced to the new FR-ZU200 microwave link system , which is supported by MIMO ( multiple input , multiple output ) technology . The FR-ZU200 is also one of the many solutions that Hitachi Kokusai will be offering that provides dual-band support for 1.2GHz and 2.3GHz .
As a Worldwide Olympic Partner , Panasonic is another company working closely with NHK to develop 8K , although the company welcomed visitors under the banner of “ One Panasonic ” — offering a variety of core products as a total end-to-end 4K / UHD solution .
Of these is the popular AG- DVX200 4K camcorder , which is equipped with a 4 / 3-type largeformat sensor and a 12-stop V-Log L processing function , as well as a Leica Dicomar 4K / UHD 13x zoom
From left : Hitachi Kokusai Electric ’ s Hiroshi Matsubara , Akihiro Nishibashi and Shinji Takitani welcomed visitors to check out a range of products , including the new FR-ZU200 microwave link system .
Inter BEE 2015 : A record 35,646 visitors thronged the halls of the Makuhari Messe convention centre for Inter BEE 2015 .
lens . A 4K / UHD engine enables recording in multiple formats , including 4K / 24p , UHD / 60p and full HD / 60p . The AG-DVX200 also features a number of high-end functions to meet video production needs , including full-HD , 120fps VFR ( Variable Frame Rate ) shooting and dual codec recording . A range of new battery options , including the AG-VBR118G , AG-VBR89G and AG-VBR59 , which will be available this February , provides up to four hours of recording .
Complimenting the AG- DVX200 is the AV-HS7300 4K / UHD live switcher , which supports 72 inputs and 42 outputs , and is compatible with 3G / 4K formats .
When asked to what extend broadcasters in Japan have embraced 4K / UHD , a Panasonic spokesperson replied : “ For the consumer market , 4K / UHDTV sets are now widely available , although there is insufficient capacity yet for transmission from broadcast stations . Broadcasters are showing interest in 4K / UHD , but right now we are probably in the middle of 2K and 4K .”
To cater to both segments , Panasonic offers the AK-UC3000 4K / UHD studio camera , which works in both 4K / UHD and HD modes . Its features include DRS , CineGamma , focus assist , flash band compensation and skew reduction , which is realised through high-speed scan from a MOS sensor . When paired with the AK- UCU500 camera control unit , the AG-DVX200 is capable of 4K / UHD image production and uncompressed long-distance transmission . IP streaming as a future option and IP control are also supported .
Another 4K / UHD camera that caught the eye was JVC Kenwood ’ s GY-LS300 , which is equipped with a Super 35mm CMOS sensor combined with a Micro Four Thirds ( MFT ) lens mount . The single-chip CMOS sensor has about 13.5 megapixels and achieves a standard sensitivity of ISO 400 with a total of 12 stops of exposure latitude .
To record 4K / UHD content , users need only to insert an SDHC or SDXC ( UHS-I Speed class 3 ) memory card , while connecting a 4K / UHD monitor with a single HDMI
Hiroshi Yamada , specialist , Professional Camera Marketing Department , Professional Camera Operation , Media Business Unit , JVC Kenwood Corporation , showed visitors around the JVC booth , which highlighted products such as the GY-LS300 4K / UHD camera .
Sae Nakatani of Professional Video Promotion Section , Merchandising Department , Imaging Network Business Division , AVC Networks Company , Panasonic Corporation , was all smiles as she showed off the AG-DVX200 4K / UHD camcorder .
cable to the GY-LS300 allows the camera ’ s live 4K / UHD signal to be viewed . The GY-LS300 also downconverts 4K / UHD signals to HD for output through the built-in SDI or HDMI connectors . An advanced IP network communication and streaming engine further allows remote control and monitoring of vital camera functions from a tablet , smartphone or computer . Live streaming is possible in HD or lower resolutions , depending on available bandwidth .
For 4K / UHD , camera lens focus will be more critical than HD , according to Canon , who wowed visitors with a range of 4K / UHD broadcast lenses , including two new 2 / 3-inch 4K / UHD field lenses .
The UHD DigiSuper 86 ( UJ86x9.3B ) comes with an 86x zoom , with a focal range of 9.3mm- 800mm , and offers maximum relative , aperture of 1:1.7 at 9.3- 340mm , and 1:4.0 at 800mm . The UHD DigiSuper 90 ( UJ90x9B ) offers a 90x zoom , a focal range