Outline of Broadcasting Technology

History of Broadcasting Technology

As various types of media may be fused together in our digital era, broadcasting will stay at the core of new services. NHKs broadcasting technology will strive to fulfill the viewers expectations and opens a new age.

78 years have passed since the start of radio broadcasting in Japan in 1925. In this span, black and white TV broadcasting commenced in 1953, satellite broadcasting in 1984, and other new broadcasting media have appeared as technology has advanced. NHK has always taken the initiative in developing new technologies and has played a leading role. Especially notable among these accomplishments were the start of satellite broadcasting and the realization of the worlds first high-definition TV system (Hi-Vision). Digital satellite broadcasting began in 2000, usher-

ing in a new age where television is not just for watching and listening, but for viewers to use. In December 2003, digital terrestrial television broadcasting started, accelerating the pace of digital television applications in Japan. In the emerging ubiquitous society, users will be able to easily and seamlessly access programs and information anytime and anywhere, and will no longer have to distinguish between broadcasting and communication. Television will become a comprehensive terminal through which users can readily obtain information.

First radio broadcast in Japan Start of NHK Radio 2 service

First TV broadcast in Japan Educational TV broadcasts begin FM radio broadcasts start

Experimental satellite broadcasts start

1925

1931

1953

1959

1969

1984

Broadcast Technology History

Color television broadcasts start
60 79

Experimental sound multiplex TV broadcasts begin

Teletext broadcasting begins

85

Outline of Broadcasting Technology Program Production and Transmission Transmission and Reception

Digital television broadcasting schedule

01
Carrent broadcasting (analog) Terrestrial Dec.2003

Reserch and Development

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

2011
will be over in 2011

Support Technology International Broadcasting and cooperation

Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya

digital

Other areas For mobile reception

digital Satellite

Start from Dec.2000

will be over in 2011 will be over in 2007

analog SD

analog HD

digital Radio

Test transmission from Oct.2003

BSAT-2a

One hour daily satellite Hi-Vision test broadcasts begin Hi-Vision test broadcasts begin (8 hours daily)

Digital satellite broadcasting starts Terrestrial digital audio broadcasting starts for application test Terrestrial digital television broadcasting starts

Antenna set on the Tokyo Tower for terrestrial digital broadcasting

1989

1991

2000

2003

Satellite second channel starts experimental broadcasts

Final phase of test Hi-Vision broadcasts begin

94

Full-scale satellite broadcasting begins on 2 channels

86 89

Toward the realization of ISDB

FM character multiplex broadcasting starts
96