ch@Net (Broadcast programming homepage navigation system)

The STRL developed a system that allows a user to access an on-air program's homepage instantly. Experiments commenced at the Inpaku (Internet Fair 2001).
Presently, many broadcast programs have a homepage (HP) for presenting program content, but it cannot be said that these are easy to access. For example, a user might first have to access the top page of the broadcaster's HP, and then select the program category, program title, and finally broadcast date/time to reach the desired HP. With this new service, called "ch@Net," developed by the STRL, the HP for an on-air program can be displayed instantly by simply selecting the appropriate TV channel on the PC screen. This experimental service is exhibited on the NHK's homepage and at the Inpaku@NHK site.
We will continue to promote further research on effective use of the Internet with broadcasting services, with the aim of achieving practical implementation of the system based on these research results.




Closed-caption Service Expands
to "News at 9"
The automatic rear-time converted closed caption is presented in the bottom two lines (black back ground) on the display.

Closed-caption broadcasting was started on the news program, "News at 9," on April 2, 2001.
This closed-caption service* utilizes a broadcast news transcription system which the STRL developed. The system is capable of automatic, real-time conversion of an announcer's speech into script, written in an appropriately combination of the Japanese Kana syllabary and Kanji (Chinese characters). This closed-captioning service was partially implemented on the news program "News at 7" in March last year, and its use has now been expanded to "News at 9." While closed-captioning is presently limited to a portion of the studio announcer's read speech, in the future, with the advancement of speech recognition technology, we will also work for the transcription of the field report portions of the program, which tend to contain more significant background noise.

* The service can be received using the digital BS broadcasting receiver function, or with the teletext receiver of the current terrestrial broadcasting service.



Chairman of the KBS Board of Governors Visits STRL
Chairman of the KBS Board of Governors (March 21)

On March 21, the STRL was honored to receive a visit from members of Korea's KBS, including the Chairman of the Board of Governors Mr. Chi, another Member of the Board of Governors, the Vice President, and the Director of the Broadcast Engineering Department. They were present for a test drive of the digital terrestrial broadcasting experimental vehicle and saw the clear TV images produced during mobile reception. They also eagerly observed the clear images produced by a New Super-HARP camera in a dim shooting environment. After seeing the demonstrations, lively discussions ensued on such issues as technical cooperation and technology transfers.


Meeting of the Brazilian Society of Broadcast Engineering
Brazil is presently in the process of selecting a digital terrestrial broadcasting system. The Director-General of the STRL, Dr. Yamada, attended a Brazilian Society of Broadcast Engineering meeting held during the NAB (4/21-4/26, Las Vegas). At this meeting, the present digital terrestrial broadcasting situation was described by experts from Japan, the United States, Europe, and Brazil. Director-General Yamada explained the superiority of the Japanese system, as well as the progress of digital satellite broadcasting in Japan. An executive from the National Telecommunications Agency (Brazil), also announced the schedule for the introduction of Brazil's digital terrestrial broadcasting system.


ABU Board of Directors Meeting

An ABU Board of Directors meeting was held on May 17, at the NHK Broadcasting Center in Shibuya, Tokyo. After the conference, 21 ABU Board members including NHK President Ebisawa, visited the STRL and observed the latest broadcasting technologies at the STRL Open House. A special meeting was held there for an exchange of views after the tour. Digital broadcasting issues were discussed enthusiastically.






Copyright 2001 NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) All rights reserved. Unauthorized copy of the pages is prohibited.

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