New Terrestrial Broadcasting Services through Combined Broadcast and Broadband Technology

Exploration of new combined broadcast and broadband services and technologies

Hanimaru-kun goes undercover at NHK STRL to get the scoop!

What makes the Combined Broadcast and Broadband possible? The secret lies in NHK’s home gateway. Hanimaru-kun goes undercover at NHK STRL to get the full story on this technology.

Services provided by NHK’s home gateway

NHK is studying the concept of the home gateway and conducting tests of the developed prototype system.
Based on the requirements of the advanced terrestrial broadcasting system*1, NHK is working to meet specifications and demonstrate the technology.

*1 Material from the Broadcasting System Committee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC)’s Information and Communications Council, Information and Communication Technology Subcommittee.
https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/000683388.pdf(in Japanese)

Advanced terrestrial broadcasting services and supporting technologies

NHK’s advanced technologies will make it possible to switch content data seamlessly between broadcast and broadband transmission paths, enabling capabilities such as extended broadcast program features and multi-viewing. Furthermore, by integrating with synchronization technologies, it will be possible to provide new viewing experiences that combine TV and AR devices.

Watch the videos below to learn more about NHK technologies that support advanced terrestrial broadcasting.

The future made possible by advanced terrestrial broadcasting①: Multi-devices

A home gateway that separates the broadcast tuner from the TV brings new possibilities. Programs and services can be enjoyed not just on the TV but also mobile devices. But there’s more.

The future made possible by advanced terrestrial broadcasting②: Seamless switching

NHK’s new technologies promise to bring greater convenience, such as automatic extension of transmission path rerouting during live broadcasts combined with broadband transmission.

VR services made possible by advanced terrestrial broadcasting

NHK is conducting research on synchronization technologies. What new experiences will the integration of VR offer?

AR services made possible by advanced terrestrial broadcasting

What new future will the synchronization with AR bring?

The future made possible by advanced terrestrial broadcasting③: Higher image quality

NHK is working to transmit even more information on broadcast airwaves. What are the strengths that only broadcasting possess?

Research on home gateway for Combined Broadcast and Broadband services

We propose a home gateway that separates the tuner from the TV and distributes contents using the home network. This scheme allows the delivery of broadcast contents to tuner-less devices, such as mobile terminals and head-mounted displays (HMD). It also enables Combined Broadcast and Broadband services, which achieves seamless transitions and connections between broadcast and broadband transmission channels.

A portion of this research is carried as work contracted by the Association for Promotion of Advanced Broadcasting Services (A-PAB), which was entrusted with "Development of Technology for Effective Use of Broadcast Frequencies" as part of the Technical Examination Services Concerning Frequency Crowding by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.