Visitors to Japanese public broadcaster NHK and its NHK Labs R&D division’s Tech Expo 2025 (opening May 26th) can take an early look at some of the company’s broadcasting developments. Top of the list is NHK’s Scene-adaptive camera.

When capturing wide field-of-view footage like 360-degree videos, you often encounter various subjects in bright, dark, or fast-moving scenes. Consider a football match where the stadium is in bright sunlight at one end and in deep shadow at the other. “We’ve developed a colour camera with a 4K-equivalent pixel area control image sensor that can dynamically and locally adjust its shooting mode to handle these conditions,” said NHK.

The camera’s technology incorporates an image sensor which has 4K resolution and can set different resolutions, frame rates, and exposure time for each small area of 4 x 4 pixels. “We will work on using the prototype camera for content production and aim to realize a high-resolution camera compatible with wide field-of-view imaging by around 2028,” added NHK.

The camera is a new technology that dynamically adjusts imaging parameter in each shooting area but is just one element being examined by NHK’s Science & Technology Research Laboratories (STRL). STRL has 20 items and services available for examination.

Another “world first” is what NHK describes as Deformable Display Enabling Free Shapes, saying: “We’re advancing research on flexible displays that can transform into various shapes. Our colourful deformable display, featuring stretchable wiring and LEDs on a rubber substrate, and more detailed and refined visuals with increased pixel counts compared to 2024.”

A third “world first” is NHK’s Immersive Media solution. “Experience immersive video and sound without the need of a headset! Our system displays real-life footage captured with a 30K 360-degree camera on a hemispherical screen using a 15K-capable projector. Enjoy the sensation of being fully immersed in the scene,” said the company blurb.

MRcast taps into technology for Mixed Reality devices, and where users can freely manipulate CG objects with their hands. “This system allows the composite images to be utilized in broadcasts and shared with those not wearing the devices, making it enjoyable for everyone,” explained NHK.

Once a year, NHK makes open to the public the latest innovations and research from NHK’s technology division and the NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories (STRL). At each event, the public will be able to discover and experience the latest technology and findings through demos, panel displays, and interactive exhibits. NHK staff will be on site to explain everything in an easy-to-understand way.

Other posts by :

1. SES announces €0.25c dividend
2. Russia “blinding and destroying” German satellites
3. Bank: AST, Starlink, Kuiper targeting $200bn market
4. Rivada: Is no news good news?
5. SES celebrates Intelsat acquisition
6. Pakistan halts broadband direct-from satellite
7. India stymies Starlink launch
8. Starlink, AST SpaceMobile race for cellular consumers
9. Trouble ahoy for foreign D2D satellites over India?

Categories: Blogs, Broadcast, Inside Satellite

Tags: broadcast, NHK