A live broadcast of 8K UHD is to get underway on Spain’s equivalent of Freeview – digital terrestrial television. Pictures will be broadcast at a resolution of 7,680 x 4,320 pixels.
Two and a half years ago, Spanish public broadcaster RTVE became the first radio broadcaster in the world to broadcast 8K content over digital terrestrial TV (DTT), using DVB-T2. Now, RTVE and its technology partners are preparing the first live DTT 8K broadcast. Live broadcasts are more challenging and can require more bitrate, compared to pre-recorded content that can be optimised before its broadcast on terrestrial TV.
The original test, the result of research by the RTVE Chair at the Polytechnic University of Madrid with the collaboration of various audio-visual and technological partners, was based on full UHD-2 – 8K Phase 2 signal content (including HDR, WCG Extended Color Gamut, HFR High Frame Rate and NGA Next Generation Audio). Content was pre-recorded and produced and broadcast via the DVB-T2 standard.
The next challenge will be to achieve the capture, compression and distribution of UHD-2 – 8K Phase 2 signal content complete with a live signal and encoded in real-time, which will be carried out using Cisco servers equipped with high processing capacity.
Spanish UHD tests on digital terrestrial TV
Spain has a UHD test multiplex that is available in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Malaga, Monte Santiago de Compostela and Zaragoza. It normally tests a 4K UHD signal, but was used in 2020 for the original 8K UHD pre-recorded content test. The Live 8K UHD test will soon be openly demonstrated at the RTVE Institute in Madrid.
Engineers needed to bring the overall bandwidth of the 8K UHD video down to 32 Mbps in order to fit on a typical DVB-T2 multiplex. Madrid-based SAPEC says it is leading the creation of the encoder required to deliver the 8K test transmission.
RTVE’s Adolfo Muñoz, commented:
“The importance of this pilot that demonstrates not only the possibility of carrying out this broadcast via DVB-T2 today, but also the future evolution of signal transport making use of 5G networks, which we are already working on … together with our partners ”.
And back in the UK?
Production of programmes in 8K has been going on for years: The BBC worked with NHK to produce 2012 Olympic coverage in 8K UHD. However there’s never been an 8K outlet for viewers to access shows in super high resolution. The BBC is set to continue using the internet to deliver 4K UHD content, and no UK broadcaster has suggested any plans so far to start offering 8K broadcasts to viewers.
Iain Hatton