Expectations for NHK STRL: a Commercial Broadcaster's View
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Expectations for NHK STRL: A Commercial Broadcaster's View Ryosuke YOKOI, Executive Vice President, Fuji Television Network, Inc. extend my heartfelt congratulations to the their research divisions. However, NHK STRL, NHK Science & Technical Research which began research on broadcasting ILaboratories on their 75th anniversary. technology 20 years before the advent of It is no exaggeration to say that the radio commercial radio broadcasting, is viewed as media's current prosperity is in large part due an important asset to the entire world of to the pioneering work done by many broadcasting, alongside organizations like the researchers at STRL. BBC in the U.K. and the RAI in Italy. I have the deepest respect for all who have In Japan, NHK and commercial broadcasters devoted themselves to developing new have shared in the development of technologies aimed at fulfilling the mission to broadcasting services that are in touch with deliver better broadcasting services to our people's lives. These broadcasting services are nation. the most familiar medium in the home. This Some of the technologies that had their kind of success is rare, even when we look at origin at STRL have led the way into the 21st the other successful examples worldwide. century to become the basis for digital The digitization of broadcasting is now a broadcasting. These include Hi-Vision global endeavor. It is not the destination of (HDTV), plasma display panels, and ISDB-T. broadcasting, but merely a stop along the way. Engineers at Japan's commercial I say this because I believe that the most broadcasters are also enthusiastic in their work important issue has always been to consider on new broadcasting technologies. Our efforts the sensitivity and feelings of the recipients, are often in response to needs that were first our listeners and viewers. recognized in the field, or that materialized Research unique to STRL includes one topic from a practical application of new ideas. The that aims to unlock the fundamental trend of broadcasting digitization has meant mechanism of video and sound interactions that we should seek new technologies to with the five human senses. I believe that such improve traditional broadcasting and content research will advance the culture of production operations. We are also examining broadcasting, moving us forward to realize the new technologies that may open up new dreams of the next generation. possibilities for the broadcasting business. I anticipate that STRL, with its keen However, it is difficult to go in for research awareness of the cultural role of broadcasting, and development of various fundamental will remain preeminent in research and technologies. development in technological areas that cannot Recently, the changing global economy is be covered by commercial broadcasters' forcing broadcasters to scale down or close research departments. Broadcast Technology no.25, Winter 2006 C NHK STRL 3.