Testing the future of UHD broadcasting with 5G

UHD Spain, an association dedicated to promoting Ultra High Definition (UHD) in Spain, recently conducted a groundbreaking test on UHD-HDR broadcasting and next-generation audio (NGA) using 5G technology. This test demonstrated the potential of 5G contributions, cloud mixing, multi-media broadcasting including 5G Broadcast, and the utilization of the public Internet network for signal transport.

The test took place during a live concertrenowned singer Israel Fernández at the Real Observatorio Astronómico de Madrid, which was broadcast on RTVE Radio 3. A UHD workflow was established, incorporating HDR-HLG from the camera to the user’s device, with the help of 5G communications, edge and cloud processing, and various broadcast media such as DTT (DVB-T2), satellite (DVB-S2), Internet (OTT, HbbTV), and the new 5G Broadcast system. This allowed viewers to enjoy the concert on a range of devices, from TVs and PCs to tablets and mobile devices, through the official UHD Spain website.

“This test marks one of the earliest instances of multi-camera contribution of Ultra High Definition content over a 5G network,” stated Xavier Redón, Vice President of UHD Spain. “Spain is a country known for its significant UHD innovation, and we are proud that Cellnex operates the network through which RTVE will emerge as the world’s first broadcaster to regularly transmit UHD content on DTT.”

One of the key aspects of this test was the proof of concept for remote production. It involved cloud-based mixing and production processing, as well as remote-controlled cameras (PTZ). Emili Planas, a member of the association’s board of directors and representative of Grup Mediapro, highlighted the significance of this proof of concept: “This test provides us with yet another approach to live production. In the near future, the production model we have explored will become the standard for covering live events in the highest UHD-HDR quality, leveraging the capabilities of 5G and delocalized operations through connected resources.”

Additionally, the demonstration included systems for monitoring and supervising the transmitted signal, ensuring optimal radio frequency, protocol, and video/audio quality.

In conclusion, the recent test conductedUHD Spain has shed light on the future of UHD broadcasting. By harnessing the power of 5G technology and cloud-based processing, broadcasters can provide viewers with immersive UHD-HDR experiences on various devices. This test serves as a promising precursor to the widespread adoption of these innovative broadcasting techniques in the not-so-distant future. OPP.Today