NHK ponders 2016 for U-HDTV

Public broadcaster NHK is contemplating starting its ‘Super Hi-Vision’ 8K test transmissions in 2016, some 4 years sooner than originally planned, advanced-television.com reports.

NHK had earlier specified 2020 as the target date in order to transmit the 2020 Olympic Games – and Tokyo is hoping to be the host city for the event. Sources told Japan Times that there are still hurdles to be overcome, not least accumulating 8000-line programming for the new service.

However, it seems the Japanese government is also backing a speedier entry for Super Hi-Vision which it sees as providing a boost to the nation’s ailing consumer electronics industry.