NTT Research and Development 2008 Review of Activities

Against the background of the richness of High-definition video content, which is typical of terrestrial digital broadcasting and BS digital broadcasting, we have been pursuing research and development aimed at creating new markets and services through cooperation between communication and broadcasting in combination with high-speed, high-quality networks such as the NGN^*1.

The NGN trial that was conducted from 2006 to the end of 2007 was an opportunity to use this system in the High-definition video distribution service trial. The system supports the IPTV^*2 terminals that are being standardized, and the H.264 video codec is used for highly efficient High-definition video distribution by multi-channel IP broadcasting (multicasting) and VOD^*3(unicasting). Retransmission of terrestrial digital broadcasting over IP was also provided. In addition, we verified a variety of services that use the bidirectionality of communication and metadata, including the viewing of missed programs by VOD or automatic insertion of video content according to viewer preferences. Since the end of 2007, an NTT Group company has also developed commercial services that use this system.

In future work, we will continue with development of the basic technology for implementing new services through the seamless cooperation of IPTV and mobile communication as well as technology for cooperation with digital signage or life support services applying the same distribution platform horizontally.

• *1 NGN: Next Generation Network
• *2 IPTV: Internet Protocol Television
• *3 VOD: Video On Demand