NHK and Ikegami complete the first 8K mobile unit

The mobile unit has a dozen Ikegami cameras (SHV-8000 and SHK-810 models) allowing production in 8K and 22.2 surround sound.

Ikegami The first unit in the world fully integrated with 8K production equipment has just been completed for the Japanese public channel NHK.

The new vehicle is designed to function as a complete mobile facility capable of producing 8K television and 22.2 surround sound.

In March 2015, Ikegami introduced the fourth generation of 8K cameras (SHK-810) developed in collaboration with Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK). At one tenth the size and weight of Ikegami's first generation of 8K cameras, the new offering significantly improves operability.

Ikegami, which has launched more than 800 mobile units throughout its history, is now taking a new step in an Ultra High Definition environment. In this case, many elements of the 8K production infrastructure are much larger in size, consume more power and require a greater number of cables than their UHDTV equivalent. This is because 8K production captures 16 times more information than the high-definition television image. Therefore, the launch of a mobile unit in 8K is much more difficult than the design and production of traditional vehicles.

8K in a compact unit

The 8K mobile unit designed by Ikegami offers extremely high quality and reliability in a compact size. The specifications of the vehicle allow its operation not only in Japan, but throughout the world, so it can travel to global sporting events, such as the Olympic Games.

The mobile is equipped with a mixer with 16 inputs, 4 outputs and 1 ME. Its matrix allows signals to be routed in both 2K, 4K and 8K.

It has a dozen Ikegami 8K cameras (SHV-8000 and SHK-810 models) and an 8K DSK. It also has four units for 8K slow motion production.

In Japan, the roadmap for 8K announced by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications foresees test broadcasts in 2016 and regular broadcasts in 2018.