Ultimate two-dimensional media and evolution of advanced immersive sensory media

Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) Science & Technology Research Laboratories (STRL) has long been consistently opening up new horizons for broadcasting. Its recent R&D on 8K ultra-high-definition television―the ultimate two-dimensional television―came to fruition as a regular satellite broadcasting service in Japan in December 2018, with 8K gradually penetrating media and other industries globally. The 8K specifications were determined based on psychophysical experiments to effectively produce an immersive and realistic experience with a two-dimensional screen. STRL is continuing to enhance user experiences. Aside from two-dimensional displays, today there are media devices such as head-mounted displays, augmented reality glasses, three-dimensional displays, and haptic devices. STRL is researching these devices to enhance their performance from the perspective of visual psychology and cognitive science. It is also developing three-dimensional information processing technologies and artificial intelligence aiming for new content presentations with new immersive devices. Conveying sensations other than sight and sound will create innovative sensory experiences that provide unprecedented immersion. A new media scheme that utilizes various delivery platforms such as broadcasting, the internet, and 5G is also being studied to produce new viewing experiences.