The next generation of super-high-quality broadcast pictures and sound will be unveiled in live demonstrations by a consortium of broadcasters later this year.

Super Hi Vision is an ultra-high-definition system featuring images that are 7680 pixels by 4320 pixels and has 22.2 channel immersive audio. High-definition video is 1280x720 or 1920x1080 and has 5.1 audio.

Three broadcasters - NHK of Japan, RAI of Italy and the BBC - will show live Super Hi Vision pictures at IBC in Amsterdam.

Content shot in Japan will be mixed with live pictures from a camera located in central London, operated by SIS Outside Broadcasts. The live London feed will be compressed using MPEG-2 and delivered over an ultra-broadband fibre, provided by Cable & Wireless.

Content will also be played in from a server in Turin, Italy, delivered over two full satellite transponders provided by Eutelsat.

The result will be shown in the NHK theatre using an 8k x 4k projector and at the European Broadcasting Union village where it will be downconverted for a 3840 x 2160 pixel LCD display.

Dr Kenkichi Tanioka, director general of the Science and Technical Research Laboratories of NHK, acknowledged that announcing the demo four months in advance was something of a risk.

"We have undertaken a huge challenge with our plans for IBC," he said. "It is a tribute to the alliance of forward-looking companies working on this project that we are confident all will be well. Our industry partners are investing heavily in broadband and satellite capacity over an extended period to make this work."

Super Hi-Vision was developed by NHK. Potential applications include displays for large audiences such as town centre screens for sporting and cultural events.

IBC takes place from 11 to 16 September.