CMG launches construction of national key lab for UHD media production
Updated 21:55, 06-Dec-2019
CGTN
The launch event of the construction of China's national key laboratory for UHD media production. /CCTV Photo

The launch event of the construction of China's national key laboratory for UHD media production. /CCTV Photo

The China Media Group (CMG) on Friday launched the construction of China's national key laboratory for the production and presentation of ultra-high-definition (UHD) video and audio content in Shanghai.

The lab, first of its kind in the country, will be constructed by CMG in collaboration with Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the Academy of Broadcasting Planning, National Radio and Television Administration.

It will focus on advanced video and audio technology under today's broadband internet environment, especially technologies of UHD video and audio, virtual reality and artificial intelligence (AI).

The launch of the lab construction is "an important approach to promoting the development strategy of '5G+4K/8K+AI,' and building a world-class new mainstream media with strong leadership, dissemination and influence," Shen Haixiong, president of CMG and deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, told the ceremony.

Relying on Shanghai's excellent environment for technological innovation as well as first-class educational and scientific research resources, the lab is expected to be built into a pilot base for the research and application of video and audio media convergence technologies, said Shen.

Basic research and application will be carried out in the lab concerning key technologies of UHD video and audio production and presentation system, video and audio media communication and security of video and audio services.

The lab is also intended to train a group of high-level young academic leaders and technical backbones for the industry.

The signing of cooperation agreements between CMG and enterprises also took place at the event.

Last month, China's Ministry of Science and Technology approved the construction of four national key laboratories to promote in-depth development of media integration and strengthen the support of science and technology.

The other three key laboratories are for media convergence and broadcasting, communication content cognition and media convergence production technology and system.

CMG, a new broadcasting platform made up of China Central Television (CCTV), China National Radio (CNR) and China Radio International (CRI), was officially inaugurated on April 19, 2018.

It is making great efforts to seize the opportunities brought to the media by the development of science and technology.

On October 1 last year, CCTV launched a 4K Ultra HD channel, the first UHD TV channel in China. On November 20 this year, 5G-powered video app Yangshipin was officially launched, providing users with the latest and best audio-visual experience. Shen said CMG is determined to launch an 8K UHD pilot channel ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.