BBC plans Super Hi-Vision screenings for London 2012

Confirming long-established speculation, Roger Mosey, the BBC executive in charge of the corporation’s London 2012 efforts, has revealed it is planning to experiment with capturing elements of the Olympics in Super Hi-Vision. Mosey was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Edinburgh International Television Festival, and, quoted in The Guardian, also admitted that 3D coverage for the 100m and other blue riband events was “certainly on the agenda” as part of a “limited experiment”.

The corollary is, as ever, that the Corporation has got to run a balancing act between showcasing the new format and annoying its established HD viewers by grabbing channels off of its own limited bouquet. In other words, the distribution pipeline is yet to be fully explored, but nobody would be very surprised if a deal was done with another operator as we get closer to the Games.

As far as Super Hi-Vision goes, the BBC has already conducted several experiments with NHK in the format, and, for the Olympics, is planning to erect three 15m high screens at various locations around the country. Exactly what will be captured by SHV cameras is, as yet, an unknown, but certainly the Opening Ceremony would be a good bet.

Mosey, for one is obviously impressed by SHV, which is expected to make the usual impressive leap forward to becoming reality at next week’s IBC.

“When you sit and watch it you really get the experience of being in seat D5 in the stadium,” he said. “Super Hi-Vision might be a better long-term prospect than 3D in some ways as it gives you the feel of being in the stadium. People are knocked out by it.”