The NHK, BBC, RAI, and EBU were distinguished with a Special Award at this year's IBC (International Broadcasting Convention) for live demos of nexgen HDTV in Super Hi-Vision. Super Hi-Vision has opened a window into the next stage of HDTV, with an image resolution of 7680 pixels on 4320 lines and an immersive 22.2 channel surround sound system. The impressive series of demos of Super Hi-Vision was conducted throughout the IBC show in Amsterdam using capacity provided by Eutelsat on the ATLANTIC BIRD™-3 satellite. This world-first live international satellite link enabled live and pre-recorded content generated by a Super Hi-Vision server operated by RAI in Turin to be played into each demonstration at IBC. Using 16 encoders in parallel, a native digital signal of 24 Gbps was compressed in MPEG-4/H.264 to around 140 Mpbs, and delivered over two full DVB-S2 transponders on ATLANTIC BIRD-3. The demo confirmed that satellite is a mature and ready technology for a challenging new-generation transmission. With 60 progressive frames a second, the picture resolution of Super Hi-Vision is 16 times current HD signals, which already represent a significant step forward in audio and video experience for television viewers. The audio of Super Hi-Vision is 22.2 channels: nine channels at ceiling height, ten at the center height of the screen, three front channels and low frequency effect channels at the front. The theatre set-up by NHK at IBC contained a 6.95-meter diagonal projection screen and full audio system. Current research into Super Hi-Vision is enabling its primary partners NHK, RAI, BBC, and the EBU to assess this new technology as well as future applications, which in the first phase could include out-of-home viewing and theatre screenings, followed by consumer broadcasting.