John Logie Baird Lecture and Buffet
Wednesday 29th November (Evening lecture 17.30 – 21.00)

Full Programme>

The History of HDTV: The End of a Long and Winding Road

The 2006 John Logie Baird Lecture on 'The History of HDTV: the end of a long and winding road' focuses on the remarkable developments leading to the launch of High Definition around the world. Some have said the introduction of HD is as important as the transition from monochrome to colour in the 60s. Indeed Baird himself experimented with and promoted what was at the time termed High Definition.

The evolution of Television during the latter years of the 20th Century, early experiments in certain regions of the world and the pioneering spirit of specific organisations and individuals all contributed to where we are today. Speakers from the three main participating regions, Japan, the USA and Europe will present their views on the key technology developments that have made HD possible. The presentations will be illustrated with video clips from those early productions, trials and service introductions.

Following the presentations short examples of several early HD productions leading up to programmes using the current HDTV standards from around the world will be screened.

The event will conclude with a Panel Discussion to include the main speakers plus representatives from the EBU, BSkyB, BBC and the former ITVA thus providing an opportunity to consider whether the end of the long and winding road has been reached or, if not, where we go from here.

This is believed to be the first 'in-depth' evaluation of the history of this most important development of the late 20th Century and, as such, will be an historic event!

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Masayuki Sugawara, Senior Research Engineer,NHK Science and Technical Research Laboratories (abstract)
Joe Flaherty, CBS, USA
Dietrich Westerkamp, Thomson, Germany

Lecture Buffet

A Drinks reception and bowl buffet dinner will be held Immediately after the Lecture

Why not take the opportunity to meet fellow engineers and like minded people to share experiences and interests in an informael setting?

Please note that although the lecture is free of charge there is a seperate cost to attend the buffet