United Nations

NEW YORK, 31 August (UN Headquarters) -- For the first time ever, a major event at the United Nations will be seen on television stations around the world in high-definition television (HDTV).  United Nations Television and Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) will jointly provide this next-generation state-of-the-art coverage for the United Nations Millennium Summit, to be held from 6-8 September.  Three trucks loaded with HDTV equipment, which NHK has generously provided, arrived earlier this week at United Nations Headquarters.

Following an initiative by the Government of Japan, the NHK package will include the first-ever use in the General Assembly Hall of two large-scale television projection screens (11.5 feet by 20 feet) for the duration of the Summit.

The HDTV equipment, 15 high-definition cameras and eight high-definition television monitors, will be deployed around the Headquarters complex during the event.  The HDTV cameras, which will be operated by both UNTV and NHK personnel, will be positioned in the General Assembly Hall, the Security Council Chamber and at the receiving line for heads of State and Government.

Setting up the equipment has been a major challenge, given the high volume of meetings currently being held in the General Assembly Hall and the Security Council Chamber.  NHK and UNTV have been working on an intensive schedule to start the installations during breaks in the meetings, and over the extended Labor Day holiday weekend (2-4 September). 

HDTV made its debut at the United Nations in 1998 when NHK provided, also on a pro bono basis, HDTV cameras and screens at the annual United Nations World Television Forum.