Learning on ScreenTeaching and Learning in Ultra High Def
The High Capacity Janet Network is supporting the use of UHD (Ultra High Definition) to enhance teaching, learning and research. Emma Smith, Video Projects Coordinator, Janet, conducts a grand tour.
About the author: Emma Smith is Video Projects Coordinator for Janet. Emma Smith has been working at Janet for the past 5 years as the Video Projects Coordinator within the Applications Development Team. Emma has worked on a variety projects including the BBC Super High Vision project and her current projects include working with the universities to deliver content to broadcasters and working with the Arts and Humanities sector to deliver masterclasses and simultaneous performances.
From its launch, thirty years ago, Jisc’s network, Janet, has supported the needs of the research (and later) teaching and learning communities, enabling them to push the boundaries of technology through a world-class network infrastructure. In the past few years the Applications Development team at Janet have been exploring ultra high definition (UDH) technology in order to understand the potential for how it could be used. This has resulted in a number of collaborative projects, with both national and international partners.
UHD (Ultra High Definition) collectively refers to displays with a 16 x 9 aspect ratio and a minimum resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 square pixels (from the definition as announced by The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)). Recently, terms such as ‘4K’ (4,096 x 2,160) and ‘8K’ (7,680 × 4,320) have been discussed more widely, especially in the broadcast world.
(Image courtesy of The Scottish Ten & CDDV and The Digital Design Studio, Glasgow School of Art and NHS Education for Scotland)
The first step to investigating ultra high definition technology was to create a UHD Special Interest Group, which has now been running for several years. The group is made up of representatives from Janet, universities and broadcasters, with different members hosting each annual meeting.
The main aim of this group is to help shape the way in which UHD technology could be exploited over the Janet network. The group has achieved this by identifying issues relating to UHD applications, technical and technological challenges, processes and usability, for the use of ultra high definition within the community. This group enables members to discuss this area with others within the sector and encourages collaboration between members and their organisations.
A great example of collaboration is the UHD Showcase Project, which included project partners from the Digital Design Studio (as part of the Glasgow School of Art) and the Universities of Cardiff, Bristol and Strathclyde, and equipment on loan from the University of Essex.
This project aimed to demonstrate the possibilities available to universities and research organisations connected to such a high capacity network. By showing the potential for streaming UHD content over Janet, the community can see the potential for enhancing teaching and learning as well as its use for sharing resources and enabling future collaboration on a national and international scale.
