It was 1956 when the first imakes of the Olympic Games were broadcast outside the host country – in this case, Australia. From Rome in 1960, the event was being relayed to 21 countries, and the Tokyo Games in 1964 were broadcast to 40 countries, some in experimental colour formats. The US watched via satellite for the first time and stored recordings on a computer. In 1968, the Mexico Games were seen by a worldwide audience of 600 million.

In 1984, NHK trialled the first HD broadcast from Los Angeles. Now, from London, the BBC and NHK are making first use of Super Hi-Vision, a new ultra-high-definition TV format, for public screenings in the UK and Japan.

Developed by NHK, the system supports images 16 times the resolution of regular high-definition and sound comes via a 22.2-channel surround system. What you will hear is down to the event's sound design team, as previously reported in Fast-and-Wide's The Sound of Sport report. Is it real?

The opening and closing ceremonies and other high-profile events are being covered in the format. In the UK, people are be able to see the coverage at screenings at Broadcasting House in London, Pacific Quay in Glasgow and the National Media Museum in Bradford. In Japan the screenings are being held in Fukushima and Tokyo. There are also screenings in the US, in Washington.