The Communications Research Centre is the only organization in Canada with an R&D program and unique facilities dedicated to Broadcast Technologies. It has been described by the Canadian magazine Broadcast Dialogue as ''a treasure-trove of world-class and globally-acknowledged expertise, internationally-accepted laboratory facilities and expert independent evaluation and testing facilities."

The studies and experiments done by the Broadcast Technology Research Branch cover a broad range from audio/video coding and subjective evaluation, 3-D TV and surround sound to mobile television, digital transmission techniques and software radio receivers. These technologies should feed the creativity of broadcasters and enable them to offer innovative services while making profitable their investment in a new digital transmission infrastructure.

CRC’s research supports the efforts of various federal departments, including Industry Canada, in their diverse areas of responsibilities. In addition, our expertise is used in Canada by organizations such as the CBC, Telesat, IMAX, Algolith, and Genesis Microchips. Foreign organizations also refer to our well-respected technical capabilities from around the world. In fact, as an example, CRC recently joined a partnership with Telesat and the CBC to do some critical tests for the World Broadcasting Union to ensure the global interoperability of codecs used for high-definition television (HDTV) video transmissions. More information is available from Telesat at www.telesat.ca.