CNN: Field Reports In HDTV

[Poke]

Well we been hearing that CNN will launch a HD Version of their channel wonder when Fox News will.


http://www.tvpredictions.com/cnnfield042407.htm

The news network prepares for its high-def launch.
By Phillip Swann

Washington, D.C. (April 24, 2007) -- CNN's new High-Definition channel will include field reports in high-def as well as studio segments.

That's according to an article in Broadcasting & Cable magazine.

CNN plans to launch a HD channel this fall and DIRECTV has already committed to carrying it.

B&C reports that the news network has decided to use Sony's XDCAN HD optical format for high-def field production. With the Sony units, CNN will be able to incorporate high-def field reports into its daily newscast.

"For CNN, the newsgathering work in HD is hugely important," Bob Hesskamp, vice president of CNN broadcasting engineering, tells the publication. "We have a global news operation, and we want to use HD to bring the viewer closer to the story."

B&C reports that CNN's decision to use Sony is a big victory for the electronics maker because the network surveyed several different camcorders including Panasonic's P2 HD and Thomson Grass Valley's Infinity.

Hesskamp and Michael Koetter, vice president of news technology, says the Sony camera offered the greatest flexibility for both HD and SD field productions.

"We didn't want to make the workflow harder or for it to impact our SD workflow," says Koetter.

The CNN official compared CNN's switch to high-def to "changing engines on a 747 while you're flying."

 

[8bitbytes]

The CNN official compared CNN's switch to high-def to "changing engines on a 747 while you're flying."

This official sounds as oblivious as their reporters.

I think the biggest reason for the CNN HD push is because their biggest customers are services like airports where the stretch look on the flat screens is getting old and these customers want to provide a better picture for their captive audience.

 

[Poke]

Yeah just wonder when their competitors start doing the same.

 

[8bitbytes]

Following the FoxNews format of young females predominately displayed for news reporting, most networks are now faced with the fears of how their people will look in HD. I heard the FoxNews morning group discussing what improvements they were going to need so they would not be embarrassed by their very obvious appearance in HD. It's hard to say if and when these changes will occur, especially when the numbers of regular viewers for news programming and news channels is dwindling into the low hundreds of thousands. They aren't seeing the need for such a small audience. That's why I said CNN's biggest reason for even thinking about it is because they have so many specialized outlets for their channel, for example airports. The airports and other venues that display this content are using flat screens and want content to fill them properly.

Could be awhile before the other networks follow with their HD news channel.

 

[riffjim4069]

If Rosie O'Donnell can be a successful TV personallity, then I'm pretty sure that everyone is qualified to be on the HDTV...fugly-factor or not!

 

[8bitbytes]

Its not so much being "qualified" as they have personal issues with the audience being able to count the pores in the skin of their nose!

Rosie is her own category. She meets a broadcast criteria that doesn't care what you look like as long as your speech meets agenda requirements.

 

[Sammy033]

Its not so much being "qualified" as they have personal issues with the audience being able to count the pores in the skin of their nose!

Then they have a choice. They can either deal with the pores or accept all the HDTVs showing them all stretched out and looking like they are on steroids.