Is a Channel really HD when they call it HD?

[Juan]

Apparently not in CNN's Case!!!

CNN HD is ready whenever DirecTV is - Engadget HD




The worst news is that they haven't upgraded their studio in Atlanta yet, so shows like The Situation Room with anchor Wolf Blitzernot won't be in HD. They are working to make it all HD by upgrading studios and the newsgathering cameras,

 

[kstuart]

I'm getting the impression that DirecTV is paying these channels to go along with this "channels that have HD in their name" promotion bull.

The Weather Channel HD is also going to launch with a grand total of two programs in HD, and the rest in SD.

We know from research that millions of people think they are watching HD when they are watching SD, so I guess the suits say "why not call it HD too".

 

[boba]

Are you going to fault HBO if they offer an upconverted SD movie on their HD channel? They have to start someplace, HD dosen't instantly happen.

 

[digiblur]

Its sad but true. Many people think they are watching HD. I've seen several people watching analog cable on their HD sets saying "look at my HDTV, doesn't it look great!"

Just last week I saw someone put on a DVD and turn the HDTV to channel 3!

 

[amoni]

"They have to start someplace, HD dosen't instantly happen."

Yeah, because this new fangled HD stuff is just such a surprise. Did these people just get the memo or did the CEO go to Circuit City to buy a new TV to find out they've changed? It's 2007and a major broadcaster like CNN haven't upgraded studios yet? Wasn't analog supposed to be turned off by now.

 

[JAG72]

It's 2007and a major broadcaster like CNN haven't upgraded studios yet?

Why spend the money upgrading until you have enough providers that are capable of providing your HD signal.

Wasn't analog supposed to be turned off by now.

And what does that have to do with HD? The whole analog shut off only has to deal with OTA. The locals don't even have to broadcast in HD only digital.

 

[richiephx]

Its unfortunate that there is so much misinformation out there about HD. I know people too who think that they are watching HD because they are are watching it on a HD tv. As far as CNN is concerned, I don't watch that news service now and probably won't watch it because it's in HD. Two of my local news channels are in HD now and I rarely watch them either. But, i'm sure there are people out there who will watch anything just because it's tagged HD. Once you get beyond the novelty and the hype, you might be disappointed.

 

[Jim5506]

We need a catchy term like HD-Lite to describe these pseudo-HD channels.

Like HD-NOT or SD-Lite - any ideas?

 

[TNGTony]

How about part-time HD channels?

 

[primetimeguy]

How about part-time HD channels?

Along those lines, PT-HD.

 

[RockinHARD26]

Even if the channels aren't really "HD", still looks alot nicer on my big screen TV compared to SD. I've looked closely and can tell when the channel is really HD and when the channel is converted to HD. Example: Do you think a movie from the 1960's was filmed in HD? They did not even have the technology. Even still, when I zoom in and out, I don't get the block effect as I do with regular SD programming.

I like to call the converted HD programs, to "wanna-be HD". lol

 

[kstuart]

Example: Do you think a movie from the 1960's was filmed in HD? They did not even have the technology. Even still, when I zoom in and out, I don't get the block effect as I do with regular SD programming.

Bad example.
Any movie (or TV show) which is filmed in 16mm, 35mm, or 70mm can be transferred to true HD - and that is what the Voom Channels do.
It is only 70's and 80's videotapes that are forever in less than HD resolution.
Anything from the 60's on an HD channel (like "Flipper") is probably in true HD format.

 

[richiephx]

For as old as it is, the picture quality of Flipper is very good.

 

[TNGTony]

The original film restored and then transfered to HD looks great!

Remember that most film (even old film) has much, much higher resolution than modern HDTV. If the original is on film, transfering it to HDTV is possible. But remember that old films (50's and before) and TV series were filmed for a 4x3 screen. So yes you can and do have some HD programs that have black bars on the sides!

As mentioned above, videotape cannot be "made" into HD. The resolution of video tape blows.

See ya
Tony <Still doesn't understand why people will pay thousands of dollars for the best possible picture and then voluntarily distort it.

 

[cebbigh]

Someday I hope there is an HD channel that just shows 50's-60's shows in HD format!

 

[skysurfer]

Why spend the money upgrading until you have enough providers that are capable of providing your HD signal.

Because your SD picture looks much better

It's my experiences (mostly with ESPN and one of my local TV stations) that when you capture in higher definition and downres to 480i, the video looks better than capturing in standard definition.

Why that local station hasn't gone to HD for their newscasts, I don't know, but it's the clearest/cleanest SD picture in the market because the studio cameras capture things in higher resolution.

 

[KAB]

Because your SD picture looks much better

It's my experiences (mostly with ESPN and one of my local TV stations) that when you capture in higher definition and downres to 480i, the video looks better than capturing in standard definition.

Why that local station hasn't gone to HD for their newscasts, I don't know, but it's the clearest/cleanest SD picture in the market because the studio cameras capture things in higher resolution.

The cost of HD cameras is next to nothing compared to all the control room and editing equipment necessary to play game. Most local stations are dragging their feet or slowly acquiring the pieces. It will probably fall of 2008 before you see many more stations getting with the program.