New HD channel...?'s and fears

[james_k_p]

So after getting over the initial excitement of hearing about the new national HD stations coming on board shortly...it suddenly comes to my mind that they all might be just as sad as A&E. Are these stations live yet on cable networks for people to comment on their programming?

I know MHD is all HD, with alot of repeats from what I've read in the past. But The discovery network ones. Will it be all SD programming all day long with the exception of their newer primetime shows?

I mean I'm super glad they are at least getting the stations up so the conversion of all programming to HD can continue, but I hope they have many shows ready in HD formats to put on them.

 

[8bitbytes]

So after getting over the initial excitement of hearing about the new national HD stations coming on board shortly...it suddenly comes to my mind that they all might be just as sad as A&E. Are these stations live yet on cable networks for people to comment on their programming?

I know MHD is all HD, with alot of repeats from what I've read in the past. But The discovery network ones. Will it be all SD programming all day long with the exception of their newer primetime shows?

I mean I'm super glad they are at least getting the stations up so the conversion of all programming to HD can continue, but I hope they have many shows ready in HD formats to put on them.

Gotta start somewhere. TV didn't used to broadcast 24/7 in the early days. HD channels will have the same growth patterns and as they see viewership come up from those looking for HD, they will add more HD content.

Don't be afraid!

 

[Ronald_Jeremy]

If you watch discovery SD you will notice that a alot of their programming is in 16 x 9. Mythbusters, Deadliest Catch, and Dirty Jobs to name a few. This means that they have been shot in HD so any new episodes as well as recent repeats will be in HD once the HD channel comes on line.

 

[james_k_p]

If you watch discovery SD you will notice that a alot of their programming is in 16 x 9. Mythbusters, Deadliest Catch, and Dirty Jobs to name a few. This means that they have been shot in HD so any new episodes as well as recent repeats will be in HD once the HD channel comes on line.

Cool. Although I don't watch those shows, maybe I will once I see them in HD .

I just don't want to get all psyched up, and then once they're turned on...there is nothing to be happy about.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

I also think that MHD will improve especially since the channel will be available on DIsh Network and DirecTV. Thats almost 30 million viewers possible for them.

 

[John Kotches]

History (that's one of the new ones, right) is showing a lot of content framed 16:9 as well.

I would be remiss if I didn't point out that just because a show is framed 16:9 that doesn't mean it was shot in HD. It likely was but it isn't an absolute certainty.

 

[8bitbytes]

I would be remiss if I didn't point out that just because a show is framed 16:9 that doesn't mean it was shot in HD. It likely was but it isn't an absolute certainty.

True, but those can be scaled easier without the need for STRETCH-O-VISION!

 

[db2]

I also think that MHD will improve especially since the channel will be available on DIsh Network and DirecTV. Thats almost 30 million viewers possible for them.

Agreed. A&E HD has gone from almost nothing in HD to an HD show here and there since it's launch on E*. They still have a long way to go but the HD is increasing.

 

[james_k_p]

I haven't watched much on A&E since I was disappointed. My fav show on there is Dog, and I figure since that's more "reality", it will fall under the same views as the survivior and amazing race crew and say it's not feasible to shoot a reality show like that in HD....or yet as it seems.

Any reports of a date for a FX HD channel to be launched? I forget, is it part of that group for next year with sci fi and usa in spring '08?

 

[Cyclone]

I get the feeling that a lot of these new Discovery family of channels will be like Nat Geo and kin where there is a lot of SD mixed in.

 

[lakebum431]

I'm also really excited about History HD. This channel has so much promise! Between this and the future addition of all of the HD HBO channels I can't wait.

 

[VinceT3]

deadliest catch had a behind the scenes and talked about how many HD cameras they destroy each season.. needless to say.. its A LOOOOOT..

 

[AdamGott]

Cool. Although I don't watch those shows, maybe I will once I see them in HD .

I just don't want to get all psyched up, and then once they're turned on...there is nothing to be happy about.

You mean like TNT? Nothing could be worse than that one... if I could blacklist it from my ALL HD listing I would!

 

[mdonnelly]

I haven't watched much on A&E since I was disappointed. My fav show on there is Dog, and I figure since that's more "reality", it will fall under the same views as the survivior and amazing race crew and say it's not feasible to shoot a reality show like that in HD....or yet as it seems.
...

And yet Fox shows "Cops" in HD every week.

 

[kstuart]

and say it's not feasible to shoot a reality show like that in HD....or yet as it seems.

That's all BS by the networks.

"Rick Steve's Europe" is filmed in the highest quality HD by a grand total of 3 guys:
- Cameraman with HD camera on shoulder
- Director/Producer who also carries the tripod
- On-Camera-Host/narrator Rick Steves

Those 3 guys travel all over Europe by themselves and produce a great HD show (on PBS-HD and HD-Net), so any program can be in HD.

 

[BigTimMN]

and how many camera's does a show like Amazing Race use? alot more than 1 or 2, of course small crewed shows can do it.. larger shows take more cameras and expense...

with that said, Reality is moving to HD (Hell's Kitchen for 1), and I really really hope they go HD for Survivor: China

 

[smokey982]

Some of the A&E HD programs seem a little odd to me. For instance, I have the DVR to record all new episodes of Gene Simmons Family Jewels and Driving Force. One week the shows will be in HD, and the next weeks episode will have black bars on the sides , top, and bottom. I'm sure all of the episodes this season were filmed with the same cameras, but they are not all shown in HD.

 

[tsc]

Some of the A&E HD programs seem a little odd to me. For instance, I have the DVR to record all new episodes of Gene Simmons Family Jewels and Driving Force. One week the shows will be in HD, and the next weeks episode will have black bars on the sides , top, and bottom. I'm sure all of the episodes this season were filmed with the same cameras, but they are not all shown in HD.

I've noticed the same thing, especially on Driving Force. It would be so frustrating to see one episode in HD (an episode from last season no less), and a couple this season in HD, but not all. So you end up with the centered image with bars on all 4 sides.

I'm not sure if someone is forgetting to 'flip the switch' or what, but they need to be more consistent.

 

[tsc]

And yet Fox shows "Cops" in HD every week.

Reality is moving to HD (Hell's Kitchen for 1)

I believe 'Cops', 'Hell's Kitchen' and 'So You Think You Can Dance' are all SD Widescreen. Very nice SD widescreen, but *not* HD. Maybe this has changed, but I know this was the case last I looked (I don't really watch any of these shows regularly, wife watches Hell's Kitchen though).

Remember the days of 'Fox Widescreen - High Resolution Digital TV' (480p) before they started broadcasting in 720p? You're seeing the same thing on these shows AFAIK.

 

[BigTimMN]

I didnt pay that close of attention but it sure seems more clarity than widescreen SD. I will check closer next week...