Results: ESPN switch to MPEG4

[FlyingJ]

Most of us D* guys (not me) thought that the conversion of ESPN over to MPEG4 was going to be the difference in their lackluster version of HD. Watched the Phils/Cards game on Sunday night and the results are in:
IMHO... Though better than it was, ESPN HD still kind of sucks! It must have something to do with their cameras or, I don't know, you guys know this stuff.
Here is the interesting part. During the game they showed some slcips from the game the previous night. I had also watched that one with the Cards feed and the picure was very nice. The clip was much better PQ wise than the live broadcast. Same place, next night and the RSN PQ was way better than ESPN EVEN ON ESPN How does that happen? Anyway, as I thought, ESPN needs to do some serious upgrade on their HD equipment, shame on them!!

 

[goaliebob99]

I agree. It would be nice though if ESPN could just go to 1080P.

 

[tigerfan33]

When I switched back and forth with Sundays night game, I saw a considerably less amount of noise on MPEG4. Next time look at the grass on MPEG2 and it will be very noisey.
I do agree that the feed on both Direct and Dish ESPN HD is average at best. I understand that cable companys do not have this problem with ESPN.

 

[FlyingJ]

Hey Tiger, I don't see how that could be the case. When they show the clips from the night before from the RSN the PQ looks great. That leads me to conclude that it must have something to do with the cameras behind the pitchers. If that is the case, even the cable feed would have to show this.

 

[hancox]

Tend to agree with the OP - ESPN is a notch below, but the MPEG2 to MPEG4 switch is a BIG help.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Remember ESPN is still 720p... Many of the feeds being sent to ESPN are in 1080i and ESPN is down converting them to 720p. This downcoversion is causing a loss in PQ.

You can see a difference when you see a broadcast which is native 720p such as the Sports Center studio shots.

This is what I believe is causing the problem.

 

[Rey]

ESPN is better than before no doubt. what i've seen in other channels besides espn is that at times they don't use the same cameras for every game. this does make a difference. on cbs on the same day i've seen a double header of the NFL and i've seen one game look stunning and the next look poor both being in HD. it's a camera issue.

 

[mlb]

Last night during the Cubs/Astros rain delay they were showing games around the league originating on RSNs... they all looked great (as well as the studio). I'm hoping come football season that the games pop...

As everyone has said, however, it is a camera or on-site feed issue, as it isn't everything that comes from ESPN.

On a side note, cable suffers just the same as satellite. Not sure who told you it doesn't.

 

[atp1313]

ESPN is better than before no doubt. what i've seen in other channels besides espn is that at times they don't use the same cameras for every game. this does make a difference. on cbs on the same day i've seen a double header of the NFL and i've seen one game look stunning and the next look poor both being in HD. it's a camera issue.

Or... the cameras might be the same, and the difference is the director in the truck fiddling with or setting the controls differently than the director on-site at the other event. I don't know enough to make an absolute claim either way, but as long as there is a human being involved at any step of the process, there is abundant opportunity for screw-ups, no matter how minor.

 

[gadgtfreek]

When I switched back and forth with Sundays night game, I saw a considerably less amount of noise on MPEG4. Next time look at the grass on MPEG2 and it will be very noisey.
I do agree that the feed on both Direct and Dish ESPN HD is average at best. I understand that cable companys do not have this problem with ESPN.

Yepp, football grass noise has been an issue on ESPN for awhile. I too have noticed that the ESPN Mpeg4 feed is improved, but not perfect.

While in Charleston Sc, when I had Comcast for a bit, I talked to a local Comcast rep on AVS. I never could understand why say the 3:30 game would look awesome, and the 730 game would look like crap, or vice versa. He explained that it was really on ESPN's end, and depended on what type of camera they used for that particular game. I can assure you, the ESPN feed now on D* looks fine, and Comcast was no better.

I think when Coll Fball starts up, we'll see less noise on the field, but all games wont be as good as the other, which is ESPN's fault. Even Scott stated last year that ESPN has their own issues.

I wish everyone would mimick the sports coverage of CBSHD. One thing we can be happy of, is that ESPN doesnt look as bad as NBCHD, even OTA. NBC should be embarrased when it comes to sports.

 

[tigerfan33]

I agree. I wish EVERY sporting event looked as good as CBS hd. I have written ESPN on this matter several times (no response) I asked a poster at AVS who had connections at ESPN to see if they can do something with their feed.

While on the subject of pq. I really think that within a few years (I hope) tv providers will be looking to get more subs with the "best pq out there" like they are doing today with the number of hd channels today. Everyone will have plenty of hd but it will be time to start to work on the pq to get subs.

 

[HD#1]

Is it better to leave 720p on ESPNHD or watch on 1080i?

 

[gadgtfreek]

I always leave the HR20 on Native. Would rather my panasonic do the work.

 

[Rey]

I agree. I wish EVERY sporting event looked as good as CBS hd. I have written ESPN on this matter several times (no response) I asked a poster at AVS who had connections at ESPN to see if they can do something with their feed.

Yeah the sports in HD on cbs to me are the best. i love watching the football games on cbs. i don't see that noise with the greenery like i do on espn and nbc with sunday night football. nbc with sports to me is the worse. i believe they transmit in 720p.

 

[gadgtfreek]

NBC is 1080i, CBS is 1080i. That shows you how bad NBC is.

 

[Rey]

NBC is 1080i, CBS is 1080i. That shows you how bad NBC is.

yes to me nbc right now has the worst pic for hd sports. another great sports channel in hd is YESHD. great pic!

 

[gadgtfreek]

NFLHD and BTN are darn good too.

 

[lovswr]

Tend to agree with the OP - ESPN is a notch below, but the MPEG2 to MPEG4 switch is a BIG help.

Me three.

I saw some highlights of the Pocono Nascar race on ESPN. Looked pretty good, but not great. Then I actually caught a few minutes of the race as it was being rerun on HDNet. Freaken' Amazing!

 

[gadgtfreek]

Thats when you know ESPN has issues too. I prefer it when the races are on Fox and ABC so I can watch them OTA.

 

[Dlycious]

Fill me in if you will please? Is 206 the MPEG4 or MPEG2?

I'm sure, based on what I'm reading that I should be able to figure it out when I get home, just thought I'd ask.

Thanks in advance!