Just for the record WATM in central PA is not broadcasting WoF or J in HD. I don't believe they have the equipment for passing syndicated programming yet.

I saw Alex Trebek in HD on Conan. Other than that, no HD yet here. WMAR was supposedly going to show them in HD at some point.

I've updated my list of stations that are showing Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune in HD, in post #205 in this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8430546#post8430546), based on a search through the Local HDTV Info and Reception forum. Additions and corrections are welcome!

I've updated my list of stations that are showing Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune in HD!

Thanks jt.. Now if we just had some viewers.. so far, the response here has been
ho-hum over these shows in HD.. :(

I've been emailing a guy at WBZ in Boston and apparently they're still waiting for the servers necessary to store the (HD) show for later broadcast. He thinks that HD versions in Boston might be delayed until December.

Thanks jt.. Now if we just had some viewers.. so far, the response here has been
ho-hum over these shows in HD.. :(But HD adds more contrast to the shows. It makes the Jeopardy contestants look brighter, and the Wheel contestants look dimmer. ;)

More HD syndication is a matter of when than if, so stations that have made the upgrades for these two shows are ready. No HD for Pathfire this year, but then again next year is only two months away.

No HD for Pathfire this year, but then again next year is only two months away.

Ahh Yes.. Good ol CrapFire.. I'm sure they'll be right on schedule with the upgrade to HD! :rolleyes:

Hi bdfox18doe, you said your were using Sony machines at WOLO. Is that HDCAM or HDCAM SR? Will that be the standard at all Bahakel stations (eventually)? Either way, I'm glad to see that it's not DVCPRO HD! Although D5 would be good also.

I think he mentioned (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8435265&&#post8435265) HD XDCAM earlier.

I think he mentioned HD XDCAM earlier.

I didn't even mention XDCAM HD earlier because it is targeted towards acquisition, as is DVCPRO HD. DVCPRO HD however, would be beneficial for broadcast since it would allow those stations to playback their DV25/50 content with upconversion. I won't even get into the differences in resolutions, compression types, and sampling. :-)

Everyone I've talked with masters shows to either D5, HDCAM, or HDCAM SR, (and sometimes DVCPRO HD) for the networks (broadcast & cable) as they require. For example: CBS--only HDCAM SR, Fox--HDCAM SR, National Geographic--D5 & HDCAM SR (who incidentally doesn't want any source footage shot with HDV cameras).

The HDWS2000 HDCAM (not SR) deck is cheaper than the HD1700 DVCPRO HD deck by like $15,000 or so. I could see HDCAM being a good format (especially when you can upconvert your Betacam stuff) for local stations. As far as news acqusition and general production, that's anybody's guess. I'd go with XDCAM HD or DVCPRO HD.

Bottom line, I'm against the stations using XDCAM HD because it would mean that any local HD programming would have to be in that format and the producers may not have XDCAM HD--let alone if you miss a feed of Wheel and need to have it shipped on tape, that tape is probably HDCAM.

Oh yeah, I do realize that locals don't have the capital that the networks have, but that didn't keep Betacam out. The prices on the better machines should continue to fall and hopefully everyone will stop cutting corners with quality, like D* compressing the fool out of their channels. That's why I'll never get one.

Wow, that's a lot...sorry for the rambling!

tim

He said earlier (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8491175&&#post8491175) that refeeds can be ordered for a fee.

$500 is wild! Well, not really I guess. That looks like it could be 30-45 minutes of sat time plus 'administrative' fees, or what have you.

XDCam is really only an acquisition format for ENG and low-end factual isn't it - kind of the equivalent of DVC Pro or DV Cam in the SD world, rather than the DigiBeta or SD D5 high end formats (though SD D5 is pretty rare these days)?

You wouldn't want to distribute or time shift shows on XD Cam HD - it runs at best at 35Mbs 4:2:0 MPEG2 in HD mode - which is only a bit higher than the 25Mbs of 4:2:0 HDV2 isn't it? Much better to run at the 440Mbs of HDCam SR in 4:2:2, or use servers with a minimum of 50-80Mbs MPEG2 4:2:2 ?

That said - at least it isn't as hugely subsampled as DVC Pro HD - which runs 960x720 in 720p and 1280x1080 in 1080i...

You wouldn't want to distribute or time shift shows on XD Cam HD - it runs at best at 35Mbs 4:2:0 MPEG2 in HD mode - which is only a bit higher than the 25Mbs of 4:2:0 HDV2 isn't it? Much better to run at the 440Mbs of HDCam SR in 4:2:2, or use servers with a minimum of 50-80Mbs MPEG2 4:2:2 ?Better but alot more expensive. 35Mb/s should be more than enough for delay on an ATSC channel. That's higher than NBC's network distribution. The difference between 25Mb/s and 35Mb/s is quit significant, and HDV encoders aren't too sophisticated yet. HDCAM SR and D5 are much better formats, but way overkill for this application.

Better but alot more expensive. 35Mb/s should be more than enough for delay on an ATSC channel. That's higher than NBC's network distribution. The difference between 25Mb/s and 35Mb/s is quit significant, and HDV encoders aren't too sophisticated yet. HDCAM SR and D5 are much better formats, but way overkill for this application.

Not sure I see the difference between delivering a show for network distribution and delivering it for syndication when it comes to picture quality. If the replay VTR is converting to HD-SDI for further recompression then the issues are the same aren't they.

AIUI the argument that networks are distributed at relatively low data rates are often the suggested cause for less than ideal picture quality by the time it reaches the domestic display - if you argue that "because the network is distributed at a low data rate, then VT shows can run at the same rate" then surely this is "lowest common denominator" as a quality argument?

If anything - the converse argument holds good. If you want to broadcast at lower and lower data rates, your programme sources need to be higher quality than before (i.e. sourced at a higher data rate) - as higher data rate sources have fewer compression artefacts and thus compress to low data rates with better picture quality. (One of the reasons that broadcasters in the UK are looking to distribute their SD programme contributions at 270Mbs where possible - where previously they would have used MPEG2 or ETSI compressed circuits)

35Mb/s should be more than enough for delay on an ATSC channel. That's higher than NBC's network distribution.

TVOD, I assume you are referring to the maximum ATSC transmission bandwidth of 19Mb/s. That would be like saying SVHS is "more than enough" for analog transmission since it is 400 lines of resolution, compared with OTA NTSC at 330 lines of resolution. But that would not look as good would it?

When we broadcast editors work with, for example, DV source footage for a show, we don't digitize it as DV25 4:1:1; we transcode it to a higher quality like DV50 4:2:2, or 8/10-bit uncompressed, because when you have more information to work with, the video can handle processing (effects, rendering, etc) much better. Then we never master back to DV25 unless it is specifically requested. Sneals' argument is correct. The higher the quality that you start out with, the better the end result will be, even if its compressed to QVGA resolution. Moreover, the requirements and procedures for baseband and broadband are very different because they are for different applications.

As I said earlier, XDCAM HD and DVCPRO HD are targeted for acquisition. Many cable broadcasters require HDCAM, with others taking D5, and a growing number requesting HDCAM SR.

When we broadcast editors work with, for example, DV source footage for a show, we don't digitize it as DV25 4:1:1; we transcode it to a higher quality like DV50 4:2:2, or 8/10-bit uncompressed, because when you have more information to work with, the video can handle processing (effects, rendering, etc) much better. .

Can't turn poo into ice cream no matter how you hard you try... :)

When we broadcast editors work with, for example, DV source footage for a show, we don't digitize it as DV25 4:1:1; we transcode it to a higher quality like DV50 4:2:2, or 8/10-bit uncompressed, because when you have more information to work with, the video can handle processing (effects, rendering, etc) much better. Then we never master back to DV25 unless it is specifically requested.The reason to go to a better format is to avoid multi-generation losses. DV25 is a compromised format in terms of it's quantizing matrix because the values are limited to powers of 2. The upper frequency quotients are large values and that is why I think the format is more prone to mosquito noise. I've noticed first generation tapes looked soft on a DSR-2000 with 601 in/out.
Sneals' argument is correct. The higher the quality that you start out with, the better the end result will be, even if its compressed to QVGA resolution. Moreover, the requirements and procedures for baseband and broadband are very different because they are for different applications.

As I said earlier, XDCAM HD and DVCPRO HD are targeted for acquisition. Many cable broadcasters require HDCAM, with others taking D5, and a growing number requesting HDCAM SR.Very high quality HD can be obtained from 35Mb/s MPEG2. I base that on using professional encoders that probably cost more than the XDCAM HD machine. However, as the satellite distribution for these two shows are high quality, what we're really talking about is first generation XDCAM HD. This should be sufficient for compression to a 19M/s video stream. Once the quality is above a certain level, the ATSC encoder will be the limiting factor. I really doubt one could tell the difference OTA between a D5 recoding from the satellite and a XDCAM HD.

Re-encoding a low bitrate stream is another matter, but that's not what we're talking about here. On 40 Mb/s MPEG 2 I've only seen artifacts under the most demanding conditions - a combination of low luminance and high saturation and strobe lights and fast motion - and even then they were hard to see.

Master delivery is another issue. D5 and HDCAM SR are the two formats required by the major networks. NBC requires Dolby E tracks too.

I'm no where near bdfox18doe's station so i can't speak for how it actually looks, but I suspect it looks quite good.

Can't turn poo into ice cream no matter how you hard you try... :)But XDCAM HD is a bit better than DV poo.

Not sure I see the difference between delivering a show for network distribution and delivering it for syndication when it comes to picture quality. If the replay VTR is converting to HD-SDI for further recompression then the issues are the same aren't they.What I'm saying is that XDCAM HD probably looks as good or maybe better than NBC's network distribution because I think it uses a higher data rate. It's not much below what ABC and CBS use for network distribution. The difference between 25Mb/s and 35Mb/s is alot. I think as you get around 40-50Mb/s there's not much improvement after that, at least for distribution.

AIUI the argument that networks are distributed at relatively low data rates are often the suggested cause for less than ideal picture quality by the time it reaches the domestic display - if you argue that "because the network is distributed at a low data rate, then VT shows can run at the same rate" then surely this is "lowest common denominator" as a quality argument?No because re-encoding a low bitrate stream to another low bitrate stream will cause degrade the image. ABC and CBS distribute their networks around 40-45 Mb/s while I think NBC is around the mid 20s. Last I heard they send both the east and pacific HD nets (plus I think WeatherPlus) on the same transponder. NBC stations decode the HD to baseband and then re-encode. Fox's rates are lower but don't require re-encoding. NBC O&Os also broadacst with subchannels so they also bitstarve the HD ATSC.

Can't turn poo into ice cream no matter how you hard you try... :)
That's definitely true. We just try to keep the poo from stinking up the place! :D

btw- Ask Mark S. if that's what roses smell like (poo). He'd think it funny.

I'm no where near bdfox18doe's station so i can't speak for how it actually looks, but I suspect it looks quite good.

They look VERY good, much better than we expected.They have a nice friendly operator interface as well. IF Sony can fix the issues with the decks, specifically a lack of closed captions, they'll have a winner on their hands. (even tho they do 1440x1080i only). The center-cut downconversion is perfectly done. You do have to add a DNF controller to get GPI control tho..

We also have to transcode to 720p as well. So far haven't had any viewer complaints on PQ.. For first generation, no repeat value news, XDCamHD is ideal,
especially at 35mb/s. And, the latest release of Final Cut-Pro will take via firewire the 35 mb/s files generated by XDCamHD.

For the cost of these decks, I think you will see them used a LOT as a drop in VTR replacement that is affordable,allows simultaneous HD & SD4x3 playout, and the discs are only $27 each..IF they can fix the CC issue.. Here, I have +70 VTR's that will have to be replaced, either with VTR's or servers.. Since we originate both FOX and ABC affilate's (with News) out of here, it's not a simple project. Then there are the other 4 stations we have...

They look VERY good, much better than we expected.They have a nice friendly operator interface as well. IF Sony can fix the issues with the decks, specifically a lack of closed captions, they'll have a winner on their hands. (even tho they do 1440x1080i only). The center-cut downconversion is perfectly done. You do have to add a DNF controller to get GPI control tho..

We also have to transcode to 720p as well. So far haven't had any viewer complaints on PQ.. For first generation, no repeat value news, XDCamHD is ideal,
especially at 35mb/s. And, the latest release of Final Cut-Pro will take via firewire the 35 mb/s files generated by XDCamHD.

For the cost of these decks, I think you will see them used a LOT as a drop in VTR replacement that is affordable,allows simultaneous HD & SD4x3 playout, and the discs are only $27 each..IF they can fix the CC issue.. Here, I have +70 VTR's that will have to be replaced, either with VTR's or servers.. Since we originate both FOX and ABC affilate's (with News) out of here, it's not a simple project. Then there are the other 4 stations we have...

Good to hear you are having good experience with them.

A lot of us over here were a bit disappointed that the BBC decided not to include Sony in their "Starwinder tapeless" trials. They have mainly been using P2 from Panasonic (which Sport used at the Turin Winter Olympics) and Thomson's Infinity devices - both mainly in SD.

The low media cost of the XDCam SD and HD ranges seem to be a major benefit - and Sony's user interfaces are pretty good (if you can drive a BVW 75 you can quickly get used to most of their other VTRs and VDRs...)

Starting tonight, Jeopardy's "Celebrity Tournament" is running for two weeks. It's set in Radio City Music Hall. If your station has it in HD, check it out even if you don't normally watch it. The set and the interior shots of the hall are fantastic. I'm going to keep one of these on my DVR for demonstration material.

Starting tonight, Jeopardy's "Celebrity Tournament" is running for two weeks. It's set in Radio City Music Hall. If your station has it in HD, check it out even if you don't normally watch it. The set and the interior shots of the hall are fantastic. I'm going to keep one of these on my DVR for demonstration material.

Could someone please post some caps from the tournament? We're waiting around for a while until KATC gets the delay equipment.

Thanks!
Ben

Now in HD on WMAR in Baltimore. :cool:

Tampa as well!!

Do you have Gannet for the O&O?

No, WMAR is owned by scripps or hearst. The Gannett station in DC doesn't carry WOF or Jeopardy.

Was wondering if anyone here knows when KGO in SF will broadcast
these in HD. I was visiting someone with Direct TV in Sacramento over the weekend and was very impressed with the pic. Which brings another question that should probably be in another forum but here goes. I have Comcast for my HD and am happy with it. When I was watching their HD that they get with Direct TV I was suprised how good the picture was.(We both have similar Panny Plasmas). I never had Direct TV but have read many posts about HD Lite. SO is the HD Lite thing a thing of the past?

I was visiting someone with Direct TV in Sacramento over the weekend and was very impressed with the pic. [...] When I was watching their HD that they get with Direct TV I was suprised how good the picture was.. I never had Direct TV but have read many posts about HD Lite. SO is the HD Lite thing a thing of the past?

"HD Lite" lives on, but if you were watching Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune via KXTV on DirecTV, that is different beast, because the local HD channels are take off-the-air (in most cases) and recompressed from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4. While this can affect the picture quality, it does not (in my experience) result in picture degradation as severe as "HD Lite."

However, some might say you WERE watching an "HD Lite" picture, as those shows originate in 1080i (1920x1080), but since KXTV is a 720p station, they have to cross-convert it to 1280x720. As you've seen though, that doesn't necessarily mean the picture will be bad. This actually looks pretty darned good to me.

Not yet in HD here in Kirksville, MO (very small market), but I did notice last night that Wheel was letterbox (no pun intended). I thought that was interesting. It was one of those broadcasts that floats in the middle of the screen since the digital SD signal has black pillars and the show was letterbox. I'll probably need to ask the station, but does this mean that they were probably recording the HD feed? Does this indicate any progress or did Wheel just start letterboxing the SD feed?

"However, some might say you WERE watching an "HD Lite" picture, as those shows originate in 1080i (1920x1080), but since KXTV is a 720p station, they have to cross-convert it to 1280x720. As you've seen though, that doesn't necessarily mean the picture will be bad. This actually looks pretty darned good to me.

yea..In our case, record & play via XDCamHD @ 1440x1080i.. then transcoded to 1280x720p.. and still looks quite good. :)

I really thought that survivor would be the first reality show to go HD, since there was a new season which started recently, but sadly thats not the case. I would like to see Deal, No Deal in HD, but hopefully in a year we will see a ton more HD station launch and have a lot of shows in HD.

Wow, seems like a waste to do Game Shows first in HD. I was really hoping for Survivor and Amazing Race though, I wonder if it's just too expensive with all the traveling equipment.

I really thought that survivor would be the first reality show to go HD, since there was a new season which started recently, but sadly thats not the case. I would like to see Deal, No Deal in HD, but hopefully in a year we will see a ton more HD station launch and have a lot of shows in HD.

Sorry to reply to an old post, but you do realize that there has been reality in HD for quite a while now, right? (Just not on CBS)

I believe FOX's first reality HD was "The Rebel Billionaire" (the Richard Branson reality show) back in 02 or 03, and then of course, they've done American Idol in HD for several years now.

And HD on Dancing With The Stars - good for appreciating those skimpy outfits:D No word on the Grease reality show on NBC next month, although it is being produced by the BBC who also did DWTS. I read it's being done in a HD capable studio, but I guess by now that's not uncommon.

Wow, seems like a waste to do Game Shows first in HD. I was really hoping for Survivor and Amazing Race though, I wonder if it's just too expensive with all the traveling equipment.

The economics for producing a studio-based multi-camera near as-live game show in HD and a location-based based multiple single-camera based heavily post-produced reality show in HD are very different.

I suspect that most studios that are upgrading from 4:3 SD or 4:3/16:9 switchable SD (composite analogue or component digital) to new gear are upgrading to 16:9 HD (HD component digital) - and for an as-live production for game shows the increase in costs for production are not as huge as they once were, especially if the show is as-live mainly and doesn't require much editing.

Upgrading the production infrastructure for a location based reality show will be much more difficult - and more expensive still - though the costs are coming down.

The reason game shows have gone HD first is that the economic tipping point for studios going to HD was reached before the tipping point for location single-camera shows.

And HD on Dancing With The Stars - good for appreciating those skimpy outfits:D No word on the Grease reality show on NBC next month, although it is being produced by the BBC who also did DWTS. I read it's being done in a HD capable studio, but I guess by now that's not uncommon.

Be interesting to see the NBC-commissioned "You're The One That We Want" BBC-produced show (selecting a male and female lead for Grease) and how it compares to the BBC original "How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?" (selecting a female lead for The Sound of Music)

In the UK Maria came from the same studio as Strictly Come Dancing - but Maria was produced prior to the studio being HD-capable for live transmissions.

The production values of the shows were similar and they ran in the same time slot (Saturday early evening for the main show and later in the evening for the results show) and the use of HD really benefits Strictly - even for SD viewers the picture quality is better. (Though costumes are probably more important for Strictly than they were for Maria)

It will be interesting to see if it is in HD. If a similar show were to be produced by the BBC in the UK now, there would be a fair chance it would be produced in HD - and as the show has been commissioned relatively recently, it may have been pitched with an HD budget, rather than pitched and commissioned with an SD budget.

The reason game shows have gone HD first is that the economic tipping point for studios going to HD was reached before the tipping point for location single-camera shows.The other reason these particular shows went HD is that they are owned by Sony, shot at Sony Pictures with Sony equipment and creates more HD programming to sell Sony HD sets. It's reminiscent of the early days of color in the US with RCA and NBC.

BTW, I finally viewed an episode of the X-Factor. The set is impressive, especially the marques. It was the show from one week ago, and I was surprised at all the pyrotechnics in the studio. The Brit camera work is much more aggressive and manic than what is typical in the states, even compared to UK productions in the US. On a larger display it can create a bit of vertigo. I noted that was also true on SCD, and I read on a forum how some SCD fans were unhappy about that and encouraged viewers to write the BBC to calm the camera moves a bit. From the credits I saw that the X-factor is done at Fountain Studios, and from their website that they are using Sony cameras. Seems Sony cameras are more popular there than I suspected. I wonder what their plans are for HD.

The other reason these particular shows went HD is that they are owned by Sony, shot at Sony Pictures with Sony equipment and creates more HD programming to sell Sony HD sets.

You beat me to it....though I don't know that the Sony HD set sell through is the reason - I believe its pushing the Sony HD Pro Line to the Broadcasters which was more likely the reason.

The other reason these particular shows went HD is that they are owned by Sony, shot at Sony Pictures with Sony equipment and creates more HD programming to sell Sony HD sets. It's reminiscent of the early days of color in the US with RCA and NBC.


Yep - similar to the situation over here. Sky have equipped with HDC-1500 and HD Cam SR Sony gear at their centre, and have a co-marketing deal with Sony for their domestic gear. (So Sony and Sky advertise as partners for receivers and displays)


BTW, I finally viewed an episode of the X-Factor. The set is impressive, especially the marques. It was the show from one week ago, and I was surprised at all the pyrotechnics in the studio.


Yep - the X Factor is quite an impressive set. Lots of LED screens and some quite flashy effects lighting. Pyros normally appear towards the end of the run - but are pretty popular on LE shows over here in general - though they are used even more in Sweden I think. (LE shows are HUGE there - especially their Melodifestivalen series - which make The X Factor look tiny...)

The problem with The X Factor, for me, is that the lighting/racking on people is VERY flat and dull. People close-ups look quite lifeless - it is all about the wide shot. In comparison, the "look" of Strictly Come Dancing is much glossier and sparklier, with much nicer looking flesh tones and faces.

Also - as a satellite viewer I really notice that ITV1 use SD-lite (544x576) rather than SD (720x576) that the BBC use - especially noticable in 16:9 - which makes it all look a bit softer.


The Brit camera work is much more aggressive and manic than what is typical in the states, even compared to UK productions in the US. On a larger display it can create a bit of vertigo. I noted that was also true on SCD, and I read on a forum how some SCD fans were unhappy about that and encouraged viewers to write the BBC to calm the camera moves a bit.


Yep - the current series of Strictly Come Dancing now has a new director who has slowed things down a bit. The original director for Strictly, Alex Rudzinsky, did the ABC Dancing With The Stars instead, and couldn't do both as they overlap I believe. (Though Len and Bruno did both shows - they must have loads of airmiles!)

I think that UK (and Scandinavian as well) LE coverage is a bit more fast-cut and whizzy-camera than US stuff - I think we've kind of got used to it.

The last few years of the Swedish Melodifestivalen have an incredibly high cut-rate - and lots of moving cameras (3 jibs, a radio steadicam, 3 or 4 rail cams as well as the usual mid-stadium rostrum cameras and side of stage peds.) The result is amazing - with no static shots at all (either the cameras are moving or altering the shot size) When done well it can look amazing - when done badly it makes you feel ill... The Swedes do it very well.


From the credits I saw that the X-factor is done at Fountain Studios, and from their website that they are using Sony cameras. Seems Sony cameras are more popular there than I suspected. I wonder what their plans are for HD.

Fountain is an interesting studio operation. They have TWO studios with a large connecting door between them that can be electrically opened (the engine is an electric motor otherwise used to rotate battleship gun turrets) to allow the two studios to be used as a single space. When working together it is the largest single purpose built TV production space.

The BBC's TC1 (which is the normal home to Strictly Come Dancing, How Do You Solve a Problem, Strictly Dance Fever etc.) is usually described as Europe's largest "single purpose built TV studio" - because it is a permanent single space.

Because it is used so heavily it is usual for the Strictly set to go in on Thursday or Friday, TX on Saturday, and then be got out in time for a new show to go in for Monday. Standing sets aren't the norm at TV Centre. Not sure what happens at Fountain with The X Factor.

At the moment BBC TV Centre TC1 and The Hospital in Covent Garden are the only HD capable general production studios in the UK. Sky have some as well - but I don't think they are available on the open market.

Fountain is an interesting studio operation. They have TWO studios with a large connecting door between them that can be electrically opened (the engine is an electric motor otherwise used to rotate battleship gun turrets) to allow the two studios to be used as a single space. When working together it is the largest single purpose built TV production space.Thanks for that info. When I looked a little deeper I saw the specs for Studio A & B combined, which is 133' 2” x 91' 4”. Each studio is 91'2” x 60'6”. I wonder if the sound isolation is compromised having the two studios so close when they are used independently. From what I've heard Jeopardy and Wheel share opposite ends of the studio with the audience in between, but I don't think they partition the studio and do the shows simultaneously.

I'd continue this in an Idol thread, but it's a bit early so I hope I can be a bit off topic for a moment. I've only seen the one week of The X-Factor, but I was surprised as to the formality of the dress. Simon Cowell in a suit is quite a contrast to the T shirt he usually wears on American Idol. I also liked the presenter. I did notice the lighting seemed flat, but I was assuming it was partly due to the file I was watching. I have yet to see a good file of SCD, but I'll keep looking. The HD stills gave a good impression. I'll have to look for Melodifestivalen too.

Thanks for that info. When I looked a little deeper I saw the specs for Studio A & B combined, which is 133' 2” x 91' 4”. Each studio is 91'2” x 60'6”. I wonder if the sound isolation is compromised having the two studios so close when they are used independently. From what I've heard Jeopardy and Wheel share opposite ends of the studio with the audience in between, but I don't think they partition the studio and do the shows simultaneously.



From what I've heard the door is VERY well engineered and provides excellent sound isolation. It is a very well regarded facility.

If you are interested in UK TV Studio History (i.e. what we'd call a "studio anorak" in the UK - and don't worry - I'm one) then Martin Kempton, a well regarded LD in the UK has created a fantastic site.

It is at http://www.tvstudiohistory.co.uk/ and his site is at http://www.martinkempton.com

Both well worth a look - though you can spend hours reading through the history site. It is one of the best and most comprehensive sites covering the production studios at TV Centre.

Also interesting to see the mix of converted film studios and theatres early in the history of TV, then a purpose built era, and now shows moving back to sound stages at Pinewood and Shepperton. (Either with production facilities installed or OB trucks parked nearby. A truck I helped take a training course in a few weeks ago had just finished taping a sitcom as an OB at a film stage - at Pinewood I think though it might have been Shepperton)



I'd continue this in an Idol thread, but it's a bit early so I hope I can be a bit off topic for a moment. I've only seen the one week of The X-Factor, but I was surprised as to the formality of the dress. Simon Cowell in a suit is quite a contrast to the T shirt he usually wears on American Idol. I also liked the presenter. I did notice the lighting seemed flat, but I was assuming it was partly due to the file I was watching. I have yet to see a good file of SCD, but I'll keep looking. The HD stills gave a good impression. I'll have to look for Melodifestivalen too.

Interestingly - the Pop Stars / Pop Idol format originated at ITV in the UK - but they have now let the licence to this format lapse in the UK I believe - and now favour The X Factor (which is a Simon Cowell production...) The show is a bit more formal than Pop Stars/Pop Idol - Cowell was always in a t-shirt on Pop Idol.

Kate Thornton, who presents it, is OK I think - but Ant N Dec who presented Pop Idol/Pop Stars and now present I'm A Celebrity (which is VERY popular in the UK) are the masters of the format. They are a double act who have worked together since acting in a BBC kids drama series in the early 90s, then had a pop career (shortlived) together, and then presented a saturday morning kids show (a big gig in the UK at the time) before graduating to saturday evening LE with Pop Idol. They are incredibly popular - very bright, very witty but very warm and very accessible. They are ITV's kings of Saturday night, and have their own very popular show "Saturday Night Takeaway" - which is itself a bit of an homage to an earlier BBC Saturday night show "Noel's House Party". (Noel Edmonds now presents the Channel Four show "Deal or No Deal"!)

Kate is pretty and competent - though she has a habit of shouting IMHO - and I'm not quite sure she always quite hits the right note.

I think Strictly is a much "classier" show - with a live band and live singers, very good looking lighting and camera colour balancing, and a very good "family" feel with contestants who take the show seriously and commit to it wholeheartedly, but also have careers that they can continue with irrespective of the judges comments. Sometimes the stress and pressure, and raw emotions of people knocked out of The X Factor can be a bit uncomfortable and hard to watch.

Strictly, in contrast, is fluffy, camp and fun, and looks fantastic. The show is punchier, and sounds much better. (It is apparently being balanced in 5.1 in a separate sound gallery?) The costumes and sheer riot of colour in the studio can just be lovely to watch.

ITV are famous for their "square" audience sound - where it just goes so loud and so into the limiters it sounds very flat and doesn't have much of a dynamic.

That said The X Factor is very popular, and the set and camera direction can be fantastic.

Jeopardy is HD tonight here in Denver. They must have just started either tonight or in the last few nights because it wasn't HD on Monday. Pretty surprized to see this... KMGH, the station that airs Jeopardy & Wheel, isn't exactly thought of as an HD Leader in this market. Nonetheless, seeing is believing. No reason to think Wheel Of Fortune won't be HD as well.

Hmm... Check that. Wheel Of Fortune not in HD... :confused:
Pretty odd, Jeopardy was in perfect HD, but Wheel is in standard Fuzz-O-Vision. Oh well, KMGH is probably still working out the kinks of recording the HD feeds of these shows.

WBBH Fort Myers should be able to pass through both shows in HD by the Spring of 2007 according to the Naples Daily News.

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2006/nov/29/know_comcasts_hidef_lags_because_shortage_converte/

ha.. just came here to check why WoF wasn't in HD tonight on WTSP in Tampa... then an HD frame of Alex Trebek popped up for 20 seconds during a commercial break...

As of last night (01-22-07), KGO (ABC 7) is now showing these in HD!

As of last night (01-22-07), KGO (ABC 7) is now showing these in HD!Like all the ABC stations that air these two shows in HD, cross-conversion is required from the show's native 1080i to 720P. KABC here in LA has been doing that and the results are very good. How does it look and sound on KGO?

Still no HD WOF or Jeopardy here in Chattanooga. :(

Still no HD WOF or Jeopardy here in Chattanooga. :(

Same situation in Boston. :(

Add WCPO-DT (Cincinnati) to the list that carries Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy in HD!! Happened a couple of weeks ago. They had to get the link between the HD program log and SD program log working.

The volume on the HD version of Jeopardy! is much lower that the other programming on ABC and much lower than programming on the other networks. I have noticed this for at least the past week or so. Anyone else? WABC New York via Comcast Central Jersey.

The volume on the HD version of Jeopardy! is much lower that the other programming on ABC and much lower than programming on the other networks. I have noticed this for at least the past week or so. Anyone else? WABC New York via Comcast Central Jersey.

Jeopardy is not a network show, so the problem is local.

I was curious how many stations are now showing Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune in HD. I took jtbell’s list in message #205 and did a search for Jeopardy references in the remaining top 30 markets. For some markets, I posted a query in the local thread about the status of the local station showing Jeopardy and Wheel.

According to the list below, we now have the two syndicated programs in HD in 8 out of the top 10 DMAs, 16 out of the top 20, and 22 out of the top 30. There are surely more stations in the smaller DMAs that are showing Jeopardy and/or Wheel in HD, so if anyone knows of one, post it here in the next few days and I will try to update the list.

That so many stations are now able to show the two syndicated programs in HD is a good sign as they now have the equipment to show other syndicated programs in HD. May be a while before other syndicated programs start to show up in HD, but the groundwork is being laid.


Stations with Jeopardy & Wheel of Fortune in HD
DMA
Rank Station City
---- ------- ------------------
1 WABC New York NY
2 KABC Los Angeles CA
3 WLS Chicago IL
4 WPVI Philadelphia PA
5 KGO San Francisco, CA
6 KTVT Dallas, TX
9 WXIA Atlanta GA
10 KHOU Houston, TX
11 WDIV Detroit MI
12 WSTP Tampa, FL
13 KNXV Phoenix AZ
15 WCCO Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN Wheel of Fortune in HD
KARE Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN Jeopardy in HD
17 WEWS Cleveland OH
18 KMGH Denver, CO
19 WFTV Orlando FL
20 KXTV Sacramento CA
21 KSDK St. Louis MO
22 WPXI Pittsburg, PA
24 WMAR Baltimore, MD
25 WTHR Indianapolis IN
26 WCNC Charlotte NC
29 WTVD Raleigh NC

31 KSHB Kansas City MO
32 WBNS Columbus OH
34 WCPO Cincinnati, OH
47 WFMY Greensboro NC
62 KJRH Tulsa, OK
68 WDBJ Roanoke VA
83 WOLO Columbia SC
121 WMAZ Macon GA
-- CFTO Toronto ON


Top 30 Markets not yet in HD for Jeopardy and Wheel
7 WSBK Boston, MA Not yet, but working on it
8 WJLA Washington, DC No
14 KOMO Seattle, WA No
16 WPLG Miami, FL No, looking to go HD in 2007
23 KATU Portland, OR No
27 KNSD San Diego, CA No
28 WTNH Hartford, New Haven, CT No
30 WKRN Nashville, TN Wheel of Fortune in SD
WUXP Nashville, TN Jeopardy in SD

For KOMO in Seattle - a station that was among the first in the nation to do local news in HD when you could count them with the fingers on 1 hand - not to be broadcasting Wheel and Jeopardy in HD is very puzzling as you know they have the equipment :confused:

There are surely more stations in the smaller DMAs that are showing Jeopardy and/or Wheel in HD, so if anyone knows of one, post it here in the next few days and I will try to update the list.

KJRH, Market 62, Tulsa, OK shows both in HD.

That so many stations are now able to show the two syndicated programs in HD is a good sign as they now have the equipment to show other syndicated programs in HD. May be a while before other syndicated programs start to show up in HD, but the groundwork is being laid.]

Yes, now If we could just get more of said HD programming. The ACC this weekend is a good start. Of course, you have to wonder about Wheel & Jeopardy when you get no viewer complaints after having a few shows not air in HD due to feed or record issues.. :confused:

For KOMO in Seattle - a station that was among the first in the nation to do local news in HD when you could count them with the fingers on 1 hand - not to be broadcasting Wheel and Jeopardy in HD is very puzzling as you know they have the equipment :confused:
Well, now that we know that stations in 20 of the top 25 DMAs are broadcasting Jeopardy in HD, you could use that information to prod the management of the larger market stations that are not broadcasting the shows on HD. Ask them why they aren't in HD?

Well, now that we know that stations in 20 of the top 25 DMAs are broadcasting Jeopardy in HD, you could use that information to prod the management of the larger market stations that are not broadcasting the shows on HD. Ask them why they aren't in HD?

I don't live in Seattle - or Washington either - and could really care less if KOMO broadcasts Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune in HD as I don't watch game shows in the first place.

Regardless, NO HD enthusiast can be critical of KOMO as they were one of the first 5 stations in America to go HD in their newscasts - which was far more important than Wheel or Jeopardy.

I just find it very strange that they are not airing those in HD as clearly they are one of the stations in America that it should have been the easiest to accomplish that.

Considering the fact that they have done HD Newscasts for several years - versus an hour of game shows a night - I'd go for the HD Newscasts every time.

Perhaps they lack equipment to delay HD. From what I've seen and read of stations doing HD news, they can only do HD live in the studio. Anything delayed or remote is 16:9 component SD at best, and 4:3 composite SD at worst. I know that the station here is delaying Wheel/Jeopardy using HD tape, but delaying HD is hardly a new concept to MST stations.

Although the market area I reside in (Fresno, CA) isn't a major national player, the local ABC affiliate (KFSN 30) does have the ability to do HD broadcasts locally. They recently broadcast a locally-produced documentary in HD, although they do not do "live" HD (news).

Guessing they would need to do the "tape delay" thing to run JEOPARDY/WHEEL in HD?

Aren't Wheel and Jeopardy distributed via pathfire? I know there is a satellite feed for HD - at least for now, but could some stations be waiting on upgrades to Pathfire for HD instead of recording on tape?

Aren't Wheel and Jeopardy distributed via pathfire? I know there is a satellite feed for HD - at least for now, but could some stations be waiting on upgrades to Pathfire for HD instead of recording on tape?

SD is, Crapfire doesn't have the HD distribution ready yet.. there's also a storage
space issue with most of the servers out there..

SD is, Crapfire doesn't have the HD distribution ready yet.. there's also a storage
space issue with most of the servers out there..
That's what I was inferring. Some stations may simply be waiting on upgrades for pathfire, rather than mess around with band-aids for what is certainly going to be a temporary situation. The shows will be available on Pathfire in HD at some point and with storage prices getting lower and lower, that will become a non-issue, as well.

. Some stations may simply be waiting on upgrades for pathfire, .

I'm in no hurry.. have 3 of the servers and 2 workstations here..and It's always
something with them. We'd still have to dub to XDcamHD so I'm fine with the satellite feed.

Perhaps they lack equipment to delay HD. From what I've seen and read of stations doing HD news, they can only do HD live in the studio. Anything delayed or remote is 16:9 component SD at best, and 4:3 composite SD at worst. I know that the station here is delaying Wheel/Jeopardy using HD tape, but delaying HD is hardly a new concept to MST stations.

It would seem then that the Tucson stations would have the equipment to do the HD versions. They have not yet done so. I don't know how much value there is in seeing Pat Sajack, Alex Trebeck and Vanna White in HD but...more HD is better than less...

From what I have heard, you don't want to see Vanna White in HD.

From what I've seen, Vanna White in HD is just fine. She's not what she was 25 years ago, but she's one fine looking 50 year old.

Wheel of Fortune has to be one the best looking HD show out there. The colors are truly outstanding. My wife loves to watch it now just because how the show really pops. Very impressive.

WJLA has started showing Wheel and Jeopardy! in HD as of 7/5

WJLA was also one of the last stations (and the largest market) to air Jimmy Kimmel Live, it had something to do with lost local ad revenue. It got so bad even Kimmel was commenting on it.

Edit: Two affiliates in Atlanta and Charlotte just added Kimmel.

Boston is still SD for these two shows and WSBK was able to delay HD showings of Enterprise. :)

Ironically WSBK is a CBS O&O, and CBS is doing the HD syndication feeds. The titan tv listing shows them as being in HD on WSBK, so maybe there are plans in the works.

Does anyone know, or have any info on, when these programs will be aired in HD in Austin, TX?

Ironically WSBK is a CBS O&O, and CBS is doing the HD syndication feeds. The titan tv listing shows them as being in HD on WSBK, so maybe there are plans in the works.
When I updated the list, I searched the Boston OTA thread and found a post from the WSBK station engineer that they were ordering the equipment to provide the two shows in HD. You might want to check with him on the status of their upgrade plans.

As for the Austin, TX station or any local station that is showing Jeopardy in SD, contact the station and ask when they plan to provide the two shows in HD. A search for Jeopardy in the appropriate local thread may turn up information. I would ask anyone who has info on any station not on the list as to if they are planning to go HD or already have done so to post the city and station call letters here so I can update the list.

...

As for the Austin, TX station or any local station that is showing Jeopardy in SD, contact the station and ask when they plan to provide the two shows in HD. A search for Jeopardy in the appropriate local thread may turn up information.

...



Great ( and prob. obvious :) ) tip.....

Here's the one comment I turned up that was posted October '06. Pretty vague though. KXAN Austin, TX

I was told by KXAN that they would not be showing Wheel or Jeopardy in HD until sometime after the first of the year. They say the problem is that the shows are downloaded from the syndicator in the morning for replay later in the day and KXAN has no recorder capable of storing the HD signal for later replay. Such a recorder "was not in the budget" for this year.

Given that a DVR you can rent from Time-Warner can store 30 hours of perfect HD, you wouldn't think this would be such a big deal but apparently it is, at least to KXAN.

I'll try contacting the station to see if they are giving any more definitive info at this point.

The TW PVR records ATSC level HD @ ~19.3 Mb/s . The Wheel/Jeopardy feeds are ~45Mb/s.

Syndication Ready for HD Boost

Pathfire System Capable of HD Delivery

Warner Bros. and syndication distribution network Pathfire are gearing up to distribute more HD content than ever this fall.

The companies this week announced the creation of the first file-based HD syndication delivery service, capable of delivering HD content to more than 1,400 broadcast facilities.

"We now have the ability to send HD shows to any Pathfire station," said Joe Fabiano, Pathfire's chief technology officer. "We can encode a show, compress it, send it over satellite and have it play out successfully."

Pathfire is the primary distribution method for the majority of shows in syndication, including CBS Television Distribution's "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and "Jeopardy" and Warner Bros.' "Friends."

Thus far, only CBS's "Jeopardy" and "Wheel of Fortune" have been syndicated in the format. Due to technical limitations, the game shows have been distributed in a cumbersome linear format that requires a certain degree of manpower. The new Pathfire system will automate the process and allow syndication of HD material as easily as standard-definition material.

Limitations still exist, however, on either side of the delivery system. Studios have been sluggish converting syndicated shows to HD, while stations have been slow to upgrade their HD broadcasting capabilities. At last count, "Wheel" and "Jeopardy" were going out in HD to only about a third of households.

Mr. Fabiano said to expect "a lot" of new HD content when the Pathfire HD system launches this fall.

http://www.tvweek.com/page.cms?pageId=692

Oh yeah, bring it on! Count us here in Jacksonville as among the 2/3 who don't get any local HD on anything.

p.s. WOF and Jeopardy in HD by July.

__________________
Robert Forsyth
Director, Operations and Engineering
WJLA-TV
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=793124&page=81&pp=30

Wheel and Jeopardy! in HD as of 7/5 in Washington DC

Putting up a new post to revive the thread! Jeopardy and Wheel were in HD tonight on WJLA-DT ABC 7 in Washington, DC. That means 9 of the top 10 DMAs, 17 out of the 20, 21 out of the top 25 DMAs are now showing the two shows in HD. Looks like #7 Boston is the last holdout out of the top 13 DMAs.

Interesting to note that here for Columbia SC, when we have a feed or record issue and don't air the shows in HD, we don't get any viewer complaints.. :(

My wife and I watch Jeopardy often, and I almost always use WOLO because it's in HD. I remember seeing it come up in SD a couple of times, but I didn't worry too much about it because I know the mechanics of getting that thing on the air are more complicated than for network shows, and it's a daily show so it will probably be OK the next day anyway. If it were two days in a row I might drop a line to ask what's up.

If SCETV had messed up one of the "Great Performances at the Met" broadcasts, on the other hand... :eek:

Interesting to note that here for Columbia SC, when we have a feed or record issue and don't air the shows in HD, we don't get any viewer complaints.. :(I suspect the majority of complaints to stations regarding the lack of HD is for sports, and often from some AVS member. However if there is an outage, just let us know and I'm sure the forum members would be happy to flood the station with complaints. :D

My wife and I watch Jeopardy often, and I almost always use WOLO because it's in HD.:

I knew you did.. :) And was quite surprised not to hear from ya. But you're right,
the logistics to do this is a pain, our MCO's would just as soon not bother with it.!

I tuned in tonight and, lo and behold, WJLA has them in HD. I have caught them on WMAR occasionally and was not overly impressed with the PQ. It just seemed a tad soft is the best way I can describe it. So imagine my surprise when I did an A/B comparison tonight and saw the marked improvement in PQ on WJLA between the two stations. That is watching WJLA on FiOS and WMAR OTA. I wasn't able to do a direct comparison since WMAR runs Jeopardy first and Wheel second and they run in the opposite order on WJLA, but still the improvement was there all the same.I cut-and-pasted my quote of last night from the DC-Baltimore local thread FWIW. WJLA's operations and engineering director is a frequent contributor to our local forum so he will probably address this, but I was wondering if the PQ improvement could be a result of WJLA using the Pathfire distribution system. WMAR and WJLA are both ABC affiliates.

As far as I know, all stations are taking the linear HD satellite feeds for these two shows. Both of the shows are native 1080i, so cross-conversion is required by 720P stations. The HD satellite transmissions to the stations are at nearly 45Mbs which provides high quality.

Pathfire was sold (http://www.dgfastchannel.com/press_releases/press_06052007.htm) about a month ago.

Pathfire was sold about a month ago.

Hopefully for the better.. (We have 3 servers and 2 workstations) :rolleyes:

Does a TV Station Have to be able to show HD News, to show wheel and Jeopardy in HD? Cuz in Houston the CBS station shows both Wheel and Jeopardy in HD, and They Have HD News. If that's true than It's going to BE a Long Time Before KDBC in El Paso can Show these shows in HD.

A station does not require to have its local news in HD to air these two shows in HD, although it doesn't hurt. What is required is a HD satellite receiver and a method to record the feeds and play it back later. This can be a HD tape machine or a server. The HD satellite feed is not intended to be aired live. The feeds are in the morning/afternoon. Eventually these shows will probably be distributed the same way the SD version is, which is via Pathfire.

Our local CBS affiliate is the only one in our market doing local news in HD. Wheel & Jeopardy are on our local ABC affiliate in HD. So just adding another to the "no requirement" answer.

Does a TV Station Have to be able to show HD News, to show wheel and Jeopardy in HD? Cuz in Houston the CBS station shows both Wheel and Jeopardy in HD, and They Have HD News. If that's true than It's going to BE a Long Time Before KDBC in El Paso can Show these shows in HD.

Our local ABC channel, KGO, had Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune in HD long before our news got there. Happily it's all HD now.

Our ABC station Records The Satellite Feed And Airs it an Hour Latter, So Shouldn't KDBC do the Same Thing.

I've seen this rumor too many times. KOMO in Seattle does NOT broadcast their news in HD. It's extremely clear 16x9 SD. KING is the only Seattle station with news in HD. And no, Jeopardy and Wheel are still not in HD on KOMO yet.

Jeopardy is FINALLY in HD in the Boston market! I noticed it last night for the first time. It looked great.

Yes, I saw that a week or so ago. Wow, what a difference. I haven't checked out Wheel, though. Has that made the transition yet?

WLOS began airing both shows in HD on May 27th. Hallelujah!!!!

WABC-DT via Cablevision.

Just noticed that the Saturday syndicated shows of Jeopardy and WOF are now in HD. I'm pretty sure they weren't before today, at least on WABC.

Beginning in September north of the border, both of these shows are switching networks -- from CTV to CBC (Wheel) and from Rogers Stations to CBC (Jeopardy).

With CBC being an HD carrier, I'm not even a bit concerned if we're going to get these in HD. The Rogers stations have never shown Wheel in HD. CTV continues to show Jeopardy in HD.

The bigger debate up here is why a publicly-funded broadcaster is suddenly expressing interest in U.S.-produced game shows (but I think we should leave this to other forums)

WABC-DT via Cablevision.

Just noticed that the Saturday syndicated shows of Jeopardy and WOF are now in HD. I'm pretty sure they weren't before today, at least on WABC.

I have seen it in HD before...I think it just depends on what the air date of the episode was. I believe they sometimes air shows from they went HD.

WABC-DT via Cablevision.

Just noticed that the Saturday syndicated shows of Jeopardy and WOF are now in HD. I'm pretty sure they weren't before today, at least on WABC.


They've been in HD on WABC-DT from the first day they went HD, which was in September 2006. It has been almost 2 years and you just noticed.;)

However they sometimes repeat shows more than 2 years old which are not in HD.

They've been in HD on WABC-DT from the first day they went HD, which was in September 2006. It has been almost 2 years and you just noticed.;)

However they sometimes repeat shows more than 2 years old which are not in HD.

WOF is still SD here on the weekend, including episodes that were originally in HD.

It's still not in HD in the Lafayette, LA market :(

Still waiting for Jacksonville, FL to see the light for any locally generated HD programming or syndicated ones. Hopefully things will change by the time they have to turn off their analog channel in February.

WOF is still SD here on the weekend, including episodes that were originally in HD.
Ditto in DC. Perhaps someone from WJLA can explain why, please?

10/31 Halloween Jeopardy! not in HD.

WABC-DT via Cablevision.

WABC screwing up or something wrong with this episode?

EDIT: WoF in SD, also.

10/31 Halloween Jeopardy! not in HD..

HD here from WOLO-DT..

Must be a screwup at WABC because both Jeopardy and WoF are not in HD on my local from Directv either.

KNSD-DT is now airing both WOF and Jeopardy in HD. Wheel was added on 12.03 and Jeopardy was added the day after.

I don't think I'm watching Jeopardy! and Wheel in HD on WAND 17(a Decatur, IL NBC affiliate). I get my locals in digital now(since WAND 17(NBC), WCIA 3(CBS) WRSP 55(FOX), and WCIS 20(ABC) made the switch this month instead of waiting untill the new June date through Dish Network(not antenna)...and yes I do pay for HD programming. The Price i$ Right looks nice in HD(but noticed that during it and other HD shows on CBS the screen will go black for a nanosecond once in a while. But to stay on topic, Jeopardy and Wheel sadly seems to be only in SD 4:3 pillarbox and I think only Dolby Digital 2.0. I wish I could be watching it in 16:9 1080i(if it's recorded in that resolution and aspect ratio), Jeopardy has to be my favorite show.

Speaking of gameshows in general... Does anyonyone have any insider knowledge of if and when GSN will be in HD. I really like watching the Match Game and the Richard Dawson hosted Family Feud(I can't/couldn't stand Ray Combs, Louie Anderson, Richard Karn and John O'Hurley).

I don't think I'm watching Jeopardy! and Wheel in HD on WAND 17(a Decatur, IL NBC affiliate). I get my locals in digital now(since WAND 17(NBC), WCIA 3(CBS) WRSP 55(FOX), and WCIS 20(ABC) made the switch this month instead of waiting untill the new June date through Dish Network(not antenna)...and yes I do pay for HD programming. The Price i$ Right looks nice in HD(but noticed that during it and other HD shows on CBS the screen will go black for a nanosecond once in a while. But to stay on topic, Jeopardy and Wheel sadly seems to be only in SD 4:3 pillarbox and I think only Dolby Digital 2.0. I wish I could be watching it in 16:9 1080i(if it's recorded in that resolution and aspect ratio), Jeopardy has to be my favorite show.

Speaking of gameshows in general... Does anyonyone have any insider knowledge of if and when GSN will be in HD. I really like watching the Match Game and the Richard Dawson hosted Family Feud(I can't/couldn't stand Ray Combs, Louie Anderson, Richard Karn and John O'Hurley).

Match Game and Family Feud were recorded on tape in SD resolution and, as a result, can never be in HD.

Dolby Digital 2.0.

Jeopardy! HD is only fed in Dolby Surround. No DD5.1.

With Friday's airing, you now know that the contestants are:

Dan Pawson
Aaron Schroeder
Larissa Kelly

After Monday's airing, the standings will be as follows (no, I wasn't at the taping).

Dan Pawson: $22,301
Aaron Schroeder: $9,600
Larissa Kelly: $24,400

After Tuesday's airing, the final results are:

Dan Pawson: $22,301 + $26,200 = $48,501 ($250,000)
Aaron Schroeder: $9,600 + $14,800 = $24,400 ($50,000)
Larissa Kelly: $24,400 + 6,800 = $31,200 ($100,000)

The Final Jeopardy! category: British Royalty

The clue is:

Born in 1683, the second British king of this name was the last one not born in the British Isles

The correct response is:

What is George?

It was a nailbiter of a finale.

On the 12/01/09 show, at the end they pan over one of the desks. On said desk are three phones. On each of the handsets they have masking tape, upon which is written the phone number.

The phone number on the first phone is clearly visible. Oops.

On WABC-DT the last three weeks the PQ on Jeopardy and Wheel, which run at 7pm anf 7:30pm has been awful.
The video looks like it's being taped by WABC and played back as 16:9 SD.
All the wide camera shots are full of macroblocking.
Does anyone who when the shows are feed to affiliates?
I know WABC does broadcast syndicated programming in HD and these shows are usually HD but they have not been recently.

Does anyone who when the shows are feed to affiliates?

M-F, late in the morning, two days in advance. Why?

FYI, I only watch Jeopardy!, which is fed at a bitrate of about 35 Mbps. WoF is fed at the same rate. The MPEG-2 HD video looks great.

On WABC-DT the last three weeks the PQ on Jeopardy and Wheel, which run at 7pm anf 7:30pm has been awful.
The video looks like it's being taped by WABC and played back as 16:9 SD.
All the wide camera shots are full of macroblocking.


They look fine to me on WABC via Cablevision.

they are both in HD on WBTW now...

WABC-DT has the same heavy macroblocking on wide shots OTA as it does on FiOS.
The blurry faces is not from the JPEG compression. It's the macroblocking.
http://thumbnails33.imagebam.com/8877/c1870688767543.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/c1870688767543)

WABC-DT has the same heavy macroblocking on wide shots OTA as it does on FiOS.
The blurry faces is not from the JPEG compression. It's the macroblocking.

Looks like mosquito noise, resulting from overcompression. Macroblocking is normally a result of not enough bits to recreate the image because it has high motion. Look at all of the edges... mosquito noise.

Welcome to ABC forcing all of its O&O stations to have two HD streams and at least a SD stream. ATSC was not designed to do that, because it looks like crap.

They look fine to me on WABC via Cablevision.

Cablevision must get a direct feed from WABC that doesn't have the compression of the OTA signal.

The head honchos at ABC and/or the O&Os probably figure that only people who are too poor to pay for TV watch OTA, and they do it on old CRTs that have crappy pictures anyway.

Cablevision may get a direct feed to bypass possible transmitter or reception issues, but it's the exact same mux that goes out over the air. Cablevision pairs up the WABC and WLIW muxes, and there simply isn't enough room on a QAM channel to increase the bitrate.

I've checked other non live syndicated programming on WABC and they don't have same issue that Jeopardy and Wheel have.
That's why I wonder if it's the way WABC is recording both shows that is lowering the quality during playback?

Yes, I have noticed the degradation of PQ on Jeopardy recently.

WABC via Cablevision.

I've checked other non live syndicated programming on WABC and they don't have same issue that Jeopardy and Wheel have.
That's why I wonder if it's the way WABC is recording both shows that is lowering the quality during playback?

It doesn't make any sense. They would capture the sat feed no different than any other HD sat feed.

Here is a still image (http://vidiot.com/images/Sony-HD-Jeopardy-100716.png) from the July 16th feed, similar to the image framing that you posted. While the feed isn't perfect, the image quality is many times better than what you are seeing.

Well if it's not the way they are capturing the shows then I have no idea what is causing the low PQ.
I guess the best thing for me to do is try to e-mail WABC about those shows.

Well if it's not the way they are capturing the shows then I have no idea what is causing the low PQ.

How about because they are down converting from 1080i to 720p AND they are airing over an ATSC mux that is bitstarving the streams.

Don't know how good the 1080i -> 720p converter is, but I seriously doubt that is the issue (ABC wouldn't buy a cheap converter, would they?). Bitstarving the HD will cause issues.

One thing is for certain... the incoming is much better than the outgoing :D

At least you get to see it in HD. I'm probably the only one in this market that sees it in HD, because the station that has the rights can't do HD syndication. So they have to air the SD version that they get via Pathfire.

Not only bitstarving, but statmuxing too. A shot like that with no motion and large solid areas is just begging to get killed when a high motion scene on LiveWell comes along.

Not only bitstarving, but statmuxing too. A shot like that with no motion and large solid areas is just begging to get killed when a high motion scene on LiveWell comes along.

Good point. Forgot that WABC could be statmuxing their video streams.

Ya, there is so much in the way of action during Jeopardy! that it wants all it can get from the stat muxer :D

Why is the PQ on Oprah, another HD syndicated show WABC airs, fine?
If Jeopardy and Wheel look bad then shouldn't the PQ on Oprah be bad to?

Assuming it is a statmuxing issue, whatever is airing opposite Oprah on Livewell might not be as bitrate hungry, or Oprah has more detail in the picture so the statmuxer doesn't crush it as much.

Why is the PQ on Oprah, another HD syndicated show WABC airs, fine?
If Jeopardy and Wheel look bad then shouldn't the PQ on Oprah be bad to?

That is a damn good question. It too is a 1080i feed. IIRC, MPEG-2 as well, as it is fed from Chicago.

What is running opposite of Oprah, as compared to what is running opposite of Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune.

Why is the PQ on Oprah, another HD syndicated show WABC airs, fine?
If Jeopardy and Wheel look bad then shouldn't the PQ on Oprah be bad to?

Is it possible they are now taking those shows from PitchBlue? Those feeds are H.264, and they probably have to transcode them back to MPEG-2 to get them into their air servers. It shouldn't look terrible, but it's definitely going to be worse.

Is it possible they are now taking those shows from PitchBlue? Those feeds are H.264, and they probably have to transcode them back to MPEG-2 to get them into their air servers. It shouldn't look terrible, but it's definitely going to be worse.

No, those two game show feeds are not part of Pitchblue yet. They are still DVB-S QPSK MPEG-2. Read the following article (http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/455188-Pitch_Blue_Makes_Progress.php) for more info on the Pitchblue status.

Personally I'd say that the improved H.264 codec provides a better source than the 35 Mbps MPEG-2 feed. That said, the Pitchblue mux is configured at 74 Mbps, 1 HD stream and three SD streams. The HD video that is feeding (an SD upconvert with pillarbars), is running about 14 Mbps. It is VBR. The SD streams are black with really low bitrate. The null packets are around 48 Mbps. So, the HD could get more, but currently isn't. The sitcom doesn't need the bits :D

I go along with coyoteaz's idea that it is a statmux issue. Someone needs to do TSReader graph outputs of the WABC OTA mux when the three shows are on and post the results. It is all conjecture until we see hard data.

No, those two game show feeds are not part of Pitchblue yet. They are still DVB-S QPSK MPEG-2. Read the following article (http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/455188-Pitch_Blue_Makes_Progress.php) for more info on the Pitchblue status.

Oh, I know all about PitchBlue's status -- I wrestle with those files daily! I don't know who these stations are that are claiming improved workflows and/or more HD -- this thing has killed us, as none of our previous automated processes work so we are back to a full MANUAL workflow -- plus we have serious problems getting the closed-captions to work on the HD files, so everything we USED to air in HD, we now don't.

Oh, I know all about PitchBlue's status -- I wrestle with those files daily! I don't know who these stations are that are claiming improved workflows and/or more HD -- this thing has killed us, as none of our previous automated processes work so we are back to a full MANUAL workflow -- plus we have serious problems getting the closed-captions to work on the HD files, so everything we USED to air in HD, we now don't.

Sorry, wasn't only meant for you, but others on the thread as well, as it did contain a note about Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune not moving to Pitchblue just yet.

Interesting that you are having CC issues with the pitches. The last time I looked, TSReader didn't have a problem detecting both types of CC :D

Interesting that you are having CC issues with the pitches. The last time I looked, TSReader didn't have a problem detecting both types of CC :D

:D I wish I could use TSReader to play back these shows for air! Honestly, I don't know what the problem is here. We've tried transcoding software to turn the files into MPEG-2, and also played back the native H.264 files -- nothing we do gets us anything. I know for a fact that other stations are having the same problems -- but exactly what the percentage is, I don't know. I'm sure some of them just air them without captions and look the other way.

Here's what TS Reader shows for the last 2:27 of Jeopardy:
http://thumbnails7.imagebam.com/9090/947fb190892844.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/947fb190892844)

Need a bitrate graph with real-time charting enabled, which requires the full version of TSReader.

On Saturdays WABC airs old episodes of Jeopary and Wheel.

Jeopardy looks good tonight. It's Season 25 Episode 23 in HD.
There is no macroblocking on the wide shots.
http://thumbnails9.imagebam.com/9311/94c32893108763.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/94c32893108763)

If they can air an old episode clean I don't get why the weekday episodes are not clean?
I don't believe anything has changed with the bit rates of the main or sub channels.

I checked tonight and the video on Jeopardy and Wheel is back to normal.
The blocking on the video is gone.
If someone at WABC did fix it then thanks.

So after 4 and a half years, Chattanooga is still stuck with a SD version of Wheel of Fortune. :(

Boy, The CW network is taking a beating with the Teens on the current tournament. Every clue dealing with shows from the CW have gone unanswered, including the three on the upcoming Monday airing.

For the record they are: Smallville, Supernatural, One Tree Hill

They didn't get the first one either, a Fox show: Fringe

What were the questions?

^^^^
Those were the questions, i.e., put "What is" in front of the items listed. If you are looking for the clues, I no longer have the show online, but the category was basically "TV Shows By Actor."

Two major actors were listed for each show.

Sorry, I wasn't thinking and didn't provide the clues.

If you want to "impress" family/friends/co-workers by knowing who correctly gets the final Jeopardy clue right and what that clue is, unspoil the following:


SHOW: 6097
VTR: 12/07/10
AIR: 03/01/11

Final Jeopardy clue: A novel set during the depression earned this author a 1940 Pulitzer Prize & contributed to him winning a Nobel Prize in 1962

Final Jeopardy question: Who is John Steinbeck?

Contestants and what they had before Final Jeopardy and what they had after their response:

Raynell Cooper: $16,600 + $7,000 = $23,600
Kailyn LaPorte: $14,800 + $9,000 = $23,800
Raya Elias-Pushett: $15,400 + $451 = $15,841


Totals will be added to the 2nd day, with a minimum grand prize of $75k and a minimum 3rd prize of $15k.

Of all the years that I have been watching, I've never seen them show a portion of the control room, well today they did: control room image (http://vidiot.com/images/Jeopardy-HD-110225.png)

And WJLA here in DC pre-empted Friday's Jeopardy! for a lame Oscar special, followed by another local lame Oscar special pre-empting ABC programming

SHOW: 6098
VTR: 12/07/10
AIR: 03/02/11

Final Jeopardy category: Landmarks

Final Jeopardy clue: Completed in 1869, it has also been known by its nickname "The Highway to India"

Final Jeopardy question: What is the Suez Canal?

Contestants and what they had before Final Jeopardy (Friday and today) and what they had after their response:

Raynell Cooper: $23,600 + $10,800 + $10,800 = $45,200 ($75,000)
Kailyn LaPorte: $23,800 + $11,800 + $7,000 = $42,600
Raya Elias-Pushett: $15,841 + $15,800 - $10,800 = $20,851

Enjoy the show.

I finally had a chance to watch tomorrow's (3/16/11) edition of Jeopardy!

I'm sure this has happened before, but I've not seen it in the past several years:

The two new contestants both ended up in the hole, so the champ did Final Jeopardy all by himself.

So was that a first on Tuesday? There was a tie for champion with both people ending with $1,599. So the second place finisher ended up winning more money ($2,000 consolation) then the champ. I didn't hear Alex mention anything about that yesterday or today.

Because there were two co-champions, they took the first two spots. The also-ran actually comes in third and gets $1000.

They had $2,000 posted on his board. Both co champs lost yesterday so one of the women played two games and only won $3,599.