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HD syndication ... more on the way - Page 10  

post #271 of 384
10/23/08 at 7:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ProTuber View Post

While the audio for the "Making of" special was only stereo, the actual series will have 5.1 audio sent as Dolby E.

I wonder how many stations are actually going to be able to use Dolby-E?

Quote:


BTW, MPEG-1 audio is preferable to DD when being fed to be recorded and re-encoded at the local station. It will be of better quality as AC-3 audio is really best for only one encode-decode cycle due to its lossy nature.

MP2 isn't lossy? News to me. So, you are saying that MP2 survives a decode/recode better than AC3?

If I remember correctly, the MP2 stream was 256kbps. Wouldn't 320kbps be better?

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post #272 of 384
10/23/08 at 7:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by TVOD View Post

The individual MPEG2 stereo streams could sound better but inter-channel timing is an issue (NBC).

A couple of days ago NBC engineering sent out a quick note that the transition to the new C-band MPEG-4 feed (using the Tandberg RX1290 IRD) has been postponed.

The new IRD is supposed to be more phase accurate than the current TDR-6 transport mode. Our local NBC affiliate knows quite well the problems with phasing problems. Our local forum has had complaints regarding the issue.

And now NBC has postponed going to the more "in-phase" feed. If there was a reason supplied with the engineering note, my source didn't send that along.
post #273 of 384
10/23/08 at 7:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by TVOD View Post

ABC uses 640K 3/2L AC3 and it sounds OK to me. That will change when they go to their new MPEG4 distribution.

Have you heard what they will be using instead - Dolby-E?
post #274 of 384
10/23/08 at 10:36am
I think ABC will be using the Tandberg phase aligned audio streams with MPEG4. This sounds similar to what NBC is doing except I think ABC will be carrying three HD streams.
post #275 of 384
10/23/08 at 11:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by TVOD View Post

I think ABC will be using the Tandberg phase aligned audio streams with MPEG4. This sounds similar to what NBC is doing except I think ABC will be carrying three HD streams.

A little birdie has confirmed what you are saying. Yuck! That probably means that ABC will be using the Tandberg RX1290 IRD as well (it is the one that NBC affiliates received).

Three HD streams is a LOT better than what NBC is doing.

What is so wrong with using Dolby-E? No phase issues using that.
post #276 of 384
10/23/08 at 11:53am
No phase issues, but it requires an external decoder. Also if they are using phase aligned MPEG streams, there is a bandwidth savings. I don't know the limitations of this system, but if they were using 256K MPEG2 streams, 4x256K=1024K which is half the bandwidth of Dolby E. Multiply that by 3 and 3Mbs becomes significant with all these streams being muxed. If they allow all channels to be embedded on the HD SDI output, it reduces cost as an external embedder isn't required and wiring is simplified. Even at 320K per channel, it's still only 1.28Mbs which is just over half the 2.2 Mbs needed for Dolby E.

It seems there are still many CBS and CW stations not using their 5.1 Dolby E stream. From what I've read CBS planning to stick with MPEG2 but will move to DVB-S2 and mux two 40Mbs network streams on a transponder.
post #277 of 384
10/23/08 at 4:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrvideo View Post

What is so wrong with using Dolby-E? No phase issues using that.

Simple. Cost.
post #278 of 384
10/23/08 at 9:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrvideo View Post

MP2 isn't lossy? News to me. So, you are saying that MP2 survives a decode/recode better than AC3?

Yes it's true MP2 is also lossy (perhaps poor choice of words on my part originally). Several papers I've seen indicate MPEG-1 Layer II at 256K is suitable for 5 or so multiple encode/decode cycles in distribution/contribution applications, whereas AC3 was originally designed as a one-time transmission codec although it is unclear whether only 2 encode/decodes would actually be audible especially if the satellite distribution used a higher bitrate (640K).
post #279 of 384
10/24/08 at 1:17am
Two and a Half Men is in HD on WUTB.
post #280 of 384
10/24/08 at 7:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by TVOD View Post

It seems there are still many CBS and CW stations not using their 5.1 Dolby E stream. From what I've read CBS [is] planning to stick with MPEG2 but will move to DVB-S2 and mux two 40Mbs network streams on a transponder.

Interesting. If a CBS affiliate isn't using the Dolby-E and they are doing DD5.1, then they are faking it, as CBS only feeds Dolby-E and MP2. OTOH, CBS's TOC is feeding The CW with Dolby-E, DD5.1, DD2.0 and MP2 streams.

What is interesting with the CW is that the documentation regarding the audio streams has it wrong. Each release has it wrong

I wonder why CBS is sticking with MPEG-2. Cost?
post #281 of 384
10/24/08 at 7:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ProTuber View Post

While the audio for the "Making of" special was only stereo, the actual series will have 5.1 audio sent as Dolby E.

Confirmed. Audio stream 1 will be MP2 and stream 2 will be Dolby-E.
post #282 of 384
10/25/08 at 12:34pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrvideo View Post

I watched the "Making of a Legend" special for the series (hosted by Lucy Lawless) and it is looking good.

I just watched this OTA, and thought the PQ was outstanding. The combination of spectacular locations and costumes that are finely detailed really makes for some great looking HD. I don't know if it's the best looking TV show I've ever seen, but it's way up there.
post #283 of 384
10/27/08 at 12:08am
Stargate: Atlantis is in HD on WNUV.
post #284 of 384
10/28/08 at 12:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marcus Carr View Post

Stargate: Atlantis is in HD on WNUV.

And so is House of Payne.
post #285 of 384
10/28/08 at 5:51am
OP, any chance you could update the first post to include a list of what syndicated shows are available in HD? Sorry if its already here, buried in the thread somewhere, but a quick one-stop list would be helpful.
post #286 of 384
10/29/08 at 4:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ENDContra View Post

OP, any chance you could update the first post to include a list of what syndicated shows are available in HD? Sorry if its already here, buried in the thread somewhere, but a quick one-stop list would be helpful.

Already exists in the sticky "The Official AVS HDTV Programming Synopsis - Fall 2008!" http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=164671

"Syndicated" is sorted alphabetically between Starz-HD and TBS-HD and currently contains:

Syndicated HDTV Programs
Available on local DTV stations across the country, syndicated HD programs are typically game shows, talk shows, and reruns of network sitcoms and dramas. Theatrical films and first run dramas have also been available.
-Jeopardy
-Two And A Half Men
-Wheel of Fortune
-Everybody Loves Raymond
-Seinfeld
Sony Pictures syndicated sit-com is available in HD, as all 180 episodes are in the process of being transferred. First sighting was on TBS HD, 9/2/08, with the 4:3 image zoomed in to fill the 16:9 image area.
-Ellen DeGeneres Show
-Oprah
-Dr. Phil
-Entertainment Tonight
-The Insider
-CSI: NY
-CSI: Miami
-Lost
-Tyler Perry's House of Payne
-Desperate Housewives
-Stargate Atlantis
Coming Soon:
-Legend of the Seeker - November 1, 2008
-Boston Legal
post #287 of 384
10/29/08 at 5:19am
I watched a episode of "Frazier" on Lifetime hd last night. It was in hd and a 2004 episode. The early years of the show have been stretched on Lifetime hd.
post #288 of 384
10/30/08 at 11:52pm
KUSI also has Stargate in 720p but Time Warner San Diego doesn't have it yet. Cox does but not TWC. They should hopefully add it within the next 2 to 3 weeks.
post #289 of 384
11/1/08 at 11:36pm
American Chopper is in HD on WBFF.
post #290 of 384
11/2/08 at 12:29am
Isn't WBFF a local station? Why is American Chopper now on a local affiliate?
post #291 of 384
11/2/08 at 5:30am
The older episodes are now in syndex, it's on KIKU Honolulu as well...but they don't do HD.
post #292 of 384
11/2/08 at 5:02pm
Here in Bakersfield we have ZERO ZIP NADA HD syndication! This is an extremely backward market. None of our local stations can record and playback syndicated shows in HD. It totally sucks!
post #293 of 384
11/11/08 at 8:36pm
Announced on today's show (Tues, Nov 11) - Live with Regis and Kelly goes HD on Monday, January 5, 2009.
post #294 of 384
11/11/08 at 11:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrvideo View Post

A couple of days ago NBC engineering sent out a quick note that the transition to the new C-band MPEG-4 feed (using the Tandberg RX1290 IRD) has been postponed.

The new IRD is supposed to be more phase accurate than the current TDR-6 transport mode. Our local NBC affiliate knows quite well the problems with phasing problems. Our local forum has had complaints regarding the issue.

And now NBC has postponed going to the more "in-phase" feed. If there was a reason supplied with the engineering note, my source didn't send that along.

I would expect money.

If NBC's paying for the new IRD, they probably don't have the cash, and if stations are paying, they don't.

Either way, I suspect financial conditions are the rationale.
post #295 of 384
11/11/08 at 11:45pm
XHDTV is airing American Chopper in syndicated form but no HD. They are in the process of adding a digital transmitter in Cerro Bola on their Analog mast. They should have the DT signal by no later than 2.17.09. No word on when an HD signal will air but if they go HD it will just be for MNTV programming. They are the areas MNTV affiliate licensed in Tecate, Mexico.
post #296 of 384
11/11/08 at 11:47pm
As for HD syndication. Only KFMB and KUSI have the proper equipment to syndicate shows in HD. XETV I have no idea. KNSD who knows as well. Same with KSWB. KSWB is owned by Tribune. Maybe next year from them in regards to HD syndication.
post #297 of 384
11/12/08 at 5:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ProTuber View Post

Announced on today's show (Tues, Nov 11) - Live with Regis and Kelly goes HD on Monday, January 5, 2009.

I'll take the under on the fox stations carrying this show. ESPECIALLY KDFW
post #298 of 384
11/12/08 at 7:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ProTuber View Post

Announced on today's show (Tues, Nov 11) - Live with Regis and Kelly goes HD on Monday, January 5, 2009.

Great, another show for WBAL not to show in HD, along with Oprah and Ellen.
post #299 of 384
11/12/08 at 12:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mp3trojan View Post

I'll take the under on the fox stations carrying this show. ESPECIALLY KDFW

Quote:
Originally Posted by Marcus Carr View Post

Great, another show for WBAL not to show in HD, along with Oprah and Ellen.

Regis is syndicated, however, it is sent out over satellite and taken to air live at most stations, hence the title "Live With Regis and Kelly". The actual live filming/airing is at 9am eastern/8am central. It is delayed on Regis' end and replayed over satellite again at 10am eastern/9am central. If Regis puts in the equipment on their end to delay and replay in HD (which I assume they will since most stations take the delayed airing) your local station will be able to take the HD feed, since this is alot easier than recording and playing back on the station's end.

On a side note, by the time the analog shutoff happens, I have a feeling many more stations will have the ability to delay HD locally. The main hang-up now for many stations is having to manage two separate signal chains throughout the station. Once they are down to a single signal chain it will be much simpler to install and manage the equipment to delay HD programming.
post #300 of 384
11/12/08 at 12:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aemeeich View Post

Regis is syndicated, however, it is sent out over satellite and taken to air live at most stations, hence the title "Live With Regis and Kelly". The actual live filming/airing is at 9am eastern/8am central. It is delayed on Regis' end and replayed over satellite again at 10am eastern/9am central. If Regis puts in the equipment on their end to delay and replay in HD (which I assume they will since most stations take the delayed airing) your local station will be able to take the HD feed, since this is alot easier than recording and playing back on the station's end.

On a side note, by the time the analog shutoff happens, I have a feeling many more stations will have the ability to delay HD locally. The main hang-up now for many stations is having to manage two separate signal chains throughout the station. Once they are down to a single signal chain it will be much simpler to install and manage the equipment to delay HD programming.

You don't know WBAL. They stretch some of their programming and STILL don't have 5.1 sound. I don't expect them to show this in HD anytime soon.
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