[robertawillisjr]

I have been disappointed by a lot of the HDTV programming. Not the storyline (which is mostly disappointing anyway) but the quality of the broadcasts. There are some programs that are excellent, but many seem to be only somewhat better than Fox's 480p. Are the excellent broadcasts overcompensating is someway or are the poorer really just SD widescreen? I don't know.


Very good to excellent - PBS loop, live sports broadcasts (except the NCAA had many artifacts when the action was fast), CSI....


Is it just me? What do you think?

 

[MSaccardi]

Some shows are better than others. Sometimes this is partially due to the nature of the program and where it takes place. Overall, however the HDTV is great.

 

[ManiG]

sometimes i feel like HD programming doesn't look too spectacular, especially with NBC shows like law & order. when i feel that way, i switch to an SD channel and quickly realize my foolishness. but i do agree that compared to anamorphic DVD's the difference with HD is sometimes subtle. although when i say this i'm talking about HD film transfers - material filmed with an HD camera is so much better than DVD, it's shocking!


-Mani

 

[robertawillisjr]

I agree that HDTV is much better than NTSC, but a lot of the product we get isn't close to the level it should be. Are the software providers cutting corners or are my expectations too high?


For instance I would like all of the programs to look as good as the PBS loops or CSI. Is this software programming artificially enhanced to "look" sharp (something akin to edge enhancement on DVD's) or are the bulk of programs "upsampled" (for lack of a better term) NTSC programs?


It would be nice to know what actually happens.


Are we giving the producers a "pass" just because they say HDTV?

 

[Thebarnman]

I think it would help this thread if the programming that's accused of looking bad can be named.


There are many aspects that can make something look bad from production, local broadcast and individual equipment and settings. What may look bad may not be bad at all depending on many different situations.

 

[avsfsmores]

I agree. Leno looks great in HD, but havent seen that much that compares to it.

The basketball on CBS this weekend for the Final 4 wasnt that sharp on the closeups.

The programming on NBC in general like CSi is no big deal.

Yeah, its better than regular SD, but some of the HD programming isnt great enough to make me HAVE to check it out.

Hopefully it is just growing pains.

 

[BSpielbauer]

>>>>I have been disappointed by a lot of the HDTV programming. Not the storyline (which is mostly disappointing anyway) but the quality of the broadcasts.

 

[cwood]

The size and quality of the display device plays a major role. Programming that often looks so-so on my 34" direct view is sometimes spectacular on my downstairs system (110" fp). Unfortunately, CRT direct views and many rear screen projection systems can't resolve all the subtle detail.

 

[robertawillisjr]

Food for thought. Thanks

 

[robertawillisjr]

I just saw a list of upcoming PBS programs. Many are widescreen SD but are listed on Titan TV as HDTV. I saw a few programs and they aren't up to HDTV standards.


I have also been thinking about some of the earlier comments. Well since I don't have a really large screen (34" 12X9 Toshiba) I can't make those comparisions.


I would like to comment on the issues concerning what the directors and producers envision when they shoot a program. I have no argument about whatever artistic decisions they make; but I am concerned about the possibility of producing an inferior product because "Joe six-pack" doesn't care. We have seen this time and time again in the audio/video worlds (more so I think in audio). Promising technology ruined by the bean counters and the view that quality isn't very important. Most CD's sound terrible, many DVD-A products are not very good and I remember how degraded the sound of LP's became in the 70's.


I guess I am concerned that when HDTV becomes a commodity, some of my disappointment will prove to be par for the course. Yet another promise unfufilled.

 

[vruiz]

You still haven't named what shows in particular you were disappointed with.

 

[tonyb100]

I have got say that after not seeing hd for a few months I can't beleive how great it looks, and I have a smaller set then you. I wonder if there is not some problem.. I wasn't even seeing hd video, but a film transfer and I didn't have my glasses. Tho I only need them for hd. Not to be flip or anything but have you had your eye recently checked, I know it sounds silly but hd made my mother realize she needed a stronger prescription

 

[DP1]

Well beauty is in the eye of the beholder I guess. On an off topic note, I watched The Masters in HD on Fri and Sat and then yesterday too up until the final pairing finished 16. But I had a dinner thing at my mother in laws house so I drove over there while they played 17. Then I sat in front of her 25" console to watch Weir play 18 and then through the Playoff and the Jacket ceremony.


Was I like totally freaking watching it that way after watching so much of it in HD before then? Nah. The picture is fine on her little set when watching it from 7-8' feet away. The SD picture blows big time though when watching it on a 55" WS RPTV from 7-8 feet away. So thats where my appreciation comes from on HD.


But to so many people who just watch TV simply for the content and dont want some of the bigger tv's out there for whatever reasons, well, suffice it to say I'm sure they enjoyed the drama of The Masters for example just as much on the 27" SDTV they already have.


And heck thats an opinion rendered about HD video no less. The cream of the crop so to speak. You can imagine how much I think John Q. Public would care then about whether Everybody Loves Raymond is in HD or not.

 

[Star56]

DPI,


Your comments are right on target. Content is far more important than PQ.


I know...this is heresy...some folks here will say " I won't watch a show unless it is HD" or " I'll watch anything if it is in HD" Say what????


If the material is compelling....a 20" SD will draw you in.

 

[kurros]

I could just have chemical imbalance but I do find myself not caring much about shows that aren't in HD. The only SD show that I make an effort to watch is The Dead Zone on USA.


Another example is that I didn't bother looking at Smallville when the first season aired. Once season two came around and I checked out an ep since it was in HD, it is now on my must see list. Some of the repeats this season were from the first season, and while the difference was obvious, it didn't seem so bad.


The biggest thing keeping me from watching much SD programing is the fact that the sattelite channels look awful on my setup. Compression artifacts don't scale well to 1080i @ 65". I can imagine how awful it must be on larger front projection displays.

 

[robertawillisjr]

Quote:

You still haven't named what shows in particular you were disappointed with.

I am disappointed with:


All of the Law and Order programs (which I watch regularly), Raymond, Alias, Crossing Jordan (sometimes), and a few other situation comedies that whose titles I can't recall right now. I can't make up my mind about Without a Trace.


The following programs look pretty good to me:


Both CSI's, Becker, George Lopez and the program that precedes it, Boomtown, JAG, ER, some of the Disney ABC broadcasts.


I am not refering to qualiy of content; only my perception of picture quality. I am one that will often watch a program on regular cable over a HDTV program if the content is better. Of course, I want both quality HDTV and content.

 

[vfxproducer]

Quote:

Originally posted by kurros I could just have chemical imbalance but I do find myself not caring much about shows that aren't in HD. The only SD show that I make an effort to watch is The Dead Zone on USA.

Interesting. What I have found is that contrary to what I expected, HDTV didn't make any shows more appealing to watch that I wouldn't have watched in SD. I still don't watch a single ABC comedy. I still don't watch Law and Order anymore, because I am tired of the formulaic storylines. I still don't watch Leno, because I don't particularly enjoy showbiz gossip and talk. So instead of steering my viewing choices to more HDTV shows, I find myself dissapointed that the shows I want to watch (Stargate SG-1, 24, Gilmore Girls, West Wing, Malcomb in the Middle, Angel, and Scrubs) aren't HD.

 

[Paul_Seng]

After looking at what looks good and doesn't list I have to agree that alot is probably director's input of what the show should look like, and the equipment used to either tape or transfer to HD. Just my 2 cents

 

[mmost]

Quote:

Originally posted by Paul_Seng After looking at what looks good and doesn't list I have to agree that alot is probably director's input of what the show should look like, and the equipment used to either tape or transfer to HD. Just my 2 cents

Just to set the record straight......


Directors have little to nothing to do with the way television programs are designed or shot. Their job is primarily to direct the actors, as well as help to come up with camera angles and coverage to be shot on individual scenes. The look of a television show is determined by the Production Designer and the Director of Photography, all with the approval of the Executive Producer and various other Producers. Directors in television are primarily "guns for hire," who are hired to direct individual episodes of a series and who, if successful, usually direct episodes of various series during the course of a television season. The exception is a Producer who also directs, which is common in television for a number of reasons. However, even a directing Producer will usually direct no more than 3 or 4 episodes of that series in the course of a season. The exception is sitcoms, which in some cases employ only one or 2 directors during the entire season. This is not possible in dramas, which require prep time and post production time not always needed for sitcoms.

 

[bonscott87]

Quote:

Originally posted by robertawillisjr I am disappointed with: All of the Law and Order programs (which I watch regularly), Raymond, Alias, Crossing Jordan (sometimes), and a few other situation comedies that whose titles I can't recall right now. I can't make up my mind about Without a Trace. The following programs look pretty good to me: Both CSI's, Becker, George Lopez and the program that precedes it, Boomtown, JAG, ER, some of the Disney ABC broadcasts. I am not refering to qualiy of content; only my perception of picture quality. I am one that will often watch a program on regular cable over a HDTV program if the content is better. Of course, I want both quality HDTV and content.

One thing to keep in mind is many of the programs you list are on NBC. I do believe that most of the last month they suspended HDTV broadcasts due to the war. So you weren't actually watching HD during that time.


Most sitcoms really don't look much better in HD. For me they have a "richer" color to them and obviously clearer, but not the "wow" factor. And really, that's to be expected. Sitcoms aren't high quality to begin with in general. Also note that many sitcoms are not in HD yet either. Check this page each week to see what programs are in HD: http://www.hdtvgalaxy.com/broad.html


For me, ABC is the best looking of the bunch. Alias and Dragnet on Sunday nights are the only programs I'll watch live over the Tivo becuase they look so dang good. Waaaayyyyy better then the SD broadcast. Now CBC does look great, when it comes in. See, they have a low power antenna and it pixelizes a lot. We have another station that the engineers mess it up all the time because they don't know what they are doing. Actually watching the local station on DirecTV looks better!


Anyway, it really all comes down to your perception and that's really what counts, not what we say. But, make sure the programs actually are broadcast to you in HD. Not all stations do and not all stations do it right (even if the network itself is).


By the way, what type of antenna do you have and how far away from the towers do you live? It can really have an effect on your signal strength and picture quality as well. What kind of HDTV set do you have? It might need to be calibrated.