BBC HD

As for Wimbledon, the resolution has been increased for Strictly 3D I guess.

Ooh that's a shame.

Incidentally, how did you know the resolution had increased to 1920 ?

Did you notice a sudden improvement in the picture quality, or did you just notice the parameters had changed in the receiver's readout ?

Both I have a trained eye

Its still at 1920x1080i btw

Interesting to note, in a late schedule change, that BBC HD is transmitting the WHOLE of the NYD Concert from Vienna starting at 1015. whereas BBC TWO is only showing the traditional second half.

Streetdance 3D also on NYD is also an orphan transmission, without an SD transmission on any channel.

Which is good... I need a reminder, why is BBC HD going away in favour of a BBC Two HD simulcast?

Just 53,000 watched the first part of the Strictly final in 3D on BBCHD - and only 27,000 returned for the results - so can't see Streetdance 3D getting many viewers. BBC HD is pretty much an extra channel in it's own right this week with very few shows actually being simulcasts, and have to agree any costs saved by becoming BBC2 HD are far outweighed by the benefits.

Surely more money is wasted by having BBC3/4 shows filmed in HD but not shown in HD - a ridiculous situation they have in Australia where none of the main channels are now in HD thanks to stupid local regulation. Even the ABC closed theirs to launch a HD News channel.

That said I still think Freeview would benefit more from Film4, E4 or another ITV channel in HD than a third HD channel from the BBC.

Surely the way they work out the ratings though, the 53,000 represents what, maybe 6 people with BARB boxes?

While 53,000 watched Strictly 3D - is this the home viewing figure? How many watched in cinemas?

Also is part of it not a technical trial to prove and experiment with 3D technology whilst a channel is available for this purpose. Once BBC Two HD replaces the BBC HD channel it will be harder to broadcast any of these tests - which no doubt have some benefit outside just the BBC.

Is there any scope for a bit of bandwidth juggling to have HD services via red button for this kind of thing?

If nobody's allowed to have more than one Red Button stream even if they have the capacity for more, I doubt it.

Don't forget a fair number of 3/4 content is shown on 1/2 (and of course more will be shown in the future) and they need it all in HD for the sake of international sales, however I agree, it is still quite wasteful.