HD Television

Hi,

I've just been to a seminar at BBC Manchester all about High Definition TV. The shown footage was simply stunning especially that taken from the BBC's own 'Deep Blue' which will be shown in cinema's this month.

Interestingly enough, it looks like HD could have quite a big effect on how programmes are to be made as well. Holby City have experimented with HD and it means that effects, costume & set design all have to be checked for new levels of detail given the superb quality of HD.

It really does look amazing especially on bigger screens.... Looks like its time to by a plasma TV!

I am a little unsure about the technology, don't you specifically need an HDTV to watch HD programmes?

You will need either a HDTV or LCD/Plasma TV. Of course though, computers (Including CRT Monitors) are also more than up to the job.

If you'd like to see HDTV in action, visit www.wmvhd.com the file sizes are HUGE but the quality is unbelievable!

WOW! I downloaded two clips and I have to say that I am very impressed!

During a business report on N24 today, it was mentioned that one of the channels that could be offered by Sky on their new FreeSat service would be in HD, but how likely is it that other broadcasters will switch to this format?

I know it is popular in the US and even more so in Japan, but is this going to become the standard as widescreen is set to?

Yes, very impressive quality. I was surprised that the clip I downloaded ran perfectly on my laptop, which only has a 1.7GHz processor and 256 MB Ram. It said the minimum spec for the 720p video was 2.4 GHz and 384 MB Ram!

To get the full visual and audio advances of HDTV a specifically manufacuterd HDTV is the only way to go. Anything else doesnt live up to the capability of the technology. If you've ever seen an actually HDTV broadcast its spectacular. Bad thing is for the actors because every blemish wrinkle and imperfection is a clear as day. For any sort of sport the images are breath-taking. In America they launched a dedicated satellite service called VOOM. They offer all HDTV channels
VOOM website
They even offer the first national 24 hr all HDTV news channel.

How does that work given that most international feeds will still be in standard resolution, and the vast majority still in 4:3?

Check it out for youself online at this address HDnews
Here is a press release
here are some screen caps of HDnews
http://www.rp-networkservices.com/tvforum/uploads/hdnews1.jpg
http://www.rp-networkservices.com/tvforum/uploads/hdnews2_copy1.jpg
http://www.rp-networkservices.com/tvforum/uploads/hdnews3.jpgHD news Announcement and specs

Wow, it all looks really impressive!
But most members of the public have just splashed out on widescreen TV's - no-one will want to purchase another new peice of kit to watch HD.

They will if this gets launched in the UK

Ironically, Voom is owned by my (not well managed) cable company: Cablevision , and are pretty stingy when it comes to channel choices, they dealed for hd channels and voom and not for thier digital cable subs. but that's a long story.. Right now, cablevision is in a very tight spot financially and might not roll it out to the UK. So far in the states voom has 8,000 subs. but it's growing at a rate of 2 new subs. a day. Maybe because it is for the "adult" programming in HD.


Also, a great resource for HD happenings is on the HDTV-DTV Forum. HDTV-DTV Forum The news forum has the latest news for the US and UK every weekday.