networks vs pbs

[tnichols]

I am a new HDTV subscriber via Time Warner, and would appreciate some insight from the group. FYI, i have a 52 inch toshiba hdtv-ready tv in 4:3, and i get hdtv service through Time warner on a scientific atlanta box.

my question is, when i watch PBS and discovery HD, the picture is spectacular, almost better than real life. However, the picture on the national networks (nbc, cbs, etc) is good, but its not much better than what i used to get through my old satellite in non-hdtv service.  the pbs picture is extrodinarily  bright and clear, but the networks, while the picture is good, isn't AS good.

Does anyone have an explanation for me? any input would be appreciated.

I'm aware that not all of the networks programming is in hdtv format, so i'm only referring to the prime-time hdtv programming. i'm also aware that fox does not transmit in 1080i, so i would expect that channel to be less impressive, but its all the networks that i'm a bit dsappointed with.

i am most excited to watch fooball in hd, and i haven't seen that yet. so hopefully that will be as good as anticipated.

thanks

[Matt Heebner]

It's a film versus video comparison. If you are seeing an image that literally looks like you are watching through a window....most definitely will be HD video...at 60 frames per second.

What a lot of the sit-coms, and HD dramas on the networks do is film based, then telecined to HD. It gives a "film" like feel to those shows, and more of what the director intended. Also shot at 24 frames (or is it fields?) per second.

You will also sometimes see added "film grain", which also gives a more film-like feel to the shows.

I actually like that they differentiate between the two. I surely don't want my HD sports to look like film, unless it's the NFL Films Presents series on the NFL Network. It works for effect. And I don't want to see a drama like ER or West Wing looking like my cousins wedding shot on a camcorder.

Hope this helps....

Matt

[Tom Snyder]

Fox 6, even when in "enhanced deifinition widescreen" isn't much better than the regaulr chanell channel six on DirecTV.

[mhz40]

If you are comparing outside of primetime, you are most likely comaring upconverted SD on the commercial networks to true HD on Discovery & PBS.

[oz]

On Showetime, there's a series called "Dead Like Me" that looks spectacular in HD. To me, it looks as good as the PBS close-ups of bugs on a flower. But a lot of movies they show in HD just don't look that great.

[StarvingForHDTV]

Make sure you watch Monday Night Football.  You won't be disappointed.

Starving

[smack]

I also believe on some of the pbs stuff they did some extra enhancements to the PQ ie. color, brightness etc. to give it the extra punch for HD.

Please correct me if i am wrong on this.

smack