Will any of the NFL Playoffs be broadcast in HDTV?

[codefree]

And if so, will they be in 16:9 or 4:3 like MNF?

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My International DVD Collection

[This message has been edited by codefree (edited 12-16-2002).]

[RRP]

Only rumors, nothing concrete from the networks. FOX most likely will be doing their 480P "Enhanced Widescreen" but not sure if WITI-DT will be passing it through.  Can anyone confirm or deny this?

Richard

[StarvingForHDTV]

 

Originally posted by RRP:
Only rumors, nothing concrete from the networks. FOX most likely will be doing their 480P "Enhanced Widescreen" but not sure if WITI-DT will be passing it through.  Can anyone confirm or deny this?

Richard

WITI-DT has been passing through all of the Widescreen games for quite a while.  Hopefully it will continue forever.  Football in 16:9 is the way to go.  Even at 480p it makes a huge impact.  True HD is better to see the details on far away shots though, but I can't complain as long as it's true widescreen.  Unless another station is willing to do it in widescreen and high definition, but for now that doesn't seem to be an option.

Starving

[willieG]

It's too bad that many of us can't receive the weak signal they're broadcasting.

I'm waiting for my antenna to arrive so I can try to pull in Fox Chicago. I'm about 75 miles from the Sears tower. Anyone have any luck doing this?

[Tom Snyder]

 

And if so, will they be in 16:9 or 4:3 like MNF?

MNF is in 4:3 because it's NOT HDTV. It was two seasons ago, but hasn't been since.

[mr_yeti]

What about AFC playoff games on CBS? They obviously have the equipment to do this, and there won't be any collegiate games during January. I haven't seen any announcements anywhere about this being something they're planning to do, and I suppose it doesn't really matter to me since I use Time Warner and passing through digital 58 doesn't seem to be a priority for them.

I guess I will have to wait for the Super Bowl to watch football in HD. Wouldn't it be great if the Packers made it to San Diego in January? My first HD Super Bowl and the Packers' third appearance in the big game in my lifetime. Sorta makes all the horrible seasons in the 80's worth it.

[RRP]

Hey Starving,

I was afraid you were going to say that.  I watched the packer game and hoped it wasn't "Enhanced Widescreen".  The PQ on my 65" was pretty bad on those distance shots.  

I wonder if FOX can be "shamed" into HD once ESPN and MNF start broadcasting HD games each week next season?  Maybe with a little luck, CBS will show one or two games as well.

Rich

[StarvingForHDTV]

 

Originally posted by RRP:
Hey Starving,

I was afraid you were going to say that.  I watched the packer game and hoped it wasn't "Enhanced Widescreen".  The PQ on my 65" was pretty bad on those distance shots.  

I wonder if FOX can be "shamed" into HD once ESPN and MNF start broadcasting HD games each week next season?  Maybe with a little luck, CBS will show one or two games as well.

Rich

Hi Rich,

I think Faux-6-DT passes along what I would consider standard definition widescreen.  As a test do this:

Put on Jay Leno, set your set top box to output 480p instead of 1080i.  This should look significantly better than Faux-6-DT's widescreen Packer games.  Another test, assuming you have a nice DVD player.  Pop in a DVD.  It should look significantly better than the widescreen Packer games.

I think the "enhanced definition" is missing on our local Faux's signal.  I'm guessing the national Faux feed is really 480p.  I have no way to be certain though.

All of that being said, it's still well worth doing whatever you have to do to get the signal, in my opinion.  There is just so much more to see in widescreen, even if the distance shots are not clear at all.

I doubt if Faux will get shamed into switching to real High Definition any time soon.  They don't even feel shame with some of their programming choices...

I certainly hope one of the other networks picks up NFL coverage in real HD, but until then I will watch my pseudo version.

Starving

[tenth_t2]

Yes, the AFC divisional playoff games on 1/11 and 1/12 will be, as well as the AFC championship game on 1/19.

Brought to you by CBS and Thompson (RCA).
Too bad the Pack isn't AFC....

more info: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=203446

Greg O.

Edit-- Never mind, saw the other thread  

[This message has been edited by tenth_t2 (edited 12-22-2002).]

[codefree]

Excellent news!  Thank you for the link.

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My International DVD Collection

[MisterDTV]

The FOX product that is provided to affiliates is 'mostly' digital (SDI) 480i (there is some 480p24 and 480p30...and it is properly labled as Widescreen). The local stations must acquire gear to format convert (anamorphic and de-interlace) and encode (only HD encoders support the resultant Widescreen 480p60) for rebroadcast. There is not an "easy way" to simply 'pass' the signal on. Local markets can broadcast the resultant Widescreen 480p60 only if the required additional equipment is acquired by the local  station.

Regarding FOX HDTV...I think that there is little hope until they get the copy protection issues resolved to THEIR satisfaction. Good luck on that happening soon :-(

Happy Holidays all!

 

Originally posted by StarvingForHDTV:
... I'm guessing the national Faux feed is really 480p.  I have no way to be certain though. ...

... I doubt if Faux will get shamed into switching to real High Definition any time soon.  They don't even feel shame with some of their programming choices...

[RRP]

So I guess the question is does WITI have this "convert & encode" equipment in place? From previous threads, I gathered that WITI was going to have it working towards the end of the year. If so, does it have capability to do multiple formats in case FOX decides to abandon 480p Widescreen for something better?  One can only hope.

Rich

[Tom Sielicki]

Fox6 must have the equipment because I have been watching the widescreen programs.  They started in early December.   They are better than a passed through 480i signal.  There only real problem now is boosting their signal so their coverage is better.  I get the signal but I still get occasional sound loss and some pixelation.  You would think they could boost it some for the playoffs.

[AndrewP]

Nope,

They just don't care about us.
Andrew

[mcq]

 

Originally posted by AndrewP:
Nope,

They just don't care about us.
Andrew

"Welcome to my nightmare" -- Alice Cooper