Scifi in HD?

[Mark Strube]

Does anyone know if the Scifi channel plans to start making an HD signal available anytime soon? HD and 5.1 really makes a difference with these scifi shows and movies, it would be a real treat. I'd much rather see this added than yet another ESPN HD channel so soon.

(Not to rain on anyone's parade, I understand there's many sports enthusiasts out there, but you've already got ESPN HD and the many many HD sports broadcasts on the local networks and on iNHD.)

I was watching Battlestar Galactica on NBC and got very sad that I wouldn't be able to watch the rest of the series in HD since it's gonna be on the Scifi channel... the picture was awesome and the 5.1 track was right up there with some of the best movie soundtracks. (And the show itself is awesome.)

[cjucoder]

Boy, being the geek that I am, SciFi going HD probably would be the deciding factor that finally moves me to cable or sat. vs. my current happy world of OTA only.   I suppose the other deciding factor would be how many shows are actually true HD on that channel.

[GBK]

that would really do it for me too.  A few channels like SCIFI HD and Discovery HD add to that USA so I could watch Monk and I'd be paying for tv.. :-)

[picopir8]

Me Too!  I presently have OTA HD and SD satellite but I would jump at whoever offers scifi in HD, even if it the only shows broadcast in HD were the friday night lineup (stargate sg1, stargate atlantis, and battlestar galactica).

About the only other thing to convince me to switch is if Vooms PVR ever gets released (and with their uncertainty, I will rent it rather than buy it).

[Skipjack]

The only mention of it on their website is from a chat transcript with then executive vice president Bonnie Hammer back on June 22, 2000:

We would love to do, but it would be our parent company's decision with us. We are CONSIDERING/REVIEWING the possibility of doing some special treatments of Dune. Whether it be HDTV or DVD.

SciFi is owned by Universal... who also owns USA, IIRC.  And, since USA is going HD, that may not be too far off.  Just reading over their site, it sounds like a few shows are being shot digitally in HD already(it's mentioned in another transcript that "Enterprise" was being shot this way).

I'd definitely watch more SciFi if they do go HD.

[RLJSlick]

When will USA go HD?! That would be pretty cool!



SciFi is owned by Universal... who also owns USA, IIRC.  And, since USA is going HD, that may not be too far off.  Just reading over their site, it sounds like a few shows are being shot digitally in HD already(it's mentioned in another transcript that "Enterprise" was being shot this way).

I'd definitely watch more SciFi if they do go HD.[/QUOTE]

[Skipjack]

When will USA go HD?! That would be pretty cool!

I thought USA has be doing some stuff like The Masters in HD and other "high profile" programming which would lead me to believe they they're on the cusp of offering an HD version of their network soon.  And, I thought I heard mention of it someplace on here.. although I can't find it right now.

SciFi would make a logical next step to switch to HD, because of it's "geek" content.  And, let's face it... us HDTV owners are geeks.

[Doug Mohr]

So, I'm confused.

Is SciFi broadcasting some shows in HD (like Battlestar Gallactica) but no Milwaukee providors carrying it, or is SciFi not broadcasting in HD.

After watching Battlestar Gallactica in HD on WTMJ, I would assume that the show is always in HD, we just can't get it here. I can't imagine the show producers recording it in HD, just to be downconverted by SciFi.

I am actually willing to purchase pay TV service (I never thought I'd be saying that) just for Battlestar Gallactica in HD.

Doug

[Mark Strube]

SciFi is not yet available in HD anywhere. Battlestar Galatica, for its new season, is first ONLY airing on SciFi, NOT in HD. Nobody gets it in HD, anywhere. After the season is completed, it will start airing on UniversalHD, which we don't get.

[Doug Mohr]

SciFi is not yet available in HD anywhere. Battlestar Galatica, for its new season, is first ONLY airing on SciFi, NOT in HD. Nobody gets it in HD, anywhere. After the season is completed, it will start airing on UniversalHD, which we don't get.

So SciFi is buying a show recorded in HD and not broadcasting it in HD??  :eek:

UniversalHD is not available on any cable or satellite in the area?

Was season 1 aired on UniversalHD?

[basshive]

After the season is completed, it will start airing on UniversalHD, which we don't get.

When you say "we don't get" do you mean you and someone else or Milwaukee in general? Universal HD is available on DirecTV.

UniversalHD is not available on any cable or satellite in the area

Universal HD is available via DirecTVs HD package.

[Talos4]

Universal HD is available via DirecTVs HD package.

Watched the Galactica marathon last weekend.

Sweet :rock:

[Mark Strube]

When I say "we" I refer to me and my family... take a look at my signature and you'll see what service I get.

Is DirecTV still HD-Lite?

[Skipjack]

So SciFi is buying a show recorded in HD and not broadcasting it in HD??  

I think pretty much any show nowadays is shot digitally... which essentially means the source material is HD.  After that, I guess it's up to the network on how they broadcast it.  

So, shows you're watching now on SciFi will probably be available in HD someday... if there's still a demand for it (for the show, that is).

[tazman]

Not all programming may be HD, BUT SCI FI is HD on Dish in the Madison area.  My folks live north of Madison and they have the Dish HD package and they get SCI FI in HD.  Don't remember which programs were HD, not all of them.  But there definately there.