Official: Fox6 news goes HD on Saturday

[SRW1000]

The anchors faces did not look natural in HD probably  because, of low bit rates  used by TV6, caused by the added sub-channel. Even at the full ATSC bandwidth of 19.2 megabits per second, can't convey, the full detail of human faces that the full pixel rate can handle and human faces at times tends to appear smudgy at least to me. A problem that Blu-Ray, for the most part solved by using a higher bit rate sometimes over 35 megabits per second and using  more efficient Codecs such as MPEG 4 H264 then MPEG- 2 H263 that ATSC uses.

While I'll happily agree that sub-channels can be detrimental to the main channel's HD programming, I don't think that's the explanation for the studio shots.  

As stated earlier, the field shots looked quite detailed.  Also, there are plenty of instances of fantastic facial detail on Fox's network shows.  This is especially true of talking-heads scenes.  You don't need full bandwidth for those shots.

Scott

[SRW1000]

They were replaced a few months ago, so I doubt it. However, if you look closely, the cameras they're using in the studio actually look like some of the "Pro-sumer" HD cameras available. If that's what they're using, the lower quality can probably be attributed to that...

There's also the possibility of some softness being intentionally applied, perhaps to smooth out any cosmetic imperfections of the anchors.  I believe that's what the network does for Barbara Walters, for example.

Do you know what kinds of cameras they're using for field work?

Scott

[LoadStar]

Disclaimer: I'm a WISN-12 viewer, and for me, a clearer image isn't enough to make me want to switch away. That said...

It was nice seeing nearly the whole thing be in HD, including the live remotes, unlike the competition. I also appreciated that it was "simply" in HD, and not "FOX 6 News HD" every 5 minutes. I really like the weather graphics and the full screen news graphics.

On the down side, I think that the HD did absolutely no favors for Studio A. It looked even more rundown than it did before. My attention kept drifting to just over Tami Hughes' shoulder at what appears to be a crack in the plastic... or just behind Jeremy Ross at the now rather amusing use of CRT displays. (I haven't caught WakeUp yet, but I'm sure that set looks amazing in HD.)

I wasn't crazy about the L3's. They're OK, but I really like WITI6Fan's photoshop job a lot better.

I really don't like the text on the pillarbox; I wasn't crazy about "the most powerful name in local news," but even that is far better than "The most powerful station in local TV." It might be an accurate statement after the antenna upgrade, but as a viewer, I don't give a care about the strength of the signal. And if it's meant to be more of a metaphorical statement, it's rather cheesy. It'd probably be better to simply have a stylized "FOX 6 HD" logo by itself.

But again, I'm rather partial to WISN's newscast, so I'm somewhat biased.

[Chuck from FOX]

It's nice to FINALLY have another HD local news alternative. My only beef with 6 news is their constant use on reporting of the little 'cutaways' that they use very very frequently. What I mean by cutaways is say they have a reporter outside on a street shot. The reporter says a few lines then they show closeups of say a car going by but it's a closeup of one of it's tires and they make sure it's annoyingly loud enough to hear. Watch and see how many times they use this annoying(at least to me) feature just on one short report of 1 minute or so. Maybe I'm nitpicking but at least when they have a live reporter they obviously can't sneak in these little 'street sounds' or whatever and it's now in hd.
 Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for the comment - what you are pointing out is a technique that we use in video and audio editing....overall, our goal is to try and keep the stories moving along - video and audio (I'm a bit of an audio geek) are a big part of that for us.    12 does a good job of reporting and their style is a bit more traditional - I understand that how we do it may not your style, but I wanted to explain why we do it.

[uwgrad]

Congrats to everyone at Fox 6.  I've always been a WISN viewer, but that will probably be changing now.  I could never bring myself to regularly watch TMJ since they went HD so I stayed with WISN, but I'll be tuning into Ch. 6 now.  

I am very impressed with the overall look - especially pleased with how many of the live shots/packages were in true HD compared to what 4 is doing.  I like how clean and "simple" the titles and associated graphics are, however, I think the title bars are too high up.

Chuck - do you mind sharing what kind of cameras are being used in the field and what editing system you have?

Thanks, and keep up the great work.

[WITI6fan]

The question of the day is: Will the closings ticker be in HD this evening? Hmmm....

[Chuck from FOX]

The question of the day is: Will the closings ticker be in HD this evening? Hmmm....

Video will be HD - FOR NOW, ticker in SD.

[lovethe5.1]

they need to spend some money on a consultant for makeup application, the first night the evening anchors made me gasp in horror

[Blitzburgh]

they need to spend some money on a consultant for makeup application, the first night the evening anchors made me gasp in horror

I agree...man the anchors are UGLY!!!!

There is always TMJ4.....

[Tom Snyder]

Interesting situation.

I have always found TV people to be better (and smaller) looking in person than they are on TV. I met Terry Meewson a long time ago. I always thought she looked a little odd on TV. In person, she was stunningly beautiful.

Caught Katrina Cravy on the news the other night and (sorry for the honesty), I thought she was looking a little old. We saw her at a restuarant on Friday night, and, same as Terry, she was gorgeous in person.  

Met Susan Kim and Vince Vitrano yesterday... ditto...not bad on TV, but still better looking in person.

Local stations are going to have to figure out the makeup and lighting thing for HD.

[Steve Mann]

Tom, How in the heck are you 'bumping' into all these local celebrities?  I need to learn your tricks.

[Blitzburgh]

LOL...Celebrities? There news anchors...

[Steve Mann]

But, I bet they have good grammar.  

[duncantuna]

Clearly, the scariest person on TV is Carole Meekins.  She is downright frightening.  

I'm reminded of when Melodie Wilson was nudged off channel 4, like they thought she was too old or something.  She was lovely.    Then, how in the heck can Carole Meekins stay on TV??

[jeffski]

Carol Eeeekins:eek: nice wig