NASCAR on NBC

[kermtfrg]

Now that NBC has Nascar for the second half of the season, will they be showing it in HD or at least widescreen like FOX did?

[warzo]

Don't count on anything more than SD 4:3.  NBC Sports hasn't shown anything in HD except for the Triple Crown horse races.  No men's US Open Golf, no Wimbledon tennis.  Unless someone else comes along to provide sponsorship or technical support I don't think NBC Sports will take the initiative to do this.

[stash64]

No HD and no widescreen!!!  What a disappointment!!!  I was so anxious to see NBC's broadcast since the Fox 6 digital signal is essentially non-existant.  I just assumed they would broadcast NASCAR in HD because it seems to be such a natural.  I guess I won't be watching the NBC broadcasts either.

Is it that much more expensive to broadcast in HD when you are already putting out a digital signal  If they can do Leno in HD, why not big sporting events  NBC's coverage of the Triple Crown was disappointing too since HD was only during the 2 minutes of the race itself.  Even replays were not HD.

[Bebop]

Speaking of NBC, did they made a decision on the 2004 Summer Olympic?

[StarvingForHDTV]

Originally posted by stash64
Is it that much more expensive to broadcast in HD when you are already putting out a digital signal

Yes, I think it is.  Putting out a digital signal means nothing to the production.  It can be produced in analog and sent out as digital.  Your local news as an example.  The real cost of digital is the equipment at the stations as far as I know.  Making a program in HD has added costs.  If it's shot on film, there is the conversion from film to HD cost.  This won't work for live events like NASCAR though.  For live events you have to have your mobile HD cameras and probably a mobile HD production unit.  I think that costs big bucks.

I'm definitely not an expert on this.

Starving