HD content question

[FP]

I was flipping through some HD channels (Comcast) and noticed the WNBA game on ESPNHD was being broadcast in 1080i but was showing up on my HDTV in 4:3. I thought all HD content was 16:9. Do they broadcast some HD content in 4:3?

The picture mode on my screen was set to FULL and all the other HD channels were 16:9.

 

[destrekor]

yes, I have the same problem with some HD over the air reception. Some shows air in 4:3, same with commercials. Most primetime does air in 16:9 though.

 

[Shawn]

It's not really HD. They show SD content on ESPN HD sometimes.

 

[FP]

Originally posted by: Shawn
It's not really HD. They show SD content on ESPN HD sometimes.

My TV shows the incoming resolution at 1080i though. Are you saying the broadcaster upscales it to 1080i with the left/right letterboxing to make it look 4:3?

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: binister

Originally posted by: Shawn
It's not really HD. They show SD content on ESPN HD sometimes.

My TV shows the incoming resolution at 1080i though. Are you saying the broadcaster upscales it to 1080i with the left/right letterboxing to make it look 4:3?

Yes, that's what pretty much all HD channels do when they're running SD/480i-sourced programs (at least as far as I've seen).

 

[krotchy]

Basically, they are always sending a high definition stream, whether the content is high def or not. So if its HD it will be crisp and 16:9, and if they dont have HD for it it will just be 4:3 and blurrier. Its incredibly easy to tell the difference during commercials. Notice that you might watch an HD show, then a 4:3 commercial, then a 16:9 commercial, then 4:3 again, back to your HD show. Its just a matter of what the source material is.

 

[Joony]

Some college sports are broadcasted on ESPN HD, but aren't shot on HD cameras. For example, the womens softball game! All they do is upscale it to 1080i and add vertical bars.

 

[Hubes]

yea dont waste good HD on WNBA

 

[Vegitto]

Damn, I wish we had HD content over in Europe. We actually have HD content, but I live in the Netherlands. A lot of providers provide HD content, but my sole provider has the monopoly since it laid the cables and doesn't have to let other providers on their cable until 2009. And since the only choice is buying their products or not watch TV at all, they don't have to (and don't) offer any HD content. Damn, I can't wait until 2009 so I can watch Discovery HD (they do broadcast HD channels, but transcode them into 720*576 SDTV) in actual HD..

Damn, this policy is fscked up.

 

[DaveSimmons]

You could get a PS3 to tide you over until 2009. Apocalypto looked excellent in 1080p on blu-ray, so did The Fountain, Casino Royale and The Prestige.