Who controls the HD switch?
 

I was wondering who is in control of the "HD" switch during primetime
network broadcasts?

Often during an HD show, the picture is first broadcast in SD 4:3 and then
someone remembers it is in hi-def and switches the broadcast to hi-def.

I'd say this happens about 75% of the time on both ABC and CBS.

This often occurs after commercial breaks. I remember a couple of weeks ago
"8 Simple Rules" was in SD for the first 27 minutes, and the last 3 minutes
were in HDTV.

My question is, who is screwing up? It is the network or my local
affiliate? Is it my cable company (TWC)?

Any help would be appreciated.

- Mike

"Michael B" wrote in message
. ..
I was wondering who is in control of the "HD" switch during primetime
network broadcasts?

Often during an HD show, the picture is first broadcast in SD 4:3 and then
someone remembers it is in hi-def and switches the broadcast to hi-def.

I'd say this happens about 75% of the time on both ABC and CBS.

This often occurs after commercial breaks. I remember a couple of weeks
ago
"8 Simple Rules" was in SD for the first 27 minutes, and the last 3
minutes
were in HDTV.

My question is, who is screwing up? It is the network or my local
affiliate? Is it my cable company (TWC)?

Any help would be appreciated.

- Mike


It's probably the local station!

"Michael B" wrote in message
. ..
: I was wondering who is in control of the "HD" switch during primetime
: network broadcasts?

===============
In Seattle, it seems that no one is.
===============
:
: Often during an HD show, the picture is first broadcast in SD 4:3 and then
: someone remembers it is in hi-def and switches the broadcast to hi-def.

==============
I have had to call numerous times (on the breaking news line) to tell them
===============
:
: I'd say this happens about 75% of the time on both ABC and CBS.

================
In Seattle it is ABC and NBC that are the biggest offenders.
=================
:
: This often occurs after commercial breaks. I remember a couple of weeks ago
: "8 Simple Rules" was in SD for the first 27 minutes, and the last 3 minutes
: were in HDTV.

===================
Happens a lot.
================
:
: My question is, who is screwing up? It is the network or my local
: affiliate? Is it my cable company (TWC)?

================
Usually it is the local station.
===================
:
: Any help would be appreciated.
:
: - Mike
:

"Michael B" wrote in message ...
I was wondering who is in control of the "HD" switch during primetime
network broadcasts?

Often during an HD show, the picture is first broadcast in SD 4:3 and then
someone remembers it is in hi-def and switches the broadcast to hi-def.

I'd say this happens about 75% of the time on both ABC and CBS.

This often occurs after commercial breaks. I remember a couple of weeks ago
"8 Simple Rules" was in SD for the first 27 minutes, and the last 3 minutes
were in HDTV.

My question is, who is screwing up? It is the network or my local
affiliate? Is it my cable company (TWC)?

Any help would be appreciated.

- Mike

I have also seen what you describe. I get my signal off air, so you
probably can rule out your local cable company. Now that you've
brought up the question of network or local affiliate, I'll have to
watch more closely to see if there is a noticable switch going in and
out of network commercial breaks. I'm guessing that the switch is
happening at the affiliate station level. Tonight I was watching "8
Simple Rules" and my local affiliate ran a crawl for a flood warning
in the area. To do that, they had to first switch to SD, and then run
the crawl. When they were finished, they switched back to HD
widescreen. While most network affiliates are fully automated for
their analog broadcasts (computers sychronize and run commercial
breaks and most programming outside of live newscasts) it would not
surprise me if most stations have not yet invested in full automation
for their digital broadcasts. Clearly neither the networks nor the
affiliates have invested in equipment to play commercials in full
widescreen HD. If I were a major advertiser, I'd be howling. I'd
want my advertisement to look every bit as good (or better) as the
program it's playing in.

-Fred

"lifterguy" wrote in message
om...
Clearly neither the networks nor the
affiliates have invested in equipment to play commercials in full
widescreen HD. If I were a major advertiser, I'd be howling. I'd
want my advertisement to look every bit as good (or better) as the
program it's playing in.

-Fred

Back in the early days of color they even charged the advertiser extra to
run the commercial in color. There were even live network shows that still
had live commercials that the program was in color but when the commercial
started the picture went B&W.

"Peter Kelly" wrote in message
...
:
: CBS's "It's
: All Here" promo is the best 'ad' on teevee.
:
============================
Not when they show it 4 times during each show!

Besides, they are promoting HD to people who already HAVE HD!

Waste of time.............................

It's filler.

It's where local commercials are supposed to be inserted.


"Richard C." wrote in message
. ..

"Peter Kelly" wrote in message
...
:
: CBS's "It's
: All Here" promo is the best 'ad' on teevee.
:
============================
Not when they show it 4 times during each show!

Besides, they are promoting HD to people who already HAVE HD!

Waste of time.............................

"Curmudgeon" wrote in message
...
: It's filler.
:
: It's where local commercials are supposed to be inserted.

================
Of course......but your point is?
===============
:
:
: "Richard C." wrote in message
: . ..
:
: "Peter Kelly" wrote in message
: ...
: :
: : CBS's "It's
: : All Here" promo is the best 'ad' on teevee.
: :
: ============================
: Not when they show it 4 times during each show!
:
: Besides, they are promoting HD to people who already HAVE HD!
:
: Waste of time.............................
:
:
:
: