BBC HD Simulcast

Last week there was a programme (I can't remember which) transmitted as a
simulcast. I was surprised to see that the HD prog was nearly 2 minutes
delayed compared to the SD. I'd always assumed that a simulcast was just
that, with perhaps only a second or two delay due to encoding differences.
However the 2 minute delay would suggest different recordings being used for
the transmissions. I guess it makes sense as the BBC HD channel is not a
copy of BBC1 or 2, and perhaps its programme timings can vary. I so, why
bother with the term "simulcast"? Why not just "also available on BBC HD"?

--
Jeff

"Jeff Layman" wrote in message
...
Last week there was a programme (I can't remember which) transmitted as a
simulcast. I was surprised to see that the HD prog was nearly 2 minutes
delayed compared to the SD. I'd always assumed that a simulcast was just
that, with perhaps only a second or two delay due to encoding differences.
However the 2 minute delay would suggest different recordings being used
for the transmissions. I guess it makes sense as the BBC HD channel is not
a copy of BBC1 or 2, and perhaps its programme timings can vary. I so,
why bother with the term "simulcast"? Why not just "also available on BBC
HD"?


Was Strictly Come Dancing delayed by 2 minutes on HD as well? It was
supposed to have been live.

--
Jeff

"Jeff Layman" wrote in message
...
Last week there was a programme (I can't remember which) transmitted as a
simulcast. I was surprised to see that the HD prog was nearly 2 minutes
delayed compared to the SD. I'd always assumed that a simulcast was just
that, with perhaps only a second or two delay due to encoding differences.
However the 2 minute delay would suggest different recordings being used
for the transmissions. I guess it makes sense as the BBC HD channel is not
a copy of BBC1 or 2, and perhaps its programme timings can vary. I so,
why bother with the term "simulcast"? Why not just "also available on BBC
HD"?

--
Jeff


As our old friend ****** *********** used to say; why use five words when
one will do?
--

"Any teacher that can be replaced by a computer, deserves to be." - David
Thornberg

Jeff Layman wrote:
Last week there was a programme (I can't remember which) transmitted as a
simulcast. I was surprised to see that the HD prog was nearly 2 minutes
delayed compared to the SD. I'd always assumed that a simulcast was just
that, with perhaps only a second or two delay due to encoding differences.
However the 2 minute delay would suggest different recordings being used for
the transmissions. I guess it makes sense as the BBC HD channel is not a
copy of BBC1 or 2, and perhaps its programme timings can vary. I so, why
bother with the term "simulcast"? Why not just "also available on BBC HD"?

All programmes these days are played out from a server. In the case of BBC HD
programmes, BBC 1 or 2 will receive their feed of that programme from one
server port, via a downconverter, the BBC HD channel from another. Therefore
the programme doesn't to be, and often isn't, *exactly* simulcast.

The BBC nations (BBC Scotland, Wales, and NI) also have direct access to the
same servers, because often they timeshift programmes.


--
Mark
Please replace invalid and invalid with gmx and net to reply.

www.paras.org.uk

"Agamemnon" wrote in message
. uk...

"Jeff Layman" wrote in message
...
Last week there was a programme (I can't remember which) transmitted as a
simulcast. I was surprised to see that the HD prog was nearly 2 minutes
delayed compared to the SD. I'd always assumed that a simulcast was just
that, with perhaps only a second or two delay due to encoding
differences. However the 2 minute delay would suggest different
recordings being used for the transmissions. I guess it makes sense as
the BBC HD channel is not a copy of BBC1 or 2, and perhaps its programme
timings can vary. I so, why bother with the term "simulcast"? Why not
just "also available on BBC HD"?


Was Strictly Come Dancing delayed by 2 minutes on HD as well? It was
supposed to have been live.


I'm not sure if this programme is live in the sense of being straight away,
got a feeling it is 20mins late.
Also Freesat HD of the programme not that much better than BBC 1 version, if
at all.
They have to put HD logo on so you know it is!

--
Regards,
David

FREESAT HD as it is now it is a joke.

"David" wrote in message
...


"Agamemnon" wrote in message
. uk...

"Jeff Layman" wrote in message
...
Last week there was a programme (I can't remember which) transmitted as
a simulcast. I was surprised to see that the HD prog was nearly 2
minutes delayed compared to the SD. I'd always assumed that a simulcast
was just that, with perhaps only a second or two delay due to encoding
differences. However the 2 minute delay would suggest different
recordings being used for the transmissions. I guess it makes sense as
the BBC HD channel is not a copy of BBC1 or 2, and perhaps its programme
timings can vary. I so, why bother with the term "simulcast"? Why not
just "also available on BBC HD"?


Was Strictly Come Dancing delayed by 2 minutes on HD as well? It was
supposed to have been live.


I'm not sure if this programme is live in the sense of being straight
away, got a feeling it is 20mins late.
Also Freesat HD of the programme not that much better than BBC 1 version,
if at all.
They have to put HD logo on so you know it is!

I am assuming that my Bush FreeSat HD box is upscaling SD over the HDMI
interface - it is certainly presenting itself to the TV as 1080i.

Given that, how easy is it to tell the difference between good upscaling of
SD material and true HD material?
Probably not as easy as telling the difference between native SD and native
HD.

Jeff Layman wrote:
Last week there was a programme (I can't remember which) transmitted
as a simulcast. I was surprised to see that the HD prog was nearly 2
minutes delayed compared to the SD. I'd always assumed that a simulcast
was just that, with perhaps only a second or two delay due to encoding
differences. However the 2 minute delay would suggest different
recordings being used for the transmissions. I guess it makes sense as
the BBC HD channel is not a copy of BBC1 or 2, and perhaps its programme
timings can vary. I so, why bother with the term "simulcast"? Why not
just "also available on BBC HD"?

Because in the grand scheme of things, two minutes is pretty irrellevant.
They are on in the same time slot , but they also can't start
transmitting until the previous programs have finished so it's
inevitable that there will be small differences in start time.

Yes , I know there's a schedule but a nominally 30 minute program won't
always be exactly 1800 seconds and I think you are expecting too much
from them.

--
Alex

"I laugh in the face of danger, then I hide until it goes away"

housetrained wrote:
"Jeff Layman" wrote in message
...
Last week there was a programme (I can't remember which) transmitted as a
simulcast. I was surprised to see that the HD prog was nearly 2 minutes
delayed compared to the SD. I'd always assumed that a simulcast was just
that, with perhaps only a second or two delay due to encoding
differences. However the 2 minute delay would suggest different
recordings being used for the transmissions. I guess it makes sense as
the BBC HD channel is not a copy of BBC1 or 2, and perhaps its programme
timings can vary. I so, why bother with the term "simulcast"? Why not
just "also available on BBC HD"?

--
Jeff


As our old friend ****** *********** used to say; why use five words when
one will do?

Currently, 8 words are being used in the Radio Times - "Simulcast in HD on
the BBC HD channel".

Why use 5 when 8 will do? ;-))

--
Jeff

On Mon, 9 Nov 2009 10:12:56 -0000, "Jeff Layman"
wrote:

Last week there was a programme (I can't remember which) transmitted as a
simulcast. I was surprised to see that the HD prog was nearly 2 minutes
delayed compared to the SD. I'd always assumed that a simulcast was just
that, with perhaps only a second or two delay due to encoding differences.
However the 2 minute delay would suggest different recordings being used for
the transmissions. I guess it makes sense as the BBC HD channel is not a
copy of BBC1 or 2, and perhaps its programme timings can vary. I so, why
bother with the term "simulcast"? Why not just "also available on BBC HD"?

1. Is it actually *claimed* to be 'Simulcast'?
I haven't checked but ISTR the programmes are just listed as "also
broadcast on BBC HD"

2. Does it really matter?

lid wrote:
On Mon, 9 Nov 2009 10:12:56 -0000, "Jeff Layman"
wrote:

Last week there was a programme (I can't remember which) transmitted as a
simulcast. I was surprised to see that the HD prog was nearly 2 minutes
delayed compared to the SD. I'd always assumed that a simulcast was just
that, with perhaps only a second or two delay due to encoding
differences. However the 2 minute delay would suggest different
recordings being used for the transmissions. I guess it makes sense as
the BBC HD channel is not a copy of BBC1 or 2, and perhaps its programme
timings can vary. I so, why bother with the term "simulcast"? Why not
just "also available on BBC HD"?

1. Is it actually *claimed* to be 'Simulcast'?
I haven't checked but ISTR the programmes are just listed as "also
broadcast on BBC HD"

Yes - see my reply to Housetrained above.


2. Does it really matter?

Probably not. I just associate "Simultaneous broadcast" with eg TV and
radio having the same programme at exactly the same time (such as The
Proms). I see that the term was first used in 1948!
(http://www.aolsvc.merriam-webster.ao...nary/simulcast)

--
Jeff