View Full Version : TV Digital TV channels is becoming a joke... lift your game!
Power Pete
29 Sep 2010, 07:26
Not sure if others have noticed, but when 7mate and GEM started broadcasting, their parent stations (Channel 7 and 9) have gone back to Standard Definition (SD). I find it funny that 7mate and GEM show more older shows and it broadcasts them in 1080 HD, but when they made most of them shows they made for analogue TV styles in SD formats.
I know Standard Definition (SD) is a better quality of picture than analogue but why not use the HD or FULLHD on all the channels... must be a law and or a money issue, otherwise we should be having it right now.
We now only have OneHD, 7mate and GEM broadcasting in the 1080HD mode.
We have ABC24News and SBSHD broadcasting in the 720HD mode.
Last of all, we have Channel 7, 7Two, 9, 10, GO!, ABC, ABC2, ABC3, SBS2 all broadcasting in 576 SD.
We all do the right thing and like most buy the HD or FULLHD TV's so we can watch them with higher resolution images and with Dolby Digital surround sound. What the hell is going on?
stuart27
29 Sep 2010, 08:55
Not sure if others have noticed, but when 7mate and GEM started broadcasting, their parent stations (Channel 7 and 9) have gone back to Standard Definition (SD). I find it funny that 7mate and GEM show more older shows and it broadcasts them in 1080 HD, but when they made most of them shows they made for analogue TV styles in SD formats.
I know Standard Definition (SD) is a better quality of picture than analogue but why not use the HD or FULLHD on all the channels... must be a law and or a money issue, otherwise we should be having it right now.
We now only have OneHD, 7mate and GEM broadcasting in the 1080HD mode.
We have ABC24News and SBSHD broadcasting in the 720HD mode.
Last of all, we have Channel 7, 7Two, 9, 10, GO!, ABC, ABC2, ABC3, SBS2 all broadcasting in 576 SD.
We all do the right thing and like most buy the HD or FULLHD TV's so we can watch them with higher resolution images and with Dolby Digital surround sound. What the hell is going on?
I think there's a few issues floating around this, all of which will probably be ironed out over the years it takes to migrate to digital.
1. The current commercial networks can only broadcast a certain amount of multichannels at one time by legislation (currently 3 - although these 3 'channels' can take up more than one actual channel, such as One which is on 1 and 12). Of these, two can be in SD and one can be in HD. These limits get phased up periodically, do not apply to ABC/SBS, and will be removed completely when switchover is complete.
2. Because SD only STBs are still sold alongside SD/HD boxes, and are still cheaper, it wouldn't make sense for a commercial network to restrict access to their 'main' channel by making it HD. Again, this will go with the channel restrictions when switchover is complete, but while they're in place the main channels will always go for the most reach, which is SD.
It's frustrating, yes, but key HD broadcasts such as sport will always be simulcast on GEM or 7mate. Once the commercial networks can go nuts with multichannels is when full HD simulcast channels will return.
doodlefeatures
29 Sep 2010, 09:51
I think there's a few issues floating around this, all of which will probably be ironed out over the years it takes to migrate to digital.
1. The current commercial networks can only broadcast a certain amount of multichannels at one time by legislation (currently 3 - although these 3 'channels' can take up more than one actual channel, such as One which is on 1 and 12). Of these, two can be in SD and one can be in HD. These limits get phased up periodically, do not apply to ABC/SBS, and will be removed completely when switchover is complete.
2. Because SD only STBs are still sold alongside SD/HD boxes, and are still cheaper, it wouldn't make sense for a commercial network to restrict access to their 'main' channel by making it HD. Again, this will go with the channel restrictions when switchover is complete, but while they're in place the main channels will always go for the most reach, which is SD.
It's frustrating, yes, but key HD broadcasts such as sport will always be simulcast on GEM or 7mate. Once the commercial networks can go nuts with multichannels is when full HD simulcast channels will return.
Such as the GF replay?
treeman
29 Sep 2010, 10:53
Such as the GF replay?
Yes that is correct.
doodlefeatures
29 Sep 2010, 10:59
Yes that is correct.
Except 7mate aren't showing the GF replay, it's not being done in HD
THRILLHO
29 Sep 2010, 11:04
It's frustrating, yes, but key HD broadcasts such as sport will always be simulcast on GEM or 7mate. Once the commercial networks can go nuts with multichannels is when full HD simulcast channels will return.
Yeah, but it's pretty much only going to be sport that is simulcast in HD. Most American shows these days are filmed in HD and we have to put up with shitty SD, which, when you have a massive plasma, actually makes a hell of a difference.
What a shambles. Once again, the law is an ass.
I bet channel 10 wished they had the rights to this years GF instead of last years.
I bet channel 10 wished they had the rights to this years GF instead of last years.
I think we all do.
I think we all do.
Agreed, I haven't heard/seen one person praise Channel 7s coverage of the GF. I thought my head was going to explode at one point from all the close ups/fast motion close ups.
Except 7mate aren't showing the GF replay, it's not being done in HD
Wait What!!!
Channel 7 haven't shown a game of footy all year in HD. At least not in the country. So I wasn't surprised they didn't show the GF in HD. They are a disgrace.
that_dood
30 Sep 2010, 00:25
Channel 7 haven't shown a game of footy all year in HD. At least not in the country. So I wasn't surprised they didn't show the GF in HD. They are a disgrace.
They showed all the finals games in HD and the Grand Final on Saturday was in HD.
But this week they aren't for some reason.
Roos4eva
30 Sep 2010, 00:34
Yeah, the drawn Grand Final was definitely in HD, but it is an absolute joke that they're not going to show the replay in HD; the ****ing useless knobends that they are.
I really can't understand all this complaining about HD channels. I have a 37in full HD TV and I barely notice the difference between HD and SD broadcasts.
If anything I prefer the stuff I like to watch being on SD because my HDD doesn't record HD spectrums.
THRILLHO
30 Sep 2010, 10:55
If you can believe it, the reason Seven arent broadcasting the grand final in HD is because the equipment has already been hired out.
They dont even own their own equipment.
It's the principle of the matter though, to get these new channels... they've taken away the main HD channel(s) of the networks. For what ? a lot of the content on 7mate was filmed wayyyy before HD was conceived (wooo Knight Rider from the 1980's in pseudo hd :p 4:3 aspect ratio).
Even channel 9 with GEM don't screen most of their content in HD, the stream in some parts of Australia is just upconverted SD - thus not true HD. While they have played some programs in true HD, they have neglected to play other programs in the format (despite the programs known to be available in HD).
Power Pete
30 Sep 2010, 13:02
Channel 7 haven't shown a game of footy all year in HD. At least not in the country. So I wasn't surprised they didn't show the GF in HD. They are a disgrace.
Channel 7 have been showing footy in HD, but since the 7mate channel has started up, that's now is the HD channel and channel 7 have reverted back to SD.
They should have keep Ch7 as the HD channel and made 7mate the SD one... not the other way round.
They've done the same thing with GEM, because that now is the HD channel and Ch9 have gone back to SD.
Power Pete
30 Sep 2010, 13:10
I really can't understand all this complaining about HD channels. I have a 37in full HD TV and I barely notice the difference between HD and SD broadcasts.
If anything I prefer the stuff I like to watch being on SD because my HDD doesn't record HD spectrums.
Caesar, you need your eyes checked. There's heap of difference between HD and SD. Next time look at the writing and the edge of the images shown on the screen, they're are a lot sharper and clearer.
I know the definition is a bit clearer. I just think it's utterly negligible.
Hodgepodge
30 Sep 2010, 13:24
I can barely tell the difference between HD and SD.
doodlefeatures
30 Sep 2010, 14:09
I know the definition is a bit clearer. I just think it's utterly negligible.
Watch an NFL, premier league or footy game (that's HD and not the usual upscaled dross) on Fox Sports HD compared to Fox Sports on a 42" plus screen and you'll notice a massive difference
Again, I have. My housemate used to own a 50 inch Bravia. I know there's a difference but it's just not that significant. The edges are a bit sharper, but a SD digital broadcast is hardly a webstream.
I truly think that people only start to make a big deal about HD sport when they've completely trained themselves into expecting it. If you take a step back, the slight increase in picture quality adds very little to the viewing experience.
that_dood
30 Sep 2010, 15:07
If you can believe it, the reason Seven arent broadcasting the grand final in HD is because the equipment has already been hired out.
They dont even own their own equipment.
I think they own the cameras, but the broadcast truck they can't get. I heard their was only three HD capable trucks in Australia.
And anyone that can't see the difference in FULL HD and SD needs to have another look. Some of the US sports like the NFL and NBA, plus when I watch the EPL at a mates house are astonishingly good quality.
THRILLHO
30 Sep 2010, 15:29
Again, I have. My housemate used to own a 50 inch Bravia. I know there's a difference but it's just not that significant. The edges are a bit sharper, but a SD digital broadcast is hardly a webstream.
Maybe the TV itself isnt full HD? Panasonic sell Viera's under $1000 because they arent full HD, but then again, I'm pretty sure Sony only make full HD Bravia's.
There is a definitive difference. It's not the be all and end all of course, but surely you'd expect in 2010 the grand final to be done in full HD.
legend166
30 Sep 2010, 16:45
I think you'll find none of the TV stations actually show anything in 1080p.
I think you'll find none of the TV stations actually show anything in 1080p.
Thats exactly right. You will not get "Full HD" or 1080p out of any broadcaster. The best you can get is 1080i which isn't that different from 720p.
This is why the whole full HD thing is crap and will only matter unless you are watching Blu-rays.
In fact I think you'll find the ABC and SBS HD channels don't broadcast in anything above 576p.
Stop deluding yourselves. There is no such thing as full HD in Oz and as it stands, there never will be.
The Op is right. The stations have everything arse a about.