A "when we officially convert to HD" question

[br2001@webtv.net]

My question: Once HD is the standard - will 16:9 broadcasts shown on a
bedroom SD 4:3 set have black bars on all 4 sides of the frame?

[Spam Catcher]

br2001@webtv.net wrote in news:4729-4437EF04-160@storefull-
3317.bay.webtv.net:

> My question: Once HD is the standard - will 16:9 broadcasts shown on a
> bedroom SD 4:3 set have black bars on all 4 sides of the frame?

Yes probably. But your TV should have an option to stretch the image to
fill the entire screen.

Otherwise I'm sure there will be 4:3 HD TVs available for a while to come.

[howardhometheater]

br2001@webtv.net Wrote:
> My question: Once HD is the standard - will 16:9 broadcasts shown on a
> bedroom SD 4:3 set have black bars on all 4 sides of the frame?

No. Remember, DIGITAL is the new standard, not HD. I imagine very few
stations will be converting to HD for some time, if at all. They will
be far more interested in cramming 4 channels of the Home Shopping
Network into the available digital space, not in giving you actual
high-definition content. The digital conversion will be the next big
disappointment after the imminent disappointment we're about to
experience with HD-DVD, Blu-Ray, and the whole DRM (Digital Rights
Management) mess. There just aren't enough of us geeks to make the
content providers care. While I hope this statement ranks right up
there with "the Earth is flat" and "why would anyone want a computer in
their home?", I'm afraid I might be right.


--
howardhometheater

[whosbest54]

In article <4729-4437EF04-160@storefull-3317.bay.webtv.net>,
br2001@webtv.net says...
>
>
>My question: Once HD is the standard - will 16:9 broadcasts shown on a
>bedroom SD 4:3 set have black bars on all 4 sides of the frame?
>
Generally, you will likely see 16x9 broadcasts in letterbox, which is
black bars on the top and bottom only.

Digital will be the requirement for OTA broadcasts, and HD is a subset of
digital. Digital broadcast standards include non-HD 4x3 formats.

A larger question will be will you have to get a new cable box for any
current 4x3 analog sets now hooked up to cable. When that happens or
will the cable companies be allowed to downconvert HD 16x9 to SD
letterbox so analog tuners contine to work. The answer to that still
isn't clear at all.

For OTA, it is clear a partially subsidized tuner will be required. The
amount of that subsidy and who gets it is still a controversial subject,
but Congress already spoke on that, at least for now.

Congress could act again between now and 2009 on these topics...stay
tuned.

whosbest54
--
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[Robert Gammon]

whosbest54 wrote:
> In article <4729-4437EF04-160@storefull-3317.bay.webtv.net>,
> br2001@webtv.net says...
>
>> My question: Once HD is the standard - will 16:9 broadcasts shown on a
>> bedroom SD 4:3 set have black bars on all 4 sides of the frame?
>>
>>
> Generally, you will likely see 16x9 broadcasts in letterbox, which is
> black bars on the top and bottom only.
>
> Digital will be the requirement for OTA broadcasts, and HD is a subset of
> digital. Digital broadcast standards include non-HD 4x3 formats.
>
> A larger question will be will you have to get a new cable box for any
> current 4x3 analog sets now hooked up to cable. When that happens or
> will the cable companies be allowed to downconvert HD 16x9 to SD
> letterbox so analog tuners contine to work. The answer to that still
> isn't clear at all.
>
> For OTA, it is clear a partially subsidized tuner will be required. The
> amount of that subsidy and who gets it is still a controversial subject,
> but Congress already spoke on that, at least for now.
>
> Congress could act again between now and 2009 on these topics...stay
> tuned.
>
> whosbest54
>

The answer given is correct for the TV you have now. The more important
question is will you be buying a new TV to replace this one between now
and 2009?? Lots of choices. Prices for 16x9 digital TVs are falling
and even the lowest price 4:3 models now have component video input to
display digital tv when hooked to a HD cable box, DBS HD receiver, or
OTA HD receiver.

This TV will need to get a HDTV tuner input to it, whether that is an
over the air model, a cable box upgrade or DBS receiver. The external
tuners need to know the capabilities of the TV they are attached to so
that they display appropriate formats.

Yes, the picture is unclear, especially concerning the cable/satellite
industry. They lose access to LOTS of material in the switch, yet they
have ENORMOUS storage of 4:3 material to continue their service as is
beyond 2009. Mandated local coverage would be dropped as the
broadcasters return the spectrum to the FCC. It will be a MESS

LOTS of folks will be UPSET on the day that it happens as they do NOT
pay attention to the technology news. Local stations are likely to be
FLOODED with calls for the week following the switch.

[dnoyeB]

howardhometheater wrote:
> br2001@webtv.net Wrote:
>
>>My question: Once HD is the standard - will 16:9 broadcasts shown on a
>>bedroom SD 4:3 set have black bars on all 4 sides of the frame?
>
>
> No. Remember, DIGITAL is the new standard, not HD. I imagine very few
> stations will be converting to HD for some time, if at all. They will
> be far more interested in cramming 4 channels of the Home Shopping
> Network into the available digital space, not in giving you actual
> high-definition content. The digital conversion will be the next big
> disappointment after the imminent disappointment we're about to
> experience with HD-DVD, Blu-Ray, and the whole DRM (Digital Rights
> Management) mess. There just aren't enough of us geeks to make the
> content providers care. While I hope this statement ranks right up
> there with "the Earth is flat" and "why would anyone want a computer in
> their home?", I'm afraid I might be right.
>
>

truer words never spoken.

--
Thank you,



"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16

[dnoyeB]

Robert Gammon wrote:
> whosbest54 wrote:
>
>> In article <4729-4437EF04-160@storefull-3317.bay.webtv.net>,
>> br2001@webtv.net says...
>>
>>
>>> My question: Once HD is the standard - will 16:9 broadcasts shown on a
>>> bedroom SD 4:3 set have black bars on all 4 sides of the frame?
>>>
>>
>> Generally, you will likely see 16x9 broadcasts in letterbox, which is
>> black bars on the top and bottom only.
>>
>> Digital will be the requirement for OTA broadcasts, and HD is a subset
>> of digital. Digital broadcast standards include non-HD 4x3 formats.
>>
>> A larger question will be will you have to get a new cable box for any
>> current 4x3 analog sets now hooked up to cable. When that happens or
>> will the cable companies be allowed to downconvert HD 16x9 to SD
>> letterbox so analog tuners contine to work. The answer to that still
>> isn't clear at all.
>>
>> For OTA, it is clear a partially subsidized tuner will be required.
>> The amount of that subsidy and who gets it is still a controversial
>> subject, but Congress already spoke on that, at least for now.
>>
>> Congress could act again between now and 2009 on these topics...stay
>> tuned.
>> whosbest54
>>
>
>
> The answer given is correct for the TV you have now. The more important
> question is will you be buying a new TV to replace this one between now
> and 2009?? Lots of choices. Prices for 16x9 digital TVs are falling
> and even the lowest price 4:3 models now have component video input to
> display digital tv when hooked to a HD cable box, DBS HD receiver, or
> OTA HD receiver.
>
> This TV will need to get a HDTV tuner input to it, whether that is an
> over the air model, a cable box upgrade or DBS receiver. The external
> tuners need to know the capabilities of the TV they are attached to so
> that they display appropriate formats.
> Yes, the picture is unclear, especially concerning the cable/satellite
> industry. They lose access to LOTS of material in the switch, yet they
> have ENORMOUS storage of 4:3 material to continue their service as is
> beyond 2009. Mandated local coverage would be dropped as the
> broadcasters return the spectrum to the FCC. It will be a MESS
>
> LOTS of folks will be UPSET on the day that it happens as they do NOT
> pay attention to the technology news. Local stations are likely to be
> FLOODED with calls for the week following the switch.

Wait till the cable goes out one day and folks try to pick up the local
stations. Thats when many more will notice something strange is going on.

--
Thank you,



"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16

[Robert Gammon]

dnoyeB wrote:
> howardhometheater wrote:
>> br2001@webtv.net Wrote:
>>> My question: Once HD is the standard - will 16:9 broadcasts shown on a
>>> bedroom SD 4:3 set have black bars on all 4 sides of the frame?
>>
>>
>> No. Remember, DIGITAL is the new standard, not HD. I imagine very few
>> stations will be converting to HD for some time, if at all. They will
>> be far more interested in cramming 4 channels of the Home Shopping
>> Network into the available digital space, not in giving you actual
>> high-definition content. The digital conversion will be the next big
>> disappointment after the imminent disappointment we're about to
>> experience with HD-DVD, Blu-Ray, and the whole DRM (Digital Rights
>> Management) mess. There just aren't enough of us geeks to make the
>> content providers care. While I hope this statement ranks right up
>> there with "the Earth is flat" and "why would anyone want a computer in
>> their home?", I'm afraid I might be right.
>>
>>
So far, I see no evidence that the local broadcasters are thinking in
these terms. Most appear to be more interested in addressing the
technical issues involved in Digital TV, i.e. 720p or 1080i, dressing up
their sets to look nicer in the chosen mode. The major network
affiliates in my area are all broadcasting several hours a day of 720p
or 1080i material, in some cases, it is that way for as long as the
station is on the air!

While I agree, it is technically feasable to put out 4 channels of 480i
Digital TV in the assigned bandwidth, the question is where do the
stations find the advertising revenue to pay for the 3X increase in
broadcast hours. Advertising rates would fall as enormous new slots
open up to fill airtime with ads. Rates would fall as viewers would
have still MORE choices about which shows to watch. Ratings for
individual shows on a given station would fall, further driving down
advertising rates.

This is the MOST pessimistic view of the situation imaginable. I pray
that it dows not work out that way. As it is the delay to 2009 is
sickening!!

[dnoyeB]

Robert Gammon wrote:
> dnoyeB wrote:
>
>> howardhometheater wrote:
>>
>>> br2001@webtv.net Wrote:
>>>
>>>> My question: Once HD is the standard - will 16:9 broadcasts shown on a
>>>> bedroom SD 4:3 set have black bars on all 4 sides of the frame?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> No. Remember, DIGITAL is the new standard, not HD. I imagine very few
>>> stations will be converting to HD for some time, if at all. They will
>>> be far more interested in cramming 4 channels of the Home Shopping
>>> Network into the available digital space, not in giving you actual
>>> high-definition content. The digital conversion will be the next big
>>> disappointment after the imminent disappointment we're about to
>>> experience with HD-DVD, Blu-Ray, and the whole DRM (Digital Rights
>>> Management) mess. There just aren't enough of us geeks to make the
>>> content providers care. While I hope this statement ranks right up
>>> there with "the Earth is flat" and "why would anyone want a computer in
>>> their home?", I'm afraid I might be right.
>>>
>>>
> So far, I see no evidence that the local broadcasters are thinking in
> these terms. Most appear to be more interested in addressing the
> technical issues involved in Digital TV, i.e. 720p or 1080i, dressing up
> their sets to look nicer in the chosen mode. The major network
> affiliates in my area are all broadcasting several hours a day of 720p
> or 1080i material, in some cases, it is that way for as long as the
> station is on the air!
>

as the previous poster said, broadcasting in Digital is only remotely
related to HDTV. 720p and 1080i are forms if HDTV, not Digital
broadcasting. Though its true that you wont get HDTV over the air
without Digital TV. And that most that have started Digital
broadcasting are also using some high def broadcasting.

The big issue is that just because they have a digital and high def
signal in the air, you also need high def programming. I don't see much
of that from the local stations yet. Only some sports events from
mostly the sports networks, and a few movies here and there.

One thing I have seem though is 5.1 surround even when they are not
sending high def images.

> While I agree, it is technically feasable to put out 4 channels of 480i
> Digital TV in the assigned bandwidth, the question is where do the
> stations find the advertising revenue to pay for the 3X increase in
> broadcast hours. Advertising rates would fall as enormous new slots
> open up to fill airtime with ads. Rates would fall as viewers would
> have still MORE choices about which shows to watch. Ratings for
> individual shows on a given station would fall, further driving down
> advertising rates.
>
> This is the MOST pessimistic view of the situation imaginable. I pray
> that it dows not work out that way. As it is the delay to 2009 is
> sickening!!
>
>


--
Thank you,



"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16