HDTV and Set-top Boxes

[L.A.T.]

When a TV program is listed in the TV Guide as "HD", does that mean that the
program is broadcast in both High Definition and Standard Definition? I
know that my CRT set and its Set-top Box can display only Standard
Definition, and the STB manual makes no mention of doing something clever
with a HDTV signal. This is something I'd just like to know, and Google is
no help.

 

[Phil Allison]

"L.A.T."

When a TV program is listed in the TV Guide as "HD", does that mean that
the program is broadcast in both High Definition and Standard Definition?

** Yep - on two separate digital channels.

I know that my CRT set and its Set-top Box can display only Standard
Definition, and the STB manual makes no mention of doing something clever
with a HDTV signal. This is something I'd just like to know, and Google is
no help.

** Most STBs will display a list of all digital channels available, with the
particular antenna in use - some of which are labelled as " HD". All the
major networks ( not SBS) have the capacity to transmit one HD and two SD
pictures simultaneously.

But watch out, the HD pic is often no better looking than the SD one -
having been artificially up-converted from the SD one. Big con really


....... Phil

 

[David L. Jones]

When a TV program is listed in the TV Guide as "HD", does that mean that the
program is broadcast in both High Definition and Standard Definition?

Yes, but on different channels. Each station has a dedicated HDTV
channel.
The HD channel upconverts SD material when HD material is not
available, so HDTV sets can be constantly tuned to the HD channel.

I know that my CRT set and its Set-top Box can display only Standard
Definition, and the STB manual makes no mention of doing something clever
with a HDTV signal. This is something I'd just like to know, and Google is
no help.

Your SD STB can pick up the HD channels but you'll get a garbled
image, so there is no point.

BTW, "HD" ain't always true HD, channel 7 is notorious for passing off
SD images as HD. Channel 7 have also been known to drop their HD
broadcast from time to time.
I've heard that the stations have to transmit a certain percentage of
HD material each month, and they have been known to cheat to meet that
target.

Dave.

 

[David L. Jones]

"L.A.T."




** Yep - on two separate digital channels.


** Most STBs will display a list of all digital channels available, with the
particular antenna in use - some of which are labelled as " HD". All the
major networks ( not SBS) have the capacity to transmit one HD and two SD
pictures simultaneously.

But watch out, the HD pic is often no better looking than the SD one -
having been artificially up-converted from the SD one. Big con really

I can be indeed.

But I've found that sport looks heaps better on the HD channel
compared with SD, virtually no MPEG artifacts during high speed
motion. The artifacts on SD on the other hand can be atrocious, but it
depends on the channel and the bandwidth the station chooses to use
for that program.

Dave.

 

[James]

"L.A.T."


** Yep - on two separate digital channels.




** Most STBs will display a list of all digital channels available, with
the particular antenna in use - some of which are labelled as " HD".
All the major networks ( not SBS) have the capacity to transmit one HD
and two SD pictures simultaneously.

But watch out, the HD pic is often no better looking than the SD one -
having been artificially up-converted from the SD one. Big con really


...... Phil

The HD demonstrations that are on 90% of the time look fantastic
though...LOL

The lack of HD content is a very dissapointing in general and the ability to
transmit DD 5.1 audio is very seldom used as well. I can only recall one
movie that displayed DD 5.1 on the reciever, which was Terminator: Judgement
day, on Ch10 I think. The video didn't look all that fantastic though and
was probably upconverted as suggested.

It would be great to see a majority of sporting events in HD but it's not
going to happen any time soon

James

 

[Alan Rutlidge]

Yes, but on different channels. Each station has a dedicated HDTV
channel.
The HD channel upconverts SD material when HD material is not
available, so HDTV sets can be constantly tuned to the HD channel.


Your SD STB can pick up the HD channels but you'll get a garbled
image, so there is no point.

BTW, "HD" ain't always true HD, channel 7 is notorious for passing off
SD images as HD. Channel 7 have also been known to drop their HD
broadcast from time to time.
I've heard that the stations have to transmit a certain percentage of
HD material each month, and they have been known to cheat to meet that
target.

Dave.

Apart from upconversion being common to a lot of the channels, 7 recently
started transmitting HD here in Perth using 1080i instead of the previous
576p effort which brings its HD transmissions in line with the two other
commercial networks on 1080i. During the earlier part of the day 7
transmits the HD demo loop, with normal programming on SD. During the late
afternoon and evening both SD and HD slots carry the same program with SD
material being up converted except when native HD material is on offer.

In Perth, both SBS and the ABC are upconverting SD program material. ABC up
converts to 720p whilst SBS up converts to 576p. Unfortunately the HD
effort on SBS looks worse than the SD slot on my Sony Bravia 52" X series
LCD. :-(

Cheers,
Alan

 

[David L. Jones]

on my Sony Bravia 52" X series LCD.

Show off!

Dave.

 

[Alan Rutlidge]

Show off!

Dave.

Showing off is when you buy a new TV every 1 or 2 years.
The Sony replaced a old JVC Ineriart 4:3 aspect CRT model. :-(
Mind, you I'm pretty happy with the Sony so far.

Cheers,
Alan

 

[David L. Jones]

Showing off is when you buy a new TV every 1 or 2 years.

I did replace my 76cm widescreen Thomson after only a few years, it
was a case of really bad timing :-(
When I was in the market for a new TV a few years back, Plasma were
still only 480pixel (which I refused to buy), high def Plasma were
insane in price, large screen LCD didn't exist, and rear-pros were
crap quality. So 76cm CRT was the only choice in my price range, but
even they were expensive with the top brands like Thomson going for
$2500+, and the no-names were still $1500 or so. But I worked for a
company who effectively owned Thomson, so I managed to get the staff
discount which saved me around $1000.

Of course, 6-12 months later LCD became all the rage and CRTs
plummeted in price in the following 12 months :-(

Only fairly recently have good brand 42" hi-def Plasma's dropped to
reasonable price, so an upgrade it was. Had to sell the Thomson CRT
for a fraction of what I paid for it :-(

The Sony replaced a old JVC Ineriart 4:3 aspect CRT model. :-(
Mind, you I'm pretty happy with the Sony so far.

The Sony's are really nice, good pick if you can afford it. My 32" S
series is nice enough.

Dave.