BBC launching 5 new HD channels from 10th December

[Deleted User]

visidigi wrote: »

I mean to say the gap is not that much anymore on the things worth watching…

Of course every channel is a favourite of someone, just as the same channels are not important to others.
The point is that HD channel choice is still far greater with Sky.

VisionMan

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Of course every channel is a favourite of someone, just as the same channels are not important to others.
The point is that HD channel choice is still far greater with Sky.

Whilst its true that Sky offer the greatest amount of 'HD' channels, a lot of them are actually only upscaled SD. Or at least they were the last time I subscribed.

[Deleted User]

VisionMan wrote: »

Whilst its true that Sky offer the greatest amount of 'HD' channels, a lot of them are actually only upscaled SD. Or at least they were the last time I subscribed.

No, the accepted definition of a HD channel is at lead 75% of broadcast time is in native HD. No channel can be described as High Definition if it only broadcasts upscaled SD. Even free-to-view channels like Film4 HD (once a Virgin exclusive) adhere to this and most of that channel's daytime output is indeed upscaled SD.

In addition, upscaled SD is still superior to SD.

penrhyn

At least when an HD channel is showing an old 4x3 programme it shows it in the correct aspect ratio, and you don't have to faff around with the picture size.

[Deleted User]

penrhyn wrote: »

At least when an HD channel is showing an old 4x3 programme it shows it in the correct aspect ratio, and you don't have to faff around with the picture size.

Indeed, and many of the old 1970's programmes shot in 4:3 aspect ratio (like Magnum etc) are actually presented in HD because they were originally shot on film.

Nilrem

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Indeed, and many of the old 1970's programmes shot in 4:3 aspect ratio (like Magnum etc) are actually presented in HD because they were originally shot on film.

And boy can that led to some fun conversations with some people...

It's funny when someone says there is no point to watching something from say 1950 in HD as it "wasn't shot in HD", and explaining that film is more than capable of "HD" resolutions (I remember a discussion about things like the old Disney animated films).

I've got this odd wish to see some of the old classic TV from the 60's in HD, things like the Addams Family (which still looks surprisingly good today on DVD), could be nice in HD as IIRC it was completely shot on film.

Where it falls down is in the 80's and stuff might have been shot on film, but actually edited on tape (especially for sci-fi where they would edit it on tape for VFX reasons)

penrhyn

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Indeed, and many of the old 1970's programmes shot in 4:3 aspect ratio (like Magnum etc) are actually presented in HD because they were originally shot on film.

Indeed, you can count the hairs on Tom Sellecks moustache. BTW That fonts a tad tiny.