WFAA has gone HD

[Star Video]

So, they've been digital for a while, but...

My good ole' local WFAA (ABC, ch.8) has gotten a new studio, new studio HD cameras. Also, they've turned their SX camera's 16:9 to "on".

My observations: The new graphics look beautiful, the studio cameras are nice, the SX camera video looks acceptable. But, the SD lenses are degrading the image a little. (not sure if it's also the compression, I think SX is 4:2:2? not sure) either way, better, HD glass would help.

all in all, it's nice to watch news in widescreen!

[Baltimore Shooter]

Well, I don't think HD galss is going to help. The pic quality will still be as good as SX is. What I mean is, the quality is only as good as it's weakest link in the chain. And that's for any format. HDCam w/ HD class would make an improvement.

SD camera w/ HD glass or HD camera w/ SD glass...only as good as the weakest link.

Warren

[Canonman]

So, they've been digital for a while, but...

My good ole' local WFAA (ABC, ch.8) has gotten a new studio, new studio HD cameras. Also, they've turned their SX camera's 16:9 to "on".

My observations: The new graphics look beautiful, the studio cameras are nice, the SX camera video looks acceptable. But, the SD lenses are degrading the image a little. (not sure if it's also the compression, I think SX is 4:2:2? not sure) either way, better, HD glass would help.

all in all, it's nice to watch news in widescreen!

I also understand that production has got at least one XDCAM HD. It stands to reason they should be the first to go HD in DFW as they were the first with a digital transmitter. In fact, they're the only digital transmitter on VHF, all the other station's digital transmitters are UHF.

cm

[Frank McBride]

I didn't realize WFAA had already thrown the switch. We (KHOU) started broadcasting HD/SD 16:9 last Sunday. We don't have the fancy remote morning show studio, but otherwise it's the same deal.

The main challenge has been dealing with the two aspect ratios without it looking stupid. I found it ironic that on Thursday I pulled some archive footage of Vietnam protests that were shot on film in 16:9, but since it was archived letterboxed in 4:3, I had to load it with side boarders for our 16:9, so our hd viewers had boxes vertically and horizontally. What a shame.

It is cool seeing the news presented this way. I hope to see it at home soon. I just have to sell my pd-150 first so I can afford a decent hd television.

FMc

[natspop]

Saying you're "HD" when your field aquisition is SX (not HD) is like saying you have a stereo because you have 2 speakers putting out your mono signal. It's not true HD if they aren't shooting HD. But Martha and JoBob at home aren't going to know OR see the difference.

[2000lux]

I'm guessing most of their other programming is HD? The news devision will probably catch up slowly. Replacing all those cameras, decks, and probably the switcher too is not going to be cheap.

SX is definitely not HD but it's pretty good (especially if the cameras are set up well, given decent glass, etc).

[Frank McBride]

The vo/sots and pkgs from the field are NOT HD, except for the ones coming from our investigative division which are shot with an HDXD. Everything else in the newscast is true HD. The studio cams, the tower cams, the helicopter, graphics...even the newsroom camera. So, we're more than 50% being honest, I would say. I suppose at the same time we're reinforcing the confusion about the difference between HD and 16:9.

FMc

[patssle]

The vo/sots and pkgs from the field are NOT HD, except for the ones coming from our investigative division which are shot with an HDXD. Everything else in the newscast is true HD. The studio cams, the tower cams, the helicopter, graphics...even the newsroom camera. So, we're more than 50% being honest, I would say. I suppose at the same time we're reinforcing the confusion about the difference between HD and 16:9.

FMc

At least you guys are more honest than ABC 13. The only HD cameras they have (last time I checked) wern't even in the building (roof cam and their chopter.)

[natspop]

The vo/sots and pkgs from the field are NOT HD, except for the ones coming from our investigative division which are shot with an HDXD. Everything else in the newscast is true HD. The studio cams, the tower cams, the helicopter, graphics...even the newsroom camera. So, we're more than 50% being honest, I would say. I suppose at the same time we're reinforcing the confusion about the difference between HD and 16:9.

FMc

Now THAT is one of the funniest things i've ever read that was definately NOT supposed to be... "So, we're more than 50% being honest, I would say." HAHAHAHAHA!!!!! In other words, SOME of what we're saying is true, and half of what we say isn't true." My god that's funny!!! Wonder what the public would say about the credibility of your newsroom knowing, "So, we're more than 50% being honest, I would say." HA! I can't stop laughing at that!

[Star Video]

Yes, I agree, it takes a while to replace everything. But, Sony was smart to make the SX cameras 16:9 switchable to make the transition to digital television easier on the station's budget (both timewise and monetary) Although not HD, widescreen SX does look better in a digital HD signal than it does in SD, so i'm not complaining.