Nialli's unofficial blog on Virgin Media's UK cable TV services
September 17, 2009
Picture Quality on BBC HD
Danielle's posted an update on the recent change of encoders being used on BBC HD and what is being done to address the perceived loss in picture quality: Picture Quality on BBC HD: a response
While we're on the subject, does any else see a strange horizontal line in the lower left corner of the screen, from the edge to about 1/3 way across the screen, but *only* during /Warehouse 13/ (original V+ type box, HDMI connector)
Haven't watched this week's episode yet, but it was definitely on my recording of Warehouse 13 last week. Disappeared during the ads, reappeared when the programme restarted. It looked to me like a remnant from a removed DOG or something. Never had it with anything else.
Warehouse 13 (not great but it passes the time, a light-hearted X-Files) is on SciFi and therefore not available via the On Demand services. It's on Tuesdays at 9pm with repeats at various times through the week (Thursdays at 10pm is the one I record). Not as good as Fringe on Sky One, which is back in October.
I wish we'd get syfy in HD, no reason not to, it's not fox , it's NBC, don't know why we aren't chasing that.
Fringe IS amazing, just wish we had Sky1HD to watch THAT in! I doubt we'll see HD content from sky...ever. I'm not being negative, but I can't see OfCom (especially if the Tories get in) pushing Sky to give it for a reasonable £, and Sky will never offer it for a reasonable £ off their own back.
Uuuh what we really need is something to indicate which program on 4HD and other HD channels are actually in HD. Because unlike BBC HD, 4HD doesnt JUST show HD programs.
Sky has a little indication in the programme information box - where it says if the programme has subtitles or not, whereas VM doesn't say :(
So now I don't know WHAT to watch on 4HD and the other HD channels that broadcast non-hd content.
I assume you're referring to the EPG as 4hd has a DOG in the corner whenever HD content is being displayed. ESPNHD is the same and everything on Nat Geo HD is HD (albeit with lots of SD footage in the varous shows).
Actually I really like the 4hd simulcast idea. The HD looks/sounds great and the upscaled SD is the best SD of any channel I've seen. It just goes to show how good SD can look given a decent bit rate. I wish the BBC would just ditch the hamstrung, 9-hour-a-day, low bit rate, HD channel and just simulcast BBC1...
The problem with simulcasting BBC 1 instead of BBC HD is that most of the BBC's best content is on BBC 2 and BBC 4. BBC 1 is mostly lowest common denominator ITV/Sky level rubbish and best forgotten about. There is the occasional stand out, but in such cases BBC HD will have it.
11 comments:
While we're on the subject, does any else see a strange horizontal line in the lower left corner of the screen, from the edge to about 1/3 way across the screen, but *only* during /Warehouse 13/ (original V+ type box, HDMI connector)
Haven't watched this week's episode yet, but it was definitely on my recording of Warehouse 13 last week. Disappeared during the ads, reappeared when the programme restarted. It looked to me like a remnant from a removed DOG or something. Never had it with anything else.
I've seen this before on Channel4. At first I thought my TV was shafted but, as you say, it comes and goes and only on certain programs.
The remnant from a removed DOG seems as good an explanation as any.
I want to see W/H 13 (is it any good?) But I can't see it on any live or on-demand listings? :(
Warehouse 13 (not great but it passes the time, a light-hearted X-Files) is on SciFi and therefore not available via the On Demand services. It's on Tuesdays at 9pm with repeats at various times through the week (Thursdays at 10pm is the one I record).
Not as good as Fringe on Sky One, which is back in October.
oh right, cheers.
I wish we'd get syfy in HD, no reason not to, it's not fox , it's NBC, don't know why we aren't chasing that.
Fringe IS amazing, just wish we had Sky1HD to watch THAT in! I doubt we'll see HD content from sky...ever.
I'm not being negative, but I can't see OfCom (especially if the Tories get in) pushing Sky to give it for a reasonable £, and Sky will never offer it for a reasonable £ off their own back.
*sigh*
Uuuh what we really need is something to indicate which program on 4HD and other HD channels are actually in HD. Because unlike BBC HD, 4HD doesnt JUST show HD programs.
Sky has a little indication in the programme information box - where it says if the programme has subtitles or not, whereas VM doesn't say :(
So now I don't know WHAT to watch on 4HD and the other HD channels that broadcast non-hd content.
I assume you're referring to the EPG as 4hd has a DOG in the corner whenever HD content is being displayed. ESPNHD is the same and everything on Nat Geo HD is HD (albeit with lots of SD footage in the varous shows).
Actually I really like the 4hd simulcast idea. The HD looks/sounds great and the upscaled SD is the best SD of any channel I've seen. It just goes to show how good SD can look given a decent bit rate. I wish the BBC would just ditch the hamstrung, 9-hour-a-day, low bit rate, HD channel and just simulcast BBC1...
The problem with simulcasting BBC 1 instead of BBC HD is that most of the BBC's best content is on BBC 2 and BBC 4. BBC 1 is mostly lowest common denominator ITV/Sky level rubbish and best forgotten about. There is the occasional stand out, but in such cases BBC HD will have it.
I'm not convinced. Endless repeats and too much kids TV doth not a showcase make.
I've had BBCHD since it's inception and the channel has not progressed sufficiently in over 3 years!
Wohhhooo! My prayers have finally been answered! I now see a [HD] in the programme information box on HD shows (at the end of the description).
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