I highly doubt that the CRTC would object if CBC showed everything in HD on the HD channel. The only people who would complain are the brass at NBC... and they aren't Canadians so who cares.

Here's the real explanation (http://www.cyberpresse.ca/article/20060212/CPARTS/602120558/1017/CPARTS) of why some events are NOT in HD on SRCHD.

"Les images de Turin arrivent à Montréal dans un fil de fibre optique loué par Radio-Canada. Lorsqu'elles sont en haute définition, les images prennent plus d'espace dans le minuscule tube.

" Les images haute définition contiennent cinq fois plus d'information, précise Guy Quirion, directeur studios et tournages à la SRC. C'est pour ça qu'on ne peut pas présenter toutes les épreuves en HD, même si elles sont disponibles à Turin. Il n'y aurait pas assez de place dans le tube pour tous les sports que nous voulons présenter dans la même journée. ""

For SRCHD, everything is being produce in Montreal. Since they are getting ALL the events at the same time via fiber optic, sometimes they doesn't have enought space in the fiber optic to show everything in HD. That's why they are choosing some events to be in SD, just because of space. They are renting a fiber optic from Bell.

Under terms and conditions of CRTC licence,
the Main Network is only allowed to broadcast 14 hours per week that is
in a different format than what the Network provides normally.
Therefore
only live events and "Game Of The Day" hockey repeats will be
broadcast in High Definition.
but because of
the CRTC restrictions we cannot rebroadcast events in HD in the
evenings.

This is the most stupid thing I've ever heard regarding CBC and/or CRTC.
I am forced to watch NBC because this country is governed by morons.

I emailed CBC last night and this is the reply I got

Thank you for your email. Under terms and conditions of CRTC licence,
the Main Network is only allowed to broadcast 14 hours per week that is
in a different format than what the Network provides normally. Either they are lying through their teeth - or they are too stupid to understand the terms of their own licence. Anyone can read the licence, it's at:

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2004/db2004-69.htm

Essentially, they are allowed to air 14-hours a week that is different than the main channel. That's different programming, not differnt picture resolution! As long as they air the same as the main channel, they can air 24/7 in HDTV.

Nick

I think I get what the comment was about. If you go to the CBC-HD website and download the hockey/olympic schedules, you'll see that some of the programming (Hockey) is unique to the HD channel (it says CBC-HD only).

As stated earlier, I don't understand why they couldn't just air the same programme on the SD channel though... (perhaps they bought the HD rights and SD rights would have been more money?)

That then would be a business (economic) decision, not a CRTC decision.

I had Emailed the CRTC asking about any regulations they may or may not have put in place regarding the number of hours of HD coverage CBC/TSN/etc are restricted to, and here is an exerpt of the reply I received:

Thank you for contacting the CRTC.



There are no set deadlines for the switch to digital television, including for HDTV. I would like to point out that the CRTC has not put any limitations on CBC or any other broadcaster from broadcasting in digital or HDTV.



The Commission has determined that a voluntary model that would develop at a pace set by the marketplace, rather than a transition model based on mandated deadlines, would be the more appropriate approach for the Canadian broadcasting system. Here is a link to our relevant public notice: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Notices/2002/pb2002-31.htm

I had a look at the link they suggested to check out, and there was nothing at all in there about limiting the # of hours a broadcaster may broadcast in HD. This being the case, with regards to the reply from the CBC that was posted earlier, in my opinion the CBC is just trying to use the CRTC as an excuse for not providing comprehensive HD broadcasting.

I found it odd that the SRC channel was showing full HD while CBC was showing basic SD for the same event at the same time. If it's being transmitted from Turino in HD, why wouldn't it be shown in HD on both channels here?

That's what many of us have been asking in the Official Olympic CBC-HD thread for several days. We also asked why it wasn't DD5.1 on CBC, while it is on NBC/SRC. (We know Marc said it wasn't going to be, but it seems weird that SRC can have it and CBC cannot.)

Marc is over in Torino and probably won't be able to address all our questions until he gets back. Perhaps we should create a summary....

Not only has it not been in HD, at least what I have seen, but they are monkeying the the origianl 4:3 SD aspect ratio image and are croping off the top and bottom and filling in the sides more.

As an owner of 4:3 ascpect ratio HDTV ture 16:9 images are great and looks like normal letter box images, and 4:3 is great as well, just zoom in and fill the screen. But cropped and streched 4:3 is bad all around.

CBC has just stared doing this for the Olympics. I hope it is not a trend. The up converted 1080i broadcast is cutting off the graphic that contain the medal standing that scroll along the bottom of the screen, as can be seen
switching to the NTSC telecast form time to time.

There is no piont upconverting 480i 4:3 to 1080i it only consumes bandwith. All HDTVs upconvet to their display resolution anyways. Upconverting everything to 1080i, wich only support 16:9, defeats automatic aspect ratio controls built into HDTV sets.

Overall a minor complaint and I would like to also commend the CBC for being a pioneer in Canada in digital broadcasting and HDTV.

There is no piont upconverting 480i 4:3 to 1080i it only consumes bandwith. All HDTVs upconvet to their display resolution anyways. Upconverting everything to 1080i, wich only support 16:9, defeats automatic aspect ratio controls built into HDTV sets.
Maybe my TV isn't as good as upconverting as others, but I find that upconverted SD at 1080i is always better quality than the analog SD signal upconverted by my display. True, the TV won't stretch the 1080i signal to fill the frame, but the quality is so much better I prefer the sideboxed psuedo-HD version.

(Then again, I read somewhere that the analog tuner in the Motorola HD cable boxes isn't that great.)

Marc, any comments on the Audio problems with "At the Hotel". See the thread below:

http://digitalhomecanada.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38927

"The Board approved a recommendation by management that CBC/Radio-Canada proceed with the construction of a second high-definition mobile, which will provide the capacity to meet internal demand at a lower cost than rental."

That's all the info I have.

9 Month's from ordering to rolling? Or is it a little longer than that?

That sounds reasonable, but I don't actually know.

Marc - I was told by a lady from CBC audience relations that the reason the HD series China Rises will not be rebroadcast next week in HD, on CBC HD, is that the mobile is required in order to do so. I guess I can't understand why the mobile is so important to a rebroadcast. Can you explain?

It's airing on Newsworld, which is SD only.
The mobile has nothing to do with it.

It's airing on Newsworld, which is SD only.
The mobile has nothing to do with it.
I thought so. Thanks. Guess the gal who told me expected I'd accept the answer and go away without a whimper. She was wrong....

But she did get you to go away without a whimper....

But she did get you to go away without a whimper....
I can't wait until Monday!

Monsters Inc. tonight is being shown is SD. What is with that? This movies has been on as HD on other channels. So what is up Marc?