So as I type this, i'm watching "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" on CityHD. While the movie isn't the best, the picture is absolutely fantastic on my 56" 1080p DLP Samsung via my BEV 6120 and component connection (will be upgrading to DVI/HDMI connection soon).

I'm wondering what the source is at CityTV's end? Can someone explain to me, quickly, what type of media/equipment a station uses to broadcast such an amazing picture.

I mean, its not like they have a Blu-Ray player in a closet, and that's what they're broadcasting. So what exactly are they using?

They receive a tape from a studio (or a satellite or fibre feed) - format can be 1080/24P or 1080/24i. This can either be played directly, or is usually recorded to a server and City broadcast at 1080i.

This is called High Definition. ;)

Too bad they can't get their act together on DD5.1.

DVDs and HD-DVDs are consumer formats, which are NOT used commercially.

Thanks for asking that question s21477, I've always wondered that myself.
And thanks 57 for answering it.

Thanks for the reply 57.

I sorta figured it was "High Definition" :)
I know how HD stuff is made, obviously using Hi-Def cameras (sports, Discovery etc...)

I was just wondering how they render movies into HD...thanks again 57.
As far as the DD5.1 is concerned. I know earlier in the year, City was using DD5.1 on their movies, but there was some serious audio sync issues.

League last night wasn't DD5.1...my receiver was pumping out a PLII sound, and the sync was perfect.

(will be upgrading to DVI/HDMI connection soon).

That's not an upgrade. If you are doing it because you are wanting a better picture you can save your money. Component is just as good.

I was just wondering how they render movies into HDThis is done by a process called telecine. Usually the original film stock is telecined to 1080/24P, but the studios may sent 1080/24i to broadcasters.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=385445&postcount=2

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=44772

I thought that DVDs were used by broadcasters in one instance. Every Saturday night OMNI2 shows a Hong Kong movie. In the past, these movies carried Chinese and English subtitles and the quality looked very similar to the old VCDs I used to buy in HK and China. Namely - poor quality.

Then, a few years ago (not long after the proliferation of DVDs) the presentation changed. Movies now only had English subtitles - because DVDs only allow one subtitle whereas VCDs automatically showed both - and the quality of the picture improved dramatically. Ratio was also same as DVD. So it seems to me that they switched to showing them from a DVD source. But this is probably a rare case since the movies come from HK. And they are usually shown about a year after they've appeared in HK theatres.