CBC-HD Official Thread (No Hockey)

[57]

The old CBC thread was getting long in the tooth and had started to ramble, so we've created this new thread.

We have a CBC technican who is kind enough to visit this forum. His name is Marc. He will attempt to answer any questions about CBC-HD. Marc has been extremely responsive in the previous thead and we appreciate his presence on this forum.

This thread is intended to discuss mostly technical issues, HD (and WS). Other comments questions regarding CBC-HD may, or may not get a response, or be split from this thread.

This thead is NOT intended for hockey discussions, since there's a separate thread for that.

Any CBC bashing posts will be deleted. Constructive criticism, comments and questions are always welcome.

[hugh]

Thanks 57 and thanks Marc for all your help and feedback.

To echo 57's comment, hockey discussions can take place in the NHL playoffs forum.

For background here is the link to the old CBC-HD discussion thread. You can search that very long thread by using the "Search this thread" functionality if you're interested.

[Bruno Landry]

What was in HD for this first season on CBCHD ?

- China Rises (2 parts)
- Nature of Things (Many Programmes)
- Bachman & Cummings Concert
- Canada Russia 72
- 2006 East Coast Music Award
- Grey Cup/CFL West Final
- HNIC first Game of every saturday (sometimes Friday)
- ....

Edit by 57:

- Several Movies - Chicago, SW I & II, Harry Potter, others.
- At the Hotel (Series, about 6 programmes)
- Several Specials
- "Opening Night" Series - about 6 programmes
- Lots of WS - DaVinci, Documentaries, etc.
- Many Playoff Hockey Games, both WS and HD.

A significant proportion of the above were also DD5.1

Almost everything was produce by CBC (except China Rises, which was coproduced with Discovery Channel & movies).
Olympics were also in HD, but it was not produced by CBC.
It was also the first year of CBCHD.

CTVHD this season :
- Corner Gas (16mm low def)
- Degrassi (same)
- Juno Awards
- Instant Star

GlobalHD this season :
- ????

[rogerd]

At least 7 new digital transmitters across the country (CBC/SRC)

Ottawa will get English only or E/F ?

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by rogerd

At least 7 new digital transmitters across the country (CBC/SRC)

Which cities now have CBC/SRC DTV transmitters? I read something about Quebec City getting an SRC DTV transmitter, but I don't know the status of that.

Ottawa will get English only or E/F ?

I think I read somewhere that Ottawa will get both CBC and SRC DTV transmitters?

[redvette]

Originally Posted by rogerd

At least 7 new digital transmitters across the country (CBC/SRC)

Ottawa will get English only or E/F ?

7 new ones counting Ottawa? Are the CBC adding the new ones in order of the next 7's population size?

[57]

I believe that's how it goes and I believe it's discussed in the old CBC thread somewhere.

[Neild]

Originally Posted by Bruno Landry

What was in HD for this first season on CBCHD ?

- China Rising
- Nature of Things
- Bachman & Cummings Concert
- Canada Russia 72
- 2006 East Coast Music Award
- Grey Cup/CFL West Final
- HNIC first Game of every saturday

Edit by 57:

- At the Hotel
- Several Specials
- The Music series with about 1/2 dozen shows (can't remember the name)
- Lots of WS - DaVinci, Documentaries, etc.

A significant proportion of the above were also DD5.1

Constructively I'd say the CBC needs to really get more serious about HD.

Currently they have 3 hours HD per week, which is a hockey game. Putting a number to that, it's 1.7% HD.

When hockey isn't on they average perhaps 1 hour per week, and many weeks will go by with zero hours of HD coverage.

Lots of the CBC produced series are 'slice of life' type things like Marketplace, Street Cents, Venture, etc. These could be very cost effectively done in HD. The picture quality from even the low end $2000 HD cameras would exceed what they're doing currently, and these types of programs wouldn't suffer at all.

Imagine how actually easy it would be to do a show like 22 Minutes or Mercer Report in HD. They have 1 small studio with 2 cameras. Their street spots could be done with the handheld Sony HD cams. For a very low cost they could be in HD.

CBC needs to tap into their historical roots back when they were a leader. That kind of mission combined with some ingenuity and they could be one of the best HD channels, building all kinds of marketable content.

[james99]

Isn't Cornation Street in HD?

[JesseJ]

Originally Posted by james99

Isn't Cornation Street in HD?

Just WS.

[roger1818]

Why did CBC choose 1080i instead of 720p? From what I have read 1080i is better for movies (which are typically shot at 24 fps) and 720p is better for sports. If hockey is the number one reason people would want CBC HDTV, wouldn't 720p make more sense?

[57]

Although Hockey may be the first reason that SOME people watch CBC, the types of programmes in post 3 (other than sports) are the primary reason that people watch CBC.

Also, many people say that the PQ on CBS for football is the best they've seen, so it really depends on the programme, the viewer, the HDTV, etc.

As mentioned in other threads, many HDTVs also seem to "prefer" a 1080i signal - this may be because of the electronics and because most stations are 1080i - see the Digital Home FAQs on:

- HDTV Formats
- Resolution.

The 720P/1080i debate has been discussed on this forum many times and will never be resolved until everything's 1080p.

[Marc]

Ottawa will be getting English and French HD this year.

[otown47]

Originally Posted by Marc

Ottawa will be getting English and French HD this year.

Can you describe what this entails Marc, ie is it more than the transmitter?

Also does anyone know what the rules are for the local cable co (Rogers) carrying it ?????

[Marc]

HD in Ottawa will consist of a transmitter and the necessary support gear in Ottawa and Toronto. I'm not aware of any HD production installation in Ottawa.

If we offer an over air signal in a community, the cable company has to carry it.