Hi-Def Programming

September 2007 By Marshal M. Rosenthal

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It’s hard to believe that just two years ago standard definition still ruled the airwaves, and you had to search high and low to find a high-resolution image that could match the resolution capabilities of your HDTV. But the new television season (2007-08) looks to be filled with HD programs and we’re not just talking about heavy hitters like the broadcast networks, but the more niche cable channels as well. In fact, more channels are jumping on the HD bandwagon than at any time in the past. Contributing to this phenomenon are more HDTV display buyers; the growing ranks of HDTV owners clamoring for HD content to watch. Also, DirecTV’s launch of a new satellite last July opened the floodgates and they are expecting to offer 100 HD channels by the end of year followed by an additional 50 channels being considered for another satellite slated to launch in 2008. And while there are some cases of the HD picture being generated through upconverting of the image, more and more “pure” HD is being created (for example, the Outdoor Network 2 produces its own content in HD for fans of hunting, fishing and related genres).

Of course all this HD makes for some problems, as the increased “bandwidth” required is reaching massive proportions. That isn’t a problem if you’re receiving over-the-air broadcasts using a HD antenna (although that eliminates cable network offerings), but it has been a bit of a poser for the cable/satellite providers. Fortunately technology is now up to the task - for example, Dish Network’s new ViP receivers can provide more HD signals because its MPEG4 compression standard is more bandwidth efficient (their first HD receiver appeared in 2000), while cable provider Cox Communication’s Switched digital video looks to deliver HD channels through an a la carte method where only the channel being viewed is transmitted. It’s fair to say that solutions for solving the delivery process will be ongoing but at the end of the day, the result will be a whole lot of HD to watch in all genres, from sports to cooking to drama. So couch potatoes can rejoice and sports widows can get ready to weep because HD is coming big time.

Broadcast Steps Up to the Plate

The broadcast networks - ABC, CBS, NBS, Fox, CW - are continuing to provide HD programming in their prime-time offerings as well as news shows, morning and late-night talk. ABC relies on 720p for their primetime presentations, and “Desperate Housewives” and “Grey’s Anatomy” easily benefit from the added resolution with their beautiful women and attractive clothes (while the need for shows like “According to Jim” and “George Lopez” in HD is not so obvious). Fox also goes this resolution route, but Monday and Saturday right now are barren, and the other nights do not feature back-to-back HD programs. Meanwhile NBC and CBS (both going with 1080i) are HD heavy in their nightly schedule right now - Leno and Letterman looking every crack and crevice their years in HD while shows like “Law and Order” benefit from high-definition attention to detail. Finally, the CW also uses 1080i and has limited HD presentations (for example, none on Friday or Saturday and only one on Wednesday) - but “Smallville’s” effects certainly look super in HD. And let’s not forget PBS either - programs being created by the local station; for example affiliate KCET HD for Los Angeles.

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