CNBC, MSNBC, Weather Channel - 16:9 Format When?

[radiolives]

When might we see these networks; MSNBC, CNBC, The Weather Channel go 16:9 letterbox format? As CNN, HLN both went sometime last year as did ESPN and ESPN2. Just would think its time for these NBC owned networks to go 16:9.

 

[nathannah]

MSNBC probably would have the easiest path to 16:9, but the Weather Channel would have a hard time because of their datacasting format and because the WeatherStar is mainly designed for 4:3 display, though you could argue that it's at near 16:9 already because of the bottom third graphic pushing up the screen.

CNBC though...that one's tougher. They have their CNBC HD+ feed and there's many places (health clubs and businesses and other public places that make up their daytime audience and will upgrade their TV's only when they die) that would actually object to having it forced to the HD+ design with that data because the screen would be nigh unreadable on a SDTV. Their studio shows are still all using 4:3 cameras, with the 16:9 pillars doubled on the empty right side for the HD+ data, so at this point (unless they've made BTS upgrades) there would be no picture to make widescreen if only the image without the HD+ graphics were used.

 

[Sammi Brie]

MSNBC probably would have the easiest path to 16:9, but the Weather Channel would have a hard time because of their datacasting format and because the WeatherStar is mainly designed for 4:3 display, though you could argue that it's at near 16:9 already because of the bottom third graphic pushing up the screen.

CNBC though...that one's tougher. They have their CNBC HD+ feed and there's many places (health clubs and businesses and other public places that make up their daytime audience and will upgrade their TV's only when they die) that would actually object to having it forced to the HD+ design with that data because the screen would be nigh unreadable on a SDTV. Their studio shows are still all using 4:3 cameras, with the 16:9 pillars doubled on the empty right side for the HD+ data, so at this point (unless they've made BTS upgrades) there would be no picture to make widescreen if only the image without the HD+ graphics were used.

The Weather Channel probably couldn't do 16:9 because of its equipment. Keep in mind that a select few old cable systems still have their 1990 Weather Star units. MSNBC will get a new graphics package if they go 16:9 — and they are starting to be due for one.

 

[romer979fm]

I've been watching TWC in HD (16:9) for over 6 months via Comcast in Nashville...MSNBC and CNBC also in 16:9 HD...
I just checked before posting. Not upconverted...true HD with full-screen graphics/crawls, too...

 

[ansky212]

I've been watching TWC in HD (16:9) for over 6 months via Comcast in Nashville...MSNBC and CNBC also in 16:9 HD...
I just checked before posting. Not upconverted...true HD with full-screen graphics/crawls, too...

Same here in NJ. The HD feeds have been 16:9 for many years. I assumed the OP was talking about the SD feed since he mentioned "letterbox" format. Usually the only time you see letterbox (black bars on top/bottom) is on an SD feed.