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When will the stations start transmitting local shows in HD?

S

Sp1c3run

Guest
I'm just wondering when all of the TV stations will start using cameras that will provide an HD image, so we can start seeing news, local programming, etc. in HD? Here in Dallas, Tx, all the stations are still using their standard cameras only. When I visited in D.C. a few months ago, I did see a station doing their local news in HD.

Will any station flip their local programming to HD when the new TV season supposedly starts next month?
 
Some may, but you're taking about each station spending literally millions to upgrade to HD. They would need not just cameras for their set, but cameras for the field as well. New sets would have to be constructed because, as I'm sure most here know, the actual news sets aren't the high-quality sets they appear to be in SD. Add to that the cost of new graphics generators, weather maps, upgrading the bluescreen (used for weather) technology to work properly in HD. Millions.

I just don't see too many stations jumping quickly on the HD bandwagon outside of the top 5-10 markets. I see it more as a slow and steady transition, with individula elements being slowly added. WXIA in Atlanta is slowly rolling out their HD news. They spent a ton on new sets, cameras and graphics, but are still using mostly SD cameras in the field. I think that's probably a model many companies will follow. I heard recently that all of Gannett's stations would be starting their rollout (following WXIA's model) over the next two years. I'm sure other broadcasters are working on the same type of timetable.
 
The cost of transitioning to HD on the local level is astronomical. Worse, right now very few people actually watch HD programming. At best, 5% of the viewers watch HD. In a few years it might be 20-25%. Why spend all that money when 75-95% of your audience can't see it?

My guess is that 5 years from now you'll start to see a fair number of stations beginning to make the switch. 10 years from now, most will make the switch.
 
BRice16 said:
I just don't see too many stations jumping quickly on the HD bandwagon outside of the top 5-10 markets. I see it more as a slow and steady transition, with individula elements being slowly added. WXIA in Atlanta is slowly rolling out their HD news. They spent a ton on new sets, cameras and graphics, but are still using mostly SD cameras in the field. I think that's probably a model many companies will follow. I heard recently that all of Gannett's stations would be starting their rollout (following WXIA's model) over the next two years. I'm sure other broadcasters are working on the same type of timetable.
Click to expand...

WSB-TV broadcasts their 4th of July parade and select news specials in HD. It is expected that with WXIA having HD news, that WSB will go HD for news pretty soon.
 
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