KSL Fake HD

[Agent86]

So for a while now, KSL has been broadcasting their news in 16:9 format to show up on HD. Problem is, it's not real HD. It's just a way to make KSL appear to have HD technology for their local news. In fact, no station in the valley can broadcast in True HD yet. The big three are working on it, but none have it yet.

So the question is, do you like the "Fake HD" KSL has been showing their programming in? Or do you think it's a cheap way of getting HD viewers to watch?

[rcvideo]

First of all, they have never claimed that it's HD. It's just 16:9 which their present cameras are capable of doing. 16:9 or widescreen does not mean it's HD. (Contrary to a Circuit City salesman I talked to one day.)

Because it is a digital signal it does look a lot better than the analog signal. I think it's an improvement even though they are still shooting for the 4:3 format which most viewers still have. That's why you sometimes see things on the edges that shouldn't be there. I have to give them credit for doing 16:9 and getting viewers used to seeing it that way.

All the NBC programing that is sent to KSL in HD is transmitted that way. It's not fake. Sometimes if the show is done on film or a process called 24P, it looks soft and HD doesn't really do all that much for it. (Some producers want the film look so they do it that way)

I know that KSL and I'm sure the rest of the stations are looking at buying HD cameras for their studios so hopefully it won't be long before we see HD along with the 16:9. One thing they will have to do is clean up their studio sets. Every knick and scratch will show up in HD! The field stuff will take a lot longer especially the live shots since the microwave equipment used for HD is really not available yet. (At least in a form that is inexpensive and easy to use)

I hope this helps!

[BVRDAMR]

If I recall, I think ABC4 broadcasted in HD for the Pioneer Day Parade...very clear. But I don't know the story on HD here in the Salt Lake market so...