TVNZ and Hi-Def

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DaveB

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#20795 6-Apr-2008 09:09

Hats off to TV3 for their commitment to Hi-Def broadcasting, they have certainly left TVNZ floundering at the start gate!

I cannot help but draw a parallel with Telecom when I consider TVNZ's attempt to be ready for the official launch of Hi-Def broadcasting in this country. It is pretty sad really that our state broadcaster cannot position themselves to rise (if only in part) to consumer demand due to what they say are "internal" issues.

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#121467 6-Apr-2008 09:29

DaveB: Hats off to TV3 for their commitment to Hi-Def broadcasting, they have certainly left TVNZ floundering at the start gate!

I cannot help but draw a parallel with Telecom when I consider TVNZ's attempt to be ready for the official launch of Hi-Def broadcasting in this country. It is pretty sad really that our state broadcaster cannot position themselves to rise (if only in part) to consumer demand due to what they say are "internal" issues.

Yes - i agree - its pretty piss poor. Has anyone noticed the difference in quality between teh various cameras while watching TV1 news? Its like they have the best quality cameras for the main shots, then the 'in between' shots are slightly blury?

Simon

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#121472 6-Apr-2008 09:41

DaveB:
I cannot help but draw a parallel with Telecom when I consider TVNZ's attempt to be ready for the official launch of Hi-Def broadcasting in this country.

Apples and oranges....

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lchiu7

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#121483 6-Apr-2008 11:30

greminn:
DaveB: Hats off to TV3 for their commitment to Hi-Def broadcasting, they have certainly left TVNZ floundering at the start gate!

I cannot help but draw a parallel with Telecom when I consider TVNZ's attempt to be ready for the official launch of Hi-Def broadcasting in this country. It is pretty sad really that our state broadcaster cannot position themselves to rise (if only in part) to consumer demand due to what they say are "internal" issues.

Yes - i agree - its pretty piss poor. Has anyone noticed the difference in quality between teh various cameras while watching TV1 news? Its like they have the best quality cameras for the main shots, then the 'in between' shots are slightly blury?

Simon

1. Don't have DVB-T going yet but I can imagine the difference being cameras in studios and those in the field? Quite costly for ENG cameras to go HD since they need all the remote infrastructure

2.TV1 is a bit behind I agree with HD. But given the high cost of entry for consumers, I doubt if it will impact their ratings that much.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

farcus

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#121495 6-Apr-2008 12:36

TVNZ has stated from the outset that HD broadcasts will begin with the 2008 Olympics - with regular programming to be added following this.

lchiu7

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#121522 6-Apr-2008 14:41

I think we know that. And we know TVNZ is not trying to fool anybody. The question is, since Freeview has gone HD it's clear that TV3 has taken the bull by the horns and gone for it. TVNZ OTOH, who have access to the same HD sources (primarily US TV shows and some UK ones) are saying they are going to wait.

Now if that means they need the time to upgrade their entire broadcast chain so that not only purchased shows but local content (news and current affairs) are in HD, then there's some excuse but there's been nothing I have read to suggest that's their reason.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

old3eyes

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#121528 6-Apr-2008 15:17

farcus: TVNZ has stated from the outset that HD broadcasts will begin with the 2008 Olympics - with regular programming to be added following this.

Read some time in 2009 for the "following"

Regards,

Old3eyes

bluedisk

226 posts

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#121638 6-Apr-2008 21:32

"Has anyone noticed the difference in quality between the various cameras while watching TV1 news? Its like they have the best quality cameras for the main shots, then the 'in between' shots are slightly blury?"

I am a freelance cameraman and am also very aware of the slightly blurry shots. A few staff cameramen have also noticed this and put it down to the TVNZ server. They are all shooting on Sony XDCam 530P cameras which are SD, but high end SD. Image wise they would blow all lower end HD cameras out of the water due to their 2/3 inch sensor and high quality broadcast lenses.
But even though the cameras are capable of recording at 50mbs (IMX50) on Sony blue ray optical disks, they are required to shoot at the lower rate of 30 mbs(IMX30) due to server restrictions.
The news stories are mainly all shot on these cameras, the exception being a freelancer shooting on a different format, like a DVCam or Panasonic P2 camera.
By the way TV3 shoots news on Panasonic DVCPro or P2 cameras on SD at 25mbs so no quality increase there.
I am about to shoot a documentary which by rights should really be shot in HD, but the program budget will not allow it, and most TV professionals wouldnt necessary be able to tell whether the pictures from my SD camera were in fact HD or not.

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ajobbins

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#121659 6-Apr-2008 22:31

I have noticed recently that some of the 'feild' shots on TV3 have been blurry. Looks like the camera is out of focus or something. As soon as they go back to studio it's crystal.

richms

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#121668 7-Apr-2008 01:30

greminn:
DaveB: Hats off to TV3 for their commitment to Hi-Def broadcasting, they have certainly left TVNZ floundering at the start gate!

I cannot help but draw a parallel with Telecom when I consider TVNZ's attempt to be ready for the official launch of Hi-Def broadcasting in this country. It is pretty sad really that our state broadcaster cannot position themselves to rise (if only in part) to consumer demand due to what they say are "internal" issues.

Yes - i agree - its pretty piss poor. Has anyone noticed the difference in quality between teh various cameras while watching TV1 news? Its like they have the best quality cameras for the main shots, then the 'in between' shots are slightly blury?

Simon

Check out the one breakfast tv for some pictures that look bad.

There was an infomercial segment for some ladder on a few weeks ago, Seriously it looks like they had used a 4:3 camera, chopped out the middle and blown it up, as things moved there were scaling artifacts and all sorts of crap, and thats on analog.

Richard rich.ms

greminn

181 posts

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#121688 7-Apr-2008 08:04

bluedisk:
"Has anyone noticed the difference in quality between the various cameras while watching TV1 news? Its like they have the best quality cameras for the main shots, then the 'in between' shots are slightly blury?"

I am a freelance cameraman and am also very aware of the slightly blurry shots. A few staff cameramen have also noticed this and put it down to the TVNZ server. They are all shooting on Sony XDCam 530P cameras which are SD, but high end SD. Image wise they would blow all lower end HD cameras out of the water due to their 2/3 inch sensor and high quality broadcast lenses.
But even though the cameras are capable of recording at 50mbs (IMX50) on Sony blue ray optical disks, they are required to shoot at the lower rate of 30 mbs(IMX30) due to server restrictions.
The news stories are mainly all shot on these cameras, the exception being a freelancer shooting on a different format, like a DVCam or Panasonic P2 camera.
By the way TV3 shoots news on Panasonic DVCPro or P2 cameras on SD at 25mbs so no quality increase there.
I am about to shoot a documentary which by rights should really be shot in HD, but the program budget will not allow it, and most TV professionals wouldnt necessary be able to tell whether the pictures from my SD camera were in fact HD or not.

Hi bluedisk,

thanks for the great insight here.... when do you think that the TV studios are going to mandate HD across the board? or is it like you say.. we wouldnt really notice the difference between the high-end SD and HD cameras?

bluedisk

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#121717 7-Apr-2008 10:12

"thanks for the great insight here.... when do you think that the TV studios are going to mandate HD across the board? or is it like you say.. we wouldnt really notice the difference between the high-end SD and HD cameras?"

We are banking on shooting SD for TV networks in NZ for the next 2 years. There is a blurry line between SD and HD in TV production. Most production companies have a limited budget and have been shot on lower end HD cameras even using SD lenses negating the HD quality.
Some programs are still shot on 4:3 unbelievably (Target TV3), so some things will not change quickly.
I can't wait to shoot HD on the new Sony 2/3 inch XDCam which is being released this month worldwide, but it still is an emerging technology in many ways.

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rugrat

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#121739 7-Apr-2008 12:28

Look how long it took TVNZ to go widescreen, after media works. They're behind all the way

Good on ya - TV3 my favourite TV station. If I watch stuff live, you guys get first pick.

sbiddle

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#121742 7-Apr-2008 12:34

rugrat: Look how long it took TVNZ to go widescreen, after media works. They're behind all the way - and except for movies and Rugby channel Sky even futher behind.

Good on ya - TV3 my favourite TV station. If I watch stuff live, you guys get first pick.

The transition to digital isn't just like flicking a switch - upgrading tape based transmission equipment to digital takes time and money.

rugrat

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#121744 7-Apr-2008 12:43

sbiddle:
The transition to digital isn't just like flicking a switch - upgrading tape based transmission equipment to digital takes time and money.

If referring to TVNZ, they have the ability to transmit 2008 Olympics in HD, but no ability to transmit any futher HD to 2009?

Everyone else has had the same time as TV3 to get the neccessay equipment and setup, and TV3 is always to date, ready to go first with the new technology. It suggests to me that they're more on the ball then everyone else.

ajobbins

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#121745 7-Apr-2008 12:45

rugrat: Everyone else has had the same time as TV3 to get the neccessay equipment and setup, and TV3 is always to date, ready to go first with the new technology. It suggests to me that they're more on the ball then everyone else.

Agreed

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