British GP in HD?

Toby · 26-04-2009, 12:15

There were rumours last year that some odd races, such as Silverstone and/or Monaco, could be shown in HD. With both of these races fast approaching there's been no more on this so it's not looking likely, or has anyone got different info?

In general, given the amount of money host nations have to pay to get a GP in the first place, to then not be able to provide an HD broadcast of the race is inexcusable. Why on earth doesn't Bernie make it a condition of hosting a race that the host has to provide an HD broadcast of it?

Matblack · 26-04-2009, 12:19

Doesn't the dwarf actually own/ run the coverage and then sell it on to a local network?

MB

Toby · 26-04-2009, 12:24

Yeah I think FOM owns all the rights to the coverage but it's the host broadcaster that actually produces it. FOM could easily add a stipulation that the host has to provide an HD feed.

Obviously the BBC is the host broadcaster at Silverstone so could provide an HD feed.

Matblack · 26-04-2009, 12:25

Are they shooting with HD cameras then? I don't really know much about this sort of stuff.

MB

Toby · 26-04-2009, 12:29

I'd be amazed if they weren't shooting all major sporting events in HD these days, although you never know.

TBH, the BBC's HD output is a disgrace IMO. Whenever the licence fee is up for review, all we hear from them is how they need more money to invest in new technology, be it digital or HD or whatever, yet their lack of HD output is shocking. Supposedly major new series such as Merlin aren't available in HD along with many others. I believe the recent Dr. Who Easter special was the first one ever available in HD.

When you look over the pond at the US, every major TV series they produce has been available in HD for years.

Del Lardo · 27-04-2009, 02:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vertigo1

I'd be amazed if they weren't shooting all major sporting events in HD these days, although you never know.

TBH, the BBC's HD output is a disgrace IMO. Whenever the licence fee is up for review, all we hear from them is how they need more money to invest in new technology, be it digital or HD or whatever, yet their lack of HD output is shocking. Supposedly major new series such as Merlin aren't available in HD along with many others. I believe the recent Dr. Who Easter special was the first one ever available in HD.

When you look over the pond at the US, every major TV series they produce has been available in HD for years.

What the BBC want to do and what the BBC are allowed to do are two totally different things. It wouldn't surprise me if the regulators were the blocking point for more HD content as it would be anti competitive. As for new technology, iPlayer HD is pretty darn impressive IMO.

As for the GP, HD from Silverstone would be rather boring as the race will be a Donnington

IIRC it's all down to Bernie, some races are already filmed in HD but the mad midget will only allow SD broadcast. There may be some method in his madness as in car shots will be in SD regardless (HD cameras are too big) so it allows them to stick to a single standard.

lostkat · 27-04-2009, 05:52

Nevermind HD, I think we'll be lucky to have a British GP at all next year!

Feek · 26-04-2009, 12:31

I want to punch anyone who says "I'll give 110%".

Jonny69 · 26-04-2009, 12:33

Here's an idea BBC, why don't you not compress the signal so ****ing much and you won't need to invest so much in HD and we won't all have to keep upgrading our perfectly good tellies

Toby · 26-04-2009, 12:37

TBH, I've read a lot about poor quality on BBC HD but, in my experiments so far with Freesat, I've found the quality remarkably good, averaging a solid 16Mb/s with a very clear picture.

Don't know whether it varies from programme to programme though.

26-04-2009, 12:15	#1
Toby Absinthe Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,023	British GP in HD? There were rumours last year that some odd races, such as Silverstone and/or Monaco, could be shown in HD. With both of these races fast approaching there's been no more on this so it's not looking likely, or has anyone got different info? In general, given the amount of money host nations have to pay to get a GP in the first place, to then not be able to provide an HD broadcast of the race is inexcusable. Why on earth doesn't Bernie make it a condition of hosting a race that the host has to provide an HD broadcast of it? __________________

26-04-2009, 12:19	#2
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	Doesn't the dwarf actually own/ run the coverage and then sell it on to a local network? MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

26-04-2009, 12:24	#3
Toby Absinthe Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,023	Yeah I think FOM owns all the rights to the coverage but it's the host broadcaster that actually produces it. FOM could easily add a stipulation that the host has to provide an HD feed. Obviously the BBC is the host broadcaster at Silverstone so could provide an HD feed. __________________

26-04-2009, 12:25	#4
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	Are they shooting with HD cameras then? I don't really know much about this sort of stuff. MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

26-04-2009, 12:29	#5
Toby Absinthe Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,023	I'd be amazed if they weren't shooting all major sporting events in HD these days, although you never know. TBH, the BBC's HD output is a disgrace IMO. Whenever the licence fee is up for review, all we hear from them is how they need more money to invest in new technology, be it digital or HD or whatever, yet their lack of HD output is shocking. Supposedly major new series such as Merlin aren't available in HD along with many others. I believe the recent Dr. Who Easter special was the first one ever available in HD. When you look over the pond at the US, every major TV series they produce has been available in HD for years. __________________

27-04-2009, 05:52	#7
lostkat Good Cat Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,550	Nevermind HD, I think we'll be lucky to have a British GP at all next year! __________________ Oooooh Cecil, what have you done?

26-04-2009, 12:31	#8
Feek ex SAS Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: JO01ou Posts: 10,062	I want to punch anyone who says "I'll give 110%". __________________

26-04-2009, 12:33	#9
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	Here's an idea BBC, why don't you not compress the signal so ****ing much and you won't need to invest so much in HD and we won't all have to keep upgrading our perfectly good tellies __________________

26-04-2009, 12:37	#10
Toby Absinthe Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,023	TBH, I've read a lot about poor quality on BBC HD but, in my experiments so far with Freesat, I've found the quality remarkably good, averaging a solid 16Mb/s with a very clear picture. Don't know whether it varies from programme to programme though. __________________