HD Discusson: The Weather Channel (Channel 362)

[Doug Brott]

Discussion thread for the new HD channel: The Weather Channel (Channel 362)

Topics: PQ, Programming, Stretch-0-vision (we hope not!), etc.

And don't forget our other coverage of the new DIRECTV HD channels:The list of Launched Channels (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=97211),
Troubleshooting Tips for the New HD Channels (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=99528),
and just for fun, The "I Got Them!" Challenge (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=99586).

[Doug Brott]

TWCHD - Confirmed 362

[MonyMony]

Even though it is not actually even in true HT yet, the maps look much better and the new national maps 'on the 8s' are a nice change for the HD channel.

[msmith198025]

Love the maps and graphics, only problem i have is on SD studio shots the two huge black bars down the sides. Cant they fill this with a nice logo like ESPN or BTN?

[Jeremy W]

Wow, the new Local on the 8s graphics are incredible! I agree that it would be nice if they added some graphics in the pillars.

[NCMAT]

The SD channel is still running the old graphics on the 8s so they seem to be different feeds.

[RAD]

Not bad for a channel that many folks were saying no way until early next year. Don't care if it's upconvert for the studio stuff, looks a hell of a lot better then the SD version.

[BigJ52]

Wow, the new Local on the 8s graphics are incredible! I agree that it would be nice if they added some graphics in the pillars.

Yep, just watched the maps on the 8's and they did look damn nice.

[mhking]

OMG, look at all the shiny graphics!!!! :joy: :biggthump :gott: :icon_da:

[Rugged]

Is anyone else noticing an audio synch problem?

[mhking]

Is anyone else noticing an audio synch problem?

Yaaaa! :bang

[bobpenn]

Yes. Many of the new HD channels are out of sync. Around 25% are for me.

[Grydlok]

I duno I could have waited on this one another month.

[Lord Vader]

I can't wait to see Tropical Storm Karen in HD, even if it IS upconverting! She's gonna look hot! :D

[garn9173]

Would anyone want to post some screen shots?

[bones boy]

Wow, the new Local on the 8s graphics are incredible!

Couldn't agree more, what a nice surprise.

[zipbags]

I want to see Stephanie Abrams in HD. ;)

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=9881&stc=1&d=1138375472

[bobpenn]

I rebooted. Sync ok now.

[jrmichael]

Was broadcasting in SD.

[paulman182]

I want to see Stephanie Abrams in HD. ;)

But her mouth stays in "Stretch" mode!:lol:

[Impala1ss]

Just switched from cable which had "Local on the 8's" for just the Melbourne/Orlando, FL area. D* seems to have a national view. Will there ever be a real local forecast like cable?:confused:

[RAD]

Just switched from cable which had "Local on the 8's" for just the Melbourne/Orlando, FL area. D* seems to have a national view. Will there ever be a real local forecast like cable?:confused:

D* never has had local weather stats on the weather channel and I've not seen anything saying they'll add the capability at anytime in the future.

[ChromaTick]

PQ looks great, but I have audio synch issues on this channel.

[Compton]

Love the maps and graphics, only problem i have is on SD studio shots the two huge black bars down the sides. Cant they fill this with a nice logo like ESPN or BTN?

I agree, and the crop isn't very good.

[Marvin]

I dont understand why they had to take up a good 1/3rd of the screen with wasted space on the HD on the 8's screen, and why the maps had to have those "beveled" edges to them. The maps/graphics look nice but they could provide with a bigger more detailed map image.

[ehollins]

I want to see Stephanie Abrams in HD. ;)

Damn you. Now I have to be watching more TWC. I watch enough TV as it is.

[JeffBowser]

Since we are not supposed to talk about channel issues across multiple channels in the generic forum, I will post here: terrible audio sync (as of 1PM EST 9/26). And not just for the Weather Channel, either.

[shendley]

Was getting some serious pixellation-break up of picture when I first tuned to TWCHD. Have mid to high 90s on all 103b transponders except for 4 and 22 where I have zero (are these spotbeams?). But this may have been some problem with the commercial I was watching. Now that I'm seeing their regular broadcast, it looks fine. But I'm seeing the lip synch issues others have posted.

[garbec]

I am confused by the other posts? Does TWC have any true HD? Maps? Or is it all upconverted, ie: no HD content at all?

[RAD]

I am confused by the other posts? Does TWC have any true HD? Maps? Or is it all upconverted, ie: no HD content at all?

They been advertising some of their programs starting next month will be in HD.

[syphix]

Only HD content right now are the maps and some specialty programs. The studio shots are SD. They will be full HD come early 2008.

[shendley]

Mostly SD, but when they were just showing maps and such (i.e., nothing but graphics), it looked pretty darn sharp. Could have been HD.

[Jeremy W]

Local on the 8s is definitely HD. I also saw an HD promo for their new HD show coming out next week, but that's the limit of the HD on TWC for now.

[garbec]

Sounds like we can't tell if the maps are HD or not.

I'm just wondering why TWC made the Sept cut, with zero HD content.

[spidey]

TWCHD - Confirmed 362

Ditto +1

[Jeremy W]

Sounds like we can't tell if the maps are HD or not.
The maps that appear on the green screen behind the forecasters are definitely not HD. No studio content is. Only Local on the 8s is in HD.

[Lord Vader]

Local on the 8s is definitely HD. I also saw an HD promo for their new HD show coming out next week, but that's the limit of the HD on TWC for now.

Their new HD "show"??? Don't they have weather on TWC anymore? :confused::rolleyes:

[Jeremy W]

Their new HD "show"??? Don't they have weather on TWC anymore? :confused::rolleyes:
It's a show about weather...

[Lord Vader]

Uh huh. :rolleyes:

[Jeremy W]

Uh huh. :rolleyes:
I can understand (and agree with) the criticism MTV gets for showing nothing but reality shows with a few videos sprinkled in. But criticizing The Weather Channel for having some prime time programming that is related to weather? Come on. They're not called The Weather Forecast Channel. I think any programming that is weather-related is fair game for them. Now, when they start showing music videos...

[hasan]

I like their weather related shows (Storm Stories), etc. I can only take so much forecasting and current conditions.

[Lord Vader]

I don't mind having SOME programming not forecast-related, but it sure seems like that's increasing to the exclusion of the forecasting.

Of course, seeing more of that hottie Mike Bettes--or is it Stephanie Abrams? I can't remember, LOL--is always nice.

[Jeremy W]

seeing more of that hottie Mike Bettes--or is it Stephanie Abrams? I can't remember, LOL--is always nice.
Depends which way you swing. :lol:

[Lord Vader]

Not that there's anything wrong with that. :p

[texasmoose]

TWC plays too many commercials as well, HEAD ON this Head on that, but then again I guess everyone needs some head once in awhile..........
Coincidentally, my 69th post.....................

[Alan Gordon]

Wow, the new Local on the 8s graphics are incredible!

I just noticed them tonight... looked fantastic!!

~Alan

[paulman182]

I noticed an audio sync issue early this morning with this channel on my HR20-700.

The SD looks so much better on the HD channel I do feel it is worthwhile.

[Milominderbinder2]

I was shocked at how good the Weather Channel HD was!

I was expecting this to be a big yawn. It is beautiful!

I love the graphics and maps. I have always hated the on the 8's maps in what appeared to sometimes be 320x240. Honestly sometimes YouTube has better resolution.

But this! Now we are talking!

And in the words of Cliff Clavin, "Spent last night watching that new Weather Channel babe."
Norm: "The pregnant one?"
Cliff: "They're all pregnant. Talk about a fertile channel."

- Craig

[Mhoram]

Complaints about "black bars" will probably cause them to distort the picture with "stretch-o-vision" like A&E and History and TNT....so careful about "black bar" concerns!!!! With stretch-o-vision, it's difficult for anyone to watch.

------------------------------------------
Many people don't let facts get in the way of their opinions. :icon_stup

I agree but unfortunately I have a plasma that is showing signs of burn in from the black bars on the sides so I've been stretching all my channels. What's weird is that I can't stretch any of the new channels unless they're showing HD content.

[AlanATL]

The maps that appear on the green screen behind the forecasters are definitely not HD. No studio content is. Only Local on the 8s is in HD.
TWC is building an annex adjacent to their eight story Atlanta headquarters for their new HD studios.

[PeeWee10]

Did anyone happen to catch this program last night? It was absolutely breathtaking, and a visually stunning application of HD! 'Epic Conditions' airs at 7 and 11 pm est weeknights. Tuesday night features "Hawaii Big Wave Surfing," and the Skydiving episode can be seen again on 10/16...Enjoy! :jumpingja

[EFGFE36TWGOU4]

Weather channel audio sync is absolutely terrible tonight, its about like watching an old Godzilla movie!

[REDSKINSFAN47]

I want to see Stephanie Abrams in HD. ;)

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=9881&stc=1&d=1138375472

me too

[Ronv]

Well, here it is almost the end of the year, and the Weather Channel has been up since the middle of Sept., and the audio sync issue is still terrible. It's almost as bad on th SD version too. You'd think that after 3 months they'd get this thing corrected. :( Just my 2 cents worth.

[bonscott87]

I've noticed that the audio sync issue isn't as bad if I change my receiver to downconvert the DD to just stereo. Then it sounds pretty normal. Weird. I think they just have a bad 5.1 mix.

[kathymoore]

the HD graphics are real impressive on TWC...

when are they going to get HD cameras in their studios?

Thanks!:)

[Jeremy W]

when are they going to get HD cameras in their studios?
They are building new studios, that they should be moving in to next year.