This Time Next Year... Will You Watch Non-HD Channels?

[LarryFlowers]

We are less than 14 months from the end of Analog TV. We have just experienced the largest HD channel conversion ever.

If you are into HD you probably are already tending to watch programming in HD.

Programming that occurs on an SD channel like BBCA's Torchwood which repeats on HDNET in HD is already very popular.

So what do YOU think?

[aramus8]

The wife and I love Torchwood on HDNet, but to say it is very popular just isn't true as HDNet doesn't have enough viewers to even be rated at this point. As for watching SD broadcasts, I don't do that now.

[Stuart Sweet]

Heck, I barely watch any SD now.

That's right, I said heck.

[Michael D'Angelo]

If there is a channel that I watch that is only offered in SD than yes I will still be watching SD.

[RAD]

If there's something I want to watch and it's only on a SD channel then yep, I'll watch SD.

[davemayo]

Heck, I barely watch any SD now.

That's right, I said heck.

Same here.

[bonscott87]

98% of everything we watch is in HD now. ;)

By the way, shut down of Analog TV has nothing to do with HD.

[WERA689]

Doggone it, I quit watchin' that lame stuff too! HD or NO SEE!

[Michael D'Angelo]

If there is a channel that I watch that is only offered in SD than yes I will still be watching SD.

Plus any show that is not in 16x9 I will still watch the SD version so I can stretch the picture to fill the screen.

[armophob]

Comedy Central is my last SD channel.

[LarryFlowers]

I know that the end of Analog has nothing to do with HD...

But broadcasting Digital SD is... I lack the words..:nono2:

[Draconis]

I will continue to watch SD channels as long as they have something worth watching.

One thing I feel I need to point out, yes the end of Analog TV is coming but that does not mean the end of SD channels. You can broadcast SD channels digitally just like you can broadcast HD channels. Many stations may take a budget-friendly approach and convert the broadcast towers first and then get the HD cameras at a later time.

SatCasters broadcast everything digitally anyways; the receiver converts the signal to analog (if you are using the coaxial cables) in the end users home. So DIRECTV and Dish subscribers will not have to purchase a new TV.

The big problem is that many local channels do not have a digital line to DIRECTV's broadcast center so we may be looking at some local channels going offline when the conversion takes place.

http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/33691/98/

[PlinytheWelder]

I watch a handful of programs in SD every week (60 Minutes comes to mind). Suffering through an hour of SD makes HD seem even better, like the pain of a toothache going away...:eek:

[JACKIEGAGA]

Well unfortunately every channel and every show is not HD so yes I will watch SD programming

[loudo]

Na Na Nana, Hey Hey, Good Bye to fuzzy SD.

[kevinwmsn]

I voted no, but there are still programs that I watch on a HD station but not broadcasted in HD(inside the nfl on HBO among others). For me to quit watching SD, I mainly need WGN, Comedy Central, ESPN News, Chiller, Disney, the premium channels that are SD, and local CW, and WB to broadcast in HD(they are not HD OTA). There's not much more I want in HD, hopefully by summer DirectTV will have all the channels including the locals provided by Sat.

[rdiedrich]

I don't watch SD now why would I then?

Randy

[simonkodousek]

I don't watch any SD as it is, so no! :)

[tonyd79]

Will I watch absolutely no SD? No. But I watch very little of it now and most of that is SD on HD channels. I am sure I'll be watching even less SD next year.

[ThomasM]

Until my 32" TV in the living room breaks down I will be watching 100% SD. Until my TV in the kitchen, den, and bedroom break down, I will be watching SOME SD programming.

Everyone cannot afford HDTV. In fact, I think all the smug HDTV afficionados on this system are going to get a BIG SURPRISE in 2009 when the "end of analog TV" date gets pushed back because not enough converters have been distributed to folks who can't afford them and/or the general public finally figures out that the over-the-air channels as they know them are going away. (Even with the government-sponsored $40 rebate on two converters per family)

[HDTVsportsfan]

I said yes on SD....only becasue I'm sure their will be something i want to watch that will only be on an SD channel. I certainly won't go out of my way or go looking for it however. That's for sure.

[spartanstew]

[flame suit on] We watch the home shopping channels quite a bit between Thanksgiving and the second week of December. That's where we do most of our xmas shopping for relatives (we're done now for the year). So, I'll be watching SD[/flame suit off]

There's probably other channels I watch that are only SD, but I can't think of them right now.

[braven]

I hardly watch any SD now... I'm guessing a year from now I won't be watching any SD.

[aramus8]

Until my 32" TV in the living room breaks down I will be watching 100% SD. Until my TV in the kitchen, den, and bedroom break down, I will be watching SOME SD programming.

Everyone cannot afford HDTV. In fact, I think all the smug HDTV afficionados on this system are going to get a BIG SURPRISE in 2009 when the "end of analog TV" date gets pushed back because not enough converters have been distributed to folks who can't afford them and/or the general public finally figures out that the over-the-air channels as they know them are going away. (Even with the government-sponsored $40 rebate on two converters per family)

Don't hold your breathe on another date set back. This time its a done deal. The FCC has already auctioned off part of the spectrum the analog broadcasters are using to mobile services.

[ThomasM]

Don't hold your breathe on another date set back. This time its a done deal. The FCC has already auctioned off part of the spectrum the analog broadcasters are using to mobile services.

Hah! That's what they said about "backup withholding" until the government figured out what kind of clout the bankers had. Do you have "backup withholding" of your interest payments? Uh-huh.

The government (and the FCC) is appointed/elected and controlled by the voting public, and when the news stories start coming in late 2008 about "the poor old folks on fixed incomes who won't be able to watch TV anymore" just watch and see what happens.

[Mike Bertelson]

I will. Even DTV isn't always going to be HD.

However, I find myself using the HD filter in the guide more often. I have chosen not to record something because I couldn't find a HD version.

Mike

[Sirshagg]

98% of everything we watch is in HD now. ;)



+1

[shendley]

Yeah, mine too. I voted no but that's more an expression of percentages. Now that the new HD channels have come online I watch very little SD. As long as there's content in SD worth watching I'll probably watch it, but it would have to be very good for me to put up with the decreased pq.

Comedy Central is my last SD channel.

[Kansas Zephyr]

I would, obviously, prefer all content be in HD.

But, I'm sure there will be some programs that I enjoy, and only available in SD for a while longer.

[Swede]

If it is something I want to watch. I will watch it, SD or HD, whicherver is available!

[VeniceDre]

Last channel I watch in SD now is Comedy Central... which is going HD in 2008 so, I guess no more SD for me.

[aramus8]

Hah! That's what they said about "backup withholding" until the government figured out what kind of clout the bankers had. Do you have "backup withholding" of your interest payments? Uh-huh.

The government (and the FCC) is appointed/elected and controlled by the voting public, and when the news stories start coming in late 2008 about "the poor old folks on fixed incomes who won't be able to watch TV anymore" just watch and see what happens.With the current political climate in the country, poor old folks lose to corporate interests every time.

[waynebtx]

if the ch has no hd then yes i will watch it.

[frederic1943]

With the current political climate in the country, poor old folks lose to corporate interests every time.
Unless corporate interests can use poor old folks to swing public opinion their way.:D

[ddrumman2004]

I will watc SD if the program I want to see is in SD this time next year. But who knows....I may be dead this time next year.

[JerryElbow]

Heck, I barely watch any SD now.

That's right, I said heck.

Heck, yeah! The only SD shows I watch with any regularity are The Daily Show (and with the writer's strike, I'm not even watching that), South Park and The Simpsons. If Comedy Central will spring for a couple of HD cameras for The Daily Show and the animated series follow Futurama's lead (as of the new movie) and do production in HD, I can even stop watching those in SD.

[joed32]

Turner Classic Movies. As long as they are SD I will watch. Also some of the new HD channels that are stretching look better in SD.

[sean10780]

I said no as long as every channel I watch is in HD. ESPN news is one of the last few I watch. Hopefully that will go live soon. :)

[kaminsco]

Just purchased a R-15 for the bedroom. Thus, we will be watching SD up there and HD on the HR20.

[BattleScott]

Currently, there is very little HD programming, so it all depends on when more true HD content becomes available. I will be watching more SD content on HD channels simply because they look better on an HD set.

Remember, 1080i at 4:3 ain't HD, stretched 4:3 ain't HD and "<upcoming: no information available>" sure ain't HD...

[Sharkie_Fan]

Heck, I barely watch any SD now.

That's right, I said heck.

Same here. I can't think of any shows we regularly watch that are in SD. Occasionally if there's nothing on and we're caught up on our recordings, I might see something that looks interesting that's on an SD only channel. Other than that, all of our regular shows are HD.

[Nick]

This time next year, will I be watching channels that are in SD?

I certainly hope not, but most likely, based on the snail's pace that many
networks, local broadcasters, cablecos and original content providers are
progressing, I have the feeling I will still be watching some SD, particularly
at the local level.

My fantasy in the technology realm is 'All HD, All the Time!'

I have others. :p

[sNEIRBO]

Correct me if I'm wrong -

Isn't the Government / FCC mandate that broadcasters switch to DIGITAL by Feb 2009? DIGITAL doesn't mean HIGH DEFINITION. SD can be transmitted digitally just as easily as HD. The advantages of DIGITAL allows for better video and audio - ie HD. But broadcasters aren't under any mandate from the Fed to broadcast in HD, just in DIGITAL - as their ANALOG signal licenses expire on Feb 17, 2009.

I believe that NBC Weather PLUS as is being broadcast digitally right now by our local NBC affiliate in Detroit on subchannel 4-2, as an SD broadcast. As is the local weather and traffic cams on the ABC affiliate on 7-2 and 7-3. I know they're being broadcast in 480 rez, just not sure if it's 480p or 480i. It would be a stretch for someone to claim that 480p is HD. IMO - HD begins at 720p, but I prefer 1080i.

[loudo]

Currently, there is very little HD programming, so it all depends on when more true HD content becomes available. I will be watching more SD content on HD channels simply because they look better on an HD set.

Remember, 1080i at 4:3 ain't HD, stretched 4:3 ain't HD and "<upcoming: no information available>" sure ain't HD...
If the resolution of the screen is 480i it is a SD signal, if it is 720p, 1080i or 1080p it is considered HD, even if it is up-converted with a 4x3 screen and pillar bars. It is the resolution of the screen 480, 720 or 1080 that determines if it is SD or HD, not the 4x3 or 16x9 ratio.

[Araxen]

I don't remember the last time I watched a SD channel on Directv. I watch strictly HD channels now. The funny thing is I used to watch Fox News all the time but ever since CNN HD came online I can't remember the last time I've watched Fox news. It's funny what HD will do to you! ;)

[bonscott87]

Currently, there is very little HD programming, so it all depends on when more true HD content becomes available.

Depends what you watch I guess. We watch dozens of hours of TV a week and 98% of it is all in HD. 35 series links and all but 2 are HD. :D

[tonyd79]

Currently, there is very little HD programming, so it all depends on when more true HD content becomes available. I will be watching more SD content on HD channels simply because they look better on an HD set.

Remember, 1080i at 4:3 ain't HD, stretched 4:3 ain't HD and "<upcoming: no information available>" sure ain't HD...

I consider good upconverted SD to be HD for purposes of PQ.

As for this statement:

"Remember, 1080i at 4:3 ain't HD"

Just plain isn't true. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer on ABC is true HD at 4:3. It was remastered and broadcast in true 720p (since that is what ABC sends out). And there are a lot of older movies that are 4:3 that would be in HD if broadcast that way.

[BattleScott]

I consider good upconverted SD to be HD for purposes of PQ.

As for this statement:

"Remember, 1080i at 4:3 ain't HD"

Just plain isn't true. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer on ABC is true HD at 4:3. It was remastered and broadcast in true 720p (since that is what ABC sends out). And there are a lot of older movies that are 4:3 that would be in HD if broadcast that way.

From the ATSC Document A/53 - ASTC Digital Television Standard.
High-definition television (HDTV) – High-definition television has a resolution of
approximately twice that of conventional television in both the horizontal (H) and
vertical (V) dimensions and a picture aspect ratio (H × V) of 16:9.

You may want to call or write them and tell them they have a typo in their documentation...

[cbearnm]

The analog cutoff has nothing to do with the SD/HD decision. All it means is that the OTA signals will be digital, not necesarily HD. Sure, more and more local news programs are going HD, but a lot of us may not see that in the time frame of the analog cutoff.

Many cable channels will not be totally switched over to HD by then as well. If there is a show that I want to see that is not in HD, that would not prevent me from watching it. Even SD shows that are upconverted can not really be called HD, looking at you TBS and TNT. Of course, I prefer the HD signal, but would prefer to watch something that interests me rather than something that doesn't in HD.

[Ext 721]

If the choice were a raffi concert in HD with dolby 5.1
and
listening to mozart on a scratchy transistor radio....

I'd lean towards the scratchy radio.

Content will always be king.

[Fuzzybear]

I will watch SD when I have to until my last CRT takes a dump.......then it's HD all the time!

[say-what]

What do you mean next year? I can't recall the last thing I watched on an SD channel.

[projectorguru]

no not sd, but stretched sd converted to hd, oh wait thats how alot of it is now

[kstefanec]

With the current political climate in the country, poor old folks lose to corporate interests every time.

Not if they were smart young folks and invested in corporate america. :D

[gulfwarvet]

the only SD channels i have to watch has nothing but cartoons on them. now since ToonHD and NickHD has been launched, the SD recorded shows has been lowered. now were just waiting for DisneyHD.

[Larry_Rymal]

This time next year??? Gosh, I don't want SD anymore NOW. Not at all. Go DirecTV!