[mgoblue99]

I read in the ESPN/ABC press release for this upcoming college football season that the networks will, again, be using their "reverse mirror" system of broadcasting multiple games in the same time slot.

After searching the forum, I think I understand how the system works. For example, on August 30, the Michigan/Utah game and the USC game are both on ESPN/ABC. Since I'm in Michigan, I'll get the Michigan game on my local ABC feed. Will the USC game then be broadcast on my ESPN feed from D*, or will D* broadcast two separate ESPN feeds nationally and black them out regionally? (I hope that makes sense.)

I also understand that last season, the mirrored games were NOT available in HD. Does anyone know if that will be the case this year, or if both games will be available in HD? I know they're both produced in HD, because they both air on ABC locals in the "home" markets in high def.

Could someone try to walk me through this process?

I appreciate your help in advance.

 

[Red Dog]

I found last year that sometimes the mirrored game would be on ESPN-Alt if it wasn't on 206.

 

[tftc22]

I found last year that sometimes the mirrored game would be on ESPN-Alt if it wasn't on 206.

To explain even further, ESPN Alt is usually on channel 210 and ESPN2 Alt is usually 211 with additional channels nearby available if needed (that doesn't happen very often). ESPN will show 2 feeds with one game on ESPN 206 and another on ESPN Alt 210. The channel that is on your local ABC will be blacked out and the other channel will be available.

 

[mgoblue99]

Will the alternate game by in HD?

 

[hengnv]

Will the alternate game by in HD?

Last year, the alternate games were only in SD

 

[mgoblue99]

Any word on this? I know ABC/ESPN had a press release in June that said ALL games on ABC/ESPN networks this year will be broadcast in HD.

Anyone?

 

[BigJ52]

I'm sure in Iowa we are getting the Michigan vs. Utah game but I'm hoping the USC vs. Virginia game won't be blacked out on the reverse mirror. My fear is that it will though.

 

[mgoblue99]

My understanding is that nobody is blacked out of either game on the reverse mirror. You get whatever game you get on ABC. The game that's not on ABC is mirrored on ESPN/2. No?

 

[DMRI2006]

Most of the country this week (77% of it to be exact) is getting USC-Virginia on ABC (HD).

For those people, you will get Michigan-Utah on ESPN2 (209) -- in HD -- on DirecTV.

If you live in an area already getting Michigan-Utah on ABC like the OP, however, then you'll get USC-Virginia on an alternate ESPN channel. Whether it's HD or not, even though the game is being produced in HD, I can't say (last season those "ESPN alt" games were in SD).

Hope this helps

 

[terryfoster]

 

[pologirl]

Most of the country this week (77% of it to be exact) is getting USC-Virginia on ABC (HD).

For those people, you will get Michigan-Utah on ESPN2 (209) -- in HD -- on DirecTV.

If you live in an area already getting Michigan-Utah on ABC like the OP, however, then you'll get USC-Virginia on an alternate ESPN channel. Whether it's HD or not, even though the game is being produced in HD, I can't say (last season those "ESPN alt" games were in SD).

Hope this helps

Does this mean that if I live in southern ca., where it is blocked I can go to channel 209 and get the game? wow if that is true I would be a very happy wolverine!!!

 

[mgoblue99]

Yes, that's what it means. But NOBODY has been able to answer me as to whether or not the mirrored game (that is, the one not on your local ABC affiliate) is in HD.

 

[bwaldron]

Yes, that's what it means. But NOBODY has been able to answer me as to whether or not the mirrored game (that is, the one not on your local ABC affiliate) is in HD.

My guess is not...though I'd love to be wrong.

 

[Ryan]

Yes, that's what it means. But NOBODY has been able to answer me as to whether or not the mirrored game (that is, the one not on your local ABC affiliate) is in HD.

I guess we won't know for sure until broadcast time, but I'd sure like to see DirecTV/ESPN provide the alt feed in HD. DirecTV is able to provide a number of alternate Big10 channels in HD each Saturday, so the tech aspect seems doable.

 

[BigJ52]

Well looks like I get USC vs Virginia on channel 211. Glad to have it but unfortunately it's not in HD.

 

[IlliniOne82]

Sorry if it's been covered, but what is the reason for not showing the reverse mirror on ESPN2 instead of the alternate channel?

 

[Kavh]

This week the answer is to turn on ABCE-hd for those that are getting the michigan game rather than using the alternate espn channel.

 

[Baldmaga]

My Friend in Ohio is getting USC on ABC, and blacked out of ESPN2 and 211...How can he watch UM/Utah?

 

[DCSholtis]

Where is he in Ohio?? I'm in Cleveland and getting UM/Utah on my local ABC and getting blacked out of ESPN2 but able to see the USC game on 211.....in SD.

 

[DMRI2006]

My Friend in Ohio is getting USC on ABC, and blacked out of ESPN2 and 211...How can he watch UM/Utah?

Sounds like something is wrong there...Directv is probably blacking him out and they shouldn't be.

Sorry if it's been covered, but what is the reason for not showing the reverse mirror on ESPN2 instead of the alternate channel?

They are using ESPN2 as the reverse mirror -- for 77% of the country, to be precise.

For those who are getting USC-Va. on ABC, you should be getting the Michigan-Utah game in HD on ESPN2 (209). That's the "main" national "reverse mirror" game on ESPN2 because most of the country is getting USC-Va. on ABC.

People who are getting Michigan-Utah locally on ABC can get USC-Va. on one of the alternate channels -- but it's in SD only.

This is how it worked last year too. Seems to me that the "reverse mirror" game of the widest audience distribution goes on ESPN2 HD, unless you live in an area where you're already getting it on ABC. In that case, you'll get the other game -- but only in SD -- on one of the alternate channels.