[iowaberg]

I live in the Des Moines, IA market and we have yet to receive our local HD channels through DTV (although I hear we're close). I have my standard rabbit ears connected for now. Whenever, I tune in to watch the news at 6 or 10pm, they broadcast in your 4:3 screen format. However, occasionally, they will do a quick sports segment in true 16:9 HD. Why can't they do this all the time with their news broadcasts? Is their some kind of restriction placed on them? What gives?

 

[beavis]

My guess is that the studio cameras aren't HD but the ones used for sports coverage are. As for why, it's anybody's guess. Have you tried emailing the station manager?

 

[arxaw]

What Beavis said. To do studio HD, they would basically have to build a new studio. They may be in the process of doing so. Ask them.

 

[Grentz]

As arxaw said, it might be they are in transition mode and just moving to HD.

It is a lot of work for many studios, I know the ones around here had to rebuild their sets and such so they looked good on air in HD, not to mention all the equipment upgrades (cameras, production gear, etc.)

 

[beavis]

As arxaw said, it might be they are in transition mode and just moving to HD.

It is a lot of work for many studios, I know the ones around here had to rebuild their sets and such so they looked good on air in HD, not to mention all the equipment upgrades (cameras, production gear, etc.)

Not to mention extra makeup for the anchors. :grin:

 

[Nick]

Not to mention the potential HR/EEOC/EOE/ADA issues surrounding the de-hiring
of older, wrinkled on-air "talent" and the hiring of younger and smoother (HD-ready?)
new on-air "talent" as replacements. But just think of the money the station will save
over the next 10 years by not having to buy makeup by the drum!

 

[JonSamuels]

There is quite a bit of discussion on this topic over on AVSForum in the Des Moines thread.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=136822&page=110