Stretching Images of Local Programs on DT Channels

[Palmateer]

I made an informal survey of locally-produced programming on the DT channels.

Some channels (like WTOG) do a mild zoom to fill more of the horizontal area, giving up just a bit of top and bottom.

WTVT does a pretty bad horizontal stretch, somewhat distorting the image. John Wilson was kind enough to reply to my email and admit it bothers him, but he doesn't know if he can influence his GM to stop the practice.

WFTS (and WTSP) do not seem to stretch or zoom their images on their DT channels enough to be objectionable. I contacted Jack Winter of WFTS, and he agrees that horizontally stretching the picture to try to fill a 16:9 ratio screen is a practice that should be avoided.

WFLA, by far, had the most grotesquely stretched image! Bob Hite replied with a humorous comment when I emailed him about it. Gayle Sierens was concerned that it gave her a Fat Face / Flat Head look.

Mark Schaefer, Director of Engineering at WFLA TV/DT, originally replied that, "The overwhelming majority (of the viewers) say fill the screen. We began this process in 1999 when we first went on the air with the digital channel to keep from burning in black bars on the sides of a 16:9 screen while showing a 4:3 picture." Later, when I pointed out that WFTS and WTSP do not distort their images on their DT channels, he said he was willing to discuss changing the practice with his General Manager. So far, no word on how that may have turned out.

True HD (1080i) production at the local level is still some time off in the future.

[Roger 9]

I don't know if the connection still exists but a few years back when Ch.66 was known as PAX, they would re-broadcast theWFLA 11pm news at midnight. There was either an association between the two stations or simply a rights agreement but recent stretching of a SD image to "fill the screen" is eerily similar. I also sent this e-mail on May 4 to Mr. Schaefer about the WFLA issue: Firstly, you say that the "majority" of comments receive by WFLA say viewers are fine with a distorted picture. This is so absurd it is beneath comment.

Secondly, if WFLA was so concerned about so-called "burn-in" on HD sets, why then is your weather station (Bright House Networks channel 607 - Pinellas) shown with the aforementioned black bars prominently displayed? I would guess your response would be that viewers do not have that station on long enough for any potential damage to sets.

Even using your convoluted logic, your stretched daytime faux-hi-def DOES NOT fill the entire screen as there are STILL smaller black bars on either side. Essentially, if a person was to watch WFLA 10-hours or more per day a burn-in of sorts would happen anyway. So your response has absolutely no merit.

Let's be absolutely clear about this. By doing what WFLA and other stations are doing further perpetuates the myth that high-definition television is no better than analog to those who do not know any better (especially in daytime scheduling), thereby restricting future sales of sets and worst of all, to you and other outlets, lack of viewers because those same people will dial elsewhere for one that IS broadcast in HD.

Furthermore, the cable companies which distributes the upconvert from you is adding to this problem.

Therefore, in my opinion, your responses to customers with concerns is baseless, misleading and ultimately, a lie. Unless there is some sort of compromise where a minimum of 720i is part of your upconvert to cable outlets, viewers are entitled to view programs in the true definition that the show was filmed/taped. I for one do not want to see fat people in grainy format being passed off as high-definition.

Your response is anticipated. I do hope I receive a reply because it may have a bearing on TWO stations, 8 and 17.