Bucs preseason games in HD?

[bdraw]

I just noticed that WFLA isn't broadcasting the four pre-season games in HD this season and that WTTA is. The guide data doesn't show the first game against the fins in HD, but I wasn't sure if this was accurate (read hoping it's not).

Does anyone know for sure if the games will be presented in HD? It would relaly suck after enjoying them in HD for the past few seasons to have to suffer through SD.

Normally I'd automatically say no based on WTTA's track record, but with all the HD movies they've been showing lately and even WXPX doing Rays games in HD, you never know these days.

[whalene]

I would have to believe that the games are in HD because the NFL Network will be replaying all of the games in HD.

http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story?id=09000d5d809476d7&template=with-video&confirm=true

[Kendo]

Even if the cameras are HD, it's still possible WTTA may not broadcast them in HD. I don't know what the official NFL Pre-season broadcast rules are, but if NFL network is broadcasting the Bucs/Pats game will WTTA even get it or do you need NFL Network (DTV,FiOS)? Anyone know?

[bdraw]

Thanks for the link, that certainly does look promising.

Kendo,
You'll always have access to your local teams games even when they play on NFL or ESPN etc. But whether it'll be in HD or not is a good question.

Maybe Bryan will chime in with some information form the station.

[Bschneider]

I'll try to remember to ask.

[SomeRandomIdiot]

I have no idea if the games are HD or SD but given the fact that Media General is loosing so much money and laying off so many people from the Tampa Operation it would not surprise me in the least if they cut back on the expense and decided to only produce the games in SD to save on costs.

[Bschneider]

From WTTA:


We will be carrying the BUCS games while WFLA is carrying the Olympics. We are scheduled (and promoting) to air it in HD. We are supposed to receive the HD satellite receiver this week (since the first game is this Saturday!)

If we receive the "cross converter" that's on order, we'll convert the 1080I feed from the satellite to 720P for our broadcast. If it is not received in time, we'll change the station standard to 1080I for the game, then back to 720P after the game.


If they have to show the game in 1080i, I'll ask them to turn off the sub-channel to give the main channel enough bandwidth for the game. Will they listen? I don't know.

[bdraw]

Thanks for looking into this Bryan, can't wait to watch the game on Saturday.

I doubt they'd turn off a sub channel, honestly I understand them not wanting to turn it off completely but it'd be nice if they'd at least limit the bandwidth to the subchannel to 1Mbps.

[bdraw]

Not only is it not HD, but it's stretch-o-vision!!!

Then to add insutl to injury they have the audio set to DD when it's not. Man does this suck.

What a crock!

[SomeRandomIdiot]

If this is HD, this is the worst looking HD I think I've ever seen as it looks more like 480 16:9 at best. Even Fox 16:9 480 looks far superior to this. This ranks right up their with some of the early Rays "HD" :)

[SomeRandomIdiot]

As ridiculous as this sounds, I think it actually looks better on 8.2, the WFLA WeatherPlus channel where they are showing it.

[Palmateer]

I couldn't agree more!

Death to Stretch-O-Vision!

Let WFLA know what you think about this.

[Bschneider]

Apparently there was a satellite uplink problem. If that is the case then the NFL Network won't have the game in HD either unless they got it via tape or something.

[Kendo]

I was quite disappointed to see the game in SD not HD on Verizon 806 so I checked it over the antenna on 38.1 to see if it was just a Verizon problem – it wasn’t. 38.1 was in stretch vision too and the quality was just awful on both! If you did continue to watch the game, a miracle happened a little after 9pm (in the 3rd quarter) – POP, it just became real HD right before my eyes and other than a brief few seconds later in the game after a commercial it remained in HD until the end.

Within a few minutes after it went HD I checked 38.1 and it too was in HD now.

[bdraw]

Yes, it went to hd at ~9:11pm.

Glad they kept trying until they got it working, thanks guys.

[Kendo]

I checked the replay on NFL Network a couple times this evening and it too was in SD until about half way through the 3rd when it went HD. Hopefully next weeks game will go off without a hitch.

[Palmateer]

Excuse me, but, when it later "went HD," didn't it still look more like the output of SD cameras cropped for 16:9 rather than as coming from real HD cameras?

[bdraw]

No, went it went HD it looked good, but the sound was still off.

[Bschneider]

This should make you laugh..


BUCS OPENER: Don't go looking for the Tampa Bay Bucs home opener on WFLA, Channel 8, on Saturday night.

Because of NBC's coverage of the Summer Olympics, the preseason battle with the Miami Dolphins will be bumped over to WTTA, Channel 38.

WFLA is still providing the crew to cover the game. You can also find the game at 7:30 p.m. on WFLA's high-def weather channel, Weather Plus.


http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/aug/07/na-time-portal-drama-in-london-rips-open-a-whole-b/

[bdraw]

Haha, high-def huh? Many who's definition is that?

[SomeRandomIdiot]

This should make you laugh..



http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/aug/07/na-time-portal-drama-in-london-rips-open-a-whole-b/


As noted, it did look better for the first half on WFLA's high-def weather channel, Weather Plus, than on WTTA :rolleyes:

[SomeRandomIdiot]

Looks like shit again tonight on WTTA, while NFL-HD looks great.

[Kendo]

I didn't have any sound (or had a static clicking noise) on WTTA HD (OTA was the same). SD was ok, the picture just sucked. I just switched over to the NFL Network HD and everything was fine. I checked later in the game and it appears they fixed the sound at some point.

[Dknow]

I noticed that WTTA lost its HD feed after halftime while NFLHD still looked great. I felt bad for those who don't have NFL Network.

[Kendo]

LOL

I wonder if WTTA will get it right this week? I can't imagine some of the local sponsors/advertisers are pleased.

The NFL Network has helped keep my sanity during the off season. It will be nice come Nov to see the 8 Thursday Night Football games...