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HD Network Downconversions VS. FCP/Kona SD Delivery
So I primarily provide content to a cable channel via HD CAM. They downconvert said material for SD airings. Although they have an HD sister station, very few Subscribers I know of get it. Since they air in SD should I just start sending them our Content in SD, where I can control the quality of the Downconversion? I am currently limited to either sending HDCAM or Beta.
Any help/advice would be appreciated…
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9 Replies
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Ask them. But I doubt that they’d do a crappy downconvert. I’ll wager they do it properly internally in their machine room.
The issue you most likely see is the compression when the show is sent out over the airwaves. That makes most shows look bad.
Shane
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[Shane Ross] “The issue you most likely see is the compression when the show is sent out over the airwaves. That makes most shows look bad. “
Especially when watching SD on an HD tv.
Jeremy
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Understood. The source we watch from is Dish Network, who according to the Network, has the absolute worst picture available. Seems their bitstream is just garbage. I am taking flak as the shooter for the way the images appear in SD. Praised for my HD work, slammed for the SD version. I’m just wondering if I cut out the middle man and send them the SD alone.
Mal: If anyone gets nosy, just, you know… shoot ’em.
Zoe: Shoot ’em?
Mal: Politely
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Whoever is complaining to you doesn’t know dick about transmission, compression, and LCD/Plasma panels. You can easily shut ’em up by showing them your pristine HD master on a well adjusted 50″ plasma screen. Tell them that after this gorgeous image leaves your hands, there’s nothing you can do about it. If they have an issue, they should bring it up with the network’s engineering department. Chances are, those engineers are NOT interested in your “home grown” down-convert. They have a workflow and they don’t like changes.
We deliver shows to 8 different networks. Almost all of them do their own SD downconverts, and they all look pretty bad. Watching SD on a plasma or LCD screen is an exercise in frustration. I don’t even bother to watch SD anymore. It’s too painful.
Good luck.
mark
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[Ben Hall] “Since they air in SD should I just start sending them our Content in SD, where I can control the quality of the Downconversion? I am currently limited to either sending HDCAM or Beta.”
Your SD image will never look as good as your HD image by the time it gets to your TV. Even if you send them an SD master. That’s just do to all the compression put on your images by the network, the satellite, the cable company and everyone else along the way that touches your image.
Also, you deliver what the network asks you to deliver. Food Network for example does ask for both HDCAM and DigiBeta masters of every show. Another network we’re delivering to just wants one or the other, preferrably HDCAM.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR Apple Color Training DVD available now!
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Thanks for the help guys. HD has no “broadcast” standards like SD correct. If I know the footage is going to be downconverted should shoot and post for SD (7.5 IRE)?
Mal: If anyone gets nosy, just, you know… shoot ’em.
Zoe: Shoot ’em?
Mal: Politely
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[Ben Hall] “HD has no “broadcast” standards like SD correct.”
HD probably has more standards and regulations on it than SD in my opinion. just go look at hte PBS Red Book. About 170 pages dedicated to HD alone.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR Apple Color Training DVD available now!
Read my Blog!
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Do you know where I could find it? I have the PBS Redbook TOS and it only has a small appendix regarding HD/Digital Signals. I am well within spec there, but not sure if there is more video signal information available. I will have to dig up my notes, but I’m 99% certain that I was told there are no “true” standards for HD at Varicamp.
I truly appreciate all your help. I’ll get to the bottom of this one day. I simply can not go into a meeting to explain why the programming looks “so” bad on the OWNERS/President’s TV and say “just because.”
Wish me luck…
Mal: If anyone gets nosy, just, you know… shoot ’em.
Zoe: Shoot ’em?
Mal: Politely
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[Ben Hall] “Do you know where I could find it?”
https://www.pbs.org/producers/redbook/
It’s in lots of small pieces but anything and everything you ever wanted to know about SD and HD delivery is in there. including lots of neat little engineering diagrams that are helpful when you can’t get to sleep at night…….
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR Apple Color Training DVD available now!
Read my Blog!
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