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South Bend, Indiana gets HD news from WSBT-TV
South Bend, Indiana got more than a win from their Fighting Irish this weekend -- they also got a heavy dose of HD news. WSBT-TV, the area's CBS affiliate, became the first in the region to air its newscasts digitally just days ago, and moreover, the first to broadcast in high-definition. Viewers are being treated to clearer views of their favorite anchors and more information on a wider screen platform, including additional weather data on the margins of their TV screens. The station's news director Meg Sauer has also asked for forgiveness if any glitches crop up due to all the new equipment, but we're sure you'll be willing to do so in exchange for an HD quality broadcast.
NXE trailer shows off Primetime [update]
Update: Apparently, as has been pointed out by numerous comments, this trailer is brain-staggeringly old (apart from the bit at the end that says the NXE is coming November 19). The editor responsible for posting this has been sacked and unceremoniously rehired.Microsoft has released a trailer for the New Xbox Experience, showing off the new interface and some of its features (all set to a zippy soundtrack, of course). For anyone that's been following the NXE though, it's mostly old hat. That is except for the brief glimpse of Primetime, the nifty live gameshow concept that was originally supposed to launch with the NXE but was then unfortunately delayed until early 2009. Other than that, the video pretty much screams, "Hey look! We have Avatars! We're approachable too!" We'll just have to wait and see if the message lands with the casual audience Microsoft hopes to woo.The NXE, incidentally, lands next Wednesday.
New York's WNYW takes HD newscasts to high-def
Back in April, we wondered when New York's WNYW would finally follow suit and take its local newscasts to high-def. As of this week, the Big Apple's FOX affiliate is finally broadcasting its local news in glistening HD. As tipster Rich so elequotely put it: "There's nothing like seeing how bad a night your favorite news anchor had when tuning in at 5:00AM." Burn.[Image courtesy of Broadcast Engineering, thanks Rich]
Poll: Which election night broadcast impressed you most?
Election Night 2008 brought about an unprecedented amount of HD coverage, and while we're all in absolute agreement that CNN's "holographic" interviews were the comedy for the evening, we're interested on your take on how networks as a whole did with their high-def presentation. Was CBS' polished graphics set enough to overcome those embarrassing audio gaffes? Did ABC / FOX have the edge? Where did you find yourself tuned to most of the night? Drop your vote (hey, there's a concept!) below. %Poll-21926%
Election '08 coming home in HD like never before
Sure, not every station's pulled out the Star Wars / Iron Man-style holograms for the 2008 election, but they're all trying to put shiny new HD studios to full use and get as many eyeballs as possible until things are decided. NBC & ABC immediately jumped out front at 7 p.m. with data pouring in on the widescreen edges of their HD feeds, with CNN waiting until states were decided to begin updating their lists. ABC's chosen to lean on its touchscreen display and forgo side graphics altogether, while despite Fox's claim as "America's Election HQ", with totally bare shoulders and boring sets, we're pointing our flatscreens elsewhere. PBS, despite airing the clearest, most high quality video available of three old guys at a table, has no slick touchscreens or HD graphics packages to speak of. Think about that as you check out the rest of the screens after the break, and during the next donation drive. Big Bird deserves better.
CNN's holographic freakout begins, seems totally bizarre and unnecessary
If you've been keeping your eyes fixed on CNN as this election unfolds, then by now you've seen Wolf Blitzer doing a "hologram" interview with Jessica Yellin. Not only does this technology seem completely creepy, but it's without a doubt one of the most useless and unnecessary pieces of phantasmagoric TV ever enacted. Enjoy some video and two more pics of the weirdness after the break.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
CNN's Wolf Blitzer to interview hologram strategists on election night
As the news networks spend oodles of cash in order to one-up the other with whiz-bang visuals and mind-melting charts, CNN is looking to blow just about everyone else away. As election night officially kicks off in just a few hours, the network's Wolf Blitzer will be conducting interviews with faraway strategists not via the traditional two-pane window, but by hologram. Believe it or not, professionals in Chicago and Phoenix will be beamed live to CNN's New York studios in order to give viewers a look at Wolf and a ghostly counterpart. Granted, this is far from the first holographic / 3D interview we've seen, but it is rather impressive given the scenario. In related news, we're also told that FOX News will be touting a "giant wall with touch-screen technology [that] will provide electoral map results," which hopefully translates in geek speak to "Surface."[Via Hack-A-Day]
The best fall programming to dazzle onlookers
Now that that Fall 2008 HDTV schedule is well underway, Sound & Vision has had time to investigate which shows are best for showing off your new flat-panel / surround sound system. Sure, we know you're still interested in those far-fetched "plots" and "story lines," but what about tickling your retinas and eardrums with the best TV has to offer? We'd rather not give away any surprises, but after reading through their top seven, why not chime in below with how you agree / disagree?
Lexington, KY's WTVQ gets major makeover as part of HD news transition
It's one thing to simply fork out some cash for new equipment and pull the lever on HD newscasts, but Lexington, Kentucky's WTVQ-TV is doing it real big when it takes its local news to high-def this month. Starting on October 30th, not only will locals view the evening news in HD, but they'll see a new anchor team, a new news set, a fresh graphics arrangement and revived vivaciousness all around. We've always heard that going all out was the only way to go -- guess we'll see how the ratings react in around a week.[Thanks, Eric]
Kansas City's KCTV takes local news HD, leaves WDAF holding the egg
Yep, as of this week, KCTV (CBS) is broadcasting its local newscasts in high-definition, which gives Kansas City residents not one, not two, but three different networks to choose from when scouting HD news. The only holdout? The local FOX affiliate WDAF-TV, which apparently has no current plans to join its rivals in showing off anchors in 720p / 1080i. Good luck with that.[Thanks, Michael]
MS: Primetime will not make NXE launch
Speaking to Eurogamer, a Microsoft representative confirmed that the massively interactive game channel dubbed Primetime will not be available when the New Xbox Experience releases on November 19th. The MS rep also mentioned the possibility of a few other promised NXE features not being available day one of launch. Sad face. Though, Microsoft is making it clear that Primetime and other features will be added to the NXE, mentioning that they'll have the "flexibility to roll out features and updates dynamically, unlike in the past where we were on a more biannual schedule." So, no prize winning Primetime on November 19th, but it'll come ... eventually.
WISC-TV to finally deliver HD news in Madison, Wisconsin
Get ready, Madison -- HD news is just around the bend. Starting on Sunday, October 26th, WISC-TV will become the first in the region to air all of its regularly-scheduled newscasts in high-definition. Of note, the CBS affiliate has been airing feature stories within its newscast in HD since January of this year, but on Sunday, it will become the first in the area to go wire-to-wire in high-def. The first completely HD newscast will air at 5:30PM on the aforementioned day, and in preparation for the change, the regularly scheduled "News 3 at 5:30" will be preempted for an original special on HDTV and the February 2009 digital television conversion.
DirecTV's Election Mix channel brings maximum coverage to one place
DirecTV has a thing for offering up exclusives such as this in order to help fencesitters make the leap, so it's no shock to see the satcaster taking the multi-pane approach used primarily for sporting events to cover election night. As the US presidential election unfolds on November 4th, DirecTV customers will be able to catch eight feeds of coverage on a single channel alongside a real-time election blog that will "track the announcements and analysis on each channel as votes are counted, exit polling data is evaluated and electoral count projections roll in." The Election Mix Channel will be seen on slots 102 and 352 (for SD and HD, respectively) and will feature feeds from the four broadcast networks, CNN, FOX News, MSNBC and alternating feeds of Comedy Central (when it's doing live election coverage) and BBC America. Users will be able to hover over any of the eight blocks to select audio from each, and you can catch the mayhem beginning at 7:00PM ET on that fateful Tuesday.[Thanks, Bryan]
Los Angeles' KTTV and KCOP: now with HD news
Los Angeles residents could already turn their attention to KABC to catch the local news in high-def, but as Anchorman proved, there's nothing like a little competition to keep everyone on their toes. As of this week, both KTTV (FOX 11) and KCOP (MyNetworkTV 13) have made the switch to HD, meaning that you now have two more options for catching the latest in depressing anecdotes in stunning high-definition. 'Tis a shame this does nothing for that sting left by the Phillies.[Thanks, Eric]
Sacramento's KOVR broadcasts local news in HD
Ready to see (local) talking heads in high-def, Sacramento? You're in luck, because CBS affiliate KOVR is finally broadcasting its local newscasts in HD. As of October 1st, locals were able to tune in and hear all sorts of fantastically hopeful news in a higher resolution than ever before, though the switch won't make the weather and / or stock market any easier to predict. Bugger.[Thanks, Eric]
Wichita's KWCH taking local news to HD this month
Another first is coming to Wichita: local news in high-definition. The area's CBS affiliate, KWCH-TV, just began running commercials to get residents psyched up about the impending transition to HD. When it flips the switch sometime later this month, it'll be the first local station in the region to air its newscasts in high-def. Something tells us the others won't be too far behind, though.[Thanks, Gabe]
CNN adds live debate feedback for widescreen HD viewers
Deciding which channel to catch the Vice Presidential Debate on tonight? Wall Street Journal's The Numbers Guy points out that CNN's HD feed includes live analyst scorecards on the side of the screen (not included in the SD broadcast). Of course, with somewhat loose interpretations of how or when to score the debates, and a lack of explanation to viewers on what the scores the executive producer admitted there's room for improvement, but it may be worth checking out tonight and during future debates. Flip between six different VP debate HD feeds, or catch Magic's Biggest Secrets on My Network TV? Decision '08 indeed.
Western North Carolina's WLOS takes local news to high-def
The Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville-Anderson DMA just netted itself another local station with HD news: WLOS (ABC). Starting this week, the station -- which serves the western parts of both North and South Carolina -- will be broadcasting from its new set and studio, which features a "rotating desk with two different back drops, more than two dozen HD monitors, new HD studio cameras, HD graphics, and the advanced HD 'Sky Watch' Weather Center." The station is just about a year late on being numero uno in the market, as rival WSPA-TV (the local CBS affiliate) took its local news HD in September of last year. Nothing wrong with choices, though.[Thanks, PopWeaverHDTV]
Friday Night Lights S3 tackles DirecTV on October 1st
Earlier this year, we heard that the struggling Friday Night Lights series would return for a third season, but in a rather peculiar way. Now, we finally know the start date for the aforesaid drama. Beginning on October 1st, DirecTV subscribers will be the only ones out there able to catch the third season on the satcaster's own The 101. The partnership was struck in order to keep the lightly watched show from going under prematurely, and for those operating sans DirecTV, you'll just have to be patient until it hits NBC in the coming months. Good luck resisting the urge to torrent -- you know Tim Riggins couldn't.[Image courtesy of TVJab]
60 Minutes pulls out the HDTV cams for Obama & McCain Sunday
Best reason to watch 60 Minutes on CBS Sunday: It's the 40th anniversary, it features presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain, or that it's the first in glorious high definition? Multichannel audio is promised (has the tick-tock been remastered?) to go along with the crisp picture, but all that really matters is that September 21, 7 p.m. -- you know where we (and our HDTVs) will be.
