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Our nights keep getting brighter
Our nights are getting brighter and they have been every year since 2012, according to a new study published today in Science Advances. Researchers led by Christopher Kyba at the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences used satellite imagery to track changes in nighttime outdoor artificial lighting around the world and they found that between 2012 and 2016, the amount of lit area grew by 2.2 percent per year. The amount of brightness from continuously lit areas also increased by 2.2 percent per year. So not only is more area being illuminated at night, already lit areas are getting even brighter. "We're losing more and more of the night on a planetary scale," said the journal's editor, Kip Hodges.
Gloria Victis forecasts realistic weather system
If you need a reason to check out and possibly support indie MMO Gloria Victis, Black Eye Games hopes to tempt you with realistic weather. Actually, it's more than that; the team dubs it the Seasons system. The idea behind this system is that the game will change seasons, lighting, and weather on a regular basis, and these conditions will affect combat and strategic planning. Movement will be hampered by rain, for instance, and visibility by fog and blizzards. In addition, some NPCs will change their activities based on the weather, and some mobs will only come out in the daytime or nighttime. The team also reports that it's completed a "major overhaul" of its animations. Gloria Victis is still seeking crowdsourcing capital and is nearing pre-alpha stats. [Source: Black Eye Games press release]
Michael Jackson memorial service gets HDTV broadcasts around the globe by 1 p.m.
Today's broadcasts of Michael Jackson's memorial services have become s big of a television event as there has ever been, with networks domestically planning to cover the proceedings in high definition, but Sky News HD is following up on its broadcast of the Obama Inauguration by taking of the Sky Arts 1 HD channel again, and Cinedigm flicks on its digital distribution network, though not in 3D, it will air the memorial starting at 1 p.m. EST for free at theaters around the country. If not for anything else, this should extend even beyond Presidential Address' ability to compare the audio/video delivery capabilities of different networks, with CNN, Fox, ABC, Fox News, CBS, E! and more broadcasting, plus internet streams available from most (CNN, Sky, CBS, ABC are confirmed), plus Hulu and the StaplesCenter.com website itself. So let us know, which network will you be tuning to / avoiding this afternoon, or are you already switching back and forth with one gloved hand on the remote, comparing camera angles and contrast levels in detail?Update: A live HD stream from Microsoft & Canada's Inmusic.com is available and apparently not subject to geographic restrictions for those tuning in via desktop (Thanks, Aaron) Read - Jackson memorial live in high definition in movie theaters and on TV Read - World will watch Jackson memorial Read - Michael Jackson Memorial In High Definition Read - Media is all about Michael Jackson Read - Michael Jackson Memorial Coverage times / networks
CBS Sunday Morning News makes the jump to high definition
Up early on a Sunday? Take a minute to check out the first edition of CBS News Sunday Morning broadcast in high definition, as Charles Osgood anchors the annual "By Design" episode. That means your HDTV will see lots of home tours, a peek into the UCLA Medical Center checking out doctors that are remaking disfigured faces and a report on how retirement is changing for more active elders. Us? We're going back to sleep, two NBA Game 7's and the start of the NHL conference finals make this day a marathon, not a sprint.
General Hospital prescribes itself a daily dose of 720p
It's been three years since we wished for General Hospital to deliver us some medical melodrama in HD, and in a couple of weeks it'll be coming. Just in time for the May sweeps that are now only partially screwed up due to the delayed DTV transition, the longest running soap in the biz -- 46 years and 11,500 episodes -- will be getting a 720p makeover on April 23rd. ABC has spent a tidy $3 million to equip the production facilities for HD, including seven HD cameras and five Panasonic professional plasmas that keep our hearts warm. ABC is hoping the jump to HD will help increase the realism of the show, and while we're never ones to underestimate the power of HD picture quality, we suspect the story lines might need a little more than 720p to get us to suspend our disbelief.
WJXT throws the HD lever in Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville residents looking for a new take on the evening news can finally see their dreams come true. As of now, WJXT -- an independent station serving the Florida city and its surrounding communities -- is broadcasting its newscasts in high-definition. At first, the noon broadcast will be the only one in HD, though other airings should follow suit in short order. Locals who rely on DISH Network and DirecTV will sadly be unable to enjoy the new look without an OTA antenna, though WJXT vice president and general manager John Rafferty has assured us that its high-def signal will be picked up by both "soon."[Thanks, Eric]
Atlanta's CBS affiliate transitions newscasts to high-definition
Hotlanta may be feeling the chill of winter right about now, but those looking for one more choice when it comes to watching the evening news in high-def can rejoice. As of this week, the region's CBS affiliate (WGCL) has converted its newscasts to HD, making it the third in Atlanta, Georgia to do so. Also of note, the CBS 46 branding has been trashed in favor of the altogether lovely CBS Atlanta logo you see above, and for those keeping inventory, FOX's WAGA now sits as the only local in the area not broadcasting news in high-definition. Anyone willing to wager that changes soon?[Thanks, Eric]
South Florida's WSVN converts newscasts to high-definition
South Florida's NBC 6 became the first English-language network in the area to take its newscasts to high-def, but now those who refuse to watch news in SD finally have another choice. Starting this week, WSVN -- the FOX affiliate in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale market -- will be airing its local news broadcasts in greater clarity, and now that this station has hopped on board, we reckon the outcasts will be following suit in short order.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
WBAL-TV switches on HD news in Baltimore, Maryland
Charm City residents refusing to tune into SD news have had their sets locked on FOX 45 for months now, but 2009 is offering the city of Baltimore yet another option. Starting this weekend, WBAL-TV has flipped the high-def switch on its local news, meaning that you can now catch your favorite NBC talking heads in an all new light. So, locals -- are things much improved? Studio shot is after the break.[Thanks, Ryan and Michael]
Philadelphia's NBC 10 brings the high-def love to its newscasts
Philadelphia residents, NBC 10 loves you. We mean, it really digs you. So much, in fact, that it has taken to heart all those surely kind letters you've sent in over the past few months regarding high-def news. Starting tonight, The City of Brotherly Love has another place to turn for high-definition newscasts, and that place is NBC 10. Reportedly, the station has been constructing an HD studio for months, and it has just now taken the wraps off of everything. Enjoy, Philly, and let us know if you're pleased in comments below.
Live with Regis and Kelly HD details revealed
Behind the scenes of Live With Regis and Kelly's HD upgrade will be a new high definition control room, plus new HDTV studio and handheld cams. Not getting replaced for the resolution bump? The set, unlike Entertainment Tonight's new digs Broadcasting & Cable reports Live is just throwing a fresh coat of paint on what's there and moving forward. Unfortunately it seems the state of HD syndication ready local stations is still in disarray, so it may be some time before you actually get a look at the improved broadcast in your area, but everyone else should be more than taken care of January 5.
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.
Live with Regis and Kelly headed to HD next year
From the "They're still not in in HD?" files, Live With Regis & Kelly announced on-air yesterday that the show is going high definition on January 5, 2009. Apparently a makeup has been located that will make Regis watchable in high-res (he looked good in a How I Met Your Mother cameo earlier this fall), and with brand new sets all the rage in daytime TV, there's no time like the present. How it took so long is still a mystery to us, after Regis & Kelly jumped into 3-D over two years ago, you'd think moving to HD would be nothing.
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]
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]
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.
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]
