Tuesday, November 21, 2006

I want TRUE high definition!!!

I was really happy to get my HDTV setup running again. Unfortunately greed has ruined that. The major networks have decided that their shitty weather channels must be on 24/7. That means that they are stealing bandwidth from their "true" HDTV programming. This is fucking bullshit. They take video that is shot on $150k cameras, and compressed on a $300k encoder and fuck it up. A native high definition signal runs at 1,485Mbps. It is compressed down to 19.8Mbps. This is a reduction of SEVENTY FIVE TIMES!!!

The local networks are taking that already EXTREMELY compressed 19.8Mbps signal and throwing away data that they THINK they don't need. Idiots! You need it all!!!!
God forbid they could shut off their bandwidth stealing subchannels during primetime. Oh no, the weather weenies might complain.

The other kicker is that the local NBC affiliate is using a process called Statisical Multiplexing. That means that they change the bitrate on the fly. This is something that was never in the original ATSC standard. Guess what? Lots of HDTVs and HD decoders take a crap with a signal like that. INCLUDING MINE!!!

Every few seconds I get to enjoy a frozen picture and other digital garbage. Thanks you greedy fucks!

Right now they are dropping the bitrate on their primary channel to 13mbps. That is a ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN time data reduction. If it takes a $300k encoder to compress it 75 times, what makes them think that a $20k encoder can compress it almost twice as much?!?

I guess that very few people have seen true high definition. It is absolutely amazing.

I can't wait until I can afford a 1080p display and a Blue-Ray/HD-DVD player.

The Tube

I just got my HDTV setup up and running. I discovered a new subchannel. The local independent station is running "The Tube" on 24.2. It's an all music video channel. You know what MTV and VH1 used to be. I've only been watching it for barely an hour but I like it. Here is their mantra...

"A simple idea that is radically different. The Tube is pure music television with no reality shows, no game shows and no award shows. The Tube is only music, all music. The best artists, the best songs and the best images of all time. Created by Les Garland, one of the pioneers behind MTV, VH1 and The Box, The Tube presentation is honest, intelligent and respectful of music and the people who love it."

So far I've seen a No Doubt concert. Videos by the Pretenders, Robert Plant, Blondie, and a bunch of others.

I'm interested to see if they play newer stuff too. Right now it's just old 80's videos...good videos...but still old.


Check it out...

http://thetubetvinfo.com/

Click on "Where to Watch" to see if they have it in your town.



Ha! Now they're playing the friggin Pet Shop Boys. I'm having flashbacks of my babysitter watching MTV.