KSAT in HD

[BenjaminNicholas]

Here's my question...

Why even broadcast in 720p or 1080i if most of your footage and on-the-street cams aren't HD compatible? The only real advantage to HD is when they're doing in-studio stuff (ie, weather) and you can really see the difference between that and a SD pic. The train wreck of having to sit through Chris Marrou, his badly dyed hairline and his snarky delivery isn't any better in glorious high definition.

Once they switch totally to hd cams, the news will then be high-def to me.




BN

[Bo]

Originally Posted by BenjaminNicholas

Here's my question...

Why even broadcast in 720p or 1080i if most of your footage and on-the-street cams aren't HD compatible? The only real advantage to HD is when they're doing in-studio stuff (ie, weather) and you can really see the difference between that and a SD pic. The train wreck of having to sit through Chris Marrou, his badly dyed hairline and his snarky delivery isn't any better in glorious high definition.

Once they switch totally to hd cams, the news will then be high-def to me.

Bragging rights.

The transmitter, HD satellite receiver and master control were probably in the first HD equipment budget cycle. That had to be an investment over $1 million.

The studio equipment (cameras/switchers/miles of wiring/etc.) were probably acquired over at least two budget cycles. Another million for this wouldn't surprise me. Once they were in place, the HD newscasts could begin.

The news-acquisition equipment would be the next big purchase. When I worked in TV news, the camera, lens and recorder that each videographer used in the field cost $80,000. I doubt they cost any less now. I would venture that the 10PM news stations here each have 8-10 of those. Plus they have to have digital edit bays to edit all of the HD footage they're now acquiring. Figure at least half a dozen of those at another $100,000 apiece and they've blown through another half-mil.

It's not easy to fit the better part of a million dollars worth of any equipment into a news department budget. In this advertising market, it's got to be downright painful... or impossible. When you look at the money involved, it's easy to understand why only two stations have HD news here, and neither is 100% in HD.

[Sigaven]

Just watched a bit of KSAT news...it is definitely NOT in high definition. Just widescreen.

[TexasHen]

I'm sure they're phasing it in gradually - thus no major publicity. Probably a good way to go.

[xsa210tx]

Here is the email I sent to KSAT!

Dear KSAT:

KSAT you are my favorite station to watch because of your on-air personalities. However, I find myself watching KENS also....... WHY you ask?

Have you all ever watched KENS in high definition?

Well, I recently saw that KSAT is now in "high definition."

But when comparing both OTA stations, KENS has a more crip, clear, and conciseness in its picture.

KSAT is still using yellow bright flower-y flashy colors that look like they belong in an elementary school book!!

KENS colors and graphics are sleek, modern, and very eye pleasant!

KSAT still uses (since October 2003) a "blue screen" as a news set. Not only is this highly TACKY but it makes KSAT look like a STARS WARS FUTURISTIC imaginary news set and not in a "good way."

KSAT Weather graphics look like they have been held over since 1999.

KENS Weather graphics are in fine detail and much more crisp and terrain-like and "high definition" vibrant!

KENS Sportscasters sit down by a Plasma television doing the Sports.

Greg Simmons, David Sears, and Larry Ramirez have "another" imaginary too flashy and blah "blue screen" graphic when doing sports.

KSAT advertises TOO MUCH on City Cam and the ads are TOO large

KENS has SMALLER (more discrete) ads on their Sky Cam.

KSAT, you all have had since 2003 TO GET A REAL NEWS SET AND IT'S 2009!

I have visited the KSAT news set before on a tour.

Next to the "blue screen" news set, behind those two doors is a little (hidden) set that is used for telethons and phone banks. I say KNOCK all of that down, expand it, and make a MASSIVE modern news set to RIVAL KENS (your chief TV rival).

Do you really want to keep presenting this tacky presentation to the viewers???

Or will you get with 2009 and modernize up?

I HOPE SO!!

Let's do it KSAT!

[tony78201]

Originally Posted by xsa210tx

Here is the email I sent to KSAT!

Dear KSAT:

KSAT you are my favorite station to watch because of your on-air personalities. However, I find myself watching KENS also....... WHY you ask?

Have you all ever watched KENS in high definition?

Well, I recently saw that KSAT is now in "high definition."

But when comparing both OTA stations, KENS has a more crip, clear, and conciseness in its picture.

KSAT is still using yellow bright flower-y flashy colors that look like they belong in an elementary school book!!

KENS colors and graphics are sleek, modern, and very eye pleasant!

KSAT still uses (since October 2003) a "blue screen" as a news set. Not only is this highly TACKY but it makes KSAT look like a STARS WARS FUTURISTIC imaginary news set and not in a "good way."

KSAT Weather graphics look like they have been held over since 1999.

KENS Weather graphics are in fine detail and much more crisp and terrain-like and "high definition" vibrant!

KENS Sportscasters sit down by a Plasma television doing the Sports.

Greg Simmons, David Sears, and Larry Ramirez have "another" imaginary too flashy and blah "blue screen" graphic when doing sports.

KSAT advertises TOO MUCH on City Cam and the ads are TOO large

KENS has SMALLER (more discrete) ads on their Sky Cam.

KSAT, you all have had since 2003 TO GET A REAL NEWS SET AND IT'S 2009!

I have visited the KSAT news set before on a tour.

Next to the "blue screen" news set, behind those two doors is a little (hidden) set that is used for telethons and phone banks. I say KNOCK all of that down, expand it, and make a MASSIVE modern news set to RIVAL KENS (your chief TV rival).

Do you really want to keep presenting this tacky presentation to the viewers???

Or will you get with 2009 and modernize up?

I HOPE SO!!

Let's do it KSAT!

wow! you hit the nail right on the head. I agree with everything you said. its true, some of KENS graphics are so cool to look at. especially during the weather.

[Hoot Owl]

Do the people at KSAT realize that their HD picture looks like crap? I can't believe they haven't fixed the fuzziness.