[opendtv] Re: News; Dish to Expand HD Roster, Offer 1080p Movies

  • From: Albert Manfredi <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 17:57:01 -0400

John Shutt wrote:

> And I suspect that since 1080p24 probably compresses
> more efficiently than 1080i30, allowing for more HD
> programs in the same amount of bandwidth, that also
> played a role in this decision.

They gave the numbers in the article, John, and there's nothing particularly 
impressive about any of it.

First of all, while it's true that I can see blocking artifacts when fast 
motion is in the picture, I'll say again that WETA-DT transmits one 1080i and 
three 480i streams in their multiplex. So somehow, they HAVE to be using far 
less than the 16-24 Mb/s these BD H.264 files transmit. I'd estimate 
conservatively that the avg bit rate can't be more than 12 Mb/s, and that 
assumes the SD streams use LESS than 2.5 Mb/s average each.

The other thing is that I'm getting the impression that no matter what, 
according to some folks, the broadcasters and ATSC just can't get it right. 
When this same HD requirement that DISH is crowing about in mid-2008 was 
incorporated in baseline ATSC at the very beginning, in 1994 or so, it was the 
dumbest idea anyone could have. And now, so much time has passed that perhaps 
people are forgetting it's been old news for years.

For example, OTA broadcasters could use this as an advertizing gimmick too. Why 
not? Why not pick some blockbuster movie and make a big production out of the 
fact that you'll transmit it in "full HD." Oh, and that no one needs to worry 
about any new equipment or software?

Bert

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