Video Asylum

Posted by racerguy (A) on March 17, 2008 at 06:14:44

In Reply to: RE: Display Selection Help posted by Vic D on March 16, 2008 at 22:21:37

Yes, SD = standard definition. I find SD signals to be more watchable on our plasma TV than on other digital TVs we own. If I have to watch an analog-source channel, and I have a choice, I head for the room that's got my Loewe Aconda CRT direct view TV. It's still the best I've seen in this area.

This will still be an issue when the the "digital mandate" takes effect. The mandate is nothing more than a requirement for analog broadcasters to switch to digital broadcasting. It doesn't force anyone to change anything else in the signal chain, so production facilities that are still using analog video devices can continue to do so.

For comparison purposes - I believe you mentioned you have Comcast cable service. I'm assuming you have their "digital" service. What they do now with analog SD signals is convert them to digital, squeeze the crap out of them to minimize bandwidth, then send them down the wire. Same with digital satellite service. This is and will be the same with digital OTA broadcasting.

It's going to be a long, long time before everything converts to an all-digital chain. Even longer before everything goes HD. Many of us here will not be alive to see it.