 |
| Posted: December 14, 2007 |
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Starting Monday December 17, the NewsHour began broadcasting in HDTV-- high-definition television. While this gives viewers a bigger and better picture, it provides an array of challenges for our newsroom. To better explain what you're seeing and why, NewsHour staff answered your questions. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Ken Broomfield of San Luis Obispo, Calif., asks: |
|
| Are ITN (International Television News) and your own field cameras shooting HD? |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| Chris Dee responds: |
|
The various news feed sources located throughout the world are shooting in both SD and HD. However, the feeds that come into NewsHour are still SD (some are down converted, meaning they were shot in HD and then turned into standard definition, but most are still being shot in SD, or are provided in native SD). It will take several years for the proliferation of HD equipment and transition to occur - until a greater volume of content is acquired in HD there will be a delay in switching feeds. The NewsHour continues to analyze the feasibility and logistics of such on an ongoing basis. |
|
| Steve Howard responds: |
|
Our field crews are being outfitted with HD gear. For those shoots, where we shoot in the field and bring the footage back to our facility and edit it, this will result in HD pieces beginning to appear soon (we actually aired one Monday night). Likewise, ITN is currently shooting some material in the HD format. There currently is a lack of HD infrastructure both in the U.S. and overseas. This will impede our use of HD material from ITN and our ability to receive HD transmissions from remote locations, including those staffed by our own crews using HD equipment. The conversion of transmission lines and equipment is extremely expensive and is being done very slowly. |
|
|
  |
|
|
|
|
