Addicted To HD Programming

[Flashjeff]

Here's a little something I'm sure will get a chuckle out of you. Perhaps this happens to you as well.

I've been fascinated with HD ever since I first saw the sets in Sears and Best Buy a few years back. Well, I finally bought one last month, and while I was eager to experience the wonder of hi-def programming in my home, I also wanted to watch all my DVD's in their widescreen format, but I've only watched a handful of movies as I've been captivated by HD shows and have trouble tearing my eyes away from it.

Discovery HD Theater I've found to be particularly addictive. A couple of days, I watched a show on sharks and was positively mesmerized. Even "Trading Spaces" and "American Chopper" is fabulous, and I've never watched the shows until I got the new set. And, being a sports fan, watching basketball (and baseball soon) on ESPNHD is fantastic! As for SD shows, I barely bother with them anymore.

I had no idea how captivating HD programming can be, now I can't get enough. How many of you are similarly addicted to HD shows?
:)

[Ratman]

How many of you are similarly addicted to HD shows?


Probably everyone here that owns an HDTV. :)

[mfabien]

I took delivery of my HDTV in September 2002. At the time, I had satellite service (Bell ExpressVu) and there was only one HD channel, here in Montreal, and it was a demo channel.

We had a loop of PBSHD documentaries and I can't count the number of times I watched "Visions of Southern Italy" or "Sicilia" and others of the kind which all had extraordinary HD images (new to me at this stage).

The demo channel also carried selected programs from the US networks.

And I was a happy camper and dreamed of the day Bell would use the new satellite Nimiq 2 at 82.0°W dedicated to HD.

[ppease]

While I am addicted to HD; my wife is not. She still watches the programs she watches regularly; while I would put on something in HD instead.

[flyonthewall]

I believe there are subliminal messages in HD programming that cause me to not be able to watch anything but HD... that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

[raidbuck]

Neither me nor my wife watch anything in SD except for me, sports. And except for ESPN2HD, all the sports I watch are either HD or upconverted on digital channels.

So yes, I am addicted.

I'm editing this to add that we never watched something we didn't like because it was in HD. We just don't watch SD and listen to digital music or VOD (SD but can FF the commercials) or a DVR recording.

Rich N.

[oman321]

I wish everything were broadcast in HD, unfortunately its not but were getting closer.

[TheAntMan]

I am addicted to HD as well. I rarely watch SD channel stations. Either HD exclusive Channels (on VoOm), or INHD, HDNET (TWC). During the evening now, most local networks are broadcasting shows in HD. No need for me to watch SD channels, except for Bravo (WW reruns)..

[gparris]

Nice, TheAntMan, you can do both Voom and TWC HD...at least with TWC HD, you can record it and if Voom lasts, record them too...otherwise Voom is the filler between recordings...if you do them.
I was getting Voom and got voted off the island, so to speak...no dish on the house, the spouse said...cool you can do it!

[TheAntMan]

Well GP, compromise is the issue I had to use in order to get it
(between me & you, it's more like beg and plead, but don't tell anyone that), but as you may have read....my VoOm part will soon be over by months end. Only TWC from then on....

[eMarkM]

I've had my HDTV for just two weeks now, so this transition into an HD snob is happening to me right now. It's not really a transition, it's a pretty instantaneous transformation. It only takes one glance at just about any HD material to get hooked.

I, too, have watched material I would never have given a second glance if it was not on HD. Nature shows on Discovery HD and really bad movies on HBOHD. I might as well just cancel the regular HBO channels when I have HBOHD. What's the point? I have HD Tivo, so I know I'll just record whatever I want on that channel and will never, ever watch the other HBO channels. I know that given the choice between watching a great movie in SD and watching a mediocre movie in HD, I'll probably lean towards the one with the better picture.

I live in Chicago and I'm a Bulls fan and they've been playing outstanding of late and heading to the playoffs for the first time since #23 was around. Yet when the Bulls game was offered in SD and ESPNHD had a Indiana-Cleveland matchup in HD at the same time, I found myself watching more of the ESPN broadcast even though the game was a blow out and the Bulls game was tight throughout. That's inconceivable that I would watch a blowout game with two teams I don't care about vs a tight game with the team I love. HD completely twists your viewing priorities.

I understand Conan O'Brien will start in HD sometime this month. I Tivo his show now, but I don't watch it very much compared to Letterman. When he goes HD, I know that's going to change and I'll probably watch that much more than Letterman (who's laggin behind on the HD transition).

[Picaso]

.......fascinated with HD ever since I first saw the sets in Sears and Best Buy a few years back........Discovery HD Theater I've found to be particularly addictive.......ESPNHD is fantastic! As for SD shows, I barely bother with them anymore.

I had no idea how captivating HD programming can be, now I can't get enough. How many of you are similarly addicted to HD shows?
:)


Same here Flashjeff, except I would disagree on ESPN HD. They cheapen the HD experience by going 720p instead of true 1080i plus they pillar the shows most of the time. I prefer Comcast SportsNet HD. But, yeah. I am still wowed by this new toy (and I've had it since November 04). I am anxious for more HD channels. I know one of the dishes is introducing a ton of HD channels this summer, I hope that this forces Comcast to carry more. :cool:

[Adam77]

My Sony is prejudice. It only likes HD.

[jco]

I watch mostly HD but I still watch a lot of DVD which is only 480P SD at best but what I am finding is that 480P DVD can be excellent on a good HD set. What I can bear is anything on my analog SD sources like cable, LD, and VHS where picture quality really matters like a movie. I wouldnt use the word "addicted" though. Addicted usually means you are unable to stop something you want to stop that is usually bad for you. I dont really see anything bad in HDTV watching. Its more of an enthusiasm than an addiction in my mind.....

I also recognize there are SD programs where PQ is secondary. For example I have some concerts on LD that sound great even though the PQ isnt. I still enjoy these because to me concert videos are all about the musical performance and sound on older music that I like....In those days the concerts werent really visual shows like they are now..... I know its tempting to just completely abandon ALL SD when you get a HDTV but there is no denying that there will forever be many great programs that were not captured in such a way that true HD will be possible and they should not just be thrown out because they are not as technically as good as a modern HD program...That said, I still watch about 98% either HD or DVD now (hehe).

[Flashjeff]

Same here Flashjeff, except I would disagree on ESPN HD. They cheapen the HD experience by going 720p instead of true 1080i plus they pillar the shows most of the time. I prefer Comcast SportsNet HD. But, yeah. I am still wowed by this new toy (and I've had it since November 04). I am anxious for more HD channels. I know one of the dishes is introducing a ton of HD channels this summer, I hope that this forces Comcast to carry more. :cool:

Yeah, I know it's odd that most of ESPNHD's programming like "Pardon The Interruption" is pillared while so far, not all of their baseball programming isn't fully HD quality, but what little I have seen that is looks great. I have a dish and here in Philly, the *******s at Comcast won't allow dish owners to have SportsNet, HD or SD. I can live with that since I get more for my money with a dish. In the meantime, I'm waiting for more HD channels to be added to Dish Network's line-up!

[57U]

Apparently some people are not familier with the definition of the word bickering. They'd rather bicker about the word addiction. All those posts have been banished, as discussed in the following thread. Cut it out!

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=18425

Now, back to the orginal (HD) programming...

[LeeS]

(message received and understood :patriot: )

[oman321]

Hey now, I don't think I was bickering and wasn't trying to be offensive to anyone. I was trying to present my feeling towards HDTV and I will once again state how I felt about the appropiateness of the thread. Having said that I don't have time to restate all my thoghts once again.

[57U]

Oman321, sorry, I removed all of the posts after the bickering started. Here's your post back. Moderating is not easy.

I am definately an enthusiast of HDTV, Audio and Video and all things electronic in general, thus the reference on my signature line. When this thread was started I chuckled and thought how appropiate.

The reason being is that while I was an enthusiast of all the elements above other than HDTV, prior to the purchase of my microdisplay. HDTV has actually become addictive in the way that my viewing preferences are determined and everything else now revolves around that. Experiencing HDTV first hand and the difference (listen up strangers) over a standard picture has been revelational. Nothing else compares or is as satisfying as an actual HD picture, digital and DVD's are nice and analog is blah.

I only watch certain programming through regular channels because I have no other choice, however that satisfaction that one craves and seeks when viewing an HD program with its full Visual & Audio glory of course falls short. Then we start going on line to forums like this(I mean that in a good way) and start seeking information to improve things, get more information of when more programming will come or when networks will be updating their systems and so on. We try to help each other out, not because we have to, but because we enjoy the experience we are getting out this technology and want others to enjoy it as well, which will ultimately benefit all of us.

My name is Oman321 and I am an HD addict. If we can say it (type it) we can move forward, remember denial is one of the first signs that you are an addict. In this case it is a good thing. LOL.

[kevinw]

I know I have lost some of the Awe of the new HD TV and programming. I have finally stopped watching awful or boring programming JUST because it is broadcast in HD.- Various sitcoms for example, while not funny were great to see the picture.
I sarted watching in 2001, when there were fewer than 3-4 programs a week on in HD. I would even :rofl2: sit through an edited version of a Disney movie if it was in HD....

[oman321]

Thanks, you da man 57U. JCO lots of respect for being forthcoming on your reasoning about the word addiction in your final post. Many of us have been touched one way or another either personally or through someone we know & love to be able to relate.

[jco]

I know I have lost some of the Awe of the new HD TV and programming. I have finally stopped watching awful or boring programming JUST because it is broadcast in HD.- Various sitcoms for example, while not funny were great to see the picture.
I sarted watching in 2001, when there were fewer than 3-4 programs a week on in HD. I would even :rofl2: sit through an edited version of a Disney movie if it was in HD....
This is why still watch a LOT of DVDs. Sure I get some great flicks on HBO HD and Showtime HD but no where near the selection I have and can get on DVD.
I would much rather watch a great film on DVD than a mediocre one in HD. Another side benefit is that if you buy a really good HD set your DVD playback is damn near the threoretical limits of DVD and thats not bad at all.
It should also be noted that the latest DVDs with the best PQ can often look as good as or even better than an older mediocre HD transfer. I didnt expect that from DVD but its true. So while HD programming is going to become more and more dominant, I am not abandoning 480i/480P quite yet, thats for sure.

[kevinw]

.....
It should also be noted that the latest DVDs with the best PQ can often look as good as or even better than an older mediocre HD transfer. I didnt expect that from DVD but its true. .
This is for sure, Most of the HD movies are compressed to the point that they do not look that much better if it all than a good DVD played with a good DVD player- something with Faroudja processing for example.

Even though OTA has less compression than SAT or cables, the endless amount of commercials and formating for time alloted takes the enjoyment away. I'd go DVD over an HD broadacst nearly anyday..

See we can agree on something with out dissertation and a :zblowup:

[Ratman]

Although I agree that DVD's look great and you do not have to put up with all the broadcast manipulation (commercials, time formatting, etc.) for movies, it really is another discussion IMO.

You have to admit that HD programming has grown quite a bit over the past 3 years. I think that most individuals (especially newbies) find that they watch programs in HD that they would 'normally' not chose to watch with Standard Definition.

I never watched American Idol since day one... but I watched it when it was available HD (only two shows). Why? Only because it was HD.

I dislike basketball. But, I have watched games in HD.
Stuff on PBS that I'd never watch (I.E. Basketweaving by Lepers). But I watched it! Only because it's HD.

It does become obsessive...

[kevinw]

You have to admit that HD programming has grown quite a bit over the past 3 years. .

Growth is an understatement compared to the "old days" Now HD is on every night and with the 24 hour HD channels available from cable or sat ther is "something" to see if not enjoy.

[jco]

This is for sure, Most of the HD movies are compressed to the point that they do not look that much better if it all than a good DVD played with a good DVD player- something with Faroudja processing for example.

Even though OTA has less compression than SAT or cables, the endless amount of commercials and formating for time alloted takes the enjoyment away. I'd go DVD over an HD broadacst nearly anyday..

See we can agree on something with out dissertation and a :zblowup:
Well sort of.. I think the latest DVDs look fantastic but I said they look as good or better than an OLD mediocre HD **transfer**. They do not look as good as the latest new great HD ***transfers** so it isnt a broadcast or compression vs a disk format thing, at least on my system. My best HD movies look still signifigantly better than my best DVDs is what I am trying to say. Its just that the number of really great HD film transfers isnt keeping pace with the number of really great DVD transfers coming out so the gap between the two isnt usually that great even though it can be at times...
Hope I made myself clearer on that...

[mikehbkwm]

oh its definitely more clear now... :whistle:

[cnyreject]

Well let me trump in here before things get too crazy. I love my HD and enjoy watching almost ALL the HD Channels. I even fine more enjoyment out of the digital channels more then I did. So I can usually find something to watch and quote "enjoy". When nothing on TV then its time for a good DVD, next best thing after all. Hey, WHAT! I didn't get to Blockbusters for a DVD. SH*T!!!!!. Oh, well, CLICK!

Guess I will go see whats up at HDTVOICE! :)

PS: "Analog".... What's that? :rofl2:

[Matt27]

I can agree with you on that JCO:)

Depending on the quality of the HD feed, some people can't even tell the difference from dvd to HD.

I know with my sony, my 480p material looks just like HD that it's hard to beleive it's a dvd.It depends on the quality of the transfer too like you mentioned.

[jco]

I can agree with you on that JCO:)

Depending on the quality of the HD feed, some people can't even tell the difference from dvd to HD.

I know with my sony, my 480p material looks just like HD that it's hard to beleive it's a dvd.It depends on the quality of the transfer too like you mentioned.

Right, the other factor is that some of the low end HD monitors cant really even get close to 1080i resolution even with a perfect HD signal so the added detail of HD isnt seen. My first HD set, a 27" Sony was like this. It looked better at 1080i than DVDs but barely better even with the best HD feeds...
The main improvement of 1080i on that set was elimination of visible scan lines but horizontal resolution was so poor that HD was much more like DVD than it should have been even with great HD transfers...

What is going to be awesome is HD-DVD / Blu-Ray because if they can master these as good as the VERY VERY BEST 1080i HD broadcasts ( or even better!) on a consistant basis as they are now with DVDs then we all are in for an incredible treat! DVD is really nice now but if HD-DVD is done with the same quality level it should be out of this world! I cant wait to find out...

[hd4me2]

Does anyone know yet what format the HD DVD format will be in; 720p or 1080i?

[Matt27]

Both apparently from what i have heard so far

[Dave_Cook]

I know I have lost some of the Awe of the new HD TV and programming. I have finally stopped watching awful or boring programming JUST because it is broadcast in HD.I'm with you there kevinw. I definitely prefer to watch HD, but I find myself watching less and less TV lately just because there just isn't enough quality HD programming. I used to have all the pay channels, HBO, Showtime, Cinemax and Starz for the HDTV experience - but I cancelled all but HBO. I keep that just for Deadwood (awesome show). I thought my HD DVR would change everything. Not really.

Here's a dream: On my new Sony HDTV equipped with Cell (http://www.eet.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml;?articleID=160702140) I access Apple's new iMovie Store via Satellite (http://osviews.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=3320&mode=thread) and pick what I want to watch when I want to watch it in Hi-Def :D Sports, Movies, Documentaries, whatever. I want it all in a library like the iTunes music store. With Apple's new H.264 video compression technology (http://www.apple.com/mpeg4/h264faq.html) streaming Hi-Def to our living room might not be as far away as we thought, and we can finally have quality content to satisfy our Hi-Def addictions :drool11: