espn hd - just not impressed

[drummerboy]

As a flyer fan, I was looking forward to ESPN game of the week last night in HD. But, compared to the Flyers Home games broadcast in HD, ESPN just didnt compare in my humble opinion. Way too much pixelation throughout the game. But, on the good side, I did enjoy the flyers spanking the hapless rangers yet again. :D

[joebbaseball]

hey drummerboy
what do you mean by that? I'm assuming you have comcast? I have d*tv so don't have a lot to compare it too. I thought it looked ok, but also felt it could have looked better. Do you not think any espn hd coverage is up to par w/your local hd?
Just wondering and hoping for improved hd from espn.

[drummerboy]

You're right, I do have comcast and when they broadcast the home games of the flyes and sixers (they use the inhd2 station), I just feel that they looked so much better than the espn hd broadcast. Maybe I'm nitpicking, as I hate to give comcast credit for anything, but that is just my opinion.

[kevinw]

1080i vs 720p maybe?

[LeeS]

Most of what I see on ESPN HD (Dish) is poorly upconverted SD with bad AR.

There was a college ball game on the other night that was spectacular.

All depends on the source.

Lee

[Rocko]

I've only seen HD NHL broadcasts either on ESPN or ABC (last year's playoffs), and I thought last night's looked better than usual.

[joebbaseball]

since we seem to have a few hockey fans here and I'm being lazy, does anyone know if the all star game on abc is in hd? I see espn has the skills in hd.
thanks

[kevinw]

Yep...and the #1 vote getter is none other than the Atlanta Thrashers's Ilya Kovolchuk...:smokin:

[drummerboy]

Kevin, are you suggesting that espn sends a 720p signal and my tv is upconcverting to 1080i? I dont know what espn actually broadcasts. Normally it is just sd upconverted or stretched, but that wasnt the case last night, it looked like a pure hd signal. Im not even sure what comcast broadcast thier hd in, but im guessing 1080i.

Can't wait for the all star game or the skills competition. I play in a band on weekends and dont get home until 330 in the am, but am normally able to catch a replay of espn skills comp during this time. I hope they broadcast the replay in HD...Hockey Rules! Since my eagles choked last weekend I really have nothing left but the flyers anyway! :)

[jeffsure]

Here in the Boston area, I had the luxury of switching back and forth between the Flyers/Rangers on ESPNHD and the Bruins/Sabres on NESNHD (in 1080i on INHD2) and I must admit, I agree with the OP. The ESPN game looked "softer" and darker. I've noticed in the past, though, that any game from MSG looks dark. Must be the lighting there. The B's game looked sharp and bright (unlike the Bs, but that's another thread altogether. :( )

[kevinw]

I am not saying this is fact but many people have commented that a 720p signal converted to 1080i and viewed in 1080i looks softer. This is my observation also when viewing ABC vs CBS and ESPN vs HDnet.

When I viewed the State of the Union I noticed this when switching between ABC(720p) and CBS/NBC(1080i).
May just be me hallucinating/flashback. Not a fact just an observation.

[bestcaster]

i agree with jeff...the bruins games from the fleetcenter are excellent quality, as were the red sox (summer's around the corner!?!?!?) games, they also looked sharp coming from Fenway 'pahk'...not that impressed with ESPN.

[JEFFDUBE]

Phiily fans are all bandwagoners....the Iggles are a disgrace and 8 million fans broke legs jumping off last Sunday night!

[rwcos]

Philly fans are the most dedicated fans in America. They will be back next year and by far are not bandwagon jumpers like most places!

[soze]

uh, I get to see the flyer fans jump off everytime they play the Devils in the playoffs....GO devs...

[startax]

drummerboy:

I watched the same game on Dish Network, and thought it was fabulous. I dont have the local feed of NHL games like you do to compare, but mine had no blemishes at all.

The Maryland/Duke game last week was amazing quality and a true pleasure to watch.