At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last year, a top CBS programming executive told a symposium that “If you haven’t seen CSI in high definition….you haven’t seen CSI.” I found out how true that was. Last year I was given a private screening of a CSI episode on a 50 inch HD set in full 1080I HD. I had previous viewed this same episode in standard definition. It was like watching a totally different show.
CSI is the jewel of the CBS network HD offerings. All 3 variations consistently show up in the top 10 nationally each week. The producers and CBS take great technical care in its production. The lighting, the camera shots, propping and even the transfer from the original 35mm to HD digital is done with the most care to provide a stunning experience for the viewer. The detail of the evidence in extreme close-ups is like nothing you have ever seen.
Early on, CBS made the decision to be the first network and the best in high definition. It was not going to let what happened to them more than 50 years ago happen again. Most people forget that it was the CBS system of color that was first approved by the FCC. RCA’s David Sarnoff was able to use his significant political clout with the Eisenhower administration to get the FCC to reverse its decision and adopt the RCA system.
CBS selected the highest resolution standard for HD in 1080I, but hasn’t stopped there. They recently made a significant investment in the newer 1080P (cameras….up to 60 full frames progressive every second) the same resolution that the last STAR WAR's episodes and many motion pictures are now shot. Even though no network or station can actually transmit 1080P, CBS decided they wanted the master to be at the highest resolution possible before they down convert to 1080I. What does that mean? It means the crispest; color sharp pictures possible are delivered to their affiliates. It means at the Masters, you are put right on the green with Tiger and in 5.1 digital Dolby sound-- you can hear the crowd roar from the right, left and behind. The same is true when watching our world champion Steelers. (But Alas...not in Erie)
CBS has most of their prime time schedule now broadcast in high definition and practically the entire schedule this fall. The tiffany network sees HD and their attention to detail as giving them an early competitive edge. Now there’s some forward thinking--a broadcaster actually planning an investment now for big payoffs in the future. (That’s a hint Erie) Last week, CBS had 5 of the top 10 programs nationally (not necessarily true for Erie).
This past March at a consumer electronics awards ceremony the tiffany network boasted that CBS HD reaches 98% of the country—98%! Does that mean that 2% are receiving CBS from cubic zirconia affiliates?
1 comment:
bommai.... thanks for you comments. You may be right about Episode III (I can't find the type of camera used) but Episode II used Sony 1080 at 24 FPS. See the following from a Star Wars Website from Episode II Attack of the Clones.
Digital Camera Use Finalized
April 09, 2000
George Lucas has formally announced that he will shoot Star Wars: Episode II using digital 24 frame progressive high definition in place of film for most of the movie's live action scenes following four months of systematic testing by Lucasfilm Ltd and Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) a division of Lucas Digital Ltd.
Using a prototype digital acquisition system consisting of a Panavision modified Sony HDW-F900 integrated camera recorder, a series of carefully prescribed tests were initiated by teams from ILM and Lucasfilm working in conjunction with Sony and Panavision. These tests, which include image performance and system functionality culminated in comparative shoots with motion picture film, convinced George Lucas and producer, Rick McCallum of the benefits of shooting in digital 24P at 1920 x 1080 HD sampling.
"The tests have convinced me that the familiar look and feel of motion picture film are fully present in this digital 24P system and that the picture quality between the two is indistinguishable on the large screen," said Lucas.
"It's an exciting step that we are taking, and working with Sony and Panavision, we plan to further advance this system over the coming years," continued Lucas. "Star Wars: Episode II is our first giant step."
Bommai... If you find a reference for Episode III on the specs of the camera please send it to me. Thanks
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