How do they do this?

[Dieselboy]

How do cable/satellite providers broadcast something in HD that isn't avaliable in a HD format disc yet (like Star Wars for example)???

[adh56]

I would asume that they upscale it from a SD source.

[Suntory_Times]

Originally Posted by adh56

I would asume that they upscale it from a SD source.

Also HD transfers are made for television broadcast (usually there not demmed good enough for a blu release though).

[SlmShdy1]

I'm not an expert on this area or anything, but from what I've read, when studios make the master for newer films on DVD or TV, they make the newer masters in HD. They master it in a higher resolution than what is readily available so it can be released at a later date on a new format. I guess the easiest way to describe it is to bring up the recent BD release of Gladiator. When the studio made the master for DVD (back in 2000), they made it in HD to be able to broadcast it later in HD without having to create a new master. It's fine for HDTV broadcasts, but when it comes to BD, they really should make a new master of the film.

[Rob J in WNY]

Many DVD movies are originally digitally mastered in HD before "downsampling" to standard-definition DVD.

Note that on some DVDs, you will actually see the words "Mastered in High Definition" printed right on the insert.

[Beta Man]

Film is down-converted to Blu-ray too..... so even a non-remastered "master" can be shown at a higher resolution on Satellite now..... (I think)

[adh56]

Originally Posted by Rob J in WNY

Many DVD movies are originally digitally mastered in HD before "downsampling" to standard-definition DVD.

Note that on some DVDs, you will actually see the words "Mastered in High Definition" printed right on the insert.

I've defineatly seen that on certain DVDs in my collection.

[djheadd]

This is not real HD. I am sure it is DVD quality "upconverted" to HD. I am watching Episode V right now on Spike HD and it does not look "HD" at all. Just dont let them fool you.
Best,

[koontz1973]

So how can HD TV be called that when all they do is up convert source material?

[djheadd]

Same as some channels broadcast SD zoomed or stretched to fill de screen and keep the "HD" logo on the corner. Some channels do not broadcast 100% HD stuff.
Best,

[Uniquely]

Originally Posted by djheadd

This is not real HD. I am sure it is DVD quality "upconverted" to HD. I am watching Episode V right now on Spike HD and it does not look "HD" at all. Just dont let them fool you.
Best,

Just because it does not have the picture quality of Blu-Ray does not mean that it is not "real" HD. There are many levels of HD quality with the 1080P, only nominally compressed, quality of BD being near the top end of the spectrum. Most HD broadcasts are 720P and are much more compressed than you see on BD.... but this does not mean that the source material is not HD resolution.

[dobyblue]

Most of the HD channels I get are 1080i.
A few like Fox, ABC, ESPN, are 720p, but almost all of the specialty HD channels like Oasis, HDNet, CBC, NBC, CBS, etc., are all 1080i.
A lot of times your local provider may screw you here by changing all signals to 720p like Bell in Canada, which removes 50% of the resolution you would have seen from your Hockey Night in Canada broadcast.

Solution? HD antenna. Less compressed, substantially better picture, original resolution unscathed.

[xneox]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Most of the HD channels I get are 1080i.
A few like Fox, ABC, ESPN, are 720p, but almost all of the specialty HD channels like Oasis, HDNet, CBC, NBC, CBS, etc., are all 1080i.
A lot of times your local provider may screw you here by changing all signals to 720p like Bell in Canada, which removes 50% of the resolution you would have seen from your Hockey Night in Canada broadcast.

Solution? HD antenna. Less compressed, substantially better picture, original resolution unscathed.

Werd.

I have all but ABC in full HD for free...and as Doby said, most are in 1080i.

I've since brought on Dish, and their broadcasts look just as good as OTA, and come thru in the same resolution. A friend has "HD" cable (Springfield, MA), and it looks like shit...so in my area, OTA = Dish, but OTA >>> cable.