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Re: [LUG] OT: BBC HD picture quality petition

 

On 30/12/09 20:55, Chris Tipney wrote:
On 30/12/2009 19:39, Rob Beard wrote:
Hi folks,

This might not affect everyone on the list, but basically there is a petition with regards to the poor picture quality on BBC HD (which is currently on Satellite, Cable and in limited areas, Freeview).
The argument is that the BBC have drastically reduced the bit rate of 
the BBC HD channel a few months ago when they changed the encoders 
they use to encode the channel for broadcast.  According to the BBC, 
the reduction in quality (around 40% reduction) is not enough with 
these new encoders to cause any loss of quality.  However it appears 
it isn't the case and with many programmes, the compression artifacts 
seriously reduces the quality.
Unfortunately the BBC don't seem to be interested in any responses to 
the problem.  The head of BBC HD argues that there isn't any 
problems, but the Beeb won't even increase the bit rate to prove the 
viewers wrong, so someone has come up with a petition to get the 
problem sorted out.
As I say, it might not affect everyone, at least not at the moment, 
but when you spend hundreds of pounds, possibly even a couple of 
thousand on a HD TV setup, the last thing you want to find is the 
investment has gone to waste due to poor TV quality (I'm disregarding 
some of the chaff that is on TV, it appears that programme content 
wise, BBC HD at least shows programming to cover most tastes with a 
selection of programmes from all the BBC channels).  I'd certainly 
say myself though, spending even just £150 on a HD satellite box, I'd 
be pretty miffed if I didn't see any noticeable increase in quality 
of picture and audio.
Anyway, the petition can be found here: 
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/BBCHDPQ
Rob



I agree, don't understand what the BBC is thinking, just signed. Thanks for the link.
I don't have HD at the moment but maybe soon, and I don't want a 
'strangled' version...
Cheers,

Chris

Nobody has any BBC HD yet. The HD standard the BBC will use is only in draft, due for completion in January 2010. No receiver is yet manufactured capable of receiving it (reported on the BBC News Channel). And yes I am very pissed off, my 6 month old TV is already redundant!!
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