Standard def reruns aired on HD [was Re: Todd Gross let Go??]

[Peter Murray]

Matthew Osborne wrote:

>Maybe not right now, as HDTV is only in its infancy,
>but down the road I would think so.  As more and more
>Americans start getting HDTVs, I can see a demand
>developing for something like this, and someone in the
>industry will eventually figure it out and make good
>money from it.  But right now, the vast majority of
>Americans still only have NTSC sets, and as long as
>thats the case its not a feasible business decision
>IMHO.
>
>                                   Matt Osborne
>                                   Schenectady, NY 
>  
>
<splitting hairs> HDTV is more a toddler than an infant right now 
</splitting hairs> but remember, as with any of this 
broadcasting/entertainment industry - the consumer is rightfully 
technologically agnostic. They care about the cost to them, and care 
slightly more about the content. If given the choice between watching a 
program that has quality look/sound versus one that is pixelated and 
looks terrible, one will likely choose the clearer. Its similar to 
choosing between a noisy weaker analog signal versus a full-strength 
signal (whether FM, AM, NTSC or ATSC).

Why risk turning off your viewers? It is a very real possibility that 
Joe Consumer would defer the purchase of HD reception hardware if he 
sees that most of the content out there looks worse with his new $3000 TV...

Of course (pardon my ignorance) - what would it cost to upconvert older 
programming (on film) to native HD resolutions? Aren't they often doing 
this as programs are re-released to DVD?

-Peter

--
Peter Murray (N3IXY)
Vienna, VA