Cable's TNT is launching a high-definition version

[Kevin Arnold]

Tim Cuprisin's column strikes again. Tonight he reports that TNT will be launching a HD simulcast of their programming. Here's the quote :

Cable's TNT is launching a high-definition version of itself in May, playing the same lineup as the regular cable channel.

While HBO, Showtime and the Discovery Channel offer high-definition programming, this would be the first basic cable channel to simulcast its lineup in the super-sharp format available if you have the correct TV and the appropriate cable or satellite service.



Find the whole column here:

Tim Cuprisin's Jan 6th Column (http://www.jsonline.com/enter/tvradio/jan04/197872.asp)

[oflaherty]

FYI-- A Turner executive here at the National Association of Broadcasters convention in Vegas says the start date for TNT HD is May 10th.

---
Sean

[gparris]

Unless DTV or Dish have more satellite capacity soon, the Bravo+, TMC, Cimemax and Starz! HD versions will never come to the HDTV set owner, much less TNT HD!:(

Big deal!

It is great to have more HD channels out there for your "viewing pleasure", hence the reason you buy HDTVs.

But they can launch all the channels they want, but if the providers of such HD channels choose not to have them in their delivery systems for the subscribing public (the consumer), what is the point?
My opinion goes out to TWC, too, which does not have to launch satellites, just get the negotiations moving or whatever it does, to get HD channel delivery to the cable subscriber. Yes, IMO, TWC has a fair amount of HD channels and will have a HD PVR for rental (just like HD-Tivo for DTV) sometime this year, which is a great thing, but TNT-HD? Turner is part of the whole Time Warner "empire", so naturally one would assume that TNT-HD is the next HD channel to be offered...not so, IMO, as Cinemax-HD has been up and running for some time and it, too, is a Time Warner product, and yet, it is not offered on any TWC cable system.:confused:

So, go ahead, add another HD channel we can't get from anywhere and we will just have to be glad to have what we can get!

You can say, well, go to Voom, which still doesn't have ESPN-HD and has a limited subscriber base because satellite consumers are standing on the sidelines wondering if the company is in the red and going under soon. Boards I read everyday about Voom show incompetant installers, bad customer service and many bad HD channels (same show repeated over and over), and that is just to begin with. If you go to their wonderful website and click on the packages for Sho and Starz! the bottom message in the corner of the inset screen leads you to a disclaimer about how they might not have this capacity to offer these channels anytime soon...yeah, that makes me feel real secure about having Voom!!
Directv and Dish are at very least stable,have been around awhile to give the subscriber something to install and feel good about it, unlike Voom, but have not added anymore HD channels on a full-time subscriber basis (don't even think about adding the HD PPV channels to the list of what is offered, unless you plan to pay for it 24/7!)

So go ahead, add more HD channels no one can get...TNT HD or whatever....:mad: I only know what is available in this "competitive environment": what THEY think we want and what THEY will give us. :bang:

[Snard]

Originally posted by gparris
Unless DTV or Dish have more satellite capacity soon, the Bravo+, TMC, Cimemax and Starz! HD versions will never come to the HDTV set owner, much less TNT HD!:(

Big deal!

...

So go ahead, add more HD channels no one can get...TNT HD or whatever....:mad: I only know what is available in this "competitive environment": what THEY think we want and what THEY will give us. :bang:
I understand your frustration, but I think that part of the HD rollout problem is the "chicken or egg" problem. Networks don't want to invest in HD until there are customers, and customers don't want to invest in new sets and equipment until there is stuff to watch. I applaud TNT for taking the first step here to get the ball (or is it egg?) rolling. Once there are more HD channels available, it will hopefully provide some additional incentive to deploy extra satellites, or allocate the bandwidth, in order to provide these signals to the people who want to watch them.

Yeah, I know, overly idealistic and naive, but I try to be a "glass is half full" guy.

[summerfun]

From what I understand about bandwith, the largest hogs are the analog channels. HD digital channels are four times SD digital channels, but analog channels are many more times than any digital channels.

If the cable companies can ween people off of analog and get them over to digital, even SD digital, it will open up a lot of bandwidth and they can offer more HD channels to the consumer.

This is going to require people to have digital cable ready TV sets or use digital cable box tuners. It has been a slow conversion.

[The Law]

Cable's TNT is launching a high-definition version of itself in May, playing the same lineup as the regular cable channel.

The above indicates simply duplicating the SD programming on the HD channel and implies that either 1) All programs will be filmed in HD as well (hard to believe) or 2) They'll just stretch the SD and throw in an HD flick if one comes around that matches the other channel.

This kind of sounds like ESPN"HD" or the locals

Kudos, though for doing adding the channel.

[sp44again]

You would think they would launch sooner so they could show NBA playoff games in HD starting this week. :bang:

[gparris]

The point I was making (hoping you forum members would chime in) is this :
Why have anymore HD channels available that no one can get, to begin with? :(

It may be "chicken and egg", but more like this:
"If we make the HD channel, someone will carry it"

This is so..."Field of Dreams"!

Sounds like a bad business model to me.

Would you create a product with no distribution channels?

I think not.

So why are HD channels coming out that no one can get on their HDTV screens? :rolleyes:

[summerfun]

Originally posted by gparris
Would you create a product with no distribution channels?
I'm not sure I follow your logic. Nobody can carry a network until it exist. TNT HD is announcing to the world that in May they will exist. Only then can the satellite and cable companies start to carry the new channel. It can't work the other way.

It seems to me, your upset at the limited number of HD channels that are being carried right now compared to the number that exist. With that, I would agree. Bring them all on. But don’t blame TNT HD for starting their HD channel. I commend them and which all networks would get onboard and start their HD programming.

Without the trail blazers willing to produce HD content even though the audience is very very small, this HD would never have gotten off the ground.

[Gregg Lengling]

I being a "Techo Geek" and a "Sci Fi" fan can only hope that some day the "Sci Fi Channel" will go high def and Directv has their new bird waiting with the bandwidth to carry it.

Think about it.....Sci Fi lovers are TechnoGeeks by definition...who else would you target with HD than a loyal SciFi fan.

BTW even my wife was ****ed when the Sci Fi channel picked up StarGate SG1 from Showtime.....went from HD to garbage.....almost looks better on reruns on WITI!

[summerfun]

Originally posted by Gregg Lengling
BTW even my wife was ****ed when the Sci Fi channel picked up StarGate SG1 from Showtime.....went from HD to garbage.....almost looks better on reruns on WITI!
I must be a late comer to StarGate SG1. I only started watching it last year and I was watching the reruns on ch 6 but did not know they were reruns. It said "new" in the info box.

Later, I found out that the SciFi channel was running the new ones. I switched and started watching from them.

Now, I find out that it used to be on Showtime in HD. Now, I am ****ed. :guns:

[The Law]

I mentioned this before. I don't think they'll be HD programming. The articles states that TNT will be running the same programming as the SD Channel (see quote in previous post).

Anyone care to comment on why I could be wrong?

[summerfun]

Originally posted by The Law
Anyone care to comment on why I could be wrong?
Obviously I have no secret knowledge on this matter. But, doesn’t every network run the same programming on their HD and SD channels? If they are broadcasting HD content, they downconvert for the SD channel. If they are broadcasting SD content, it is the same on the SD and HD channels.

That is how ABC, CBS, NBC, HBO, Showtime and everyone else does it. I think that is what they meant by the same material. They are just saying that it will not be "different" material on the HD channel. It will be the same.

It was probably a poor choice of words on their part.

[The Law]

That's what I meant, sort of, it will be like the locals and ESPNHD and not like inHD, HDNET, DISCHD, etc. that run purely HD programming. It sounds like TNTHD will also not be purely HD programming - but converted, like you say.

-r

[summerfun]

Originally posted by The Law
That's what I meant, sort of, it will be like the locals and ESPNHD and not like inHD, HDNET, DISCHD, etc. that run purely HD programming. It sounds like TNTHD will also not be purely HD programming - but converted, like you say.

-r
Your right, they will not be like HDnet with dedicated 27/7 programming that cannot be found on an SD channel. They will be like CBS, ABC and the rest and have some shows in HD and some in SD. The material wont be "upconverted" from SD and stretched like ESPNHD. It will be real HD.

I believe they will have some HD content and some SD content just like the other networks. I would not expect anything else anytime soon. I think except for brand new networks like HDnet, this is what you will see for awhile. These networks have a legacy business they still have to serve on the SD channels. More and more, they will produce in HD and downconvert to SD for those older customers. Eventually they will cut them off and have only HD.

[mhz40]

Originally posted by The Law
This kind of sounds like ESPN"HD" or the locals
Kudos, though for doing adding the channel.
Sure does! I think a good portion of the programs are available in a higher-quality format.
Geeze... even Hogan's Heros looks great on HDNet! I figured it was originally filmed, but I never thought that old stuff would have been shot in anything other than 3x4 format. I wonder if MASH was shot on film...

[Malamute]

The Channel is up you guys. I found it on Galaxy 13 / Hornizons 1 at 127.oW tp23 TNT HD test 29270 - 7/8 - 210 - 400 - 200E and only watchable with the DVB MPEG2 FTA System and is "In The Clear" for now:D That is why this system is worth the cost! You never know what you'll find :p

mhz40 MASH was shot on film, cause I own about 35 shows in 16mm FILM and have a projector to watch them with and YES ITS TRUE I still use Super8 Film Movie Camera and I love to edit the film too and still can find sound film on ebay yet. Call me Old Fashion But I love it. Film :rock:

Malamute

[Sibby]

Sorry if this was already covered somewhere, but I just got off the phone with a TWC CSR and she said we should start seeing TNT-HD on 5/17. It will be channel 533 and will be part of the standard (free) HD package. Don't watch much TNT, but you know what, I guess I will now! :D

Sibby

[tbarney]

I would guess that TNT HD will be up soon on TWC because my replaytv is now showing TNTHD on channel 533.
It's only a matter of time. Now if they could only get ESPNHD their HD package would be outstanding.

[gparris]

Per my new thread days ago, TWC is launching, per their help section in customer care at the website, Channel 533 for TNT-HD. Many TWC locations around the country are doing same.
It should be part of the of what you get with a HD rental box and basic service, along with 504,505,506,510,512 and 531 without Discovery HD Theater (on 541) that comes with any digital package as standard. :)

Assuming that you don't want to (or cannot) get OTA for your locals, this brings the total offerings, for HD channels to 14 if you subscribe to HBO and Sho from TWC, or 9 HD Channels available if you take out the locals. Good job, TWC!.
(Now we need ESPN-HD and quit complaining about its pricing, even Voom has it, now.)

The premiere of Channel 533 is now set for May 17th, a Monday.
Schedules on the TWC website already appear if you look for it.
I have talked to many an installer and they told me that if I like 14 HD channels on TWC, think closer to 18, hopefully, by year-end. TWC's SA8000HD DVR should definitely be out by then and be in heavy use, I would assume what with all those HD channels.

Since Directv has successfully launched the 7S, hopefully its deployment of this satellite to its new 119 degree West Longitude location will provide more HD channels as it promised and it, too, will have more HD offerings like Voom has to compete with the likes of TWC, and maybe even offer this channel in HD.
;)

[borghe]

here is my prediction (completely unfounded mind you).

DirecTV will launch AT LEAST one new channel this july, possibly even two. My prediction is that if they launch one, it will be a cable channel and not a premium and it WILL be attached the the HD package. Each sub getting the HD package is more revenue. If they launch one, there will still be one cable one.. For the second one my prediction is that it will "probably" be a movie channel, simply to say "Hey, we have all of our major movie channels in HD." One guess as to which channel that will be.

Off the record and unfounded, but that is my guess. I am also guessing they WILL NOT add FOXHD until closer to football.. There is nothing to gain from them adding it now..

Now to bring this back on topic, TNT is probably the most likely candidate for that guaranteed channel. The only other one I can even think of is Bravo, which would hardly compel people to pickup the HD package who don't already have it.

Guess we'll see...

[gparris]

I just looked at the customer service section of the TWC website...looks as though TNT-HD Channel 533 is no longer posted (the 14th HD TWC Channel offered). :mad:

When will TWC get its act together, anyway?

So unless mhz40 can say otherwise...

May maybe the month TNT-HD arrives, BUT

Just not in Milwaukeeland...:rolleyes:

[tbarney]

I hope TWC gets it pretty soon, TNT is already showing the NBA playoffs in HD and we're missing them. I saw it on their website a couple weeks ago, now it's gone (as posted abovce). I was really hoping to catch the Kings/Timberwolves game in HD on Wednesday... :(

[gparris]

I called TWC and of course, as usual, no one knows when TNT-HD is coming on...or if. :mad:
Darn it, it is their own parent company and no one knows anything. Will it be Wedsnesday, May 19th for the sports?:(

It must be because they hire temporaries programmed to know nothing...great service, guys.:rolleyes:

[mhz40]

Hold onto your hats for a little bit longer. They are still doing some testing on the satellite feed. You are not missing anything unless you like to watch bars & tone or programming video without any sound...:D

[tbarney]

It's no problem today, as long as they have it worked out for the NBA West Finals! (and hopefully this Wednesday for Kings/Wolves)

[gparris]

Thank you for finally, an answer...and an understandable and honest one.:)

My thoughts are that the channel will be added sometime this week -Channel 533 - as per the original posting on the TWC customer care website and the HDTV section of channel offerings, soon (and of course, I will have to remind them of it like usual to insert this information with the "helpfulness rating").

Then we will have 13 full-time HD channels(with the upconverting included), 14 if you count the special events channel 531...
also named Fox Sports Net HD.:D

Thanks again...mhz40...hopefully we can count on you to let us know when Channel 533 for TNT-HD will appear...please.:bow:

[gparris]

Per this link:

http://www.twc-nc.com/digital_cable/hdtv.htm

TWC in North Carolina will have TNT-HD on Friday of this week.:)

How long will it take Milwaukee?:eek:

Doesn't look like they will be testing anymore, by then....:D

[mhz40]

Hmmm... looks like the answer to that question is one of the great mysteries of the world!:D
All I can say here right now is get ready.

Ooohh I do love a good mystery!

[Sparkman87]

Also, it is being reported on DBS Talk, DBS Forums, And Satellite Guys forums that TNT-HD will be added to DISH Networks HD package on channel 9420, perhaps as early as Wednesday 5/19.

[gb4fan92]

Tim Cuprisin's column today states:
The high-definition version of cable's TNT is scheduled to launch nationally Friday. Time Warner high-def subscribers will find it on Channel 533. . . .