NBC's HD overcompressed?

Kevin77 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:48 pm

I've noticed that the Today show recordings are much smaller so I'm wondering if they are compressing their signal. One hour of Today on Saturday was under 5GB when it's usually around 7, and this morning it was 21GB for 4 hours when it's usually around 28GB. That's more than a little so it can't just be the variable bitrate change from different shows.

It only started on Saturday. Is anyone else getting this? I thought it might have been a tuner, but it's the same with the DVR recordings as well. I'll have to check to see if it does it again, and also check to see if it's the same with other shows.

Kevin77 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 08, 2008 11:36 pm

They are compressing, and it's not just The Today Show! I just checked the video, and it's 1280x1080 with 3:2 pixel shape @ about 12Mbps. Awful!

Is anyone else getting this or is it just a local thing here?

BPM · **Joined:** Sat Aug 07, 2004 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5700

1280 x 1080 sounds like a DirecTV thing.

But, I'll try to record a bit of the Today Show tomorrow to see what's up in NYC OTA.

Kevin77 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 08, 2008 11:59 pm

It's the same compression Directv uses, but it's that's not the source. Here's a sample form this morning on Today recorded with fusion. The bitrate is actually around 15Mbps for this one, but I'm guessing the VBR will vary from 12-15 tops.

10MB

http://rapidshare.com/files/143781706/NBC_test.mpg

I check the Tonight Show and same thing. I really hope it's temporary, but I wouldn't put it past NBC to go the cheap route and pump out an HD lite feed.

I checked CBS, and it's only an NBC thing. So it's either NBC is doing it everywhere, or it's local here that's using the compressed feed.

BPM · **Joined:** Sat Aug 07, 2004 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5700

You said your Leno was like that too. Check Conan. I just recorded this little bit ( 9 MB ):

http://www.mediafire.com/?mi3vyw30ybn

Normal rez ( 1920 x 1080 ).

Kevin77 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2008 1:02 am

Same thing with Conan. Looks like it's just the DC market (maybe some others too). I hope it's temporary. I can put up with HD lite, but I don't see why they would have to do it with OTA.

Kevin77 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2008 6:19 am

I just noticed there's a new subchannel.....ugh.

BPM · **Joined:** Sat Aug 07, 2004 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5700

Here's a short vid of the Today Show ( 15 MB ) OTA NYC:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ON4HFYO5

Kevin77 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2008 1:38 pm

I still got the compression. It might be permanent because of that subchannel.

I'm going to post something at AVS forum to see if anyone there knows what's going on.

Kevin77 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 10, 2008 5:40 pm

Whew...they fixed the problem. At AVS forum someone said it was a mistake, but I smell something fishy. I think WRC was trying to be cheap, but they didn't get away with it because people were complaining. Whatever, I got full 1080i back so all is well in the end. :mrgreen:

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NBC's HD overcompressed?

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