WDW in Hi-Def

[Dr Albert Falls]

I recently purchased an HDTV and was lucky enough to catch "Walt Disney World's Ultimate 10" on DiscoveryHD.

For the most part, I gotta say that the show was STUNNING! I know this may be a stretch, but WDW in Hi-Def may actually looks BETTER than being there in-person! The colors and the sweeping camera movements really make this show an eye-popper.

However, HD has one major drawback. Every cosmetic flaw was GLARING! For example, on Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, they showed a close-up shot of the joystick. You could see every scuff and every flake of chipped paint. Likewise, on Goofy's Barnstormer, the bare metal lapbars showed obvious neglect from lack of paint. In the Space Mountain queue, you could clearly see the custodian's sweeper-bucket left in the middle of the floor. Every detail, good and bad, stands out.

(FYI, if you're in the market for a cheap HDTV, I stumbled upon a great website, savinglots.com. I got a refurbished 34" Toshiba tube for $799 -- about half the price of a new one at Best Buy. Amazing picture!)

 

[KevinPage]

I've heard that is the only drawback to HI- DEF, you can see imperfections.

I remember them talking about the Oscars on the radio and how you could see how old and raggy or how much makeup people were wearing.

 

[Cattman96]

I cought that show also!! Dish Network, Hi-Def 60in screen. Thought I was there also. My wife went to town for 45 minutes and when she got back I didnt realize she even left. I was that into it. It was indeed awesome!

 

[Master Yoda]

I saw the same show. HD is simply awesome. There is another show that Discovery HD plays called Undiscovered Disney that is even better.

 

[Cattman96]

I havent seen that one. Does it come on regularly? You will have to let us know if that one comes back on.

 

[Master Yoda]

I havent seen that one. Does it come on regularly? You will have to let us know if that one comes back on.

I have only seen it once. I will caution you if you watch undiscovered Disney it will cost you money because you are going to want to do every activity they show you. :lol:

 

[Cattman96]

Thats funny! It seems no matter how much you do there is always so much more you haven't done. These are big infommercials for disney. They must be in cahoots with discovery channel....

 

[donsullivan]

Totally off the topic of Disney, but the flaws you saw are why HD is referred to as the news anchor's nightmare.

I've actually seen a couple of different segments on DiscoveryHD on Disney over the last few months. Apparently many of the shows we've all seen on the Travel Channel were actually recorded in HD and are now making their way into HD broadcast.

There is one on Disneyland Resort: Behind the Scenes coming up on

2/1 - 10AM
2/2 - 2AM
2/2 - 5AM

There's also America's Thrillmakes which reviews some of the top thrill rides (Mission:Space, Test Track, etc..)

2/16 - 12PM

EDIT: The one that spawned this thread is available on Discovery HD on:

1/30 - 5PM
2/5 - 5PM

I have a WishList on my TiVo set up to record these when they're on but if you go to the DiscoverHD web site you can do a look ahead on their programming schedule by entering either Disney or Disneyland and it will show you what's coming

 

[Cattman96]

Thanks!!

 

[Master Yoda]

Thats funny! It seems no matter how much you do there is always so much more you haven't done. These are big infommercials for disney. They must be in cahoots with discovery channel....

I’m surprised that Discovery Channel hasn’t sponsored an attraction in EPCOT yet.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Any of the schedules would be great for these sows!!! I didnt even know they were on!!! Belle

 

[Yen_Sid1]

I’m surprised that Discovery Channel hasn’t sponsored an attraction in EPCOT yet.

They used to have an exhibit in Innoventions, but I don't know if it is still there.

 

[marni1971]

Ah - Hi Def... thanks to our wonderful Government we are stuck with PAL. Anywhere from 4:3 to 16:9 depending on what the broadcaster feels like, and with Digital transmission a bit rate worse than a Real video if they are skimping on the bandwith....

So sad.

 

[got2lovedisney]

Thanks for posting that schedule...my BF just bought us a 52" JVC HDTV and Comcast is coming out Friday to "install" (an excuse to charge us) the Hi-Def service so I'll be able to watch these!! Cool!

 

[Kontra]

If you're in the market for a Hi-Def screen pay attention to your inputs and outputs. You're going to want either DVI or HMDI inputs because when the Hi-Def DVD players come out in a year or so (HD-DVD and BlueRay) your going to want to be able to connect it through one of these ports. I returned a crappy Philips because it was lacking this and an internal HD tuner. The new Sony HD tubes are great, I have a Samsung. LCD and Plasmas will wear down faster than a tube and are much more expensive.

 

[EpcoTim]

I watched that show on a 106" and a 92" screens. It was very well done.

 

[AnimeNut]

This special is actually titled Ultimate Walt Disney World, which originally aired on the Travel Channel last March. In fact, all of the Disney specials I've seen on Discovery HD Theater so far were originally aired on either Discovery Channel or Travel Channel.

However, the HD broadcasts have about 6 extra minutes of footage that you don't see on the SD broadcasts. In the case of Ultimate Walt Disney World (or Ultimate 10, as TV Guide called it), there was a segment about the Barnstormer that didn't air on Travel Channel. I'm pretty sure there was one other attraction that was featured on the HD broadcast only. For Undiscovered Walt Disney World, the HD broadcast had segments the dolphin experience at Epcot and the Monorail, among others, that did not air on Travel Channel. I haven't brought myself to rewatch America's Thrillmakers yet (can't stand the bad acting), but I'm pretty sure that special on Discovery HD is longer than the one that aired on Discovery Channel.

Even without this extra footage, all of these specials are worth rewatching for the stunning picture quality. It's too bad the DisneySea Revealed special was not filmed in HD.

 

[aklodge]

If you don't have Hi-Def tv, you should definatley get it. It has a really good picture, so good that you can see the pores on people's faces. Its awsome, get it if u can afford it.

 

[mhead]

Plasma will wear down and can't be replaced. LCD bulbs wear down - not that quickly - but can be replaced. Tube is ok if that is your preference but LCD is the best in my opinion - much larger screen availability, NOT as expensive as a good tube, and a heck of a lot lighter to carry. To each his own, but I agree that plasma is NOT the way to go unless you have the funds to replace on a regular basis.

 

[ogryn]

Ah - Hi Def... thanks to our wonderful Government we are stuck with PAL. Anywhere from 4:3 to 16:9 depending on what the broadcaster feels like, and with Digital transmission a bit rate worse than a Real video if they are skimping on the bandwith....

So sad.

Dragging this further Off-Topic (...Hello Chit-Chat), Auntie Beeb have recently done High Def tests. Sky have said they are interested, although High-Def via an aerial will be nigh on impossible, as 1 high-def channel would take up the same space as 4-6 standard-def channels.

Also the implementation of High-Def in the UK is still a moot point. It hasn't been decided yet if 1020i or 720i will be used. Screenies of the BBC tests can be found here: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds15755.html

DTV bitrates aren't too bad (IMO), but DAB bitrates are terrible