BBC admits to problems with new HD encoders
The BBC has admitted there are technical problems with its new high-definition encoders, which has led to criticism that picture quality on the BBC HD channel is not as good as it used to be.
Complaints arose after the BBC deployed the new encoders, which use a lower bitrate than the previous ones. Bitrates were apparently cut from 16mbps to around 9-10mbps.
The Beeb has told whathifi.com that there is a "reproducible problem on certain types of material" which does not go away if higher bitrates are used. So the Corporation has referred the matter the the coder manufacture to investigate further, and is waiting for a fix.
Here is the BBC's statement in full:
"The BBC has deployed a new set of HD encoders. The current bitrates were picked after much side-by-side comparison of the old and new encoders using a wide range of programme material. While it is impossible to achieve parity in all formats the new encoders were judged to be giving equal or better quality in most cases."
"However, there is no test like putting these to air, and when we did, a reproducible problem was identified on certain types of material. We have shared this information with the coder manufacturer so they can investigate further. "
"The particular problem does not go away with higher bitrates, so whilst an investigation and fix are awaited some changes have already been made to the encoders to try and mitigate the effects. In addition, the new encoders also fixed other problems, unrelated to picture quality, which the BBC received complaints about."
You can learn more about this issue by following this thread on our Forums.
Comments
BBC have finally responded to all the complaints here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2009/09/picture_quality_on_hd_a_respon.html
found this on the web
very intresting
Channel Video Bit Rate
1 BBC HD 9726
2 Bio HD 9936
3 Channel 4 HD 12205
4 Discovery HD 12041
5 Disney Cine HD 8559
6 ESPN HD 15253
7 ESPN HD 15253
8 Eurosport HD 18942
9 History HD 7330
10 Luxe TV HD 5482
11 MTVN HD 11767
12 Rush HD 14001
13 SCI FI HD 7471
14 Sky Action HD 6740
15 Sky Arts 1 HD 10631
16 Sky Arts 2 HD 18848
17 Sky Comedy HD 9172
18 Sky Drama HD 9610
19 Sky MdnGrtsHD 10410
20 Sky ScFi/HorHD 8230
21 Sky Screen 1HD 10925
22 Sky Sports HD1 10090
23 Sky Sports HD1 10090
24 Sky Sports HD2 14133
25 Sky Sports HD2 14133
26 Sky Sports HD3 13599
27 Sky Sports HD3 13599
28 Sky1 HD 14520
29 SkyRealLiveHD 14538
QUOTE: "Yesm the BBC is for all, but some of us are still paying a premium for an HD box and content - Sky @ ???9.75 a month, on top of the licence fee.
We therefore demand the best possible picture."
Agreed the BBC is for all and we want the best picture but the �9.75 you're paying Sky has nothing to do with it. Stop paying it you'll lose Sky's HD channels but the BBC HD will still be there.
lowering the bit rate ????
this is the sort of thing ofcom should be dealing with . not the usual rubbish they get hung up on , wonderd why it was suddenly not possible to see the difference between bbc1 and bbc hd
thanks for the answer .
what about a min standard for hd ?
is it me, or is BBC HD not even a good channel to watch? all i ever see is bloody live shows and nature programs. no Match of the Day, no Eastenders, whats the point? maybe im watching a different channel altogether!
You'd have thought they'd have a scrambled channel for use as a 'staging environment' - sorry, too much time spent in meetings with our digital team! - so these things could be tested over the air before being unleashed on the public.
Wouldn't you...?
Yesm the BBC is for all, but some of us are still paying a premium for an HD box and content - Sky @ �9.75 a month, on top of the licence fee.
We therefore demand the best possible picture.
On the BBC HD blog the technical problem that they are fixing (referred to in the article) is confirmed today as seemingly very narrow issue related to a mix / fade issue.
See posts #76 and #300 here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2008/11/bbc_hd_picture_quality_and_dol.html
Given the problem is narrow in focus it looks like the BBC are not responding to the general criticisms around the deterioration in picture quality.
The published objective of the BBC HD channel is to broadcast pictures of the "highest possible standard"
......not to mention the 'reproducible problem'!
Good kicking in there for the supplier I notice. Always worth blaming the supplier
Nothing to do with the bitrate cut of course..
trust the BBC to *** things up
what do they do with all the licence fees
we all pay scrub that I think we all know.
Trying to think what complaints the BBC received if not related to picture quality. Got me beat at the moment!