Austin360 blogs > Digital Savant > Archives > 2007 > January > 31 > Entry
The Super Bowl … in HD!
Given the quick adoption of high-definition TVs by shoppers, it’s likely you might be watching this year’s Super Bowl for the first time in high-definition. Get ready for widescreen, eye-popping clarity! Here are some tips to make sure you get the full HD-enjoyment out of the game:
- If, during the game, the image looks all stretched-out or everybody on screen has narrow heads or looks even meatier than usual, you might not be watching the game in HD. Make sure you’re tuned to the HD channel (CBS, 42.1) and not the standard-definition feed. Adjust your screen settings accordingly to avoid unnecessary stretching and zooming.
- Black bars on the side of the screen during some commercials are normal. Those are the cheap companies that spent so much on the ad time that they couldn’t afford to film the commercial itself in high-definition.
- Even high-def can look cruddy if you sit too close to the TV. Multiply by two the number of diagonal inches of the TV and sit that many inches away, minimum.
- If possible, make sure the sound is hooked up through a surround-sound receiver and speakers. You won’t feel like you’re in the crowd, but you will feel like it’s OK to make more noise.
- You might be able to see more detail in the grass, and it might appear greener than you’re used to. Don’t get mad at your home lawn.
- You’re still allowed to skip the halftime show. Nobody’s showing any extra skin this year unless it’s Prince and … yeah, let’s just skip the halftime show this year.
- It’s not your imagination: Some of the cheerleaders do look worse in high-def.
- Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman isn’t any worse in high-definition, even though it might look that way.
- Brian Urlacher (#54) reportedly used to date Paris Hilton. You might see a rash on him in high-definition that you didn’t used to see on a standard TV.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: TV
Comments
By John
January 31, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this
Do you have any recommendations on brands/types of HD antennas to capture local broadcast in HD?
Omar responds: I use a Zenith Silver Sensor antenna that is able to pick up San Antonio stations all the way from New Braunfels. I only paid about $25 for it on Amazon.com and it works great indoors. If you're in town, most antennas for HD should work for you, although with my antenna I can't pick up a reliable signal on VHF, only UHF (luckily most HD stations are UHF).
Antennaweb.org is a good resource for choosing an antenna as is the AVS forum.
Terk is a popular brand of HD antenna, but I've read bad things, so it may be a brand to avoid. Channel Master, on the other hand, has an excellent reputation, especially for roof- or attic-mounted antennas.
Good luck!