Top Gear coming to America in HD?!
Pinch us. Could it be that our dreams – which, incidentally, we proudly share with Sandra Bullock – of watching Top Gear in High Definition may soon come true? It certainly seems like a real possibility now that BBC America officially launched its HD programming on Monday, July 20 at 6am. Since it can't be seen yet on any cable or satellite service, we're guessing it's still in beta testing.
So far, the British Broadcasting Corporation has chosen to air a brace of science-fiction shows like Torchwood, which apparently was a smart move as it's got people buzzing about the channel's launch on Twitter. Fortunately, it sounds like plenty more is on the way. Says BBC publicity Veep Amy Mulcair:
Everyone's very keen to see [the channel] and we're very keen for them to see it. And we're glad to say there are a number of deals that will be announced imminently.Naturally, we're hoping those deals bring us Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May in stunning HD beamed right into our living rooms. Now, would it be too much to ask for a schedule that brings us new episodes simultaneously with their British debuts?
[Source: Multichannel]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
StanleyVanBuren 2:04PM (7/22/2009)
Top Gear is not shot in HD.
The only time they have ever shot in HD was for the Polar Special and that was a one-time thing.
/thread
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Marc 2:33PM (7/22/2009)
Stanley's right. What's the point if they don't shoot in HD? And with all the budget cuts on the show this series, what are the odds that they will be able to afford all new cameras for the next series?
jon 2:43PM (7/22/2009)
right you are... it really is a shame though, Top Gear is practically the poster boy for what would be amazing in HD. Top Gear in HD would easily be up there with 'Planet Earth' in the "this is why HD is worth it" category
zamafir 2:46PM (7/22/2009)
Don't care if it's upsampled or not, I'd love to see TopGear air on a US network on sundays, save that 5 minutes of downloading for something else.
AndrewNoNumbers 3:12PM (7/22/2009)
What resolution do they use then? It's certainly 16:9, and there's no such thing as SD 16:9.
Mike P. 3:28PM (7/22/2009)
Seeing as it's the UK, it's probably broadcast in PAL EDTV, so 576i. Better than SDTV, but not as good as HDTV. Seeing as they've stated it's not shot in HD, that's probably the resolution they shoot at (I'd wager 576i for the studio shots, and 576/24p for other footage). So if they were to upscale their footage, it would be slightly better than North American 480i, but the difference probably wouldn't be worth re-mastering--they'd just upconvert the existing shows, if they did broadcast TG on BBCHD.
why not the LS2LS7? 5:21PM (7/22/2009)
AndrewNoNumbers:
PAL 16:9 is very common in Europe, has been for years. F1 is broadcast in 16:9 PAL.
Europe is way behind the US on HD, but ahead on 16:9.
BrokenMonkey 8:13PM (7/22/2009)
16:9 and HD have nothing to do with each other. HD refers to the number of pixels, and 16:9 is the aspect ratio, i.e. the number of pixels in width vs the number of pixels in height. Most HD content is 16:9 but not all 16:9 content is HD.
xSullx 2:05PM (7/22/2009)
Well, considering that Top Gear isn't in HD in the UK. I think it will take some time for Top Gear to reach HD in the States. Maybe the next series?
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derek 3:40PM (7/22/2009)
Yes!!! TOP GEAR in USA!!!
What ever happened to that lame version of TOP GEAR USA?
I cant wait to see it!!!
Eh 3:46PM (7/22/2009)
Dont forget that it takes companies like Comcast an extremely long time to adopt new HD channels. It will probably be around 19 months before more than 30% of america has access to BBC HD. Where I live I wouldnt expect BBC HD in the next 3 years.
Epyx 3:53PM (7/22/2009)
Why do you still have Comcast? Direct TV and Dish get the new HD channels as they come online.
Mike7 2:08PM (7/22/2009)
I watch the show live on the ever-so-not HD Justin.tv, and you know what, I'm happy nonetheless.
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Oobitsa 2:09PM (7/22/2009)
You know, I've never really understood why we don't get the show in its proper British form on BBC America. I've heard it has something to do with the copyright status of the music. Could something so simple really be keeping us from getting the goods?
For the love of god and all that is good, BBC, please stop trying to give us our own version hosted by the cast of the Surreal World and bring us the regular British show. We don't care if Jeremy hates all American cars and most Americans. I would too if I had the same problems with by Ford GT!
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Matt B 2:14PM (7/22/2009)
Hmm, I never knew we didn't get the full version. What is the difference between the UK broadcast and the USA Broadcast?
But yes, I REALLY hope that Comcast will pick up BBC America HD. I would die for some Top Gear HD loving!
jgp 2:31PM (7/22/2009)
Uh, I get Top Gear on BBC America.
The only difference is that it's about a season behind.
Catapult 2:46PM (7/22/2009)
@Matt
The full version has no commercials so when it comes to us parts have to be cut out. We usually lose parts from the interview which for most of the guest I don't know so it doesn't really matter. If you buy an episode off iTunes for instance it will be the full version.
MazdaMatt 3:01PM (7/22/2009)
They also edit out stuff other than SIARPC, too. Remember the segment where they compared the M3, RS4 and the C63 AMG? They had a bit about a cockometer which was removed completely, which happened to be the funniest bit in the show. Once I realized they did that, I refused to watch it on BBCA ever again.
In regards to music copyrights, they change the audio track in those segments, but that's usually it.
Andre 2:09PM (7/22/2009)
Cool, Love to see some Top Gear in HD
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Andrew Beck 2:15PM (7/22/2009)
How do they magically turn the SD video into HD? Sure they can upconvert it, but my TV already does a pretty good job of that.
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