I've been debating whether to discuss this or not, but there is no doubt this bothers a number of people so I thought I'd bring it up. If you agree please chime in, hopefully someone from the Rockets organization will notice! The quality of the video in Rockets telecast is poor. Compared to many other teams in the league the quality is just not there. Its not the reception (this depends on who the Rockets choose to televise the games) but it seems to be the cameras and broadcast equipment. Last year I was watching a home game at the Compaq center wondering why the quality was so poor so I went to Best Buy and they had around 60 sets - All running the Rockets game - All just as blurry as the one at home. On the satellite - same thing. This is especially true from the half court view. Only the players moves/heights etc.. help you with identifying each player. So I have a question or 2 for anyone who may know. 1) Do the Rockets provide the broadcast equipment cameras, transmitters etc.. or does the station that does the telecast provide it? 2) In the new arena will all this stuff get replaced? This doesn't even address my wish list that the Rockets would broadcast at least a few games on HDTV. At the moment I'm just wishing for decent quality on a regular channel. I'm very excited about the upcoming season, just would be a lot more enjoyable to see it better. P.S. On the HD front, CBS broadcasts 10 hours of HD each Saturday and it looks awesome.
I have felt the same way for years! A big improvement is needed, especially if they are going to send it to China for rebroadcast!! Over the years my recording quality has gone down, even though I use better quality tape and improved recorders!
That's a really interesting question. If you look at some of the cameras in Compaq Center, they look OLD. I'll drop a line to one of the broadcast people over there and ask.
If someone from the Rockets organization reads this, please respond. (I have heard many people making comments on this issue and am *very* glad I'm getting backed up)
Maybe part of it is just poor lighting or camera position in Compaq Center, relative to that of the newer arenas. Then again maybe it's just old ass cameras!
We want HD!!!! Tim, if you're reading this then please pass this info onto others in the organization. We want HD!!!!
I've noticed the same thing superkev. It appears that the camera placement in the Summit is just not optimum in comparison to other arenas. I've had League pass for years and in comparison, the Rocket broadcasts are neither as sharp nor zoomed into the action as other broadcasts. I kept thinking that maybe the pattern of the floor was causing an optical illusion. I just thought it was me. I'm hoping the quality improves this year, and if not, at least with the new arena.
There isn't a lot of detail to pass on just yet. We are in the process of determining our broadcast setup in the new arena, and we have been making inquiries (but only inquiries at this point) about HDTV. It's a pretty complicated process -- we want to be smart about it. Tim
I always thought that national broadcasts on NBC and TNT provided as good of a picture as any other team, but the local broadcasts on FSSW or 20 looked blurry. So I think it is their equipment that needs to be upgraded.
Yea, I'm sure it is a complicated matter. HD is so slow to adopt for many reasons even though there is a deadline. Thanks for the response and I can't wait until it is finally a reality.
Tim, HD would be great, but I hope this thread doesn't go down that path too much. I'm just hoping for some much more reasonable broadcast quality of regular games on regular TV compared to other teams in the league. I just hope we get on par with everyone else. I wonder if someone can put up some screenshots that show just how bad we compare on some of the camera views.
We need a few posts from some of the old geezers that remember days when Rockets games weren't even broadcast down here. That'll shut up all you whiners complaining about your poor quality and lack of high definition!
i've noticed the same thing for years, as well. the telecasts always have a yellowish haze to them. combine that with rudy's complicated stickfigure offense and i see why the league always thinks the rockets are boring!
