Is it just me? Broadcast quality of races lacking.

[GoIrish]

Ten feet from a wall of glorious flat screen TVs in the Monmouth Park teletheater and I have a hard time distinguishing saddlecloths to the point where I have to watch the chicklets. Is it just me or is the broadcast quality of everyday races terrible? I used to think it was the TVs, but MP has nice new flat screens. Why is every sport in the US broadcast in HD except horse racing?

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by GoIrish

Why is every sport in the US broadcast in HD except horse racing?

$$$

[Rudeboyelvis]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

$$$

I wouldn't know where to begin - do they all get their simucast feed from Roberts Communications? You'd figure each track would need to upgrade their broadcast facilities (broadband requirements, TX equipment, etc.).

then the tracks would need to upgrade to HDTV capable recievers (higher broadband requirements of the RX end as well plus equipment.)

Bigs was remarking that he thought the TV in his box at Tampa was celebrating it's 15th birthday. I'm guessing it will see 25.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by Rudeboyelvis

I wouldn't know where to begin - do they all get their simucast feed from Roberts Communications? You'd figure each track would need to upgrade their broadcast facilities (broadband requirements, TX equipment, etc.).

then the tracks would need to upgrade to HDTV capable recievers (higher broadband requirements of the RX end as well plus equipment.)

Bigs was remarking that he thought the TV in his box at Tampa was celebrating it's 15th birthday. I'm guessing it will see 25.

You would think that Golfer is eventually going to put his fist through that thing after Guidry screws him again with another brilliant ride.

[golfer]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

You would think that Golfer is eventually going to put his fist through that thing after Guidry screws him again with another brilliant ride.

Bigs' TV is safe. First off, most of the day you can't even see the picture due to the glare. Secondly, Mark and I are now friends, and we have an understanding. I don't bet races he rides in.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by GoIrish

Ten feet from a wall of glorious flat screen TVs in the Monmouth Park teletheater and I have a hard time distinguishing saddlecloths to the point where I have to watch the chicklets. Is it just me or is the broadcast quality of everyday races terrible? I used to think it was the TVs, but MP has nice new flat screens. Why is every sport in the US broadcast in HD except horse racing?

I try to get my boyfriend to watch racing with me, but he said until he can clearly see the screen he's not interested. I kind of feel the same way though -- I'll always watch and play the tracks with the better video.

[NTamm1215]

Until changes are made, Keeneland is MILES ahead of everyone else with regards to the quality of their broadcast display.

[PatCummings]

For as many problems as we see day in and day out with the regular simulcast signal, the national broadcasts in HD leave something to be desired as well.

HD is 100% useless, USELESS, when showing any portion of a live race, let a lone a Grade 1, via helicopter or blimp. And if you don't know what I'm talking about, check out the NBC replay of this year's Breeders' Cup Mile, or the 2010 Kentucky Derby. Replays linked below to remind you, and I assure you, it doesn't matter if they are in HD or not on Youtube...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYUQhefukU4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjaQzlN82fg

Our sport is compelling, the nuance of a trip is great. I'm no producer, but I literally cannot imagine a SINGLE benefit to a blimp/copter cam where you cannot identify a single horse.

A daily simulcast signal IS better than these NBC race broadcasts in that sense.

I'm personally of the belief that the day-to-day view of the race must change, HD would only be a benefit. But the current methods simply aren't compelling. I think it is going to take a single track to start moving beyond the norm to break away and do it differently...

Oh, and Trakus. That is all.

[Aly-Sheba]

Originally Posted by GoIrish

Ten feet from a wall of glorious flat screen TVs in the Monmouth Park teletheater and I have a hard time distinguishing saddlecloths to the point where I have to watch the chicklets. Is it just me or is the broadcast quality of everyday races terrible? I used to think it was the TVs, but MP has nice new flat screens. Why is every sport in the US broadcast in HD except horse racing?

Totally agree. You would think they would come up something different then the saddle cloth colors since they are hard to distinguish a lot of times. How about some type number hologram?

[Cannon Shell]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...ithout-changes



Evans touched on a number of issues including the video presentation of horse racing. He said CDI spends more than $1 million a year per track for high-definition presentation and $750,000 a year sending its signals to 42 outlets that can accommodate it. That means there are almost 1,600 wagering outlets that don’t have high-definition television.

“We’ve got to bring our video up to 21st century standards,” Evans said. “Within a few years we’re going to look like black-and-white television in color television world.”

How bad some of these races are you would think they'd just go ahead and make the transition to black and white with video software that can add projection effects.

How many bad races do they need to run before someone says "Hey! Maybe we need to shut down a few tracks and try to restore quality back into the sport."

Because as we all know in most sports people prefer to watch athletes with very little athletic ability and skill. That's why the toughest ticket in the country is youth sports. Outstanding action!

Yeah I've heard the excuses. It would take jobs away oh noes! This usually comes from the same folks that want to ban guns and video games. Job destoyers. Well come on douchers, join this cause!!

yes that's a thick brothy broth. Mmm delicious.

[Gate Dancer]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

Until changes are made, Keeneland is MILES ahead of everyone else with regards to the quality of their broadcast display.

Amen..............

[Calzone Lord]

Hockey is the one sport an HD picture moves up the most. It makes the game much more watchable.

Picture quality is not a big deal at all to me with horse racing. To me, watching a horse race on a black and white picture is no different than a color one ... unless it is a big field where I need to see silks and saddle cloth colors to follow the race better.

Sure, the pretty colors are more pleasant to look at ... but you don't need them to follow a horse race.

Hockey is so much more impressive and easier to follow the action when you have a big screen TV and HD.

[pick4]

In the past 6 weeks I have purchased 2 Samsung TV's and it is a night and day difference between the old tube sets and modern HDTV. I watch the races on my laptop because the Cablevision does not have HRTV. I do get TVG but it's such a turn off watching races on that channel. The screen is boxed off and quality of picture is not acceptable in this day in age.

Horse racing was behind the the times when TV was introduced. Beside a few tracks they have not learned the lesson. I agree with Calzone Lord that hockey is a thousand times better watching on high def. I believe it would be the same with horse racing.