ABC/ESPN broadcast quality?

Question

Is it just my TV?

Everytime ABC broadcasts a race, the picture quality is so poor, that I can barely read the ticker going across the top of the screen. The picture is fuzzy, and I can't even make out a car number if it is a wide shot.

I have an all digital satillite feed with a HD television, but the broadcast looks like it's from a set of rabbit ears on a television from the 70's. I don't think it's the local station, because the comercials look clear.

Has anyone else noticed this??? Is it just my TV or is this another reason to hate ESPN broadcasts?

Answer 1

espn an abc are junk fox all the way

Answer 2

i told yall fox needs all the nascar

Answer 3

I'm thinking its just your tv. I don't have that problem with mine. It comes in really clear...

Answer 4

If you're watching an NTSC feed on an HD television, that could be why.  HD has twice the amount of scan lines as NTSC.  Make sure you have your "analog TV" settings on when you watch the races, and see what happens. Most HDTVs have this setting, unless you have one that somehow tries to expand the picture to fit the screen (I doubt that.)  

If this is ONLY on ABC though, and not a general issue, what it could be is an issue with the uplink to the satellite itself.  To cut down on space, many sports broadcast companies use Ku band satellites--they use a tiny dish and are easier to deal with, but you lose the strength and quality of a C-band satellite feed (remember the huge dishes? That's C-band.)  Could be a simple issue of how crappy Ku band can be.  If you have DirecTV or Dish Network and tried to watch it in a rain storm, you know how snarky the Ku band is--it goes out so easily.

I would have to see how the screen looks to know what the problem is, but that's a start.

Answer 5

Both stations come in fine for me, crystal clear. I don't have HD.   IMO ABC and ESPN coverage are much better than TNT, far less commercials.

Answer 6

I don't have an issue Buck.  Its crystal clear.  You should test all your cables.  Even if it seems like one channel is the issue it can still be a bad or loose cable.  Try investing in a "Monster" HD cable.

Answer 7

For me I pick up ESPN really well but if its on ABC the picture is just like what you said. Its been like that here in NM all the time. I dont know what the deal is.

Answer 8

I haven't had that problem.