HDTV and current programming...technical
 

In my area, CBS/NBC/ABC/FOX/PBS/ESPN/SHOW/HBO are all in HDTV.

My question is...is the source of all the shows 1080i?

I know they are BROADCAST in 1080i, but I have my doubts on the source.

Things like PBS/sports events/HD commercials on CBS/etc are B-E-A-utiful. The shows, however, don't look that good. I am guessing that most of the "HD" shows are actually 480P and are blown up, then broadcast in 1080i. Basically, most of the shows (CSI, NCIS, JAG) are NOT filmed with HD cameras but are filmed in progressive widescreen at a 480i res. It hit me because I saw a commercial on CBS showing the casts of survivor, jag, csi, etc, about their HD programming and it looked stellar...but then the show came on and I was back to DVD quality.

Anyone want to chime in?

I think ABC shows alot of stuff in 720p, especially sports but since my TV is only capable of 1080i, my Direct TV reciever converts it. Most Fox sports stuff is in "FOX WIDESCREEN!!!" which means cheap crappy 480p. Many of the network shows are 480p, but still look much better than regular. I think I read that each network adopted their own standards for how they would "film" and broadcast. ABC went with 720p, others went with 1080i or 480p "EDTV".

I dont have the link, but do a seach on "AVS forum" and there is a message board like this for all things HDTV. It is a great site.