First look at high-tech TV

Press, 28 December 1988, Page 11

First look at high-tech TV

“Chasing Rainbows” (One tonight at 8.25) is the first commercial production in the world to use high definition television (HDTV), a revolutionary technology that gives the series an extraordinarily rich and crisp look. Developed in Japan, high definition television creates a picture five times clearer and more detailed than that currently delivered by NTSC or PAL. That’s because HDTV uses more scanning lines — 1125 compared to the usual 525 for NTSC or 625 for PAL. Mark Blandford, executive producer and codirector of the project, is pleased with the international interest that “Chasing Rainbows” is generating. “One producer told us that the Japanese may have invented HDTV,” says Mr Blandford, “but it’s the Canadians who are showing everyone how to use it.” Mr Blandford firmly believes that “high definition is the television of the future.” His enthusiasm - is

shared by others. Engineers from the Advanced Television Systems Committee in- Washington, D.C., claim, "HDTV is the first real advance in television since the development of colour.” “New Scientist” magazine says that “high definition television will change .the course of history for those involved in television, film and video. It will also give the consumer clearer, brighter television pictures.” International broadcasting systems are currently not set up to carry the full quality of HDTV. Nor can the normal television set receive it. But John Galt, head of Northernlight and Picture, the company that is supplying the technical expertise for “Chasing Rainbows,” doesn’t believe that’s a major problem. “Even though the quality of the HDTV picture will be reduced when it’s broadcast, the viewer watching ‘Chasing Rainbows’ will still see a picture far superior to anything he’s ever watched before.”