Slashdot Mirror
Comcast Puts the Screws To HDTV
Todd Spangler writes "Comcast, like every video distributor, compresses its digital video signals. But to fit in more HDTV channels, Comcast is squeezing some signals more than others. The cable operator claims it is using improved compression techniques, so that most subscribers won't see any drop-off in picture quality. But A/V buff Ken Fowler claims the differences between some of Comcast's more highly compressed channels and Verizon's FiOS TV are indeed noticeable. He's posted his comparative test results on AVSForum.com — and the results are not pretty."
We all know this from the OGG vs. MP3 issue years back, or AAC vs. MP3, or just about any other codec that produces smaller files that have a higher quality than MP3.
This is no different, but the experiment doesn't SEEM to lie. The quality of the FioS frames is certainly higher than the Comcast frames on those particular channels, at that particular time, during that particular program.
Another factor that is not known is whether Comcast and/or Verizon change their compression dynamically based on the utilization of the loop. How do we know that verizon won't do the same thing once their fiber loops are hopelessly oversubscribed, as Comcast's are now?
There are too many variables left unconsidered to treat this person's analysis as reliable. All he has demonstrated is that more highly compressed video has lower quality than that of lesser compressed video, and nothing more. It is hardly a comprehensive study.
Says the man who has in no way shape or form ever even attempted to roll out service to millions of people, I'm guessing. After all, everything you don't know how to do must be easy.
They aren't called Concast for nothing.
Yes, because, computationally, MPEG4 is just as easy to decode as MPEG2, and all it will take is a firmware update. Sure. Moron.
--
WHO ATE MY BREAKFAST PANTS?