Survivor Fiji in HD? Update: No it's not
By Ben Drawbaugh 
posted Feb 1st 2007 4:35PM
posted Feb 1st 2007 4:35PM
There has been one question that new HDTV fans have asked over and over again "When is Survivor going to be in HD?" According to the CBS.com the answer is February 8th 2007. Over the years we have come to trust their grid and although it has not always been 100% accurate in regards to what is going to be in HD, we are hoping that this time it is right. We may have to wait till next week to find out for sure, but if it is indeed going to be in HD, than this is truly a watershed moment, like with Good Morning America went HD. **Update** Ken H from AVS has confirmed with CBS, Survivor is NOT in HD this season.
[Via HDTVMagazine]
Dammit. Of course I'm not surprised. CBS won't even show all the NFL games in HD either.
I don't think a "confirmation" from pompous Ken H is enough to say that this is completely out of the question. Ken closed the thread after checking with his local CBS affiliate and assumed that they both knew and were telling him the real answer (even if they are an O&O).
There are too many clues that point to HD for Survivor this season. Generally the network guide and TitanTV guide aren't both wrong. The rumor that a contestant reported the use of HD cameras carries a little bit of weight as well.
I think we'll know something more starting Sunday night during the Super Bowl.
I think a wait and see approach for the Superbowl is the prudent thing to do.
Our sources confirmed that it will NOT be in HD. Apparently there are no HD cameras on location in Fiji ... so unless they are upconverting ...
- Shane
(HDTV Magazine)
^^Sorry but your comment makes no sense to me. You say "OUR" sources say NO.... But in the same breath you say "unless they are upconverting".....sigh
That's okay. I'd rather not see some girl's hairy armpits in HD! =)
Shane, you of all people should know that upconverting doesn't make something HD. It just makes it better looking SD.
Well if not HD is it at least going to be 16:9 for once?
Did you see the ads for Survivor during the Superbowl? The ads themselves were definitely in HD and not just for the promo-looking stuff - the few players who were talking - that video looked HD to me...
This season's Survivor was shot in Digital Betacam=, a standard definition format. A few of the promo elements shown during the Superbowl were HD elements.
As an HD D.P. who has worked with Mark Burnett, I have personally (and recently) met with him and others from his production and post team. It is very likely, if not certain, that Survivor will be in HD next season.
The idea that HD cameras are not as robust as SD cameras is a myth. The Sony XDCAM HD (1920x1080, 24P and 60i, recording on optical disk) is perhaps the most robust camera ever created, performing flawlessly in -30 degree temperatures, in high humidity in jungles and islands, in dust and low humidity of deserts and at the Dead Sea, and in violent shaking and vibrating conditions mounted to a dogsled in the Iditarod competition.
It's time for ALL shows to give the audience what we want: the reality of high definition!
I agree. It's funny how so many nature/national geographic shows are recorded in HD. So it is truly a myth about HD cameras being to problematic. Especially if that little pod above the football field is in HD. :)
Also the survivor ads during the superbowl were definitely NOT in HD. They were using some stretch-o-vision there with SD.
Survivor and Amazing Race should both be in HD.
Ohhhh I second that - Amazing Race SHOULD DEFINITELY be in HD...no reason why not!