horse racing needs to go high definition t.v.
 

how long and when will the horse tracks broadcast in high-definition.
like all the other sports. i say it needs to be done as soon as can be done.
i believe it will bring in new to to watch and so on.

I don't know anything about the technology, but is it much more expensive to produce? I can't wait to see the races HD...

I think the main expense is the cameras that each track would need to buy.

NYRA is especially challenged in this area. Given the quality of their video, one can only assume that they haven't even caught up with ZOOM LENS cameras yet. (Ever try to watch the break replay on some of the NYRA races? Setting aside all the replays that start AFTER the break, of course)
Then, factor in the incompetence when it comes to camera operation and placement and you begin to see that HDTV quality CRAPPY video is not really of much use to anyone who's using the tape for information purposes.

I think that it is an unnecessary cost. I do not need to watch 7500 hundred dollar claimers in High Def. Let them do something useful with that money. Besides, all the big big racing days are usually on either ESPN, ABC or NBC and I believe that they all have High Def channels anyway.

within the next 2 yrs, they HAVE to switch to HD broadcasts, as it's mandatory that all stations broadcast in HD by sometime in 2009.

the largest expense will be buying all new video cameras (the ones that they currently use will have to be upgraded to the new HD cameras).

Look at it this way.... they either do this, or they cannot broadcast anywhere in the near future.

thats like saying all semi trucks will meet the green laws by 2003...no chance

Actually I believe the upgrade requirements are only for "full-power over-the-air stations".

Feb 17, 2009 is the deadline. Either the horse racing industry sinks or swims with this one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_definition_TV

The first deadline was January 2007 and you can see that wasn't even close to being met.

The 2009 deadline won't be met either.

Yeah, if racetracks haven't all gone to HDTV in 14 months I will be shocked if bettors keep betting.

Like I said earlier.....mixing alcohol and prescription drugs can be very dangerous.

And fun if you get the right combo

So with HD Broadcasts in racing does this mean we will be able to see the late odds change more clearly?

How about we get cheap tracks like Philadelphia Park to show entry 1 and 1a on the monitors?

Need to know which one of the two is scratched.

the mandatory switch is to DIGITAL broadcast, not HD.

The FCC currently has a February 17, 2009, deadline for the transition to all digital broadcasting. On this date, all analog broadcasting will stop, and consumers will need to buy converter boxes to receive programming on their older TVs. This deadline has been pushed back several times in the last few years because of both broadcasters' and consumers' inability to meet the FCC's criteria for a successful transition to digital broadcasting. TV stations must have the equipment to send digital broadcasts, and consumers must have the TVs to receive them

It is efficient for the NYRA to upgrade to digital broadcasting equipment in that the equipment could be moved from track to track. The NYRA does this with their big infield screens.

With the HD technology in place NYRA can then negotiate a profitable simulcast agreement with an HD delivery source.

note: i do not want to turn this into yet another NYRA thread , lol.

Thanks for beating me to it, DD.

Sheesh there are some wizards on this site.

They should go to Hi Def without question. My question is if hi def cameras are needed then why am I able to watch old movies on HDNet? The fact is since I got a hi def TV I pretty much dont watch much that isn't on the hi def channels. Sure I watch HRTV and TVG for the races but the quality is really noticable once you watch HD all the time. I'm not saying that people will stop betting but the races surely will be easier to watch and more clear in HD.

I believe I read somewhere that Yonkers Raceway is available in HD. Can't seem to find it now. Anybody been there recently?

TVG and HRTV, if they want to continue to exist, should both make the jump to HD now. Then leave it up to the tracks as to whether or not they want to provide their feed in HD. In negotiations though the tracks that do have HD will be more in demand so it may not be as cost prohibitive as it sounds.