Top Gear episodes on GT TV (GT5P) high def or not?

[chaz_uk]

Does anyone know if the episodes available on GT TV are in high def or not?
It's only 69p so I may just try it if no one knows.

[Super-VHS]

Top Gear as in the show hosted by the guy in my avatar?

If that's the case (which it is I assume) then Top Gear isn't even HD on BBC2 or any other channel.... The studio segments are shot @ 16X9 576i and the reviews/non studio stuff is film effected 576/24p.

[chaz_uk]

Originally Posted by Super-VHS

Top Gear as in the show hosted by the guy in my avatar?

If that's the case (which it is I assume) then Top Gear isn't even HD on BBC2 or any other channel.... The studio segments are shot @ 16X9 576i and the reviews/non studio stuff is film effected 576/24p.

Yep, the same top gear featuring Mr Clarkson in your avatar!
I thought that Top Gear was available on BBC HD now. Maybe i'm mistaken.

[Super-VHS]

I don't believe* the series is available in HD - yet at least.

The only episode that was shot/aired in HD (on BBC HD) was the Polar Special in '07. A mishmash of cameras were used to capture the events of the TG Polar Expedition - a majority of which was at 1080i.

With the exception of said special the show remains, at the moment, (mainly because of the 'unique way the BBC is funded') in anamorphic PAL widescreen. The studio is 576/50i and everything else (anything with a filter) is 576 'film effected' to 24p.

But, keep in mind this is all the way it used to be - if the fiming changed for Series 11 (which I don't believe* it did) then I'm wrong and the show is available in HD somewhere....

I know for a fact that if the HD shooting hasn't begun yet that is changing in the next few series as both Hammond and Clarkson have mentioned that the show will be moving to HD fairly soon (the BBC wants to have all new programing filmed and delivered in 1080i by next year.)

It's very possible (indeed probable) that HD will be coming in October when Hammond, Clarkson and May return to the airwaves for series 12.


*I don't know for certain because (living in the States) my only means of unedited Top Gear are 'alternative means of procurement'. 'They' only offer that to me in SD.... but 'they' also said they hope that HD 'versions' would be available when the show moves to that format and because I can't 'retrieve' episodes in HD I assume that the move hasn't been made yet.

[Centauri]

Another Top Gear fanatic here.

I have every episode of the 'modern' run including the specials, all of the Clarkson movies, and every episode of Motorworld.

And I have done by best to spread the love through 'alternate means of procurement'.

[Super-VHS]

News on these downloads from Finalgear.com

Top Gear Episodes Now Available For Rent In Gran Turismo 5

Within the past day or so, Top Gear episodes have started popping up in the Gran Turismo TV area of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue on the Playstation 3. I currently only see 6×01, 6×02, and 6×04, but there are reports of there being more.

The episodes are currently available for US$0.99 a piece and after you buy them, they are available to watch for a period of 2 weeks before being automatically deleted. Prices are rumored to go up after this initial promotional period. It is unknown what the new prices will be.

It is also unknown whether these episodes feature the original music and no cut content, but my guess is that they’re similar to the BBC World rips and have replaced music and some cut content such as the news. Please let me know if you buy one and figure out what music and content is in the episodes and what kinda quality they are.

While this is great in that it will hopefully further the awareness of Top Gear, I personally find it a bit of a shame that they expire after two weeks. It would have been much cooler if they didn’t, even if the cost was a bit more.

So that seems a confirmation on them not being HD. The episodes are from Series 6 so they were certainly not filmed in HD let alone available for download as such.

Interesting Note: Before Series 6 started production Clarkson was first confronted with the question of Top Gear being available in High Def - he said absolutely not because it was far too expensive and would take away from the shows already 'meager' budget..... basically, he wanted more money available so that when he got the hankering to destroy a caravan (trailer) or an 'unimaginative' car he could.

Double Interesting Note: While the series is currently being shot @ 576i and 576/24p many (but not all) of the cameras that they are using are capable of HD. They basically only have to flip the switch on the night....

[chaz_uk]

Thanks for the info, Super-VHS!

[DustoMan]

These are the same episodes that have been playing on BBC America Monday nights in the states. So really I could catch episode 4 early if I wanted to pay $.99.

[UnitLost]

It seems that the episodes that play on BCC America on Monday nights are several years old - although they have advertised them as "the new season"...

What's the deal with that?

[Super-VHS]

Originally Posted by UnitLost

It seems that the episodes that play on BCC America on Monday nights are several years old - although they have advertised them as "the new season"...

What's the deal with that?

22 days later..... a response:

The episodes on BBC America were being advertised as new because, technically, they are new to American TV. This last season that just finished airing was... I believe.... season 6, which up until that point, had never aired on BBC-A or any other channel in the good 'ol USA.

BBC America only "recently" began airing Top Gear - maybe 3 years ago (season 7, I think).... before that though, TG didn't air on our shores. That means we have quite a few seasons that haven't aired here which can and will be considered "new". To that end, we also do not get seasons until long after they have finished airing in the UK. Season (or series) 12 is beginning in two weeks on BBC2, but we won't get it here until the spring.

Just FYI though, there are better (alternative) means to get the show in it's unedited, full hour format, in real widescreen, without commercials only hours after they air. The BBC-A versions are only suitable as ways to kill time.... not a way to actually watch the show.

[UnitLost]

Thanks for the response. I am aware of at least one alternate means, however mentioning the electronic distribution system used for such procurement could lead to "censure" from the powers above. Another issue with said means of delivery is that I have most of my family hooked on the show and can not use that method.

Or are you thinking of another?