For the most part, the gradual rollout of HD has usually been associated with entertainment, especially special events, sports and digitized motion pictures. But major news stories these days also are getting captured in HD, even though it may provide more details than anyone really wants to see, considering the circumstances. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are receiving limited HD coverage, and now Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath--possibly the most catastrophic U.S. event of its kind on record--has been recorded for posterity in 1080i and 720p.
This week the HDNet channel is bringing HD viewers in great technical detail the devastation in New Orleans and the rest of the affected coastal region in a special episode of "HDNet World Report: The Devastation On The Gulf Coast." HDNet cameras captured 1080i video of the initial flooding, U.S. Coast Guard rescues in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, evacuation efforts in New Orleans and elsewhere, and the sheer magnitude of misery left in much of Katrina's wake.
The program, which premiered on Sept. 6, will be repeated on Sept. 7 at 11:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 8 at 6 p.m.; Sept. 10 at 12:30 p.m. and Sept. 11 at 7:30p.m. (All times EDT.) HDNet World Report is an original news documentary series that began HD production in January 2002.
On Sept. 2 in primetime, the NBC Universal Television Group aired a fundraiser that also was broadcast in HD, "A Concert for Hurricane Relief." Aired on NBC, MSNBC and CNBC, the program featured Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Harry Connick, Jr., and Wynton Marsalis, among others. Viewers were encouraged to donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund through its www.redcross.org Web site or donation hotline 1-800-HELP NOW.
