ABC HD (Australia)
Encyclopedia
ABC HD was a national public television channel in Australia. It was available nationally to digital terrestrial and cable television viewers in Australia.
Starting in 1 January 2002 the channel was a prime-time simulcast of ABC1 NSW, except that it had no watermark and was upconverted from standard definition to high definition
1080i. In 1 January 2005 it was changed to 576p
to accommodate the launch of ABC2
and gradually expanded its operating hours. In 1 January 2008 ABC HD was enhanced to 720p
to mark the start of native high-definition content, and an "ABC HD" logo was developed, appearing as an on-screen watermark.
For its entire existence, the channel spent most of its hours providing a high definition simulcast of ABC1 NSW. As a result viewers outside of New South Wales would see Sydney-based news bulletins and other localised content. The purpose of this as of 2008, was to provide high-definition versions of ABC1
shows when available (Prior to this, the broadcaster relied on regulation exemptions that allowed it to meet a high-definition quota
using content upscaled from standard definition).
There have been exceptions to the ABC1
simulcast: During the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, ABC HD became a dedicated sports broadcaster, simulcasting the dedicated coverage on ABC2 for most of the day. The 2009 VFL Grand Final was shown exclusively live on ABC HD. For a time up until ABC HD branding ceased, ABC HD screened a "7:30 Select" national highlights package instead of the NSW version of Stateline.
On 10 June 2010, the ABC HD watermark was replaced with the ABC1 logo. From this time forward, the channel became a ABC1 NSW simulcast again.
ABC HD ceased being a simulcast of ABC1 from 6 July 2010 in Tasmania
and the ACT; 7 July 2010 in Queensland
, South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory
; and on 8 July 2010 in Victoria
and New South Wales
, all replaced by a looped pre-launch promotion for ABC News 24
on channel 24. This made ABC the second broadcaster in Australia to permanently discontinue the high definition simulcast of its main channel, following the removal of Ten HD
to create One HD in 2009.
Starting in 1 January 2002 the channel was a prime-time simulcast of ABC1 NSW, except that it had no watermark and was upconverted from standard definition to high definition
High-definition video
High-definition video or HD video refers to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition video, and most commonly involves display resolutions of 1,280×720 pixels or 1,920×1,080 pixels...
1080i. In 1 January 2005 it was changed to 576p
576p
576p is the shorthand name for a video display resolution. The p stands for progressive scan, i.e. non-interlaced, the 576 for a vertical resolution of 576 lines, usually with a horizontal resolution of 720 or 704 pixels. The frame rate can be given explicitly after the letter.-576p25:In other...
to accommodate the launch of ABC2
ABC2
ABC2 is a national public television channel in Australia. Launched on 7 March 2005, it is the responsibility of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's television division, and is available nationally to digital television viewers in Australia...
and gradually expanded its operating hours. In 1 January 2008 ABC HD was enhanced to 720p
720p
720p is the shorthand name for 1280x720, a category of High-definition television video modes having a resolution of 1080 or 720p and a progressive scan...
to mark the start of native high-definition content, and an "ABC HD" logo was developed, appearing as an on-screen watermark.
For its entire existence, the channel spent most of its hours providing a high definition simulcast of ABC1 NSW. As a result viewers outside of New South Wales would see Sydney-based news bulletins and other localised content. The purpose of this as of 2008, was to provide high-definition versions of ABC1
ABC1
ABC1 was a United Kingdom based television channel from Disney using the branding of the Disney owned American network, ABC.The channel initially launched exclusively on the British digital terrestrial television platform Freeview on 27 September 2004. On 10 December 2004 it was launched on...
shows when available (Prior to this, the broadcaster relied on regulation exemptions that allowed it to meet a high-definition quota
Production quota
A production quota is a goal for the production of a good. It is typically set by a government or an organization, and can be applied to an individual worker, firm, industry or country. Quotas can be set high to encourage production, or can be used to limit production to control the supply of goods...
using content upscaled from standard definition).
There have been exceptions to the ABC1
ABC1
ABC1 was a United Kingdom based television channel from Disney using the branding of the Disney owned American network, ABC.The channel initially launched exclusively on the British digital terrestrial television platform Freeview on 27 September 2004. On 10 December 2004 it was launched on...
simulcast: During the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, ABC HD became a dedicated sports broadcaster, simulcasting the dedicated coverage on ABC2 for most of the day. The 2009 VFL Grand Final was shown exclusively live on ABC HD. For a time up until ABC HD branding ceased, ABC HD screened a "7:30 Select" national highlights package instead of the NSW version of Stateline.
On 10 June 2010, the ABC HD watermark was replaced with the ABC1 logo. From this time forward, the channel became a ABC1 NSW simulcast again.
ABC HD ceased being a simulcast of ABC1 from 6 July 2010 in Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
and the ACT; 7 July 2010 in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
; and on 8 July 2010 in Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
and New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, all replaced by a looped pre-launch promotion for ABC News 24
ABC News 24
ABC News 24 is an Australian 24-hour news channel launched and owned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The channel replaced the former ABC High Definition simulcast of ABC1 and commenced broadcasting at 7:30pm 5:30 on Thursday, 22 July 2010.-Pre-launch:The ABC announced in January 2010...
on channel 24. This made ABC the second broadcaster in Australia to permanently discontinue the high definition simulcast of its main channel, following the removal of Ten HD
Ten HD
Ten HD was an Australian free-to-air television channel that launched on 16 December 2007. The channel was available to high definition digital television viewers through owned-and-operated stations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth...
to create One HD in 2009.