Poll: Due to HD, have you tuned into the Olympics more?

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 16th 2008 at 12:00PM

One masochist notwithstanding, we're pretty sure you haven't sat down for days straight to watch the Summer Games from Beijing, but we're wondering if the superabundance of high-def Olympics programming has changed your perspective on the entire spectacle. Here at Engadget HQ, we've found ourselves captivated by more Olympics footage in the first week than we can ever remember in Games' past, and there's no question that having the events in high-definition caused us to keep flipping back. Is the same phenomenon happening at your house? Are you inexplicably anxious to come home and check out some of the world's greatest athletes in beautiful high-def? Tell us how the HD onslaught has affected your Olympics viewing (if at all).

[Image courtesy of Yahoo! Sports]

Filed under: Misc, Polls, NBC, Universal-HD, Sports, Primetime

Tags: beijing, olympic games, OlympicGames, Olympics, poll, polls, viewers, viewership, viewing

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

snchpnz @ Aug 16th 2008 12:41PM

Hey Todd, watcha doing? We brought chips... and Salsa! :)

Neutral

Dennis @ Aug 16th 2008 1:14PM

Every time I tune in all I get is ping pong or some other lame sport. Why can't NBC list the individual sports so I can set my DVR. Its like waiting for the cable installer to come sometime between 8 and 12 for a 1/2 hour install. It may be in HD but it is still not DVR friendly.

Neutral

why not the LS2LS7? @ Aug 16th 2008 1:32PM

Just record it all day and then watch it with heavy use of the FF button.

Neutral

HeHaw @ Aug 16th 2008 1:29PM

I've been watching it in HD OTA and have seen most of Phelps races as well as woman's volley ball, boxing, gymnastics and last night got to see men's volley ball indoor and out. It's been fantastic and HD really gives you the WOW factor. It's been entrancing.

Neutral

why not the LS2LS7? @ Aug 16th 2008 1:34PM

I dunno if I'm watching it more because it's in HD. I definitely did watch the 2004 Olympics more because they were in HD.

I will say this, I haven't watched any of the Olympics that isn't in HD.

Neutral

mirage @ Aug 16th 2008 1:39PM

I have never watched an opening ceremony before but I have to say that this Olympics' opening ceremony in HD was spectacular!
I have also really enjoyed the HD coverage of all of the sports as well! Especially the gymnastics and swimming.

Neutral

Garst @ Aug 16th 2008 2:26PM

I just can't get into it. I think it's mostly how IOC are so restrictive and commericalized the games so much.

Neutral

Garst @ Aug 16th 2008 2:42PM

Actually, I'm watching the games less this year. It's not because I hate higher quality. It's more that the IOC are too restrictive of the games and have greatly commercialized it.

Neutral

Dan @ Aug 16th 2008 2:45PM

I watch it before I go to sleep, I like the competetive action, I've mostly watched TV, particularly CBC since they do not botch it like on the NoBodyCares channel. I've watched some Internet since some events are Internet only. What I wish the IOC did was instead of restricting broadcasts, have a quality broadcast requirements with limited commercial interruption and focus on events instead of athletes all the time.

Neutral

Angelo @ Aug 16th 2008 2:49PM

I can't believe no has mentioned that the PQ has been terrible. I assume its the source you really notice it when they go to a commercial in HD and it's much sharper and with way less macro-block / color bleed distortion.

Neutral

HeHaw @ Aug 16th 2008 11:41PM

Angelo-

It's crystal clear on OTA. What service are you using?

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YouFaceTheTick @ Aug 17th 2008 4:53AM

HD or not, the Olympics are boring as hell. remove all the nationalistic, flag-waving BS and I'd watch it. I'd love to see the world's best compete, but let's not fool ourselves that the success of some random juggler or whatever is somehow related to his citizenship.

Neutral

GhostDoggy @ Aug 17th 2008 10:27AM

I wouldn't consider labeling the entire games as boring. One needs to take from it what they like, and leave the rest. I am enjoying volleyball, swimming, diving, gymnastics, archery & shooting, track and field, tennis, and several other sports. Some, like bat mitten and table tennis and some others I am not interested in and thus to not consume my time with them.

If not for anything else then look at the booty in HD. :)

Neutral

lolpatrma @ Aug 17th 2008 3:57PM

right, cause every single athlete in the olympics is forced to go on and play for their country.

ever stop and think that it might be an honor for most of these athletes to be representing their country in the biggest sporting event(s) in the world? go and tell one of the 35 or so chinese gold medal winners that winning for their country has nothing to do with it. i'm sure that'll fly.

Neutral

cashmonee @ Aug 17th 2008 11:12AM

I would watch if I did not know the outcome 3 hours before I see it. Tape delaying the mountain and west coast is ridiculous. Especially when it is something historic like Phelp's 8th gold. NBC simply does not get it. Are they gonna tape delay the Super Bowl too when they get it?

Neutral

TVGenius @ Aug 17th 2008 3:41PM

I live on the west half of the county, and thus, everything's delayed (more) and NOT in HD. Our local NBC station (KYMA) can only air live network feeds in HD thus far. Only our local Fox station (KECY) seems to be able to do delayed HD. Our CBS (KSWT) does no HD at all, and according to their GM, it might happen by the middle of next year.

Neutral

Shad @ Aug 17th 2008 8:23PM

Well this site is EngadgetHD (keyword HD) so most visitors of this site are HD fanatics. So I don't think 67% of olympics viewers are watching it because its in HD. But who cares, I am!

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