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100 straight, October 4, don't cut: WRC schedule for HD Theater revealed

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 23rd 2009 at 12:23AM


We finally know exactly when Discovery HD Theater will deliver the rally racing action it promised now that the official schedule has been revealed. Our friends at Autoblog have plenty of pics to gawk over while we mark off the days, check after the break for the PR with dates and times, plus a preview trailer. We're not sold on how the new NA engines in WRC may sound in 5.1, but we'll always take more HD racing action, you hear that Bernie?

Continue reading 100 straight, October 4, don't cut: WRC schedule for HD Theater revealed

World Rally Championship racing coming to Discovery HD Theater

by Richard Lawler posted Jul 20th 2009 at 11:36AM

It's been far too long since we've had new programming to mention on Discovery HD Theater, and far too long since World Rally Championship action has been broadcast in the U.S., so it's good to hear that the two are coming together this October. Expect weekly coverage from every round in the championship in 1080i and 5.1 surround of 4WD turbocharged vehicles rocketing down narrow off road routes plus "a range of other content." Those familiar with the series can attest to the beautiful locales WRC finds itself in, and should look great on our HDTVs this fall. That brings nearly ever racing series into high definition, except For 1 notable exception.

[Via Autoblog]

World Touring Car Championship is the first FIA racing series in HD

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 20th 2009 at 5:16AM


The first FIA World Championship has scheduled its switch to high definition -- unfortunately, it isn't F1. Still, World Touring Car Championship fans can expect sweet sweet HD from track side and RF cameras (on board is still 16:9 SD) on nine of the season's twelve events, starting in the third week from Marrakech. No word on which broadcasters will air the races in HD other than that "several" plan to, but we hope this is just a test run before we get a clearer view from all the Formula One events soon -- c'mon Bernie, you're not going to let NASCAR and Indy stay ahead, are you?

[Via F1SA]

Churchill Downs launches HD simulcast next season

by Richard Lawler posted Oct 22nd 2008 at 9:01AM


Next time you head to the track, whether at Churchill Downs or "select off-track betting locations and racetracks" expect a clearer look at the action, with more than 100 HDTVs installed in several areas and a 16:9 high definition simulcast, the first racetrack in the U.S. to do so. Of course that still doesn't compare to a Japanese racetrack that once upon a time boasted the biggest HDTV, and while it will probably make raceday more exciting when the 2008 Fall Meet kicks off October 26, explaining how you lost the car payment on a "sure thing" isn't any easier in HD.

[Via Courier-Journal]

ESPN breaks into the Blu with 3: The Dale Earnhardt Story

by Darren Murph posted Sep 23rd 2008 at 5:44AM

Apparently ESPN was not only pleased with the 3: The Dale Earnhardt Story DVD sales, but it reckons that NASCAR fans are ready and willing to pick it up on Blu, too. The sports giant has just revealed that its first Blu-ray title will be the Collector's Edition of the aforementioned title, and it's slated to land on November 11th. There are no definite extras or specifications to speak of, but we'd expect ESPN to bring the heat on its first foray into BD. MSRP for the title is set at $34.95, but as always, you'll be able to find it for much less without too much effort.

[Via High-Def Digest]

Gigawave in-car HD camera survives trial by fire at 24 Hours of Spa

by Steven Kim posted Aug 11th 2008 at 1:38AM

Gigawave in-car HD camera
Auto racing and HD is a great match, no doubt. Even if you're like us and prefer being at road course events in person, there's one vantage point that only HDTV can give you -- those in-car camera shots that make the kid inside us all scream "vroom." But if you see something like the pic above, that scream might be more... colorful. The in-car Gigawave HD camera mounted in the #6 Phoenix Carsport Corvette Z06 at the 24 Hours of Spa race in Belgium last weekend was seriously put to the test and came out looking like a champ. The Z06 burst into flames in pit lane, and the camera kept working through the whole incident and caught all the excitement. Luckily the driver wasn't hurt. Amazingly, the car was put back out on the track and the camera was still fully functional after the incident. Click on through for video of the incident.

Continue reading Gigawave in-car HD camera survives trial by fire at 24 Hours of Spa

SPEED adds Neural-THX Surround to HD broadcasts

by Darren Murph posted Jul 21st 2008 at 2:34PM

After Neural-THX Surround got around 14.5 minutes in the limelight with its Super Bowl XLII showing earlier this year, the technology has remained far, far away from the press. Now, however, SPEED is vowing to integrate Neural-THX Surround professional products "for its HD programming schedule covering NASCAR, Grand Am, IndyCar, etc." For those unfamiliar with the technology, it goes a little something like this: 5.1 sound from the track is taken in, beamed over stereo channels to minimize bandwidth usage and then decoded by specially equipped receivers for "5.1 surround" in the living room. From what we can tell, the tech should be ready to roll right now, so it's up to you to snatch up an AVR in order to take advantage.

A1GP series races available in HD next season

by Richard Lawler posted Jun 26th 2008 at 7:59PM


There's always room for more racing in high definition, and A1 Grand Prix fans are the latest to be blessed, as the upcoming season be available in high definition (assuming your local broadcaster offers it). Since A1GP does a bit more country-hopping than NASCAR or Indy the logistics are more complicated, but we can apparently expect HD looks at the action courtesy of 60 cameras manned by a team of 130 production staff following the series around the world. also in store are new on-board camera positions and more telemetry info when the '08/'09 season kicks off September 21 from Mugello.

Odeon cinemas to play F1 races in HD

by Richard Lawler posted Jun 8th 2008 at 6:10PM


Not everyone has an incredible home cinema, but in the UK at least that won't get in the way of a premium high definition experience while watching Lewis Hamilton tear up the F1 circuit. After a test run showing the British Grand Prix last year, Odeon Cinemas is working with Formula One Management to show ten races this season in 25 locations, live and without commercial breaks. The international HD feed and Dolby Surround 5.1 audio will be in full effect, no word on how many quid, pence or pounds this costs but at least it's one way to avoid seeing Sex & the City for the 5th time this weekend.

Drift Style racing series premieres on Rush HD tonight

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 9th 2008 at 10:42AM

Joining NASCAR, Indy, off road and Mustangs in this season's HD racing schedule is a brand new series focused on drift racing. Rush HD premieres Drift Style tonight at 8:30 p.m. on the Voom HD network. If you're (still) not familiar with the sport, its a competition mixing speed with style as drivers take their heavily customized street cars around the track. We're glad to see more new original content on Voom, for more info on this weekly series check the full PR after the break.

Continue reading Drift Style racing series premieres on Rush HD tonight

Little 500 spinning to HDNet

by Steven Kim posted Apr 3rd 2008 at 1:49PM

Schwinn Sting Ray
On this week's podcast we got down a little bit on oval course racing, but if you want to check out a different take on the theme, tune in to HDNet on April 11th and 12th. For the sixth year, the network will be broadcasting the "Little 500" from Indiana University. It's an oval all right, but the event is all about fixed-gear single-speed bicycles with coaster brakes on a quarter-mile cinder track. No matter whether they're a "cutter" or a "frat boy," riders must use an event-provided bike with no mods and must make switches during the event. Think you were fast on that banana-seat Schwinn (complete with "are you kidding me" toptube-mounted gearshift) as a kid? Think again.


[Image courtesy BikeIcons]

Ford Racing Mustang Challenge coming to Discovery HD Theater

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 1st 2008 at 7:44PM


If NASCAR and Indy aren't giving you enough HD racing this season, there's always the Ford Mustang Challenge. Discovery HD Theater is planning a three-part series to follow the eight race series, beginning with testing this month to its conclusion in September. The now standard in-car HD cameras will be a part of the action as professional racers ranging from rookies to vets hit the track in their identically-spec'd Ford Mustang FR500S. An air date is still TBD, but pony car fans can check after the jump for more details.

[Via Autoblog]

Indy Racing League to stuff HD cameras inside select cars

by Darren Murph posted Mar 28th 2008 at 4:01PM


Though we already knew the entire 2008 IndyCar Series would be broadcast in high-definition, many may have glossed over one crucial (to us, anyway) element: a minimum of six cars in each race "will be carrying onboard HD cameras with 360-degree panning capabilities." Of course, NASCAR fans know all too well the joys of seeing things from within the frame, but this marks the first time professional racing has used cameras of the HD variety to entertain. Reportedly, the devices will be "lipstick-sized and mounted in a protective shell atop the car's air intake, and panning [will be] controlled by technicians operating joysticks." Of note, drivers who carry the cams will vary from race to race, but we do know that Helio Castroneves, Danica Patrick (surprised?) and Dan Wheldon will be among those chosen for the opener.

[Image courtesy of G4TV, thanks Geoff]

Championship Off Road Racing goes HD for 2008 season

by Richard Lawler posted Jan 15th 2008 at 11:07AM

Racing fans will be getting even more HD this season, since Championship Off Road Racing has announced it will be live in HD for the 2008 season, on SPEED HD and NBC. The season kicks off April 26th in LA, no word on if they follow NASCAR's lead and place in-truck HD cams (with the beating they take, we'd be very surprised if they did).

Entire 2008 IndyCar season broadcast in HD on ESPN & ABC

by Richard Lawler posted Jan 11th 2008 at 3:53PM

Fans of open wheel racing rejoice, ESPN and ABC have announced they will broadcast all 16 events of 2008 in high definition. Just like ESPN's "most advanced" NASCAR coverage, all the cameras covering the event will be HD, including in-car. The 16 races will consist of seven each aired on ESPN2 and ABC, two on ESPN, as well as 16 Indy Pro Series races that will air on ESPN2-HD. Last year's Indianapolis 500 was the first IndyCar event in HD and now its far from the last. ESPNews, ESPN U, X Games and now IndyCar have gotten the 720p treatment, we just want to know what they will do next.




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