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Author
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Topic: Improvements to NASA Television (NASA TV)
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Mercury7
Member Posts: 360
From: Greenville, SC, USA
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 03-02-2009 05:50 PM
  
NASA TV has improved over the years but mostly because the production values have improved. I often enjoy NASA Edge as well as some of the anniversary documentaries that have been done lately.However this post is not so much about my taste but the general public. Most non space geek people I know think watching NASA TV is the equivalent of watching paint dry. I introduce this thread to invite ideas to improve NASA TV. I think I advocate the U.S. government contracting out this service to Discovery Channel or some other entity that for a price can improve the entertainment / educational value. Consider this thread a resource of ideas for the government to use going forward. |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 03-02-2009 05:53 PM
Two words: Miles O'Brien |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 03-02-2009 06:00 PM
NASA TV has seen some improvements, but also some losses as well.NASA Edge can be interesting, but can also be somewhat trying on the patience...as the whole "Blair is dumb" angle is a bit overplayed. But the program is an improvement over anything that has Johnny Alonzo (sp?) in it, who looks like a 30-something that's trying to be hip enough to connect to the teen crowd...and it's not working. The live coverage of the ISS mission control is pretty bland stuff, even for those with an interest in the ISS. Whereas a recent segment of Mike Fincke giving us a guided tour of the ISS was quite fascinating. I'd like to see more segments like that. I do notice Fincke has been doing more "home movie" style reporting that most previous ISS crew members have done. The more of these he does, the better. There has been a noticeable drop in the airing of old NASA documentaries from the M-G-A era. While one can't expect those documentaries to take up too much of the programming schedule, I miss them in their absence and wish they would at least return them to the late night schedule. NASA has a goldmine of old footage and self-made documentaries. While these sometime get shown around the anniversaries of key events, a lot of this stuff is rarely shown these days. Also, certain special events, like the Apollo 8 panel discussions and the Apollo 7 anniversary event were very interesting to watch...but only repeated a couple of times. I know when I mentioned seeing the Apollo 7 event to Walt Cunningham last November, he didn't even know it had shown on NASA TV (probably because it was only aired a couple times). |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-02-2009 06:03 PM
Personally, I don't think NASA needs more pre-produced shows. If they were going to partner with Discovery for example, I would rather they keep the content on the Discovery Channel, where more people will see it. (In fact, I would advocate NASA working with more networks -- Disney, Sci Fi, NBC, ABC, CBS, etc. -- to incorporate space exploration themes into their existing programming.)Rather, I would like to see them keep the live feed from the International Space Station broadcasting longer than the one hour per day they currently provide. Sandy Magnus, who is on-board the ISS now, expressed a similar sentiment before she launched, imagining a scenario where teachers could have their students "tune-in" to the space station (either on TV or through the web) at any time during the day, much like other continuous feeds. Establishing an always-on feed now would set a precedent for when we're on the Moon. Although there are apparently technical reasons why the ISS feed isn't immediately possible, NASA is said to be working toward a solution. In the meantime, there is a continuous audio feed. |
jimsz
Member Posts: 616
From:
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 03-02-2009 06:26 PM
I think NASA needs to play up all the anniversaries approaching of the moon walks.Show the walks in their entirety over (several days for the longer missions). Much of what happens on the ISS is geek-speak and hold little interest for most (including me). Plug into the fascinating history and use that a springboard on presenting the future. |
spaceman48263
Member Posts: 75
From: Michigan
Registered: Aug 2004
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posted 03-02-2009 06:28 PM
I just wish Comcast in my town would carry NASA TV! |
Mercury7
Member Posts: 360
From: Greenville, SC, USA
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 03-02-2009 06:31 PM
Perhaps the government run part of NASA TV should be for relevant live feeds to be used by teachers while documentaries and space shows like Edge can be produced through joint partnerships with cable/network channels. I am sure there are people that would argue against tax payer dollars being spent to subsidize successful programming on a for profit network but it might be worth the risk for NASA PR.By the way, I know this for now just applies to over the air broadcast but just wanted to mention the digital age has allowed PBS to broadcast five channels in place of there previous one, perhaps NASA should negotiate to take over some of those channels for the live feeds, I know PBS could use the money. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-02-2009 07:06 PM
NASA has several digital channels, including one dedicated for media and one for education. The main NASA TV channel, their public channel, is what most cable providers offer (if they offer anything at all). |
Mercury7
Member Posts: 360
From: Greenville, SC, USA
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 03-02-2009 07:25 PM
The one I watch is on DirecTV... even though it was a random thought, I really like the idea of them buying a couple of PBS channels. Most of PBS stuff is repetitive anyway and so they would not miss a couple. The by product would be free NASA TV for everyone and increased PBS funding... could be really cool. I wonder if anyone less than President could cut through the red tape to make it happen. Assuming anyone but me thinks it is a good idea.  |
Leon Ford
Member Posts: 309
From: Shreveport, LA, United States
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-02-2009 07:50 PM
Any news on if NASA TV will go HD? I think all the cameras they use are HD cameras, but I don't think they broadcast in HD. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-02-2009 08:02 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Mercury7:
...even though it was a random thought, I really like the idea of them buying a couple of PBS channels.
If I am not mistaken (and I could be), you may be confusing PBS with public access, though neither would achieve what you propose (again, as best as I understand). PBS is the Public Broadcasting Service, a privately owned, non-profit broadcast service. Their stations are not for sale, but even if they were, they work as a network, so buying one or more would only result in regional access (rather than "free NASA TV for everyone"). Public access television, on the other hand, are what cable companies fund for local organizations by law. Again, these are not for sale and are regional. The primary difference between the service that NASA TV provides and PBS is that the local support exists to provide over the air broadcasts. For NASA to provide the same, they would need to set up antenna networks across the U.S., which they neither have the funding nor the directive to do. All of NASA's channels are freely available. Individual cable and satellite companies decide if they will provide it to their subscribers. If you want all three channels (or in most cases, even one), the community needs to voice that desire. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-02-2009 08:05 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Leon Ford:
Any news on if NASA TV will go HD?
NASA TV currently provides occasional HD programming. How to Receive NASA Television's Occasional HD ProgrammingASA TV Downlink Parameters:
Uplink provider = Americom
Satellite = AMC 6
Transponder = 17C
72 Degrees West
Transmission Format: DVB-S
Downlink Frequency: 4040 MHz
Polarity: Vertical
FEC= 3/4
Data Rate= 36.860 MHz
Symbol Rate = 26.665 Ms/s NASA Johnson Space Center HD Programming:
HD Program = 106
Video PID = 90
AC-3 Audio PID = 91
MPEG-1 Layer II Audio PID = 92 NASA Kennedy Space Center HD Programming:
HD Program = 105
Video PID = 87
AC-3 Audio PID = 88
MPEG-1 Layer II Audio PID =89 |
astro-nut
Member Posts: 946
From: Washington, IL
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 03-02-2009 08:51 PM
I bought Dish network so that I can get NASA Television. While I enjoy NASA TV and enjoy the continuous coverage of Shuttle launches and landings, I wish NASA TV would get away from some of their "bland" programming. They need to bring back more of the gallery and show more historical footage of the early space programmings. They also need to show more footage on the anniversary dates of historic missions. In my opinion instead of showing NASA Edge which is boring show more footage of shuttle processing and astronaut trainings. Just my views on NASA TV. Thank you. |
Mercury7
Member Posts: 360
From: Greenville, SC, USA
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 03-02-2009 09:03 PM
Is there any way cable/sat providers could be forced to provide coverage of all three NASA channels? I admit to being ignorant on the subject. Do you know how CSPAN is funded? It seems like this is an area we could really make a difference.If you think about it from a legal viewpoint, if taxpayer money is being used to produce a NASA/government tv show, shouldn't there be a must carry clause on the books? And if not, shouldn't responsible taxpayers ensure that happens? On the flip side that could backfire and NASA TV could have its plug pulled. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-02-2009 09:27 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Mercury7:
Do you know how CSPAN is funded?
To quote Wikipedia, "C-SPAN was created as a cable-industry financed, non-profit network... it receives no funding from any government source, has no contract with the government, and does not sell sponsorships or advertising."Not all cable/satellite packages include C-SPAN but the reason they have such a wide adoption is that they are "operated as a non-profit organization by the National Cable Satellite Corporation, whose board of directors consists primarily of representatives of the largest cable companies." Cable and satellite companies are private entities. Most people would generally frown upon the government exerting programming requirements beyond public access. I believe the best way to encourage wider NASA TV adoption is to raise awareness among the subscribers to ask for it. |
OV-105
Member Posts: 816
From: Ridgecrest, CA
Registered: Sep 2000
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posted 03-11-2009 10:42 PM
One thing I wish they would show more of the "home movies" for each flight. During the month they could show all of the flights that flew during that month. |
herman
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 03-29-2009 05:50 PM
I think NASA Television should borrow an idea from NFL NETWORK, where it can attempt to purchase broadcast footage from the networks and air that as special anniversary broadcasts. For example, for the Apollo 11 anniversary, NASA Television should air coverage of, "as it happened," such as the Wednesday, July 16, 1969 launch at 9:32am EST. Special programs from network footage would create more interest. |
Rob Joyner
Member Posts: 1308
From: GA, USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 03-30-2009 05:22 PM
I have DirecTV so this may be their doing, but my biggest problem with NASA TV is that the upcoming shows grid is always the same stuff.The grid lists ongoing shows like 'Video File', 'Gallery/History', etc. even when a shuttle launch or landing is going on! I know I've missed a few 40th anniversary shows because of this. If other networks can issue upcoming current programming then why can't NASA? |
Playalinda
Member Posts: 152
From: Peoria, AZ, USA
Registered: Oct 2009
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posted 12-02-2009 12:47 AM
I have an HDTV set and get HD Channels but NASA TV does not seem to broadcast in HD. Why? One would think that NASA is more up to date and modern. Is it a cost issue? After all NASA took all of us to the Moon. I just watched some program on NASA TV and the vision quality was very poor and the cam was out of focus constantly. Does anyone know when NASA TV goes HD?Editor's note: Threads merged |
space4u
Member Posts: 323
From: Cleveland, OH USA
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 12-02-2009 06:51 AM
Here's a link to the NASA TV page that lists what's on the schedule for NASA TV.
The list is also now showing "NASA related" content on other stations such as Discovery Channel. It can also be accessed at the main nasa.gov page under NASA TV. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-27-2009 01:23 PM
Los Angeles Times: Ground control to NASA TV: liven up The man in charge of Washington, D.C.-based NASA Television, executive producer Fred Brown, acknowledges that the network is light-years from where it could be if it had the money and a mandate to properly entertain the masses. But that was never the point, he said. The network was launched in the early 1970s strictly to provide "real-time mission coverage" for NASA's own personnel, Brown said."It wasn't designed as a television channel as most people would think of a television channel," he added... |
Playalinda
Member Posts: 152
From: Peoria, AZ, USA
Registered: Oct 2009
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posted 07-16-2010 01:46 PM
Yesterday I watched NASA TV and there was an announcement that from July 19 NASA TV goes HD. NASA Television debuts high definition channelOn Monday, July 19, 2010, NASA Television will launch a full-time High Definition (HD) channel that media, cable and satellite service providers can access for news content and coverage of agency missions and programs. The channel will deliver HD video that only NASA can provide, such as live launch coverage of space shuttles and other spacecraft. The "ISS Update," a daily program covering the activities of the on-orbit International Space Station crews, will air on the new HD channel. Video of the Earth shot by crews on the station and from NASA satellites also will be available. NASA's video file news feed, media conferences, lectures, satellite interviews and special events also will be delivered in HD. The NASA TV HD channel will be offered in MPEG-2 format. Great news, no more low resolution and black bars left and right on the HDTV screen. I understand that only certain programs will be actually broadcast in HD and it will not be available to everyone right away. The announcer said: Tell your service provider you want your NASA Channel in HD. Really great news. Especially on the 41st anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-13-2012 10:16 AM
NASA TV public, media channels transitioning to HDBeginning Feb. 17, 2012, NASA Television's (NASA TV) Public and Media channels will transmit their content in high definition. - NASA TV's Public Channel (101), the channel most often carried by cable and satellite service providers, provides digital coverage of NASA missions and events, as well as documentaries, archival and other special programming.
- NASA TV's Media Channel (103) provides mission coverage, news conferences and relevant video and audio materials to local, national and international news-gathering organizations.
- NASA TV's Education Channel (102) will continue in standard definition.
- The current NASA TV HD Channel (105) will cease service.
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