The Weather Channel | HD Discussion

[sonicdoommario]

For satellite viewers:

When TWC launches in HD, will SD viewers still get the current satellite local forecast, or will everybody have to stick with some new, crappy satellite STAR they're gonna release?

Also, I really, REALLY hope they don't they don't release some new crappy skytracker which looks like this:



10:1 they do. I really, really hate when OCMs twirl radars around in 260° angles, tilt them back, rotate it to throw your eyes off, etc. I'm looking at you Carl Parker, Kelly Cass, Adam Berg, and other OCMs that love to blind our eyes by flipping skytracker upside down.

[Spring Rubber]

I have a really fun video from 2006 where Carl Parker takes the Skytracker out to the west coast and turns the radar 90 degrees and flattens it out so that we're looking due east almost parallel to the surface. After that, he takes it straight to the Gulf Coast where he turns it back facing north, reduces the tilt, and overlays all of the fronts/pressure systems/moisture flows. You can see the machine choking to process all of that stuff at once.

[lfmusiclover]

LOL sounds more like a virtual roller coaster ride. 

[Spring Rubber]

Well, you can't blame him for having fun with that thing. I wish I had a Skytracker unit!

[sonicdoommario]

btw, does anyone know when skytracker debuted? I first saw it in March 2004 when I started to watch TWC. Cantore was the only guy who would use it at a consistent basis back then.

And how come no one ever presents it using the computer these days? I remember back on Evening Edition where Cantore would take the red skytracker mouse, zoom in with the red zoom box, and even pan around rather than using it up in front of the TV.

[Localonthe8s]

I donbt like Skytracker. I liked the classic radar maps they used in 2000-2002

[Spring Rubber]

btw, does anyone know when skytracker debuted? I first saw it in March 2004 when I started to watch TWC. Cantore was the only guy who would use it at a consistent basis back then.

And how come no one ever presents it using the computer these days? I remember back on Evening Edition where Cantore would take the red skytracker mouse, zoom in with the red zoom box, and even pan around rather than using it up in front of the TV.

I recently posted a video on this site featuring Jim Cantore using Skytracker in November 2003. I'm guessing Skytracker might have debuted with the Sept. 2003 relaunch or somewhere near that time. Every now and then you'll see Skytracker being manually operated, but I guess TWC found it better to have the OCM up at the key wall operating Skytracker with a clicker that runs through a preprogrammed Skytracker presentation. Within the past year or so, Skytracker, when used on YWT, A&B, and EE, is operated manually by a non-OCM while the OCM stands at the wall. This can be beneficial since the operator can do stuff on-the-fly, but it can also be problematic because the operator doesn't always know when to change what's being displayed.

[sonicdoommario]

EDIT: Nevermind, found the video.

[Localonthe8s]

He has it in a seperate website which i forgot

[sonicdoommario]

Wow, that video was impressive. With the exception of the background, it hasn't really changed at all. I really hope it stays for TWC HD Relaunch and doesn't turn into some piece of crap (as you can see, I'm very, VERY negative when it comes to big changes).

What confuses me is why the other OCMs used those terrible still image radars instead of skytracker.

[Spring Rubber]

The still image radars weren't really terrible, IMO. I really don't mind either implementation, although Skytracker is a more impressive tool from a technology standpoint, and it can even display information other than just the radar.

BTW, at that time, TWC did not yet have the capability to use Skytracker at the key wall. It could only be used from the EE desk or the Expert Desk. Someone around 2005, they were able to configure that big metal clicker to operate Skytracker from the key wall.

[beanboy89]

I've just watched Steve's HD local forecast video, and I notice that the Severe Weather Warnings page doesn't seem to show warning polygons, but instead shows the old way of filling in the entire county.

[Spring Rubber]

I've just watched Steve's HD local forecast video, and I notice that the Severe Weather Warnings page doesn't seem to show warning polygons, but instead shows the old way of filling in the entire county.

Nope, neither does the regular satellite LF; it's rather annoying.

[LFMusicFan]

I've been wondering for the longest time, what is shown on the 1 minute flavor of the HD satellite?

[Spring Rubber]

A national radar, followed by a national forecast map, then the Watches & Warnings/Thurnderstorm Forecast/Precip. Forecast sgement, and finally the usual five-day forecast. I can post a video soon if you'd like.