New Graphics for all shows

[Spring Rubber]

First Outlook has started, and they're using new graphics. IMO, the opener is kind of short, but the presentation is still impressive.

All shows are also using the new HD style maps and the new HD radar system. Regional forecast maps now incorporate the precip colors and the maps on one screen so that's a plus. All map presentations are being done with Viz|Weather.

First Outlook is now the "full" edition of the show for all three hours.

Lower thirds are still the old ones with the logos removed.

More updates to come.

[Spring Rubber]

We've also got new graphics for the 5-day forecasts even though they were already being done using Viz|Weather to begin with. The new graphics fit in with the new on-air appearance for the other maps.

[TWCToday]

Everything looks very slick!

[Spring Rubber]

Weekly Planner maps, and all other precip maps for that matter, are now still, and they used solid colors again. Indeed, the past five years have been undone! Yay!

[firestar120]

I just can't wait for YWT this morning and EE tonight.  The graphics look really cool already, but imagine them in HD AND widescreen!! 

[firestar120]

Is it just me, or are they also using a new (and what appears to be a wireless) remote to control the system?

[Spring Rubber]

The red one? That one has been used for Viz|Weather since they incorporated Viz into the broadcasts last year. There should also be a few other clickers that control Viz, as well.

Is it me, or are certain maps being processed through the control room or something? The text on some maps is as jagged as the text coming from the control room as of late.

The LIVE tag has also been gone this hour; I wonder if it's gone for good or if it'll come back later at some point. After all, not many control room graphics are being used right now except openers and transitional effects. None of the lower thirds or full screen graphics are ready for broadcast yet.

[firestar120]

Yea, I've noticed the jagged text and the missing live tag.  You also brought up that the "First Outlook" logo is missing from the lower third.  I don't know what's going on with all this, though it's probably tied to the upcoming HD debut.

[Spring Rubber]

They just used an old style satellite map with ridiculously large text labeling all of the countries; that was really weird.

They're also running WeatherPro type maps with the new look for the Tropical Update. They're using the square clicker that used to be used for SkyTracker for these maps instead of the smaller clicker with the white-ish buttons.

[Spring Rubber]

To add to that, I think this new radar might only be manually operated. I'm not seeing any buttons being clicked when the radar moves.

A new LF playlist should also be coming at the top of the hour along with the current day's ads. (they always start at 5 AM ET) I wonder if we'll see any new ads.

[firestar120]

Hopefully we'll see new ads and (maybe) hopefully; then again, maybe not the new LF playlist.  Most of the songs this month will come from the new TWC CD.  Oh, I just saw a new Local on the 8s ad in HD.  This is going to be a big day...

[Spring Rubber]

Did anyone see that ghost image of what looked to be a woman putting on earrings that displayed for a few seconds when they were switching cameras? That was creepy.

I think the reason they're not using the LIVE tags is because they would interfere with the new map title bars. We'll see if they develop new ones in the future.

We've also got new ads including a Hurricane Season 2008 ad with Dr. Lyons in the HD studio standing next to the map with the aforementioned HUGE text and Cantore in the field. Other new ads include an LF opener advertising the HD studio tour on the website, and the YWT ad has switched from, "The Weather Channel you know is changing..." to "The Weather Channel you know has changed." It now also displays the logo full screen at the end with the air times of the show listed at the bottom.

[Spring Rubber]

>_>

[firestar120]

Yea, they're changing a lot of stuff so that by the time YWT comes on, most everything should be ready.  BTW, I just saw a new Hurricane Authority ad.

[tpirfan28]

Argh...Your post didn't show up when I submitted...and didn't give me that "new post" alert...must be a flaw of the mobile version.  I'll delete it when I get on the 'real' version.