Custom photo background on WS 3000

[IceManNYR]

I noticed in the clip posted from 1986,

http://www.twcclassics.com/files/weatherstar-3000/backgrounds/el%20solitario.wmv

there is a custom photo as the background instead of a solid color.
How many cable systems used a custom background photo or animated photo?
In our area the local forecast always had a solid color.

[beanboy89]

They all did. The background was on TWC's video feed. It was used in the mid to late 80s because at the time there was no proper satellite local forecast, so those without a STAR would see the background instead of a blank blue screen.

[Eric]

The video backgrounds (some static, some animated) were shown on TWC's feed, just as the satellite forecast is now.  The WeatherStar III simply showed text over a transparent background (to show TWC's feed) instead of generating its own blue or grey backgrounds.

These backgrounds were used in the mid-1980s, but were eventually discontinued for two reasons: it was sometimes hard to read the Star's text over some of the backgrounds (a couple of them were pretty funky and competed with the words), and TWC was ready to introduce its first satellite forecast (instead of a black screen or these video backgrounds): a non-stop loop of the text-based "Travel Cities Forecast".

[toxictwister00]

Hmm, interesting info. I always assumed custom backgrounds were used on both cable/satellite feeds.

[Eric]

Hmm, interesting info. I always assumed custom backgrounds were used on both cable/satellite feeds.

It was one feed broadcast by TWC.  Those with a Star saw their local forecast superimposed over the background.  Those without a Star just saw the same background.

[Nick]

From the video we have, they did the backgrounds for a short time, six months or so at the most (summer 1986 - winter 1987). Can't recall the exact months without looking at the footage. There's a black border around the text when the solid background color is turned off, but it didn't make the white text significantly easier to read.