Looking for a list of which HD format (720p or 1080i) networks transmit in

I did multiple searches for a list like this on this forum, and could not find one.

My cable company's receiver will output either 720p OR 1080i - but does not automatically switch between them...it just converts everything to whichever you choose. According to their tech support folk, however, they just "pass through" signals up to that point.

Hence, I'd quite happy switching manually depending on the source programming...I just can't find a list of those sources! I know NBC, CBS, USA, SyFy, and a few others are 1080i; ESPN, Fox, ABC, History and a few others are 720p - what I'd LIKE is to find a single source for a complete list of all networks.

I don't wish to start yet another "720p vs 1080i" debate, nor to be told "you won't notice the difference" - I just want to find a $#!&# list! :eyecrazy

Many thanks!

Add the National Geographic Channel to your 720p list and you pretty much already have the list. Everything else is potentially 1080i. So, what's the point of publishing a list?

Also, ABC does 720p, but the affiliate in Boston, WCVB, chooses to convert it to 1080i. A fact I only became aware of when I finally got a Motorola box, DCX3425, that supports native resolution switching.

[QUOTE=Lanny;952878]Add the National Geographic Channel to your 720p list and you pretty much already have the list. Everything else is potentially 1080i. So, what's the point of publishing a list?

I try and match the original resolution to my set if I notice there are video processing problems e.g. if I'm on a 720p station such as ABC and the reception is kind of crappy,(the audio is out of sync with the video etc.) I change the input to 720p to closely match the resolution to my Toshiba 768p LCD. I figure this cuts out an extra step that the STB has do. Usually, I have the input on 1080i and the box converts it without any problem.
Edit: By knowing what resolution each particular network puts out (either 720p or 1080i) I can adjust my input setting when I get the odd synchronization sound problem)

oregonroger: Is this what you were looking for?http://www.cnet.com/1990-7874_1-5119938-1.html

Scroll down for each Network's resolution.

KCTS here in Seattle, a PBS affiliate, is 720p. Do not know of other PBS stations.

KCTS here in Seattle, a PBS affiliate, is 720p. Do not know of other PBS stations.

Thanks for the info. That's really news to me! When did they change from 1080i and why?
I read that an East Coast PBS station also went from 1080i to 720p but no reason was given for the change.

Thanks for the info. That's really news to me! When did they change from 1080i and why?
I read that an East Coast PBS station also went from 1080i to 720p but no reason was given for the change.
Affiliates usually, but don't always, transmit the same format as their affiliated network. There are a couple of reasons to differ: for instance, if you do a lot of local production and most of your equipment runs 720p, it probably makes more sense to convert the network feed to match. Another reason has to do with certain encoders' capabilities: one of the newer Harris models is capable of fitting two HD streams into a single ATSC channel, so long as they are both 720p.

There might be other reasons to vary from the network feed's format, but these are the ones that comes to mind.

-- Jeff

Thanks Jeff for your informative answer! Whenever I email a TV station about a change in their format, the usual reply is:"For technical reasons."i.e. they never give an explanation so you are no further ahead by asking them so I now use forums like this for the answer.:)