HD TV Question: Is this the new Nixon-Kennedy change?

[sfam]

I would be interested in hearing from folks who watched this on High Definition TV versus regular. I ask this specifically because of how Hillary looked differently in both formats.

On regular definition, Hillary's makeup and face looked perfect, and she really looked young, etc.

On High Definition, the clarity is good enough that you can actually see the make-up choices. This also really highlights wrinkles and so forth.

My question in a nutshell is will HD start to make us favor those who's faces look younger, better, etc. In this debate, the difference definitely favored Obama, whatever else we see here. I don't know if there's a different way you do someone up for HD or whatever, but in changing back between the two channels (CNN HD and CNN) there really was a striking difference.

Anyone else see this or am I all wet here?

[Joe the Revelator]

1. Interesting thought

I watched this debate on my computer, but the one debate I watched on HD was amazing how it made people look. It was a night and day difference to me.

[EV_Ares]

2. Watched it in HD but I thought she looked great. They both did. I think McCain

is the one who has to worry if he is running against either of them.

[sfam]

7. Great point - McCain will look even worse.

This is where the real differences are highlighed - I agree.

Still, this points to HDTV having a real effect on who we select for a candidate.

[EV_Ares]

21. Yeah, I know some of the Hollywood artists are not thrilled about HD

so much but know it is here and here to stay so they have to work a little harder on some things now then they used to.

[onehandle]

9. CNN is broadcast in HD? nt

[557188]

13. Yea

Not many programs do though. It seems at random if a program will be in HD or not. Some days the Situation Room is in HD and other days its not. Very weird.

[onehandle]

19. Interesting. I have Comcast HD but it's not listed among the HD stations.

Comcast sucks.

[EV_Ares]

20. Yeah, I couldn't get it in HD when I had Comcast but now on U-verse, they have CNN, CNN Internationa

and CNN is in HD. The CNNI is really good too with the world news.

[truebrit71]

3. I am sooooooooo glad someone else brought this up rather than me...

...I thought the same thing at various times during the evening, and NO that's not a sexist comment, just an observation...

[Jawja]

4. Probably so

when either Hillary or Obama debate McCain in HD.

[Thrill]

5. Obama looks so young in HD

in my opinion

[ElsewheresDaughter]

12. well Obama is younger.

[Thrill]

15. I know but you can see why Young people get behind him

He looks maybe 32 but he's older

[AlCzervik]

6. HDTV is going to create a whole new cottage industry for make up.

you can see every flaw on everybody, hd is a cruel Mistress and i saw a thing on tv that the japanese are developing a new version tat will be 16 times as clear as HDTV---scary.

[oviedodem]

8. Trust me when I tell you McCain looks like he's about 95 in HD

[557188]

10. I have HD

Amazingly the HD feed from the last debate was a bit more sharp than this one tonight. For example, last time, the HD feed really made Edward's eyes pop believe it or not (in a good way). Obama's hair looks thinner in HD.

Tonight, both candidates looked fine. The only difference is Hillary's yellowish teeth are a lot more noticeable in HD.

McCain, in HD, looks very old and tired. If that makes any difference.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

11. well Obama is younger...opps ...this was suppose to be in response to #5

[K Gardner]

14. I just bought an HDTV today.. I have to go rewatch my TIVO !

[Avalux]

16. I watched in HD. I will say Hillary's neck was very prominent.

I never noticed how aged it looked before - you are correct the wrinkles really stand out.

[wheresthemind]

17. I watched in HD

You are right that you could see imperfections easier then in standard format. But the contrast is not enough to make it like Kennedy / Nixon. On a completely superficial level I thought she looked very good.

[sfam]

18. I agree the changes aren't drastic today, but...

They are clearly there. But more importantly, they will be enormous if its say, Obama vs McCain. Probably even Clinton-McCain will be fairly drastic.