MLB Network Transferring 30 World Series Films to HD Format

Finding 24 hours’ worth of baseball content in the dead of winter is a challenge for any network, so before the MLB Network throws out its first pitch on New Year’s Day, MLB Productions is providing some relief. According to Multichannel News, MLB Network is working with MLB Productions to retransfer the original film negatives of nearly 30 classic World Series films to HD format.

MLB Network, deploying state-of-the-art technology, is upgrading a bevy of World Series films to the high-definition format. When the enhanced films debut on the network, they will represent the highest quality these films have ever been presented in, according to MLB officials.

The network debuts Jan. 1 in some 50 million homes, the largest launch in cable history.

With more than 300 miles of cable — the length of circling the bases at all 30 MLB parks 147 times — running throughout its studios at its Secaucus, NJ, headquarters, the new network will capture and transmit hard-ball action more thoroughly and clearly than it has ever been done before.

The commissioner’s office and MLB Productions, in conjunction with MLB Network, developed software that will allow games to be logged digitally, in a completely tapeless environment. The system routes data throughout the entire facility — allowing producers and editors simultaneous access to all files immediately. If, for instance, Harold Reynolds is on-air describing Manny Ramirez as a great 0-2 hitter, within seconds, the network can locate and air the slugger’s at-bats in which he faced an 0-2 count.

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