Using the slogan 1080i bei ARD+ZDF jetzt! German viewers have started an online petition on the Hifi-Forums demanding the public broadcasters to give up the 720p HD transmission standard.
On the forum, the declaration calls for the full 1920 x 1080 resolution rather than the 720p, which was selected by both ARD and ZDF. “We, German TV viewers who can compare, want Das Erste HD, ZDF HD and Arte HD in 1080i HD. Our Dutch neighbours had the same choice of formats – and have opted overwhelmingly for 1080i”, says the petitions and closing: “We want the ARD and ZDF to join the other EBU members and accept 1080i as the single European HDTV standard.”
The petition also says the viewers do not want a degradation of the international programming, which is being delivered in 1080i rather than 720p.
Both ARD and ZDF have now started regular HD simulcasts of their two main channels and have chosen 720p. At the time, the format was viewed as being able to better handle fast moving pictures such as high speed sports.
