After all they do have and are using the decoders that we may very well want to use to accommodate the folks who don't have one of the new receivers not yet available and as a stepping stone to the future. Your input is most graciously welcomed. Read your viewpoint about HDTV programming. Some comments on the preceding e-mail we received. You are absolutely correct when you say that practically all prime-time programming is shot on film.
Film contains an image that is of a higher resolution and contrast than HDTV can provide.
As to being archived on HDTV, not yet. Some popular shows have been shot on 16 mm and Super 16 but the resolution is below HDTV resolution. Therefore producers have been told to convert to 35 mm. It is called full aperture because it makes no room for an optical sound track. 35 mm film with a sound track is called Academy Aperture.