History Channel Selling HD video that's not HD

As someone who is surrounded with video technology on a regular basis, it really makes me laugh to look at a DVD and see a label that says, "Filmed in HD." This is what I see on many DVD's in the stores now days because it's a buzz word. The looping fireplace DVD I got for Christmas last year had this written on it, and it's just funny to see from a videographer's perspective because it just doesn't matter. No matter what camera you shoot it with, it still has to be down-converted to standard definition in order to be saved on a DVD. No matter what you do, a DVD is still a DVD.

Keep that in mind while I describe the new series on The History Channel. Everything about this commercial and website makes the documentary look like it's in HD, but it isn't. The name of the show itself is "WWII in HD," but nothing about it is actually HD. The show originally aired on The History Channel in HD, but that is all. Again, as a videographer and editor this really bugs me. They're using HD as a buzzword to trick people into buying.

It's advertised at $7.95 and there are no disclaimers on the commercial or the website that it isn't in HD. The website says, "...full, immersive HD color." "...as well as HD color..." "...converted to HD with meticulous technique..." That is wrong. These techniques were used to create the original, but that is not what they are selling.

I called customer service and asked about this. I asked if there was a Blu-Ray, because that would make more sense. The Blu-Ray is $39.95, much more than the $7.95 version they advertise on TV. They claimed the DVD version IS in HD. The rep checked and verified, came back to the phone and told me once again that it's in HD. After I explained that it isn't possible and they should look into it, she was told by someone that it really isn't in HD. Of course there was nothing they could do there, so I had to track down another office. I contacted A&E, and after going through various menu systems and calling back a few times, I found a nice woman who was happy to hear what I had to say. The issue was she didn't know who to contact either. She told me she would pass along the information, and I hope she does.

Here is a link to the audio... I cut out the waiting times and our conversation about email addresses so it's more listenable.

Direct link to the MP3 here - http://media.libsyn.com/media/ibn/ww2hd.mp3

Here's the kicker... Once you buy the thing and realize it's not in HD, you can't return it. Their return policy says, "We will not accept opened DVDs as returns unless they are defective. Defective merchandise will be exchanged for the identical item only." So, even if you claim it's defective due to it not being HD, all they can do is send you another standard definition DVD.

I'm sure hundreds or thousands of people are being scammed by watching this and ordering. I think of all the older people who watch The History Channel and how some of them may not be as technically savvy as some. They may be buying this for themselves or for family and have no idea they're being scammed. Some may never know the difference and just think it's HD, and that's just wrong.