I think such talk can lead to cherry picking of the government control. If you accept the CRTC regs to demand carriage, then you must accept the right of the CRTC to block carriage.

Is everyone demanding the CBC HD also OK with the CRTC rejecting HDNet?

CBC HD is not an essential service. HD is a luxury service accessible mostly to well-to-do citizens. Only when the analogue transmission is cut should the DT become subject to carriage rules, in my opinion.

Gary

I could not agree more. I'd be willing to bet the CRTC will argue the same point. BEV customers have a much more complete lineup than some other providers offer. And because of this one channel not being added the day it's launching, the CRTC's intervention and people's "rights" are invoked? Please...

Shaw isn't carrying CBC HD and I hope it does sooner than later. But you won't hear me or other SHaw subscribers call on the CRTC for them to do so...

I could not agree more. I'd be willing to bet the CRTC will argue the same point. BEV customers have a much more complete lineup than some other providers offer. And because of this one channel not being added the day it's launching, the CRTC's intervention and people's "rights" are invoked? Please...

Shaw isn't carrying CBC HD and I hope it does sooner than later. But you won't hear me or other SHaw subscribers call on the CRTC for them to do so...

Yes and no. As a paying subscriber, I would hope you would complain when something is not up to your standards. After all, you probably pay $70+ a month.

We have a right to complain about service, good or bad. I for one, have complained to both Bell Expressvu and the CRTC, about Expressvu not showing Fox News, MSNBC, NFL Network and CBC HD. They are all approved in Canada and on other providers, so you bet I am going to complain.

To mention HD NET is a whole different topic. There we don't know if it will be approved. If it is and Bell or Rogers don't carry it while Shaw does, then you bet you will see complaints by Bell and Rogers customers.

CBC HD is priority #1 for all providers. It is owed by the taxpayers and it as much Canadain as you will see out there. If you thought a few people complaining was bad, just think if the NHL season was on and this being Saturday night. CBC said they would carry a game a week in HD and I for one would be very very vocal if, I a subscriber or Bell, Shaw or Star Choice could not watch it while Rogers customers can.

just think if the NHL season was on and this being Saturday night. CBC said they would carry a game a week in HD

O man, I can only imagine the hue and cry...

I think BEV subscribers are frustrated because Expressvu wasted no time giving us the HD versions of our favorite simsubbers, CTV and Global, neither of whom have done a lick to advance HD technology in this country, while they dither about adding the one Canadian broadcaster that seems genuinely willing and able to add to the quantity and quality of original HD programming. When combined with BEV's slavish compliance with the HD simsub requests from those sham private broadcasters, it seems they're more interested in serving their corporate conspirators than their customers, all the while cranking up our subscription rates. It's almost getting to be too much...

I think BEV subscribers are frustrated because Expressvu wasted no time giving us the HD versions of our favorite simsubbers, CTV and Global, neither of whom have done a lick to advance HD technology in this country

It doesn't surprise me that BEV gave priority treatment to CTV HD and has not done the same for CBC HD. Bell Globmedia does own CTV and has something to gain by swiftly adding CTV HD to BEV's channel lineup. Bell Globemedia has a vested financial interest in CTV HD.

It does not make a lot of sense why Bell Globemedia has chosen not to carry Canada's national broadcaster. Every Canadian who has an HDTV deserves to have easy access to CBC HD because their tax dollars fund the channel.

Hopefully this is only temporary and BEV subscribers will be able to watch CBC HD soon.

As a paying subscriber, I would hope you would complain when something is not up to your standards. After all, you probably pay $70+ a month.

We have a right to complain about service, good or bad.

Absolutely! And I would encourage all BEV HD subscribers to complain often and bitterly! Demand CBC HD. Threaten to change to cable. That's your power as a consumer. If it matters so much to you, make sure Bell hears you!

I was refering to involving the CRTC in the process. Going running to the government whenever things don't fall exactly your way, when you want it, is not the appropriate reaction to a free market issue.

I think it is rediculous the BEV didn't jump at the opportunity to carry CBC HD. They should be ashamed of themselves as a Canadian corporation.

Gary

Every Canadian who has an HDTV deserves to have easy access to CBC HD because their tax dollars fund the channel.[/color]


Just because your tax dollars go to pay for something should not immediately require a free market corporation to make it available to you.

Bell's corporate taxes go to pay for CBC HD too. Why don't they have any say?

Gary

I think BEV subscribers are frustrated because Expressvu wasted no time giving us the HD versions of our favorite simsubbers, CTV and Global, neither of whom have done a lick to advance HD technology in this country, while they dither about adding the one Canadian broadcaster that seems genuinely willing and able to add to the quantity and quality of original HD programming.

Bingo. If they have space for the 24hr HD ExpressVU comercial then they have room for a channel that the law says they must carry. Don't forget they also pick and choose what they want to show from Movie Central HD as well. Aren't they complaining to the CRTC about *C doing the same thing? Enough of the Bell is holyer than thou stuff.

Besides they can't have it both ways. Either they have the room for more channels and and should get around to adding them. Or they don't have the room for more channels and should be upfront with people about it so that no one buys any more equipment from them or signs any more long term contracts with the thought that Bell will be adding more channels in the future.

I too have sent an email to Bev voicing my disappointment, does anyone have an email address so that I can forward a copy to the CRTC? This would be my first complaint to the CRTC (I'm so excited- just kidding).

I was watching the CBC HD Showcase this evening. It seems that there was some sort of strobing on fast moving scenes as well as macroblocking on very bright scenes. It looks like they have a way to go to get there HD ready for prime time!

The wierdest problem was with the Peter Cottontail animation segment. ALL pans of the scene, ANY direction, caused a stagger effect.

It was if a 24p picture was being incorrectly converted to 1080i@60.

Before we point a finger, I would like to know what ATSC rate that segment was sent in. I very much doubt anybody, anywhere, has ever received a 1080p@24 stream to an SA box.

The Harry Potter segment exhibitted some of the same problem, which could be a problem for this evening.

On the positive side, The Nature of Things show on the sea otter was incredible.

There will be teething pains. But, already CBC HD is Canada's premier HD network. I thought this was going to another Canadian HD joke. But, the CBC seems to be taking things seriously.

Gary

Does anyone have an email address so that I can forward a copy to the CRTC?

I am not sure whether you can reach the CRTC through e-mail or not. However, you can lodge your complaint by going to their site at

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/RapidsCCM/Register.asp?lang=E

Just follow the simple instructions and click on the "next" button after each step. I suppose you can do a copy and paste of your BEV complaint in one of the windows.

Thanks for adding your voice to mine!

The wierdest problem was with the Peter Cottontail animation segment. ALL pans of the scene, ANY direction, caused a stagger effect.

On the positive side, The Nature of Things show on the sea otter was incredible.

There will be teething pains. But, already CBC HD is Canada's premier HD network. I thought this was going to another Canadian HD joke. But, the CBC seems to be taking things seriously.


I noticed the stagger in the ballet segment as well. I tried single stepping through the Peter Conttontail animation and it wasn't just a 2:3 conversion like you'd expect with a 24 frame source. It was irregular, sometimes 4 frames then a duplicated frame sometimes 3, sometimes 5. weird. It made the whole animation almost unwatchale! You'd think they would have worked these problems out before the broadcast. The PQ on the animation was amazing though!

On the brighter side, I think They look like they have some awesome material in the can. The Geological series looks like it will be fantastic! And Hockey: a people's history is a brilliant idea! I'm looking forward to a Canadian network that actully gives a damn about HD. Kudos to CBC. Flames to CTV, Global and the CRTC.

The wierdest problem was with the Peter Cottontail animation segment. ALL pans of the scene, ANY direction, caused a stagger effect.

It was if a 24p picture was being incorrectly converted to 1080i@60.
I noticed the same thing with Braveheart.

Here is my note to the VP of programming at Bell Expressvu:

As you are no doubt aware, CBC-HD officially went live this past weekend. As a subscriber to Canada's self-professed "HD leader," I fully expected to be able to tune in on my Bell-Expressvu system. Afterall, BEV had picked up previous HD specials on CBC in the past, including a few hockey games and a couple of documentaries. And, your company hadn't wasted any time in adding Global HD the moment it became available, eventhough that station hasn't produced a single second of original HD content that I can't otherwise access elsewhere.

While some of the impetus to add CBC-HD may be diminished somewhat by the lack of Hockey Night in Canada, I nonetheless look forward to finally seeing original Canadian HD content on our national broadcaster. If Bell-Expressvu is to continue as an HD leader, and if I am to continue as a BEV subscriber, I expect to see CBC-HD added to your lineup as soon as possible.

You can find BEV contacts here (http://www.broadcastdialogue.com/directory.asp?IDnumber=2783). Not all of them have email addresses, but it's not hard to figure out their email protocol.

I just sent an email to the VP of programming as well.

I'm once again very disappointed with BEV. I was really expecting to Watch VIRGINIE on the SRC HD channel tonight!(What can I say I like show!)
It seems that BEV wont let it happen :(

Normally I watch JOEY on NBC_HD Thursday at 8pm but last week I notice that it was playing on Global HD or CTV HD , which one I don’t remember but watching it a 7:30 was more convenient for me so I said Hey cool I will watch it on the other channel and then what A surprise! a HD channel playing a HD show not in HD!
I guess it looks great on paper for BEV to add 2 HD channel, it sure most cell more 2 year contract when they promote there line up!
C'mon BEV add CBC_HD you will have 1 more HD channel to brag about!

On a brighter note BEV has to add the channel soon, the have to do it if other providers are doing it.

I guess the real problem is that If I’m forced into a 2 years contract I should have the right to expect the BEST or at the very lest equal possibility then other providers.

I've been managing the launch and programming for CBC HD. I haven't been able to peruse many of the posts before today, but having done so I'm impressed with your collective interest and knowledge.

I'm sorry Harry Potter didn't look good to many/most of you--we are certainly analyzing what's going on, and why it didn't show up in testing. HD masters are still relatively hard to get from the Hollywood studios, so we didn't, and are not likely to, have too much time to test any specific titles before they go to air. We were prepping Potter until very late on Thursday to ready it for broadcast, and early reports say everything looked fine leaving our master control. I was there on Saturday night for the first HD broadcast and everything looked fine... including the return signal we get OTA from the CN Tower. So we'll keep working on it.

As far as other providers, we certainly expect the satellite folks will carry us soon. I've heard they may have up to 90 days, but I'll certainly pass on any dates I hear about...

Curious to hear how you find The Newsroom tonight at 20:30ET

--mark

Welcome Mark,

It is very nice to see someone from the networks taking an interest.

Just curious Mark what equipment you used for viewing in master control, OTA? A lot of the guys here have 50" and above projection TVs. Artifacts are easier to spot on a screen that size. Also, I suspect the rate shaping (is that what they call it?) that the various cable companies are using must have an impact on the result no?

My carrier (Videotron) is know to put 3 HD channels on one QAM. Fortunately they have CBC and SRC on one QAM.

Just received this reply from Bell:

It is always disappointing to hear when one of our customer's is not
satisfied with the services that Bell ExpressVu provides. Bell
ExpressVu believes that customers are the ultimate directors of our
future and our highest priority is customer satisfaction. Please note
that a decision to add more channels to our current channel line-up is
based on the following criteria:

- Availability of the channel in Canada
- Cost of providing the channel
- Viewer interest
- Providing satisfaction to a maximum amount of viewers
- Programming duplication
- Space the feed occupies on our satellite transponders

You will be pleased to know that your channel suggestion has been
forwarded to the Marketing Department for further review and
consideration. We encourage all viewers and potential subscribers to
forward any feedback regarding our service and channel selection
directly to us. Your comments assist us with fulfilling your customer
service and programming needs.

Curious to hear how you find The Newsroom tonight at 20:30ETWelcome! The Newsroom was fine tonght, but then again it was last night. I have only noticed the strobing effect on movies - I didn't see Harry Potter but I noticed it on Braveheart on Saturday.