Ok, maybe I'm stupid (or super smart), but back in the days when I didn't have satellite, I only had 3-4 channels (which is still valid today). Now, I don't remember ever "forgetting" which one I had dialed in! That's the most pathetic excuse ever! :confused:


While I do believe the excuse is weak. I do have to point out that it is possible to get a large amount of stations from Analogue cable (not digital). I know in Calgary with Shaw it is the 60-65 channels range, and the CTV email is correct their is no station identifying IPG guide on analog cable systems.

But we are talking about the HD channel here. Nowhere can you receive that channel without an IPG guide.

(ok, i know there is OTA, but that is a super-small segment of the already relatively small HD viewing public)

You realize, of course, that when an executive gets to the 9th line of your e-mail with the word "crap" in it, that he will send your e-mail to the deleted folder faster than you can type crap?

A well worded, polite e-mail will get more attention than an impolite one with swearing.

57,

I have to agree with you. You get alot further with people by being kind; throw a hint of sarcasm or condescending but be polite.

I believe in the end we will win but this e-mail won't help the cause.

I am going to send my own e-mail. Apparently the have begun to do the same thing with multiple network logo bugs.

Crispy

Is it just me or have others noticed a definite loss in the HD quality with the CTV simsubs. I have a FP set-up and watch on a 106" wide screen, and the picture quality is definitely worse compared to what I used to get with the CBS feed. Who do I complain to? CRTC or CTV?

Thanks

Is it just me or have others noticed a definite loss in the HD quality with the CTV simsubs. I have a FP set-up and watch on a 106" wide screen, and the picture quality is definitely worse compared to what I used to get with the CBS feed. Who do I complain to? CRTC or CTV?

Thanks

You REALLY think complaining will change anything??? Good luck. Unless the guy that runs the CRTC is a HUGE HD FANATIC and this causes him grief... NOTHING will change... it's only going to get worse when BEV adds GLOBAL WEST feed then ALL or nearly all the american primetime shows go to simsubs :o Time to bite the bullet and make other arrangements (DirecTV...)

As far as the Goverment (the CRTC is a government entity) is concerned, the only thing of "Quality" Canadians should be entitled to is quality high taxes (they know we take it up the poopshoot everyday with high taxes + low services in return and we allow them to steal our money everyday... Canadians (i am one) are pushovers and the goverment does whatever they want.

Your only hope for "Quality HD" is BluRay or possibly DirecTV (remains to be seen if they will send out the "proper" bit rates required once they have fully converted to MPEG4 and 150 National HD channels).
The sooner you realize this, the better off you will be.

Like it was said, you'll get nowhere bitching about something it's quite likely the people you're speaking with or writing to don't see in the same way. It will take a lot of calm effort to change something that's grown to be a standard during the past 20 years. But you'll probably notice that not all stations put up "bugs" in the same way. The best "bug" I've seen is YTV's: only on briefing about every 10-15 minutes. It's an excellent "standard".

But my guess is that "bugs" are more about protecting content than "helping" viewers know where they are. Have you noticed that "bugs" are never displayed during commercials? Gee... I'd think that this would be the only spot you'd want them displayed. Then advertisers would know where to spend their advertising dollars!

As for broadcast rights... since the introduction of cable and satellite distribution, I think the Canadian "broadcasters" have been living in utopia since they aren't "broadcasting" the content to the majority of Canadians anymore.

It's about time that a new model be employed. One which rids us of our current "broadcasters" and redirects revenue from the real distributors (cable and sat.) directly to Canadian talent.

I can't wait to see how the "broadcasters" are going to react to the future distribution of "TV" via the internet!

haha, kindly point out that all TVs made within the last 2 decades either have the channel displayed on the set, or they have a "display" type button that will bring up the channel and time typically. what a BS response :D

The whole point of the big grey CTV logo is to cover the CBS logo... this is why there is this problem in the first place. So why can't CTV if there paying CBS for this show get a copy that doesn’t have the CBS logo pre etched into the CSI show? Why don't you ask them that question... it would solve everything... the response you received from CTV seemed very arrogant! Looks like you're doing a good job at pissing them off ;)

As for the guy suggesting to go grey market... no need to. I just installed a UHF antenna on top my home and I pickup all the Buffalo HD channels. I watch everything from the US networks CBS, ABC, NBC, PBS, FOX, WB in HD and it's perfectly legal!

As for the guy suggesting to go grey market... no need to. I just installed a UHF antenna on top my home and I pickup all the Buffalo HD channels. I watch everything from the US networks CBS, ABC, NBC, PBS, FOX, WB in HD and it's perfectly legal!
while that works when you live near a border, it does nothing for you if you don't...i am only 1 1/2 hours away from you, and i won't get anything with an antenna (aside from a few SD channels i already get on sat anyway).

While I agree that the logo is ugly, you must understand why they can't use a transparent one? If the American feed comes into CTV with a semi-transparent bug they can't sucessfully cover that with another semi-transparent logo, it has to be opaque.
And the point was also made that the viewer must know what station they are on.... You don't think anyone would get confused and think they were watching CBS if they watched the whole show with a CBS logo in the corner? Then if a viewer had a quesiton or complaint about the show, or something that aired during the commercial break it's possible they would try contacting CBS about it rather than CTV.... A little odd I know, but not all viewers are as aware of television practices and procedures as those on these forums.

Also I agree that one should not write back to a television executive with the word "crap". It is not going to get you a response that you'll like, and it's just plain rude.

While I agree that the logo is ugly, you must understand why they can't use a transparent one? If the American feed comes into CTV with a semi-transparent bug they can't sucessfully cover that with another semi-transparent logo, it has to be opaque.
And the point was also made that the viewer must know what station they are on.... You don't think anyone would get confused and think they were watching CBS if they watched the whole show with a CBS logo in the corner? Then if a viewer had a quesiton or complaint about the show, or something that aired during the commercial break it's possible they would try contacting CBS about it rather than CTV.... A little odd I know, but not all viewers are as aware of television practices and procedures as those on these forums.


A simple solution is to remove the bugs from the show being broadcast and only post in on screen during the commercials. Makes perfect sense to me.

A simple solution is to remove the bugs from the show being broadcast and only post in on screen during the commercials. Makes perfect sense to me.

yes, the bug would have to be removed from the original feed though. Shows could not air on CTV with the CBS bug on it without some viewers thinking they were watching CBS.

And the point was also made that the viewer must know what station they are on.... You don't think anyone would get confused and think they were watching CBS if they watched the whole show with a CBS logo in the corner? Then if a viewer had a quesiton or complaint about the show, or something that aired during the commercial break it's possible they would try contacting CBS about it rather than CTV.... A little odd I know, but not all viewers are as aware of television practices and procedures as those on these forums.


Global seems to have overcome the linear thinking of black bug-dom by putting (recently) their equally transparent logo (which is much less intrusive) in the upper right corner while leaving the transparent NBC (or FOX) logo in full view. I'm just glad that they have cut down/been unable on adding "On Global" to the opening credits of shows on their HD feed.

Geez, I mean, c'mon ! How needy are these folks that they have to infiltrate the very content of the show to let you know that you're getting "Global-ized" ? It's enough that they have their bug on the screen, run highly intrusive full colour banners across the bottom during a show to let you know that you're watching Seinfeld on Prime while Jerry and Elaine are on screen (well, no crap, Columbo, ya figure ?).... sorry, rant control was turned off for a moment.

So it appears that it's up to the fancy of the subbing station as to the nature of the bug that will appear, or what ever they can get away with.

Altaman

You got their attention! I understand and agree with your frustration.
I would suggest though that you tone down your e-mails if you want them to take you seriously. Remember these are bureaucrats and they live in a different reality than the rest of us.
Go get e'm!

my $.02

Two choices: OTA or Starchoice!

I can tolerate Bell for now, since I know my OTA feeds are coming by the end of the summer, but in all other instances, Starchoice is the way to go.

The whole point of the big grey CTV logo is to cover the CBS logo... this is why there is this problem in the first place. So why can't CTV if there paying CBS for this show get a copy that doesn’t have the CBS logo pre etched into the CSI show? Why don't you ask them that question... it would solve everything... the response you received from CTV seemed very arrogant! Looks like you're doing a good job at pissing them off ;)

As for the guy suggesting to go grey market... no need to. I just installed a UHF antenna on top my home and I pickup all the Buffalo HD channels. I watch everything from the US networks CBS, ABC, NBC, PBS, FOX, WB in HD and it's perfectly legal!
Can I suggest you guys look at my post on this link http://digitalhomecanada.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39179 It will explain why the "bug" is really there:)

Why bother filing a complaint about the black logo? It is going away as soon as CTV gets clean feeds anyway. A better plan is to fight for complete elimination HD simsubs and the numerous problems they cause for the HDTV consumer. I can list about half a dozen off the top of my head.