GTA - Detroit HD Signals to be Buffalo HD Signals

[57]

Recorded Letterman last night.

Buffalo was improperly encoded DD5.1 signal (LF & RF channels only).

Seattle was DD5.1, correctly done.

[gdabrus]

Thanks for the confirmation that most of my disappointment with the HD experience is the Buffalo feeds. I've ordered the HD package which includes the Seattle channels. In a way it p*sses me off that I had to do that, but I was going to buy it to get HDTSN anyway, so it isn't a big deal.

[lasertoronto]

As if Buffalo HD stations aren't risky enough to PVR shows on, west coast is having problems now. Tonight's (Sun. Nov.27) Desperate Housewives on ABCW channel 522 was riddled with digital breakup in the audio and picture for the first 15 minutes or so, and the last 15 minutes.

Is this just me? I've had "good signal" check from Rogers, Service Tech. can't find any problem & Rogers CSR's don't seem aware of any problems, except when I sat on hold about a week ago when 5 network HD channels went black during Letterman - when I finally got through, I got an acknowledgement on that issue.

Toronto here, using an 8300

[Harl]

Sounds like my experiences with Buffalo. I doubt it's just you. The fact that the west feeds have problems too is not good news. I'm thinking of getting the full HD package in a couple of weeks just so I can record the Seattle feeds if the Buffalo ones crap out on me. Not much point if the problems happen out west too. It is possible this was an isolated case due to weather conditions. I don't know if Seattle had a bad storm, but I assume the feeds get here via a satellite. Rain/snow fade is always a possibility.

[Harl]

I see ch 527 ABCHD Buffalo is off the air again. I noticed it last night but didn't call until just now. I was told it was a 'broadcasting problem' and Rogers were 'looking into it'.

I broke down and got the HD west feeds too - at least I can record a show if Buffalo screws up.

[57]

Harl, I record everything from Seattle because ABC Buffalo doesn't have DD5.1 and CBS doesn't encode their DD5.1 properly most of the time.

[jpei]

HDFOX (Buffalo) is showing the CAR/ATL game in 4:3. At first I thought it was just someone forgetting to turn the switch, but 1 hour after it is still the same thing, and even Global has it in full 16:9! Weird thing is that the FOX picture does not look like 480i upconverted - it has enough details so must be a normal HD signal.

[Harl]

Buffalo ABCHD is doing it again - Desperate Housewives was in SD, not HD, last night. I waited till the first commercial break and then switched over to CTV which of course was in HD. I had friends over who wanted to see it in HD so there was no point recording the Seattle feed to watch later in the week.
I've no idea if Buffalo eventually switched into HD. It's just pathetic at how inept they are.

[intrac]

The same happened with WGRZ (2-1) on Saturday night and WBEN (4-1 and 23-1) yesterday in the last part of the Steelers/Bengals game. It was in HD (16/9 full screen) 'till then, then went into small screen (4/3).

[CorSter]

it's WIVB, Not WBEN (wben was the old callsigns).. but KIRO still was showing it in 16x9...

[Harl]

I wrote to Rogers re. Buffalo HDABC and their lack of HD programming on Sunday. I've just received a reply (!) which looks promising....."Your information has been escalated to the appropriate authority for their consideration. Again, we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused......"

(I'd suggested that Buffalo HDABC shut down and become a Wal-Mart store as HD technology seems to be beyond their capabilities.)

Who knows? Is it possible we may be switching back to Detroit soon? Maybe pigs will fly first but emails do occasionally get read.

[CorSter]

WKBW is truly lacking in High Definition. However, i'm sure everybody will agree with me it's still better than SD.

[Harl]

Originally Posted by CorSter

WKBW is truly lacking in High Definition. However, i'm sure everybody will agree with me it's still better than SD.

True, but a Detroit feed would be even better! Watching Invasion tonight there were breakups and some audio hiccuping, though it was in HD all the way.

[penguin44]

I recently emailed the CRTC about this issue and here is the reply.

13 January 2006

Mr. penguin44:

Thank you for taking the time to contact the CRTC.
The cable industry has its own watchdog organization, the Cable Television Standards Council (CTSC), which administers a Code of Customer Service Standards covering such things as billing, quality of service and customer relations. The Council also mediates complaints from cable subscribers served by Rogers and other members of the Cable Television Standards Foundation.

Given the concerns you have raised, I am asking the CTSC, by copy of this letter, to pursue this matter with your local cable company on your behalf.

[Harl]

Great! I wonder if they'll be able to get through to Rogers and actually improve our HD service?