Rogers Cable set to begin compressing HD Signals

[hugh]

In news that is sure to instill anger among Canadian high definition television lovers, Digital Home Canada has learned that effective April 9th, Rogers Cable will begin compressing the high definition (HD) television signals it sends out to its Rogers Personal TV customers.

[57]

It's bad to hear about this, but it's good to hear about statistical multiplexing being used by Rogers. Apparently in testing, people could rarely see the difference due to the 3 vs 2 channels.

It'll be interesting to see how much we do notice and it certainly won't be as bad as simply splitting the QAM in three with no "shaping".

Advantages? More recording room on your PVR, but that's something I'd gladly give up for more bandwidth.

Can't wait for Rogers to free up some bandwidth by shifting a few analogue channels into the digital tier, and for them to use SDV (switched digital video) discussed elsewhere in the forum.

[mr weather]

Wow, there goes one advantage cable (Rogers) had over Bell and StarChoice.

Thank goodness for OTA!

[Danster]

If there is quite a bit of difference in picture quality, can we complain long and hard enough for them to do something? If the difference is barely noticeable, and if it gives us in the Atlantic, all of the HD channels we are missing compared to Ontario, then by all means, I won't mind. But that is a big IF.

[nfitz]

In news that is sure to instill anger among Canadian high definition television lovers

... indeed, it sure makes me want to exercise my right of free speech! Horrible move from Rogers. Are they even allowed to compress OTA signals?

[hugh]

I guess it depends on whether they do a good job or not. My advice to folks interested is to record some shows before and after April 9th for comparison.

[jvincent]

Well doesn't that make my day.

Looking at the channel list, I really don't see any problem with compressing some of those signals since they either offer very little HD. There are a couple though that actually quite good.

Discovery and HDNet are the ones I will be most curious about. I sense a phone call/letter in my future.

[hugh]

Frankly, why not CTV and GLobal since all their programming is on ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX?

I can't believe they are compressing PBS which show some gorgeous programming worthy of HD

[darrylr]

Not much to do but cry.

Basically all the channels I watch.

# HD National Geographic
# HD Mpix
# HD Discovery
# HD MORE
# HD TMN
# HDNET

[thegman]

Curious, is Rogers going to inform their customers of this? Or just do it and hope the masses dont notice?

[darrylr]

I suspect the latter.

[nfitz]

Originally Posted by hugh

Frankly, why not CTV and GLobal since all their programming is on ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX?

I'd much prefer that they compressed the American station, than the Canadian ones. With the amount of problems I've had with pictures on the American channels, and those new super-sized logos advertising programming, I much prefer watching shows on local channels than foreign ones.

But PBS and HDNet - what are these folks thinking?

[I_Want_My_HDTV]

This is really bad news. I just subbed to Rogers to get away from problems caused by this type of compression.

BTW. I see the difference. It's no so much due to picture quality but other issues such as video and audio dropouts or otherwise unreliable signals. Hopefully, Rogers will do better.

[jvincent]

I'm already typing my letter in my head.

"Dear Rogers, now that you are compressing my HD signals, I would like to start compressing the amount of money I pay you."

You get the idea.

[57]

PBS Buffalo is already very low bitrates (probably around 13 Mbps) due to 720P and multi-casting. So, if you're happy with that signal, then you should be happy with what Rogers will do.