[TB4XSBW]

The Crave app on my TV hasn't had any issue remembering progress correctly.

 

[57]

I use the web interface on various computers.

I'm wondering if the cookies placed on various computers would interfere with the correct restarts? For example, one computer may say - last viewed episode 3 at 12 minutes, while another computer may say last viewed episode 5 at 8 minutes...

I'm not sure if Crave "stores" information regarding individual users in the cloud so it would know better, or if cookies override this...

 

[ExDilbert]

Does anyone else find that Crave is terrible at remembering progress in a series? Often when I go to watch an episode of a series that I'm watching it will try to start me halfway through the previous episode. Annoying.

I have the same issue, almost every time. That's with the Crave app on the same phone without closing down the app or using any other devices. It cannot remember my place from one day to the next but insists on resuming where I left off two sessions previously. One time it even resumed on the wrong season. It skipped from season 2 episode 2 to season 1 episode 6. What a piece of garbage.

Another time I missed the end of an episode and wanted to go back to the previous episode. Crave wouldn't do it. Every time I went to the episode list and told it to play episode 9 it started to play episode 10. It insisted on resuming where I left off despite being told to play a specific episode. After several tries it finally did what I wanted. Annoying? I'd say negligent.

I would expect nothing less from a Canadian service. They're still using the same broken system that TMN Go and Shomi used that have a ridiculous number of cross links to various other web pages and services. The browser based security is so time consuming and frustrating to navigate that they should be paying their customers to figure it out. Almost any type of security or privacy software seems to break it. Netflix is so much easier to use it's like night and day.

 

[Dr.Dave]

Crave’s new original series MUCH STUDIOS PRESENTS: MIKE ON MUCH IN CONVERSATION WITH… debuts on Friday, Dec. 21 with eight episodes ranging in length from 30-45 minutes. The series joins Crave’s new “From the Interweb” Collection – also launching on December 21 – which features other titles that were inspired by web series or podcasts such as HBO’s POD SAVE AMERICA, 2 DOPE QUEENS, and HIGH MAINTENANCE.

Celebrity interviews featured in the eight episodes include Alessia Cara, Jared Keeso (LETTERKENNY), Jodie Whittaker (DOCTOR WHO), Leon Bridges, Lights, Nile Rodgers, Noel Gallagher, and Sting & Shaggy.

Full Press Release

 

[smallmj]

I tried watching episode 1 of Arrow last night using Crave on my FireTV basic last night. The CC/subtitles were way ahead of the dialog, and the audio mix was a bit off. The music and sound effects were very loud but the dialog was too quiet.

I'm just using the speakers built in to my TV, no fancy sound system.

Is it a problem with the app, my settings, or just a badly mixed program?

 

[Dr.Dave]

@smallmj I can offer some suggestions and background. Can you play the same episode on another device or a computer? That will probably confirm whether the problem is with the encoding of the episode or the Fire TV app.

The Closed Captioning file, including the timing, would be provided with the original program. There's a possibility there's a problem with is with the Fire TV app.

Crave only streams in stereo, so there probably isn't much you can do about the audio mix. I don't know if Crave gets the stereo audio stream from their supplier or if they down-mix from 5.1.

 

[57]

Crave only streams in stereo, so there probably isn't much you can do about the audio mix. I don't know if Crave gets the stereo audio stream from their supplier or if they down-mix from 5.1.

Not only do they stream in stereo, the max resolution is 720P for most material streamed via the apps (except ATV4).

Just as an FYI, I've been watching the series "Bosch" via Crave/Drama on Channel 309 (On Demand) on my Rogers STB and it's DD5.1, so they have DD5.1 available. I don't believe I can check the incoming video resolution.

From the Crave FAQ:

On Crave.ca, users can control the quality of their video playback. In the video player, click on the gear icon in the bottom right corner. Users can select from a list of video playback options with 720p being the best quality available. An hour of 720p playback will use approximately 2.5GB of data.

Approximate amount of data used per bitrate:

1080p - 2.6GB/hour (Apple TV Generation 4 only)
720p – 2.5GB/hour
540p – 1.1GB/hour
360p – 800MB/hour
240p – 320MB/hour

https://www.crave.ca/help-and-frequently-asked-questions-74295754

 

[smallmj]

Thanks for the offers of help. I watched a few minutes of the same episode on my laptop (Linux x64/Chrome). The audio mix was much better. The captions were still out of sync.

I've looked for settings that can be adjusted in the FireTV menu and the TV menu. The FireTV Basic stick has options for Dolby Digital output (DD Plus Automatic, off, DD Plus over HDMI, DD over HDMI) The TV (a cheap Haier 40") has a surround sound setting that can be turned off. I'll adjust these settings one by one and see if the mix is better.

 

[bev fan]

Crave tv may not work properly on Fire tv stick because the app has not been upgraded yet to the new Crave app that is now available.

 

[nfitz]

Crave tv may not work properly on Fire tv stick because the app has not been upgraded yet to the new Crave app that is now available.

It's working okay (or at least as okay as Crave ever works) on my Fire stick.

It worked a lot better on my Android before the upgrade. Nothing would play afterwards. They've upgraded it again at least twice more in the last few days on my Android. It's pretty much back to it's old flakey self. On one hand, they have added download capability. On the other hand, that hasn't worked yet. I've downloaded a few things ... and not one will play.

Meanwhile Netflix on Android works flawlessly, including downloads.

Same old Bell Canada ...

 

[bev fan]

It's working okay (or at least as okay as Crave ever works) on my Fire stick.

It worked a lot better on my Android before the upgrade. Nothing would play afterwards. They've upgraded it again at least twice more in the last few days on my Android. It's pretty much back to it's old flakey self. On one hand, they have added download capability. On the other hand, that hasn't worked yet. I've downloaded a few things ... and not one will play.

Meanwhile Netflix on Android works flawlessly, including downloads.

Same old Bell Canada ...

Crave Tv has not been updated to the new version on Fire tv stick. The new app has option to access the HBO and Movie Network.

 

[Inglewood]

Just got an email from Air Miles - Crave is offering 3 months free service to Air Miles members.

Looks like you have to sign up to a year, but looks like you can cancel after the trial period - I am not sure how easy or difficult this would be.

Sign into your Air Miles account for the full details.

 

[Dr.Dave]

Just as an FYI, I've been watching the series "Bosch" via Crave/Drama on Channel 309 (On Demand) on my Rogers STB and it's DD5.1, so they have DD5.1 available.

I'm not positive, but I believe the TV providers load the Crave content on their own internal VOD servers, so Crave may provide a higher quality audio and video product through VOD than they do through streaming.

Approximate amount of data used per bitrate:

1080p - 2.6GB/hour (Apple TV Generation 4 only)...

That must be new. I saved a copy of the old help file and that wasn't there. The max was 720p.

Thanks for 2 very useful pieces of info.

 

[57]

I stated earlier that I wasn't sure whether I could get into the diagnostics to see the resolution of the incoming OD signal. I just tested and I could. (Rogers channel 309 - Crave OD)

All of the HD programming that I brought up was 1080i and DD5.1

The SD programming was 480i, however, the audio was DD5.1, yes you read that correctly, DD5.1.

I checked the recent movie "Red Sparrow" to see if it was 1080P and it was not. However, 1080i is very easy to deinterlace, so there is not usually any significant difference in PQ between 1080i and 1080P, except that the latter takes more server space, hence the use of 1080i on the server. I didn't see any 720P OD programming, but I only checked perhaps a dozen titles.

 

[ExDilbert]

The SD programming was 480i, however, the audio was DD5.1, yes you read that correctly, DD5.1

TMN SD had DD 5.1 audio for years. Quite often, the HD station had DD 2.0 and the SD station with the same movie was in DD 5.1. TMN claimed it was due to how the movie was given to them by the studios. It took a few years before the movies on the HD stations were almost all DD 5.1. HBO programming was typically DD 5.1, both SD and HD.

On modern solid state screens, 1080i is almost indistinguishable from 1080p except with very fast changing content. The big issue with interlace was due to CRT screens and phosphors with very fast decay times. That caused flicker which is essentially eliminated on modern screens. The remaining issues with interlace are due to motion artifacts on content such as fast moving sports.

 

[57]

For those people who have had issues with ATV3, there has been a recent update that should solve any issues. Apparently ATV2 can also now stream. (From Rogers Forum)

 

[Dr.Dave]

Crave Highlights for January: HBO’s TRUE DETECTIVE Returns, the New SHOWTIME Series BLACK MONDAY Debuts, and Ocean’s 8, Hotel Transylvania 3, and Sicario 2 Premiere

The full January lineup for Crave and Crave + Movies + HBO is outlined below.

SHOWTIME Programming (Available on Crave):
RAY DONOVAN, Season 6, Episode 11 (January 6 @ 9 p.m. ET)
RAY DONOVAN, Season 6, Episode 12 *Season Finale* (January 13 @ 9 p.m. ET)
BLACK MONDAY, Season 1, Episode 1 *Series Premiere* (January 20 @ 10 p.m. ET)
SMILF, Season 2, Episode 1 *Season Premiere* (January 20 @ 10:30 p.m. ET)
BLACK MONDAY, Season 1, Episode 2 (January 27 @ 10 p.m. ET)
SMILF, Season 2, Episode 2 (January 27 @ 10:30 p.m. ET)

HBO Programming (Available on Crave + Movies + HBO):
TRUE DETECTIVE, Season 3, Episode 1 *Season Premiere* (January 13 @ 9 p.m. ET)
TRUE DETECTIVE, Season 3, Episode 2 (January 13 @ 10 p.m. ET)
BREXIT (January 19 @ 9 p.m. ET)
TRUE DETECTIVE, Season 3, Episode 3 (January 20 @ 9 p.m. ET)
CRASHING, Season 3, Episode 1 *Season Premiere* (January 20 @ 10 p.m. ET)
HIGH MAINTENANCE, Season 3, Episode 1 *Season Premiere* (January 20 @ 10:30 p.m. ET)
STRIKE BACK, Season 6, Episode 1 (January 25 @ 11 p.m. ET)
AMANDA SEALES: I BE KNOWIN’ (January 26 @ 10 p.m. ET)
TRUE DETECTIVE, Season 3, Episode 4 (January 27 @ 9 p.m. ET)
CRASHING, Season 3, Episode 2 (January 27 @ 10:10 p.m. ET)
HIGH MAINTENANCE, Season 3, Episode 2 (January 27 @ 10:40 p.m. ET)

STARZ Programming (Available on Crave):
COUNTERPART, Season 2, Episode 5 (January 6 @ 9 p.m. ET)
BOSS, Season 1 (January 11)
COUNTERPART, Season 2, Episode 6 (January 20 @ 9 p.m. ET)
COUNTERPART, Season 2, Episode 7 (January 27 @ 9 p.m. ET)

Movies (Available on Crave + Movies + HBO):
The Hangover (January 1)
Super Troopers (January 1)
Super Troopers 2 *Movie Premiere* (January 1)
The Little Vampire *Movie Premiere* (January 2)
Octavio is Dead *Canadian Movie Premiere* (January 2)
Megamind *Movie Premiere* (January 3)
Hedgehogs *Movie Premiere* (January 4)
Truth or Dare *Movie Premiere* (January 4)
Daphne and Velma (January 5)
Tully *Movie Premiere* (January 4)
The Ladybug *Movie Premiere* (January 4)
The Domestics *Movie Premiere* (January 10)
First Reformed *Movie Premiere* (January 11)
Mommy’s Little Angel (January 17)
Our House *Canadian Movie Premiere* (January 17)
Overboard *Movie Premiere* (January 18)
Ocean’s 8 *Movie Premiere* (January 19)
Mistrust *Movie Premiere* (January 23)
Room for Rent *Canadian Movie Premiere* (January 24)
Indian Horse *Canadian Movie Premiere* (January 24)
Eye on Juliet *Canadian Movie Premiere* (January 31)

Spotlight on Canada (Available on Crave):
HIGHWAY THROUGH HELL, Season 3 (January 4)

Worth Watching (Available on Crave):
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, Season 32, Episodes 84-88 (January 1)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, Season 32, Episodes 89-91 (January 8)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, Season 32, Episodes 92-96 (January 15)
PETE HOLMES: DIRTY CLEAN (January 18)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, Season 32, Episodes 97-101 (January 22)
MOSAIC, Season 1 (January 25)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, Season 32, Episodes 102-106 (January 29)

New Kids’ Programming (Available on Crave):
MIGHTY JUNGLE, Season 2 (January 11)
YO GABBA GABBA, Season 1-4 (January 18)
DELILAH & JULIUS, Season 1-2 (January 18)
THE DOODLEBOPS, Season 1-2 (January 25)
THE AMAZING ADRENALINI BROTHERS, Season 1-2 (January 25)

#ICRAVEFRIDAYS:
THIS IS NOT HAPPENING, Season 4A (January 4)
ANOTHER PERIOD, Season 3 (January 4)
STAR TREK: SHORT TREKS, “The Escape Artist” (January 4 @ 9 p.m. ET)
FINDING ESCOBAR’S MILLIONS (January 11)
ALASKA: THE LAST FRONTIER, Season 4 (January 25)

LAST CHANCE PROGRAMMING:
CHRISTMASTIME IN SOUTH PARK (January 6)
DOCTOR WHO: THE CHRISTMAS SPECIALS (January 6)
THE ORIGINAL SANTA CLAUS PARADE 2018 (January 6)
A RUSSEL PETERS CHRISTMAS (January 6)
COMEDY CENTRAL’S ALL STAR NON-DENOMINATIONAL CHRISTMAS SPECIAL (January 6)
A COLBERT CHRISTMAS: THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL (January 6)
Bad Santa 2 (January 7)
Brimstone (January 8)
Blair Witch (January 9)
Devil in the Dark (January 12)
Fist Fight (January 15)
BOO! A Madea Halloween (January 30)
Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life (January 31)
Megamind (January 31)
Super Troopers (January 31)
The Hangover (January 31)

COMING IN FEBRUARY:
DESUS AN MERO
DETROITERS, Season 2
TOSH.0, Season 10


Additional press release: Crave’s festive binge-watching guide

 

[David1953]

I just noticed that the new Crave App is now available on the Fire TV 4K stick.

 

[smallmj]

I noticed it last night on my FireTV Basic as well. It decided to update mid-show and kicked me out to the main menu. Grrr.

 

[North_of_Calgary]

After so many years of waiting for the Prime Video app to come to Roku, now the game just starts again with Crave. With so many TVs now sold in Canada with Roku built-in as their "smart-TV" platform, I'm surprised Crave prioritized FireTV over Roku.