7mate

[moa999]

Anyone else not getting Program Info for 7mate (I am only getting Now and Next). Works for the rest of the 7 channels.

Believe I am taking signal from Sydney Kings Cross transmitter (ie secondary transmitter), although can't tell on the Sony PlayTV decoder.

--

Also on the HD point I had an interesting chat with a senior exec at Seven.

Confirmed that they are restricted to 1 HD and 2 SD channels and chose to show a secondary channel on HD so as not to lose/ disenfranchise all those people with SD-only equipment.

Will probably review the decision when analogue switches off and potentially then decide to switch Seven Main back to HD, although I suspect are looking for more spectrum to enable them to run multiple HD streams.

Edited September 28, 2010 by moa999

[Wags69]

Looking at "yourtv guide" the grand final replay this saturday will only be on 7 which i guess means it wont be in HD as 7mate are showing other programes.

Maybe (I hope) it hasn't been updated yet?

GF HAS to be in HD, surely?

About the DD issue, the only channel I'm getting DD 5.1 now is 1HD, what the hell is going on?

[DrP]

Confirmed that they are restricted to 1 HD and 2 SD channels and chose to show a secondary channel on HD so as not to lose/ disenfranchise all those people with SD-only equipment.

Who would have thought.

[Dyllip]

LOL @ That 70s Show starting 15 minutes late on mate. Not that I mind, preferred the overtime Monster Garage.

[Dyllip]

I just had a beautiful dream where programs a start bang on time, showed the correct shows in the correct time slots, displayed information without saying

..." or getting cut off halfway through. What a wonderful dream it was...

I awoke from this dream to see Family Guy on 7mate still not starting after it is 13 minutes late.

Seriously... Can't the government make it that they do the EPG and programme times right or loose their broadcast licence...

FTA is so ****ed up these days I can't stop ranting :|

Edited September 28, 2010 by Dyllip

[ger]

Looking at "yourtv guide" the grand final replay this saturday will only be on 7 which i guess means it wont be in HD as 7mate are showing other programes.

No 3D either

[digitalj]

LOL @ That 70s Show starting 15 minutes late on mate. Not that I mind, preferred the overtime Monster Garage.

I had National Highway Patrol and Destroyed in Seconds (as one joined recording) programmed to record yesterday on 7mate from 9:55am to 11:10am (programs were scheduled for 10am to 11am), when I went to watch the recording, The start of national Highway Patrol was missed. In other words, National highway Patrol start more than 5 minutes early

[davmel]

I wonder how long it will take before 7mate shows native HD instead of the current upscaled SD. Weeks, months, years???? Obviously Seven never gave a crap about HD with 576p for 6 years so they don't care about native HD in their playout now.

[davmel]

In other words, National highway Patrol start more than 5 minutes early

For a channel that doesn't show any live events and only pre-recorded tape content it's an absolute disgrace that Seven can't keep to the times of their own EPG.

[g12345567]

Stations purpously run programs over time. I know its a pain. I guess they do this so you are forced to watch the next program on the same channel or be forced to miss the start of another progam that you want to watch on a different channel.

[davmel]

Stations purpously run programs over time. I know its a pain. I guess they do this so you are forced to watch the next program on the same channel or be forced to miss the start of another progam that you want to watch on a different channel.

Forced??? Many people are sick of their crappy games and are now "forced" into downloading the show, or waiting for the DVD or Foxtel screening. It's hilarious that with with more FTA channels many discerning viewers are now watching less FTA than ever before.

[Steve C]

Confirmed that they are restricted to 1 HD and 2 SD channels and chose to show a secondary channel on HD so as not to lose/ disenfranchise all those people with SD-only equipment.

So - by implication; they don't mind losing/disenfranchising all those people with HD audio and video equipment!!

Nice... NOT!!

Mental geniuses (in their own minds maybe but not in mine!!) who decide to pander to the rapidly decreasing segment of their audience whilst cheezing off to an extreme degree the exponentially increasing segment.

Doesn't sound so bright to me, if the concept behind their reasoning is stated as if it's a conversation that goes like this... "So, let's please all those people looking at our best and latest shows on antiquated and soon to be obsolete equipment, because the idiots who've already invested in the latest equipment are going to watch whatever drivel we serve up to them regardless - and besides there's so few of them that if we lose a few to pay HD services it's no biggie"...

Seems like many of these FTA executives must be advised by the same firms that advised Goldman Sacks...

In the final analysis; the things that really piddle me off with the 7Mate (and GEM updates) are: the need to constantly rescan every time these knuckle-heads decide to adjust their service/signal - the differences in audio levels (between their HD and SD offerings as well as individual programs which just shows that normalisation ain't in their limited vocabulary) every time they make these changes, and the trend to upscale ancient repeated Yankie Wankie shyte that may have been new in the 1970's on the HD channels while shows that have been made in the last year or two (therefore likely to have been shot and mastered in HD) are being shown in SD and analogue!!

Last but not least is the assumption these bozzos have made, that their version of choice - with the HD channel showing programming that is different from the main SD channel, is exactly what I and every other viewer wants - yet; when every FTA DTV service is exactly the same "choice", there is no other option...

It's like a Monty Python version of choice... "Oh yes Sir, you can chose between the very same thing that's on offer from every provider" says the bright and cheery vacuum headed assistant manning the 'helpdesk'. "But it's not a real choice if they're all offering exactly the same thing is it?" asks the increasingly frustrated inquirer. "That'd only be the case Sir, if it was the same thing being offered by only one of them, but as it's the same thing being offered by all of them, it's most definitely a wide range of choice!".... and so it'd go on.

Events like the changes to DTV services in Australia prove just how accurate Monty Python was in ridiculing what goes on in the "real world"!!

Edited September 28, 2010 by Steve C

[DrP]

That you have to 'rescan' your receiver is a failing of your receiver, not the broadcaster. The structures in the transmission have specific indicators to signal that something has changed and the networks have been making use of them. Even if the indicators (version IDs) were not changed your receiver could still have detected the change simply by watching the system tables when tuned to the network involved.

[Steve C]

That you have to 'rescan' your receiver is a failing of your receiver, not the broadcaster. The structures in the transmission have specific indicators to signal that something has changed and the networks have been making use of them. Even if the indicators (version IDs) were not changed your receiver could still have detected the change simply by watching the system tables when tuned to the network involved.

Then all three of my receivers (as well as the receivers of my friends who have been ringing me up to let me know about having to rescan) are 'failing'!

What might be supposed to occur and what does occur when the networks make these changes, are two different things...

Experience with upgrades to computer hardware/software should be a pretty good guide to exactly how variable consumer experiences can be when adjustments are made to new technologies - especially when those adjustments are being made on a pretty constant basis.

[peterca]

Then all three of my receivers (as well as the receivers of my friends who have been ringing me up to let me know about having to rescan) are 'failing'!

Looks like it, both my tv and PVR pick up the channel changes automatically, the only one that doesn't is the stb in the bedroom, and that is a Topfield, so I wouldn't expect much from that.

[DrP]

Then all three of my receivers (as well as the receivers of my friends who have been ringing me up to let me know about having to rescan) are 'failing'!

Precisely. Despite protests from a certain well known forum member whose name starts with 'a', there are a lot of receivers in use in Australia that simply do not go anywhere near being compliant. Of course, that the standard itself is not binding nor enforced might have something to do with that.

What might be supposed to occur and what does occur when the networks make these changes, are two different things...

Quite correct and you have only your crappy (which can be expensive name brand!) non-compliant equipment to blame.

[moa999]

So - by implication; they don't mind losing/disenfranchising all those people with HD audio and video equipment!!

Nice... NOT!!

Mental geniuses (in their own minds maybe but not in mine!!) who decide to pander to the rapidly decreasing segment of their audience whilst cheezing off to an extreme degree the exponentially increasing segment.

I don't think it is pandering at all.

Face facts on ratings.

Seven Main 20-25%

Seven Two 2-3%

Seven Mate 1-2%

Which channel would you decide to block access to say 20% of the installed digital base if you were a station manager. Remember eyeballs = advertising revenue.

While I'm disappointed in losing 7HD, unfortunately we are all paying for the fact that the government allowed suppliers to sell SD-only equipment, despite setting the framework for (at least a partial) HD future.

[Steve C]

Which channel would you decide to block access to say 20% of the installed digital base if you were a station manager. Remember eyeballs = advertising revenue.

I wouldn't 'block' any!!

Inclusiveness mustn't be part of some people's thought processes let alone vocabulary...

What was wrong with leaving the programming on 7HD the same as what was on 7 analogue and 7SD (one) and run their alternate program stuff on 7TWO in SD?

Remember a small percentage of dissatisfied eyeballs = negative word of mouth which grows exponentially from a small percentage to a noticeable percentage which in turn = loss of ratings which = loss of advertising revenue.

[DrP]

What was wrong? 7 wanted to run another channel. Now go back and read the explantions of what can be transmitted that have been provided more times than I care to count.

[Steve C]

Now go back and read the explantions of what can be transmitted that have been provided more times than I care to count.

Why?

What was being transmitted was fine.

That 7 decided to change it's programming and delivery of that programming is their choice. That I choose to voice my opinion regarding their choice has nothing to do with whether I understand "what can be transmitted" or not.

That I also choose to point out that 7 had adequate time to notify viewers of the fact that 7Mate would be the HD channel and that 7HD would no longer be provided, or that the programming on 7Mate would fail to include programs that viewers of 7HD had expected would continue to be displayed on 7's HD service, such as 7 news and Sunrise, has nothing to do with understanding what can or cannot be broadcast.

Given 7Mate's promo slots only ever mentioned the broadcast of Family Guy and American Dad, it seemed reasonable to assume that the "mate" part of the new channel was some clever allusion to Ani-MATE-ion...

Whether that was deliberate on the part of 7's promotions department or not - the fact is that the delivery of full and proper disclosure of exactly what 7Mate (and GEM in Nein's case) would be displaying was tantamount to the sort of deceptive advertising that dresses itself up as "teasing" - such as is used for TV series like "Fast Forward" or "Lost".

To me, 7's desire to refrain from promoting their new channel with clear and concise descriptions of exactly what it would broadcast and in what format it would be broadcast, is an admission that even they knew the sort of angst it would create...

They're just hoping the fallout isn't going to damage them in the ratings (and hip pocket) too much; and that the legendary short memories of the Aussie general public are as short as their consultancy firms are telling them they are!!

Edited September 30, 2010 by Steve C

[DrP]

Why?

What was being transmitted was fine.

In your opinion

That 7 decided to change it's programming and delivery of that programming is their choice.

Precisely

That I choose to voice my opinion regarding their choice has nothing to do with whether I understand "what can be transmitted" or not.

No, what you have chosen to do is constantly whine that 7 has made a change and why didn't they just do XYZ. The explanation of why they could not do XYZ has been provided again and again and again. That you are still posting the same garbage must be an indicator of some sort of mental defect.

That I also choose to point out that 7 had adequate time to notify viewers of the fact that 7Mate would be the HD channel and that 7HD would no longer be provided, or that the programming on 7Mate would fail to include programs that viewers of 7HD had expected would continue to be displayed on 7's HD service, such as 7 news and Sunrise, has nothing to do with understanding what can or cannot be broadcast.

Articles appeared in the papers, magazines, ads on TV etc (some of the being displayed up to 6 months ago) wasn't enough for you to work it out? It seems strange that many others grasped the concept but you have not been able to.

Given 7Mate's promo slots only ever mentioned the broadcast of Family Guy and American Dad, it seemed reasonable to assume that the "mate" part of the new channel was some clever allusion to Ani-MATE-ion...

The attempt to be clever does not at all suit you.

Whether that was deliberate on the part of 7's promotions department or not - the fact is that the delivery of full and proper disclosure of exactly what 7Mate (and GEM in Nein's case) would be displaying was tantamount to the sort of deceptive advertising that dresses itself up as "teasing" - such as is used for TV series like "Fast Forward" or "Lost".

Deception? Precisely what deception? Both of them have advertised quite clearly what programming would appear and it has appeared.

To me, 7's desire to refrain from promoting their new channel with clear and concise descriptions of exactly what it would broadcast and in what format it would be broadcast, is an admission that even they knew the sort of angst it would create...

Except for all the ads and promos stating precisely what would be carried.

They're just hoping the fallout isn't going to damage them in the ratings (and hip pocket) too much; and that the legendary short memories of the Aussie general public are as short as their consultancy firms are telling them they are!!

7 and 9 could have done a 10 and dropped all genre of programming bar one (sport in 10's case, not that what 10 claims is sport is actually sports). They didn't and instead are running a mix of different material. If they had done a 10 then you'd actually have something to complain about.

The foil hat is definitely far too tight.

I gave up on FTA long ago and hardly watch anything at all via FTA these days (ABC News, Spicks n Specs is about it and not all the time). If the current FTA situation is causing you so much angst perhaps its time to take the advice I offered years ago - if you want to see good quality HD get Foxtel or rent the discs.

Edited September 30, 2010 by DrP

[Steve C]

The foil hat is definitely far too tight.

Seeing how you believe you know exactly what I'm doing and that my equipment is substandard and that to you I must be a mental defective and that you further reckon that I must be blind deaf and dumb amongst the million and one other put-downs you can manage to assemble to denigrate my opinion regarding the latest changes to the FTA DTV signal, there is nothing further that needs to be said. You know it all...

[Wags69]

if you want to see good quality HD get Foxtel

Ha haaaah haaaaaaaah haaaaah ha! foxtel, we are not ALL millionaires!

[doodlefeatures]

Ha haaaah haaaaaaaah haaaaah ha! foxtel, we are not ALL millionaires!

Why do you need to be a millionaire?

[ckent]

What was being transmitted was fine.

You and I can agree on that, but others (including the commercial owners) want to show 3 channels. In fact, Seven has a long, loud track record of demanding multichannelling. Quelle surprise?

That I also choose to point out that 7 had adequate time to notify viewers of the fact that 7Mate would be the HD channel and that 7HD would no longer be provided, or that the programming on 7Mate would fail to include programs that viewers of 7HD had expected would continue to be displayed on 7's HD service, such as 7 news and Sunrise, has nothing to do with understanding what can or cannot be broadcast.

Insofar as they are too embarrassed to even mention the closure of 7HD, I agree with you.

Insofar as they are incorrectly promoting "HD" on the TV guides (Fairfax papers, at any rate), I agree with you.

But in theory -- and only in theory, mind you -- there is nothing wrong with the concept of 7mate as long as it is full of unique or timeshifted HD (either forward or backward timeshift). And from a public policy perspective, the settings are in place for just that. 7mate has to be legally transmitted in HD, and it will be forced to average 3 hours a day native HD sooner or later. Commercial imperatives, the invisible hand of capitalism (etc) will be in charge until then, and the necessary upgrades will have to take place when Seven feels like paying for it. It's "free" to view, remember.

CK.

Edited September 30, 2010 by ckent