Suggestion for IceTV HD channels "Unknown"

[warren13]

Ice TV report on their website the following for the reasons behind the HD "Unknown" listings that are now starting to become not only an annoyance but an issue.

Why are my HD (high definition) guide listings 'Unknown' or missing?


The High Definition (HD) guides that we supply are designed to be true representations of which shows are to be shown on these channels in HD. The gaps that are shown are periods where either a demo loop will be shown or where a Standard Definition shows are being shown that have been up-converted. If we don't have any information about what will be HD we take the safe approach of saying "unknown" and if the whole day's guide is "unknown" we don't generate a listing for that day at all. This is a result of previous experience where people would unexpectedly miss their recording because it was not broadcast in HD for one reason or another. However the situation with HD seems to be improving so we are reviewing our protocol, so any suggestions on a foolproof strategy are welcome.

taken from http://www.icetv.com.au/cgi-bin/webs...&faq_cat_id=21.

Guys,

This needs to be addressed now and I thought this forum would be a good place to highlight it...I did mention it in the e-mail and another recent...just typed...post in this forum but thought it needed a dedicated thread here. What are your plans moving forward with the HD channels? If you could give us a little more info it might help with any suggestions here.

I propose, before hearing your answer that you fill in the "Unknowns" with "SD or SD upscale" program info and time. It appears 7HD have finally got their act together and I have heard rumours that some channels will start showing diff content on SD and HD, can you or anyone else give any word on this? A clear SD or HD symbol next to the program title in the main window would suffice rather than "Unknown", I find "Unknown" unacceptable now for a paid subscription service.

Forum members please add comments and suggestions as you see fit.

[dgaust]

There is an option in your ICETV account settings that allows you to copy SD details to HD channels so that the guide will be filled.

It's been there for months. They do this so you have a choice (as they can't guarantee that SD content will be broadcast on HD channels).

The only hiccup is now that 7 are showing different programs on HD than SD they are scrambling for a solution.

[warren13]

See http://www.xpmediacentre.com.au/comm...tml#post170914 for reply to that one...I will continue with IceTV HD guide response here.

Full Not Abbreviated answer and response...from IceTV.

Originally Posted by I assume same person as danielicetv

The High Definition (HD) guides that we supply are designed to be true representations of which shows are to be shown on these channels in HD.

The gaps that are shown are periods where either a demo loop will be shown or where a Standard Definition shows are being shown that have been up-converted. At the moment there is also no way to confirm what will be played on the HD channels as none of the television networks release a guide for the HD channels.

In each week the television networks are only required to broadcast 40 hours of HD programming, ABC and SBS are exempt from this requirement and frequently do not have anything in HD in a given week and this would be why not much if anything would be on these channels.

We have a way to allow customers to have the full listings shown on both the SD and HD channels, but we have to stress that using this is entirely “use at your own risk”. There is a setting under the “My Account” section of the IceTV website where this can be changed.

As for the new Seven HD channel that is currently broadcasting different content from 10:30 PM on most nights, While we are expecting to have this information available soon we have no firm time frame for when it will be included in the guide.
We also have a section on our forums regarding guide content issues where they can be discussed directly with the guide team, this can be found at http://www.icetv.com.au/iceforum/index.php?board=5.0
Regards,

Daniel Hall
IceTV Support Team

Daniel,

Thanks for the quick reply, I understand the reasons, but really think it should be addressed ASAP, the channels are showing a show so that I think should be listed in the guide, even though it is in SD upscale (what does this exactly mean for each channel? and is it done the same way for each broadcaster?) I think it is poor of the broadcasters not to include any guide data especially if there are different shows on such as on 7HD after 10.30pm. No time frame is not a reasonable answer and HD channels without a HD guide is very poor effort now that it is more than a reasonably long time since HD requirements came into effect. I think something needs to be done sooner rather than later and the governing body should hear of this as it is unsuitable from a consumer point of view and can hardly assist in the uptake of HD if it is not clear what is being shown on these channels when, even if it is “upscale” content not HD.

[danielicetv]

I thought i'd save you the trouble and post my response here as well:

You list the points exactly as to why only the SD content is not shown on each channel, to summarise:

• There is no set standard that each broadcaster sticks to.
• There are no guides for any of the HD channels (so only shows that are in native HD are guaranteed to be on the HD channel).
• Each channel has different ideas about upscaling, some regions don't and just change the resolution on the channel, others up-convert the SD signal to be at HD resolutions.

I should also point out that we do have HD guides that follow the guidelines for 40 hours of HD content in a given week, as of this point that is all that is being broadcast, and yes I personally agree that more shows should be in HD and that something should be done, but that's up to the networks and ACMA to decide. It's also a shame that it has taken this long for the network to being multi-channeling on there HD channels as this was available to them as an option as of January 1st 2007, but no-one has done anything until now.

Also as I pointed out in my original email we do have a facility to populate all guide information to the HD channels, this can be found in the "My Account" section of the IceTV website, but due to the above reasons it is a "use at your own risk" venture.

Obviously a lot of this situation will change after December when channel Seven do a proper multi-channel (along with properly advertising what will be on the new channel) as well channel Ten doing there HD multi-channel as well.

[warren13]

Can you post my response too...I am feeling tired and lazy now. Thanks again mate...somewhat satified as stated...now wheres the remote for channelBT?? Keep up the good fight.