BBC HD dog news - Broadcasting

Boatman · 21-10-2008, 09:28

Good and bad news here

Mickey S · 21-10-2008, 10:04

From Danielle Nagler, Head of HDTV, BBC Vision:

Quote:

From this weekend, assuming no technical glitches in the areas responsible for implementing this, the BBC HD DOG will be removed from all films shown on the channel and the majority of the drama content. For other programming, we are turning down the DOG to the lowest level that we can while allowing it to remain visible.

Seems like mostly good news to me, depending on exactly what is meant by "the majority of the drama content".

It's a small but welcome step on the road to a DOG-free BBC.

Katia Polletin · 21-10-2008, 10:20

Going in the right direction.

FraserGJ · 21-10-2008, 10:31

As I recall a similar policy was put in place on BBC3 and BBC4 some years ago

Last time I looked, only BBC4 seemed to still be obeying the policy.

Hopefully the lower viewer numbers for BBC HD means this policy is kept too. Ironically however the DOG will remain on documentary content where the HD picture is probably the most important (Planet Earth, Britain from Above as examples)

A welcome step in the right direction however

Aspartame · 21-10-2008, 11:15

I have yet to hear one convincing argument explaining the need for a DOG on any channel, especially a publicly-funded one.

mossy2103 · 21-10-2008, 11:34

A most welcome step, and a hopeful sign for the future (as well as showing that, sometimes, the powers that be DO listen).

late8 · 21-10-2008, 12:19

DOGs are still a pain in the arse. The Argument put forward about 'channel identity' and 'knowing where you are in the linup' is bollocks. I know i'm watching BBC Three or BBC HD because I CHOSE to watch it. I CHOSE to watch it because a program i liked was on- I dont flick through channels looking at DOGs first and then aligning the identity of the channel and programming to it.
Most channels with DOGs are full of adverts anyway so i flick away- why does the BBC have to have this?

I know I'm watching BBC1 because I chose BBC 1- Not because a DOG told me - Why not put one on BBC1 and 2 then?. GET RID OF THEM!

Mickey S · 21-10-2008, 12:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by late8

DOGs are still a pain in the arse. The Argument put forward about 'channel identity' and 'knowing where you are in the linup' is bollocks. I know i'm watching BBC Three or BBC HD because I CHOSE to watch it. I CHOSE to watch it because a program i liked was on- I dont flick through channels looking at DOGs first and then aligning the identity of the channel and programming to it.
Most channels with DOGs are full of adverts anyway so i flick away- why does the BBC have to have this?

I know I'm watching BBC1 because I chose BBC 1- Not because a DOG told me - Why not put one on BBC1 and 2 then?. GET RID OF THEM!

Yes, all this has been said before in this forum. It adds nothing to this particular thread, and the angry tone of your post contrasts markedly to the reasonable and mature tone of the BBC blog.

GH Online · 21-10-2008, 15:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickey S

Yes, all this has been said before in this forum. It adds nothing to this particular thread, and the angry tone of your post contrasts markedly to the reasonable and mature tone of the BBC blog.

Hardly "reasonable and mature" when it trots out the age-old line of DOGs "helping viewers to find their way around channels."

Today's news is welcome, but needs to go further. I may now reconsider my position on getting HD as a result.

GaryB · 21-10-2008, 15:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by mossy2103

A most welcome step, and a hopeful sign for the future (as well as showing that, sometimes, the powers that be DO listen).

Agreed. Not a complete win, but good progress.

In her blog, Danielle Nagler says "Hopefully, the irritation factor on the rest is reduced, ..." which is at least an acknowledgement that viewers find DOGs irritating. Something broadcasters have previously seemed to ignore.

James2001 · 21-10-2008, 15:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryB

In her blog, Danielle Nagler says "Hopefully, the irritation factor on the rest is reduced, ..." which is at least an acknowledgement that viewers find DOGs irritating. Something broadcasters have previously seemed to ignore.

Will they ever admit the same about IPPs? Those things are the main reason why I watch so little TV these days.

Chorlton Fisher · 21-10-2008, 15:36

I know what channel I'm on, I selected it on the EPG.
If I had any desire to remind myself what channel I was watching I could bring the EPG banner up.
If they must have DOGs couldn't they make them like the red button, so they disappear after 30 seconds?

russellelly · 21-10-2008, 15:43

This is the kind of news that'd make me seriously consider investing in a Freesat HD PVR. If it's toned down to the lowest level during non-drama/films then I assume it would be comparable with American TV DOGs? Well done for taking some action on it, BBC

GH Online · 21-10-2008, 16:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chorlton Fisher

I know what channel I'm on, I selected it on the EPG.
If I had any desire to remind myself what channel I was watching I could bring the EPG banner up.
If they must have DOGs couldn't they make them like the red button, so they disappear after 30 seconds?

Presumably you have never watched BBC News on Freeview then, where the Red Button has to be manually vanquished. Another needless irritant that could be replaced by an on-ident symbol.

Methanoid · 22-10-2008, 06:50

Nothing winds me up more than DOGs and red Buttons. They are single worst thing to come out of digital TV.

No amount of campaigning seems to get broadcasters to listen either.

Put simply, they are pointless with digital TV. We know what channel we are on because we put it on and if we NEED to know we call up the on screen banner which tells the program name and the channel.

Its certainly a major turn-off for me from BBC HD and BBC HD would be the channel I would watch if got HDTV

simonp820 · 22-10-2008, 06:56

Seriously - some of you need to chill out a bit!

I really don't have a problem with the graphics - most channels have them and you soon forget they're there.

I would agree about some of the larger red button displays but all you do is press 'backup' or just wait 30 seconds for them to disappear.

I really don't understand people's hatred of these!

Methanoid · 22-10-2008, 08:18

DOG apologist

simonp820 · 22-10-2008, 08:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Methanoid

DOG apologist

DOG indifferentist*

My 'made-up word of the day'

banbury_oddball · 22-10-2008, 12:35

Any progress and the fact that the broadcaster is listening to the end user is really good news.

I'm all happy for a DOG'less film or drama series. It doesn't put me off viewing, but glad it won't be as noticeable.

The DOG's that do frustrate me are ITV really when they have huge red banners come across the screen showing what's coming on next. No need I have an EPG thanks.

On a side note, it's good to see the old BBC Micro owl on the blog ! Those of us old enough will remember that.

ramer · 22-10-2008, 13:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by GH Online

Presumably you have never watched BBC News on Freeview then, where the Red Button has to be manually vanquished. Another needless irritant that could be replaced by an on-ident symbol.

How do you manually get rid of the red "NEWS" DOG on the BBC freeview channel???

GaryB · 22-10-2008, 13:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramer

How do you manually get rid of the red "NEWS" DOG on the BBC freeview channel???

You can get rid of the MHEG banner in the top right corner by pressing the green button. You can't get rid of the BBC News DOG as it's part of the transmission.

pinkdragon · 23-10-2008, 07:57

Thanks BBC HD its a start all we need is other channels on SKY HD to do same some like Eurosport are terrible Sky one HD should turn of dog on films and good series stargate with no dog would be good it would not be difficult to have system with dog optional like red dot on news channels goes of few secs after program or just on when adverts on they seem to turn them off for adverts why not programs give people option in EPG Dogs on or off.

Aspartame · 23-10-2008, 09:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by simonp820

DOG indifferentist*

My 'made-up word of the day'

How about DOG agnostic?

or Dognostic

samnoon · 23-10-2008, 10:58

Watching Galapagos now, DOG is as annoying as ever, especially in the darker scenes where it really shows up

Mickey S · 23-10-2008, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by samnoon

Watching Galapagos now, DOG is as annoying as ever, especially in the darker scenes where it really shows up

Galapagos isn't on BBC HD at the moment - it's the BBC HD Preview.

I don't think it's unreasonable to display a DOG on a preview broadcast - after all, they're trying to showcase what you can find on the channel.

21-10-2008, 09:28	#1
Boatman Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South Wales Services: freesat+, Freeview, Sony IDTV, Nintendo Wii Posts: 263	BBC HD dog news Good and bad news here

23-10-2008, 07:57	#22
pinkdragon Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: South East Kent Services: Sky HD Freeview DSL internet Freesat HD Sky HD Posts: 38	Ref Dogs Thanks BBC HD its a start all we need is other channels on SKY HD to do same some like Eurosport are terrible Sky one HD should turn of dog on films and good series stargate with no dog would be good it would not be difficult to have system with dog optional like red dot on news channels goes of few secs after program or just on when adverts on they seem to turn them off for adverts why not programs give people option in EPG Dogs on or off.

21-10-2008, 10:20	#3
Katia Polletin Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The Little Village Services: 1 x HD & 2 x SD FTA Satellite, VM - 4 services. Posts: 3,607	Going in the right direction.

21-10-2008, 10:31	#4
FraserGJ Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: South Wales, er... Wales Services: DTT-Mediamaster 9850T + Nebula DigiTV, FTA DSAT-Skystar2, BT Broadband 8Mb Posts: 1,695	As I recall a similar policy was put in place on BBC3 and BBC4 some years ago Last time I looked, only BBC4 seemed to still be obeying the policy. Hopefully the lower viewer numbers for BBC HD means this policy is kept too. Ironically however the DOG will remain on documentary content where the HD picture is probably the most important (Planet Earth, Britain from Above as examples) A welcome step in the right direction however

21-10-2008, 11:15	#5
Aspartame Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Greenock Services: Freeview, BT Total Broadband, pie. Posts: 7,967	I have yet to hear one convincing argument explaining the need for a DOG on any channel, especially a publicly-funded one.

21-10-2008, 11:34	#6
mossy2103 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 33,132	A most welcome step, and a hopeful sign for the future (as well as showing that, sometimes, the powers that be DO listen).

21-10-2008, 12:19	#7
late8 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,337	DOGs are still a pain in the arse. The Argument put forward about 'channel identity' and 'knowing where you are in the linup' is bollocks. I know i'm watching BBC Three or BBC HD because I CHOSE to watch it. I CHOSE to watch it because a program i liked was on- I dont flick through channels looking at DOGs first and then aligning the identity of the channel and programming to it. Most channels with DOGs are full of adverts anyway so i flick away- why does the BBC have to have this? I know I'm watching BBC1 because I chose BBC 1- Not because a DOG told me - Why not put one on BBC1 and 2 then?. GET RID OF THEM!

21-10-2008, 15:36	#12
Chorlton Fisher Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: London Services: Sky+ HD, Sky Broadband. iBook Posts: 2,540 Blog Entries: 11	I know what channel I'm on, I selected it on the EPG. If I had any desire to remind myself what channel I was watching I could bring the EPG banner up. If they must have DOGs couldn't they make them like the red button, so they disappear after 30 seconds?

21-10-2008, 15:43	#13
russellelly Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Renfrewshire, Blackhill Tx Services: FTA DTT PVRs, DAB, Virgin Media TV:L, BB:M Posts: 9,504 Blog Entries: 3	This is the kind of news that'd make me seriously consider investing in a Freesat HD PVR. If it's toned down to the lowest level during non-drama/films then I assume it would be comparable with American TV DOGs? Well done for taking some action on it, BBC

22-10-2008, 06:50	#15
Methanoid Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 492	Nothing winds me up more than DOGs and red Buttons. They are single worst thing to come out of digital TV. No amount of campaigning seems to get broadcasters to listen either. Put simply, they are pointless with digital TV. We know what channel we are on because we put it on and if we NEED to know we call up the on screen banner which tells the program name and the channel. Its certainly a major turn-off for me from BBC HD and BBC HD would be the channel I would watch if got HDTV

22-10-2008, 06:56	#16
simonp820 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Newcastle under Lyme Services: Sky HD, big tele and an Xbox! Posts: 2,434	Seriously - some of you need to chill out a bit! I really don't have a problem with the graphics - most channels have them and you soon forget they're there. I would agree about some of the larger red button displays but all you do is press 'backup' or just wait 30 seconds for them to disappear. I really don't understand people's hatred of these!

22-10-2008, 08:18	#17
Methanoid Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 492	DOG apologist

22-10-2008, 12:35	#19
banbury_oddball Forum Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Banbury Services: Sky HD, Sky Broadband, Sony Eric K850i. Toshiba 37XV505DB HDTV Posts: 1,043	Any progress and the fact that the broadcaster is listening to the end user is really good news. I'm all happy for a DOG'less film or drama series. It doesn't put me off viewing, but glad it won't be as noticeable. The DOG's that do frustrate me are ITV really when they have huge red banners come across the screen showing what's coming on next. No need I have an EPG thanks. On a side note, it's good to see the old BBC Micro owl on the blog ! Those of us old enough will remember that.

23-10-2008, 10:58	#24
samnoon Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Services: Sky+ HD, Sky Broadband Max, Freeview Posts: 58	Watching Galapagos now, DOG is as annoying as ever, especially in the darker scenes where it really shows up