Need better HD Flags in the Guide

[vandergraff]

I know this probably something that probably needs to be fixed by the individual channels rather than DirecTV - but the current HD Flags are causing us to ignore many programs on the new HD Channels that we might otherwise watch. At the end of the day this lowers the value of both the DirecTV HD line up and the value of the individual HD channels to us.

It goes both ways.

We all know TNTHD, HGTV HD, History HD etc mark as HD - programs that are stretched from 4:3 to 16:9. Generally we ignore movies on TNTHD (as an example) - because there is no way to know if it will real HD or stretched.

However we also see other channels which don't flag programs as HD when they really are. As an example last night we were looking around the HD channels and came across Bravo HD showing 'Clear and Present Danger' without an HD Flag in Guide - but not only was it in HD it was even OAR.

So DirecTV if you want us to see value in ALL the HD Channels we currently get - please get the providers to to give to the correct guide info - and DON'T flag stretched programs as HD.

For now we tend to stick to the channels HDNET Movies, Starz HD, HBO etc were we know a movie will be in HD.

[beavis]

AFAIK, it's not the providers, it's Tribune Media Services, Inc. that D* gets guide data from, including HD flags.

[vandergraff]

AFAIK, it's not the providers, it's Tribune Media Services, Inc. that D* gets guide data from, including HD flags.

OK but who provides the data to Tribune?

At the end of the day it is in both DirecTV interests and channel providers to get the correct data here.

[ajc68]

It frustrates me when I see an SD program listed as HD. It frustrates me when I see a stretched program listed as HD. And it frustrates me when I see an HD program that is listed as SD, because I probably would have been watching it from the start had I known. Unfortunately, this goes on all the time. It would be nice if they could come up with a uniform system. On Bio they don’t list the stretched programs as HD. I wish all channels would do it this way.

[davring]

Not making excuses, but everyone must remember this is all very new to most of these providers. Most started to air HD programming within the last year and the supply of true HD material is still quite limited. I am certain they would all prefer to have all HD programming all the time, but that won't happen for years I'm afraid. So we end up with a mix, some SD poorly up converted if at all, letter boxed stretched, partially cropped and every variation you can think of. We HD snobs are still the minority so some of the time what we see would look much better on a 4x3 CRT:) Compared to what we had a mere 8 or 9 months ago, I think it is fantastic and the good part is it is getting better everyday.

[vandergraff]

Not making excuses, but everyone must remember this is all very new to most of these providers. Most started to air HD programming within the last year and the supply of true HD material is still quite limited. I am certain they would all prefer to have all HD programming all the time, but that won't happen for years I'm afraid. So we end up with a mix, some SD poorly up converted if at all, letter boxed stretched, partially cropped and every variation you can think of. We HD snobs are still the minority so some of the time what we see would look much better on a 4x3 CRT:) Compared to what we had a mere 8 or 9 months ago, I think it is fantastic and the good part is it is getting better everyday.

I can understand that not everything will be HD.

I would just like the guide info to correctly identify what is really HD and what isn't.

[JACKIEGAGA]

I can understand that not everything will be HD.

I would just like the guide info to correctly identify what is really HD and what isn't.

I totally agree just display it properly

[ajc68]

Not making excuses, but everyone must remember this is all very new to most of these providers. Most started to air HD programming within the last year and the supply of true HD material is still quite limited.

I was only commenting in agreement with the OP that some networks need to do a better job labeling what shows are HD and which are not. A uniform standard would be helpful.

[DodgerKing]

I notice that Food Network of late doesn't label anything as HD, opposite of TB which labels everything as HD.

[davring]

I was only commenting in agreement with the OP that some networks need to do a better job labeling what shows are HD and which are not. A uniform standard would be helpful.

I'm not certain the people who set up these shows for broadcast even know what they should look like:D

[tzphotos.com]

However we also see other channels which don't flag programs as HD when they really are. As an example last night we were looking around the HD channels and came across Bravo HD showing 'Clear and Present Danger' without an HD Flag in Guide - but not only was it in HD it was even OAR.



I saw that on the Bravo channel and did not record, because it didn't show the HD flag. That sux. I was hoping to see "Clear and Present Danger" in HD. I wish I would have known. I will have to see if Bravo is repeating.

Perfect Example: I didn't watch their movie because it didn't show HD.

[vandergraff]

I saw that on the Bravo channel and did not record, because it didn't show the HD flag. That sux. I was hoping to see "Clear and Present Danger" in HD. I wish I would have known. I will have to see if Bravo is repeating.

Perfect Example: I didn't watch their movie because it didn't show HD.

Another example on Bravo HD Saturday. 'Hunt for Red Ocyober' in HD and OAR but not listed as HD in the guide - I wonder how many viewers didn't bother watching it because they didn't know it was HD?

[Tiger Tony]

Just want to jump in to say that I agree 100% with the the OP "vandergraff".

I for one will ONLY watch movies and shows that or in HD. The second I see a stretched program I immediately switch channels. I know I'm nuts but I'd rather watch any program in HD even if I'm not interested in it, rather then watch a program in stretch-O-vision.

Labeling the HD broadcast correctly would make life less frustrating for people like myself :)