kingsclear
04-11-08, 12:31 AM
CTV has screwed up again with American Idol audio. Their DD5.1 audio for the past 2 nights has been a total shambles. It lacks rear channel and surround to the point that the whole sound field is at the front with a very weak rear that is virtually inaudible.
This is a continuation of problems that developed last year when AI went to a "stylized" 5.1 (my description) in place of the normal discrete 5.1. This was after several weeks of using 2.0 inside of the 5.1 shell. It is my understanding that FOX affiliates are told not to tamper with the AI audio feeds that are encoded at the source. CTV doesn't play that game and reprocesses the audio to the detriment of the program.
Bell ExpressVu Master Control (my carrier) has been generally pretty good at recognizing audio faults and dropping simsubs but these past 2 episodes have been a disaster. They did drop Tuesday's western simsub but tonight's has gone ahead. Last night when 10 PM eastern hit and the simsub dropped (as it was only requested to that time) the difference was unbelievable.
Last year I filed an official complaint with the CRTC against Bell ExpressVu for not dropping the simsubs when the same problem was occuring. That started a wave of emails and phone calls including one angry one from CTV when Bell ExpressVu started dropping simsubs in response. In Canada, to qualify for a simsub the broadcast must begin and end at exactly the same time, must be at least 94% complete (to allow for differences in commercial allotments which are regulated in Canada), and the audio and video presentation must be of equal or bettter technical quality than the imported US signal that is being replaced. This means that the DD5.1 audio must be accurate.
I would like to hear voices of those who agree or disagree with me that CTV is butchering the audio presentation by reprocessing it. I would also appreciate the filing of official complaints with the CRTC (you MUST follow the exact procedures as listed on their site or the complaint will be ignored). I will be filing this weekend. Filing complaints with the CRTC is the only way your voice is going to be heard. The process does work.
This is CTV's highest rated program of the year with the possible exception of the Super Bowl. Any complaints should be filed against your carrier (Bell ExpressVu, Rogers, Shaw, etc.) as it is their responsibility to drop the offending simsub. CTV will get the message loud and clear.
This is a continuation of problems that developed last year when AI went to a "stylized" 5.1 (my description) in place of the normal discrete 5.1. This was after several weeks of using 2.0 inside of the 5.1 shell. It is my understanding that FOX affiliates are told not to tamper with the AI audio feeds that are encoded at the source. CTV doesn't play that game and reprocesses the audio to the detriment of the program.
Bell ExpressVu Master Control (my carrier) has been generally pretty good at recognizing audio faults and dropping simsubs but these past 2 episodes have been a disaster. They did drop Tuesday's western simsub but tonight's has gone ahead. Last night when 10 PM eastern hit and the simsub dropped (as it was only requested to that time) the difference was unbelievable.
Last year I filed an official complaint with the CRTC against Bell ExpressVu for not dropping the simsubs when the same problem was occuring. That started a wave of emails and phone calls including one angry one from CTV when Bell ExpressVu started dropping simsubs in response. In Canada, to qualify for a simsub the broadcast must begin and end at exactly the same time, must be at least 94% complete (to allow for differences in commercial allotments which are regulated in Canada), and the audio and video presentation must be of equal or bettter technical quality than the imported US signal that is being replaced. This means that the DD5.1 audio must be accurate.
I would like to hear voices of those who agree or disagree with me that CTV is butchering the audio presentation by reprocessing it. I would also appreciate the filing of official complaints with the CRTC (you MUST follow the exact procedures as listed on their site or the complaint will be ignored). I will be filing this weekend. Filing complaints with the CRTC is the only way your voice is going to be heard. The process does work.
This is CTV's highest rated program of the year with the possible exception of the Super Bowl. Any complaints should be filed against your carrier (Bell ExpressVu, Rogers, Shaw, etc.) as it is their responsibility to drop the offending simsub. CTV will get the message loud and clear.