Which network has the best "bug" on it? I know we don't like them, but they're here to stay.

When I talke about "best" and "bug" I mean about size and placement.

For starters, I'm going to nominate:

1) FXHD - it's small and stuffed all the way in the lower right corner of the 16:9 area.

2) Animal Planet HD - stuffed in the upper right corner of the 16:9 area.

What is the best dessert to have at the prison cafeteria if you are going to be violated later that day?

none
i always know what i am watching and do not need a reminder
i also do not need pop up ads for upcoming shows

none
i always know what i am watching and do not need a reminder
i also do not need pop up ads for upcoming shows

Agreeed.++++++++++++.Plus i have the info button, plus the guide button, plus my own brain for knowing what channel i put on the tv.:)

What is the best dessert to have at the prison cafeteria if you are going to be violated later that day?


Habanero Pudding?

Habanero Pudding?

I'll let you know.

Which network has the best "bug" on it?

The one that doesn't have a bug on the screen! :cool::D:D:D

USA HD. The bug is not animated or large. Plus, SD programming does not have the "HD" branding on the bug. Along with not distorting SD programming, this guarantees that people will be less confused.*

*Compare that to TBS HD stretching shows and putting a TBS HD bug on screen and saying "Available in HD" on all shows.

HBO and/or Cinemax. The best bug is one I can't see.

Cartoon Network.

http://i-love-cartoons.com/snags/clipart/Looney-Toons/Bugs-Bunny/Bugs-Bunny-Neener.jpg

All bugs must be squashed.
For animated bugs, their broadcast engineers must also be squashed.
For pop-up banner ads during program content, everyone at the offending network must also be squashed.

I'll let you know.
Now they give you internet in prison?

Best bug: (as mentioned) HBO/Cinemax
Worst bug: All others, led by Anizal Planet, Discovery Green, Lifetime (SD)

Worst Bugs:
FOX's "affiliate bugs"
NBC's "wrong side of the screen/no NBC text bug"
NBC's Today show bug, ABC and CBS animated bugs featuring their website during evening news

Worst Bugs(cable):
Anizal Planet
FOX News
TNT/TBS branding everything as HD
WGN(national) "Anime Hooker" eyes
CNN's new "logo box" with the animated logo for each show
Lifetime's HUGE constant on snipes
A&E's new HD bug
Bravo's huge ad bug
WE and Oxygen's ad bugs(what's up with these "women" channels:confused:)
QVC's stupid new logo with that big "Q"

ESPN. Specifically for MNF.

Is this a trick question?

Is this a trick question?

I don't think so. I know people have complained ad nauseum about the bugs, pop-ups, animations, whatever.

I know that the best bug is - none at all.

If that's not possible, you want it as small and as far out of the way as possible. The broadcast networks don't do it - they keep it in the 4:3 safe area, so it's up to the cable/satellite networks to do something about it.

I don't have screen capture ability, so I can't post any samples.

FOX. I just couldnt live without that huge BLUE atrocity in the corner of my screen.

Now they give you internet in prison?

Yep, if you behave. You also get text messaging, in fact I've already texted a couple guys and told them they better load up on some habenero pudding. :)

I don't think so. I know people have complained ad nauseum about the bugs, pop-ups, animations, whatever.

I know that the best bug is - none at all.

If that's not possible, you want it as small and as far out of the way as possible. The broadcast networks don't do it - they keep it in the 4:3 safe area, so it's up to the cable/satellite networks to do something about it.

I don't have screen capture ability, so I can't post any samples.

We don't need samples.

And to say which is the "best" bug is to acknowledge some kind of acceptance of it. No way! No bugs are good or acceptable. The best bug is one in the garden, not on my screen. I hate this thread. It should be squashed like a bug.

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/6317/cap1898042ir7.th.jpg (http://img48.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cap1898042ir7.jpg)
http://i42.tinypic.com/33ys7lv.png

Comedy Central HD bug.

I can't wait until mrvideo weighs in on this issue. :D:D:D:D

PBS, since they don't put any on their feeds, though a lot of individual stations are now using bugs. Wonder how many members they've lost?

HDNet Movies has the best bug. It's very translucent, simple and to the point, it's at the very edge of the frame, and only pops up for a few seconds at a time.

No bugs is the only way.

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/6317/cap1898042ir7.th.jpg (http://img48.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cap1898042ir7.jpg)
http://i42.tinypic.com/33ys7lv.png

Comedy Central HD bug.
Just wanna hijack for a second, while this question is more for this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=954645), does CCHD pop up a bunch of snipes also? Do they stretch non-HD programming (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=914099)?

No bug is best!

Back to reality, FOX's is the "best" The size isn't the smallest, but it's in the bottom right in the 16x9 area, farther out of the way. A couple years ago our local affiliate, WTXF in Philly, their logo was longer than it was taller, and they put it so far in the corner than the tiny text below it that said "WTXF Philadelphia" that ran the length of a small rectangular bug was cut off by TV's overscans. Heck their current logo, the bottom is cut off by overscan.

CBS eye by itself isn't too bad, wish it was still over in the 16x9 area, I know the techincal reasons why it is 4:3 safe.

If you ever watch NBA on ESPN, the "ESPNHD" in the bottom right isn't bad at all, small, unobtrusive, pretty transparent. You don't see it much since the "bottom line" ticker is on most shows.

FOX has become my new favorite. Flashes a FOXHD logo, and it's gone. NO Bug after that! Whee!!!!

They certainly have come the furthest as they were the worst with half screen bugs for upcoming shows. Now, they are screened, and go away right after the breaks.

HDNet Movies has the best bug. It's very translucent, simple and to the point, it's at the very edge of the frame, and only pops up for a few seconds at a time.
Agreed.

If we have to live with bugs, I'll take something like that.

Most annoying is probably Disney based on size alone. If you count snipes, TNT or TBS would be at the top of the hate list.

That new Comedy Central HD bug isn't bad at all. Can't wait until next week when it goes live on D*

"Best Bug" is an oxymoron. They are either "crappy", "disgusting" or "hideous". Then there's that thing I've seen flipping by the Disney channel. I believe it must actually be some kind of an inside joke or something because I can't imagine any semi-sane person with even half a brain would actually watch something through that... My personal tolerance level has precluded me from watching any channel displaying a bug below the "crappy" designation.


ron

Fxhd

NBC's "wrong side of the screen/no NBC text bug"Enough with the "wrong side of the screen" garbage. There is no "correct" side of the screen.

A small non intrusive (or limited intrusive) bug is best.
A large bug on a good show will not stop me from watching such show.

Enough with the "wrong side of the screen" garbage. There is no "correct" side of the screen.

It is 'wrong', when 4 out of 5 broadcast stations, along with Univision, ION, local affiliates and a majority of cable stations put it on the right side of the screen. Here in the US, the right side of the screen is normal. That's where bugs originated, that's where they look normal. Anywhere else is odd.

It is 'wrong', when 4 out of 5 broadcast stations, along with Univision, ION, local affiliates and a majority of cable stations put it on the right side of the screen. Here in the US, the right side of the screen is normal. That's where bugs originated, that's where they look normal. Anywhere else is odd.

I disagree, I've seen all my locals put their bug in all 4 corners in the past. I have also seen weather alerts and radar bugs in all four corners. The lower right maybe where most channels put their bug, but I have never seen an industry standard that says its the correct placement. Therefore, there is no right or wrong placement.

Edit in:
I have also seen two of my locals use a centered bug

It is 'wrong', when 4 out of 5 broadcast stations, along with Univision, ION, local affiliates and a majority of cable stations put it on the right side of the screen. Here in the US, the right side of the screen is normal. That's where bugs originated, that's where they look normal. Anywhere else is odd.You not liking it doesn't make it wrong any more than me liking it makes it right.

It is 'wrong', when 4 out of 5 broadcast stations, along with Univision, ION, local affiliates and a majority of cable stations put it on the right side of the screen. Here in the US, the right side of the screen is normal. That's where bugs originated, that's where they look normal. Anywhere else is odd.

And toilet paper should be hung with the paper coming out the bottom of the roll!!! :rolleyes:

The only place I haven't seen a bug is in the middle of the screen. However I'm sure that's coming soon.

I hate bugs- but my favorite for broadcast TV is the FOX affiliate bug. FOX5 NY's is very translucent and way outside the 4x3 area. If I have to have a bug that's how I like it. I feel bad for all of you with a FOX affiliate bug that is huge, colorful, and nasty.

I'd have to say the "best" bug is on [adult swim]. It is very small and unobtrusive. They also never do lower thirds or any of that other heinous crap.

My FOX affiliate has a light grey bug, that is not very transparent. It stands out grossly against any dark background, but at least it is smaller than most other bugs.

My FOX affiliate has a light grey bug, that is not very transparent. It stands out grossly against any dark background, but at least it is smaller than most other bugs.

Sounds like they might have flip-flopped the "key" and "fill" files when they sent them to FOX. I've seen that before. Instead of a white bug that has, say 30% opacity (which makes it dark gray, and transparent), you end up with a bug that is 30% luminance, and completely opaque (ie: a solid gray bug).

The only place I haven't seen a bug is in the middle of the screen. However I'm sure that's coming soon.

A center of screen bug is usually a legal ID bug that comes on at the top of the hour. I don't think anyone leaves it on the whole time. Yet...:eek::eek::eek:

It's actually in the FOX HD logo specifications.

MyNetworkTV's HD movie presentations have no bug.....yet.

A center of screen bug is usually a legal ID bug that comes on at the top of the hour. I don't think anyone leaves it on the whole time. Yet...:eek::eek::eek:

It's actually in the FOX HD logo specifications.
Sorry, I meant dead center middle of the screen. I have seen the one from the link before many times.

I liked BBC America's old bug, in the top left corner of the screen like the other BBC channels.

I liked BBC America's old bug, in the top left corner of the screen like the other BBC channels.

Except that BBC One and BBC Two don't have bugs at all (apart from some BBC Two stuff overnight)! (Neither do ITV1 or Channel Four - only one of the five terrestrial networks - Five - has a channel bug)

The BBC News Channel and BBC World News Channel have moved their bugs bottom left (in 4:3 safe if viewing the 16:9 versions) to line up with their news tickers (and clock in the case of the BBC News Channel - which is UK only).

BBC Four and BBC HD only put their bug up (BBC Four top left in 4:3 safe, BBC HD top left ignoring safe) during some programmes - and generally don't put it up during movies and high-end drama. BBC HD has, after much discussion on the controller's blog, significantly reduced the luminance and thus the visibility of the BBC HD dog when it IS up. (Yep - a Network Channel Controller has a blog where she actually listens to the public a bit. The chief HD technologist for the BBC also chips in now and again as well)

I recorded Enterprise on HDNet and didn't see the bug in the lower right corner. Well didn't see it unless I happened to look there. Very transparent and very unobtrusive. Another nominee.

I have contacted Cox cable concerning snipes! Their answer is "We don't control programing! Contact the network or the FCC!

Why have snipes or bugs at all! I am currently asking TNT and TBS to stop the snipes! In addition, I'm contacting the advertisers that I'm turning off the shows that are showing snipes! Any other ideas to stop these ads!

I have contacted Cox cable concerning snipes! Their answer is "We don't control programing! Contact the network or the FCC!

Why have snipes or bugs at all! I am currently asking TNT and TBS to stop the snipes! In addition, I'm contacting the advertisers that I'm turning off the shows that are showing snipes! Any other ideas to stop these ads!
Turn off the tv.

I'm not saying that to be sarcastic, but that appears to be the only way.

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/6317/cap1898042ir7.th.jpg (http://img48.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cap1898042ir7.jpg)
http://i42.tinypic.com/33ys7lv.png

Comedy Central HD bug.
Comedy Central has already changed their HD bug. It now looks like the SD bug, but it says HD on the side. I think it's actually a little bit bigger than the SD bug, too. :mad:

I am currently asking TNT and TBS to stop the snipes!
I think you'd have more luck asking them to stop stretching SD content.

Cable channels will keep doing whatever they damn well please as long as people keep subscribing to them. That's why I don't have cable or satellite, and won't until all the channels start playing by MY rules.

I wouldn't mind as much if they were that at the beginning after a commercial, limit them to a 5% of the time. Otherwise they are obnoxious.

It is 'wrong', when 4 out of 5 broadcast stations, along with Univision, ION, local affiliates and a majority of cable stations put it on the right side of the screen. Here in the US, the right side of the screen is normal. That's where bugs originated, that's where they look normal. Anywhere else is odd.

Hmm - think different places have different conventions.

In the UK on-screen bugs (called dogs here) are almost universally top left (4:3 safe on 16:9 channels in most cases) BBC News and BBC World News are exceptions to this - as they have a bottom left ticker (and clock on BBC News) and the channel dog is part of this.

In Germany and Scandinavia though, they are usually top right, as I think they also are in France on the FT channels - though sometimes the bugs relocate bottom left for news shows (where the station bug is integrated into the graphic look of the channel).

I've also seen some bugs that move semi-randomly (I think RAI did this in Italy in the 80s/90s) - to cause problems for people who were trying to pirate record shows for sale or broadcast on other stations. This method dates back to the crude (black and white and very blocky) logos used in the 70s certainly.

Listed below is the reply from COX cable about TNT and TBS

Dear Valued Cox Customer:

Thank you for your inquiry. Cox is committed to providing the best
customer service possible.

Unfortunately, we have no say in how the networks run their advertising
schedules and what items are advertised on their networks. All that we
can suggest is to continue the different avenues available to
communicate with the networks, that you can find on their respective
websites.

Thank you.

Cox Communications Online Customer Care Team

If you need additional information on other Cox products or services,
please visit our web site at

http://www.cox.com



Original Message Follows:
------------------------

I contacted the FCC about the cable networks! They have no control over
the cable broadcasters. TNT and TBS have not replied! I'm not speaking
to their programing, but the constant advertising that takes place over
their programs!

Listed below is the response from MC Donalds concerning snipes!

Thank you for taking the time to contact McDonald's.

Please know that we appreciate your comments and they will be forwarded to the appropriate department for further review.


Again, thank you for contacting McDonald's. We hope to have the opportunity of serving you again soon under the Golden Arches.



Kayla
McDonald's Customer Response Center

ref#:5782170

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please do not "reply" to this email response. No "replies" can be received through this mailbox. If you wish to contact McDonald's Customer Response Center again, please visit our website at www.mcdonalds.com

You wrote:

Your advertising appears on TNT and TBS along with other stations. This is not a complaint about McDonalds, but of the netowrks who are using snipes ads over the programs.

I have turned off these stations, hense not watching your ads! Snipes are unacceptable!

Thank you,

Having Anizal Planet HD for a few days now, I have to second them as "best HD bug". I like the small, unobtrusive, tucked in the upper right corner bug. Even their snipes are unobtrusive, so far I've only seen one that was in the exact same position as the bug. I also like Discovery HD. The D with the earth in it is small and not bothersome, like fellow network TLC HD, with a huge, opaque bug.

The "Palladia" bug that consists of the butterfly(carried over from the bird commercial) is also very cool. And the normal bug, just the "palladia" text is unobtrusive in the bottom corner.

Honorable mentions include: USA, SCIFI, BRAVO, DISNEY and ABC FAMILY. I chose those as they keep 4:3 content in 4:3 and the bug is inside the 4:3 window on 4:3 programming(rather than hanging over the picture and the sidebar).

And ABC still sucks for their semi-4:3/semi-16:9 bug. All of their damn bug cannot be seen on 4:3 TVs, which means they're obstructing the middle of my screen for no reason. FAIL!