Monday, December 10, 2007

"CiTi HiTz" launch today, some new developments

With the launch of the first local pay television channel "CiTi Hitz" on channel 26 scheduled for today there seems to some other things also in store for Dialog TV subscribers. First of all more information on this new channel can be obtained at -TV Radio Sri Lanka : Sri Lanka's first 24 hour Pay television Channel "CiTi HiTz" launches today-.

It seems that Dialog GSM subscribers can take part in competitions held over international channels via Dialog Port Number 9988. We are not sure whether subscribers of other pay television platforms who own Dialog GSM connections could also do the same. According to information being received, initially Dialog subscribers will be able to take part in competitions held during English Premier League football matches shown on ESPN-Star Sports and we hope that these are extended to AXN promotions as well as to other channel promotions.

According to other information being received Dialog TV are supposed to have enhanced Video quality on the platform. In addition SRTV will be removed on approximately the 20th of December 2007 and replaced with another Tamil Language Channel. SET Max has been replaced with SET SAB (the channel that Dialog has been cursed with and is unable to get rid of) temporarily, however SET Max should either today or within the next few days.

According to some bloggers all channels except "The Buddhist" have suddenly got scrambled at approximately 6pm last evening (9th Dec 07) and those who tried to get through to the Dialog TV hotline to inquire what the problem was have been unable to do so. The next time there is a problem with Dialog TV transmission we hope that Customer care will not go into hiding and avoid subscribers. Dialog TV should make a formal apology to their subscribers for their tactics last evening.

Please keep us updated on the latest on Dialog TV as the days progress.

84 comments:

Looser said...

Well CitiHits looks great and wish them all the best.

The quality is superb. DTV have increased the quality of other channels too we can see a huge difference now.

Mario said...

CITY HITZ has been added to the DTV site. It will be offered free of charge to all pcks until 31st March 2008.

Yes, the quality has certainly improved in all the channels.
Ten sports also has improved.
Finally!. Thank u DTV !

DLR said...

Wish good luck to Citihitz!!

I hope DTV guys will maintain a fare standard for the programs. Some programs telecast yesterday was not up to the standard.
As a film lover I’m eagerly waiting to see good Sinhala films on Citihitz.

yakuza said...

ok thanks

DLR said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
DLR said...

During the testing period I've seen the EGP was available in CITIHITZ. I thought DTV is going to launch the channel without any errors. But as usual so many blackouts, No EPG,etc.. We are positivly waiting for DTV's good work.
Is there any method available to check Citihitz' program schedule?

PSH said...

available shotly...

619 said...

All the best CiTYHITZ !!

Sanjeev Thurusinghe said...

Lanka's first ever uninterrupted satellite TV channel launched
Film Directress Sumithra Peries launched Sri Lanka's first uninterrupted 24 hour cinema satellite TV channel CITI HITZ on Monday in Colombo.

This channel includes Sinhala movies, tele-dramas and interviews with cinema artistes.

Chairman of ONAIR WORLD PVT LTD Nimal Laxapathiarchchi says this channel would be aired through the Dailog TV. "The local film industry has faced many problems and most of film theatres face low income due to the drop in film viewers. However we introduced this cinema channel to attract local viewers and cater the industry", he said.

Chief Guest Sumithra Peries said the mobile phone service providers must introduce hand phone TV channels to popularise cinema and other tele-dramas in Sri Lanka.

According to the ONAIR WORLD the CITYHITZ will feature a unique blend of Sinhala movies, tele-dramas to attract viewers. The viewers can enjoy the content uninterrupted, with no commercial breaks. The channel will carry full length Sinhala movies and dramas ranging from classic hits of the 1960s to the latest blockbusters.

The DIALOG Telecom said its TV channel has over 50,000 viewers and plans to attract another 100,000 viewers within next year.

The channel uses digital broadcasting system to telecast its programmes and the Chief Executive Officer of the Television Nushad Perera said the DIALOG plans to introduce mobile phone based TV channel within a short period.

Mario said...

DTV has removed SET SAB from the channel list on their site!

FINALLY!

alf said...

JESIKA RUMAL 619 FREEMAN IS SLOWLY PUTTING HIS BORN AGAIN CULTURE.MUST KEEP OUR EYES OPEN AS THESE KIND OF "NAPUNSAKAYAS" ARE THE PEOPLE WHO CARRY BOMBS FOR THE LTTE.

619 said...

Looking for the CiTYHITZ program schedule.....

PSH said...

SET MAX Back on AIR from afternoon.

yakuza said...

hi
anyone knows what set package star movies is in and the cost?

Anonymous said...

Good work DTV on removing SET SAB and introducing citi hitz!

There are some more useless channels in the line up;
STAR PLUS, SET and ZEE TV. Please replace them with some watchable ones.

Mario said...

@ Janaka

Im sure there are many out there including myself who would love to have those lousy hindi channels replaced with some worthwhile English ones, but there needs to be hindi also as well for those customers. Maybe they could replace those channels with some better hindi stuff? or maybe some tamil channel ?

hellbreez said...

I think citihitz is one of the most lousy and boring channels.Showing some old teledram's for hours.yesterday they showed a teledrama for more than 4 hours.Just imagine 25mnt an episode and 18 episodes showing contineously its over 7 hours.Who's gonna sit and watch fr 7 hours??where r the movies they promised.This channel is not prstical?any comments??

Ryan said...

There is no point in DTV saying that they have 50000 subsribers when they dont give proper service.

They have not been able to activate a set plan on my connection for the past two weeks & all that the very helpful hotline says is " we will get back in 48 hours" So many 48 hours have passed & all they say is they have activated it (I assume I will be billed) but have "NO IDEA" what has happened.

At least the hotline call is ended with a joke " Is there anything ELSE we could do to help you Sir ????"

Way to go DTV

DLR said...

I agree with hellbreez

What they have done is combine all episodes in to one & cut/removed some portions to shorten the telecasting length, completely ignoring the continuity of the program. The head people of citihitz must know that tele-drama & Cinema is totally different concept. If Citihitz try to run with the teledrama concept , we can see the death of citihitz very near future. If the new channel wants to telecast tele-dramas what they can do is convert tele-dramas in to short movie style (90min max) (like “In to the west” on star movies or “Big love” series on HBO). Otherwise only audience can expect is paralyzed or bed resting patients.

Looser said...

I also agree with that. Atleast can't they telecast old movies?

Anyway do they have enough films to show 24 hours? I don't think so.

Anonymous said...

For hindi lovers there are 2 movie channels, and zeemusic not to mention MTV. Do you think that there are that many people who view hindi junk.

yakuza said...

talking about city hits, that non stop tele drama marathon is killing me

has to do better than that

hopefully its still the testing period

yakuza said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
yakuza said...

can anyone confirm this set plan

star movies, ten sport, pogo- rs. 200/=

@619 in a previous post i've seen that you have applied for this

alf said...

YAKUZA IF YOU WANT TO ASK 619 YOU CAN ASK JESIKA RUKMAL FREEMAN 619 WHO ARE BOGUS CHARACTERS WORKING ON SECRET AGENDAS OF NGO'S,LTTE AND THE BORN AGAIN CULT,THIS BUGGER IS A DANGEROUS HOMO.

619 said...

Yakuza

I have uploaded it again
you can download it from

http://www.zshare.net/download/5606972ea97d78/

619 said...

its good to the the program guide for CiTiHitz.

But, no one can watch tele dramas for continually for 4-7 hours.
Is good if they break them to 2-3 parts. otherwice it'll become worse than Gon-Depaya !!

Mario said...

If people can watch hindi movies for over 4 hrs, why cant they watch sinhala tele dramas ?

DLR said...

As per the EPG of citihitz, they r going to telecast some tele dramas for 7hrs. I think Naushad is now searching "RICH" paralyzed patients to watch the channel. Isn't there any single person in DTV who knows something about customer's requirement ro customer care.

DLR said...

AMD,
Watching Hindi or any other movie for 4hr is not a issue. As they have produced that in a cinematic way. But our teledramas are producing to cater separate environment . Those tele dramas not suit to watch continuously. Not like those days, now teledrama editors consider the advertising breaks too. And the people who involving in NEW combining & editing doesn’t consider the viewer’s enjoyment at all. I’m not going to argue on this anymore. I consider this as another DTV’s wrong work. Only person I can identify to watch these teledrama’s is Dr. Wickramabahu Karunarathna.

Looser said...

May be they think that most of the 50000 are paralyzed ones

@AMD
Can you watch a teledrama or a movie for 4-7hrs? Then you must be one of the paralyzed.

TechnoGuy Sri Lanka said...

Dialog is not directly in charge of CiTi HiTz; its another company.

But still Dialog should bother to mention to the broadcaster that people can't sit and wait for 3-7 hours watching one teledrama. I hope someone will get it fixed soon.

And has anyone seen any movies on CiTi HiTz yet? All look like teledramas to me.

hush said...

I have 16:9 format TV and only on the channel CITI HITZ on left hand corner there is a shrinkage in the screen. Its almost like the when you move the H centre in the computer. very evident if you play close attention to top left hand corner of cti hitz picture. this is not evident in all the other channels. could be due to formating error or compression but cannot be the TV as other channels are ok. hope DTV rectify the issue.

yakuza said...

com'on guys lets look at the positive side of city hits atleast it got all the bloggers together talking on something

@619
thanks

Tharu said...

Hush

I'm using an ordinary 4:3 CRT tv. The shrinkage is clearly visible in Cithitz Channel, on both left and right ends. None of the other channels have this problem.

Hope they will do some thing about it.

bank_dude said...

according to Lakbima newspaper article, from April onwards they will charge 30/= for Citihitz. I'm not sure whether they are going to charge that amount from 100/= rental customers and for others free.

Mario said...

New ways to contact DTV.

http://www.dialog.lk/en/cs/tv/index.html

TechnoGuy Sri Lanka said...

@ Bank Dude
Probably it is for all customers including Lite 100.

alf said...

IF YOU GUYS DONT WANT TO WATCH SINHALA TELEDRAMAS,JUST FORGET IT.THERE IS A MARKET WHICH WANTS TO WATCH THIS AND THOSE PEOPLE LIVING IN REMOTE AREAS ARE NOT AFFULENT TO RAISE A VOICE IN A BLOG LIKE THIS.SO JUST UNDERSTAND THAT DTV HAS TO CATER TO WIDE MARKET,NOT ONLY FOR PEOPLE WHO WATCH HBO,STAR MOVIES AND THE SPORTS CHANNELS,BUT ALSO THE COMMON MAN WHO LOVES TO WATCH THE SINHALA TELEDRAMAS AND MOVIES.

IF PEOPLE LIKE 619 FREEMAN JESIKA RUKMAL RANAWEERA CAN WATCH EXTREMIST BORN AGAIN STUFF,THE COMMON MAN CAN WATCH WHAT THEY LIKE,IF ANYONE DOESNT LIKE IT DONT WATCH IT,LET THE INNOCENT PEOPLE WHO WANT TO WATCH IT ENJOY.

Looser said...

@Alf I 100% agree with you but 7hs is too long for a teledrama or anything

dialog tv mf said...

ya what up

such a beautiful day

Mario said...

For once i agree what ALF says about CITI HITZ, yes DTV has to cater to all types of audiences.

DTV is having a promo on havelock road, they are using the new & bigger white dish & new decoder. They have 2 LCD TV's, 32" i think, the quality was super.

TechnoGuy Sri Lanka said...

@ AMD
Yes, even KFC Rajagiriya has the same large White Dish with the new Decoder. They use a Singer LCD TV and the quality was really good.

CN said...

Strange, I don't see anyone commenting about yesterday's downtime of approx 1 hour b/w 7:45 - 8:45pm. This is probably the second time in the last fortnight...

Any idea whats gremlins are creeping up on DTV technical division?

TechnoGuy Sri Lanka said...

@ CN
There was no downtime yesterday as I remember. I was at home the whole day and working in front of the television. Nothing disappeared.

Was it raining very badly in your area?

Tharu said...

@CN

Yes I too experienced this last night. I switched the TV on around 8.00 and only The Buddhist Channel was working. Didn't check after that.

CN said...

@ Technoguy

There was a general downtime, confirmation received from CC when I reported the case.

And no, it was not raining very badly where I lived, come on gimme some credit : )

TechnoGuy Sri Lanka said...

@ CN
I'm not discrediting you. I just didn't notice the Dialog TV turning off yesterday. Thanks for reporting it to us anyway.

yakuza said...

any seinfeld fans out there

man i love that show

CN said...

Off topic:
Seinfeld! Next to Friends & Frasier, its certainly on the top 3 of my sitcom list :)

I'm a biiig fan.

CN said...

I'm jobless today, hence blogging all round :)

Btw - opposite Kinjou on highlevel road this morning, DialogTV have setup a promo stand, with the XL white dish and most prob the new slim decoder. I guess for those of us who wanna check out their "updated" equipment, could drop by their stand, I plan to... ;)

thilina said...

@cn
sorry dude i have to disagree. seinfeld is number 1 for me followed by home improvements and two and a half men

what do you think about the big bang theory on zcafe

Mario said...

@ CN

Yep thats the DTV promo stall i was referring to earlier.

For all of u in & around Dehiwela,
BROS - T Fast food place has opened on Hill street, they have DTV with the new decorder ( not sure of the dish ) & 2 LCD TV's. One TV was ATOM i think. Quality was super, im not a hindi fan, they were watchin MTV and it looked pretty good

DLR said...

With new decorder 9 channels can preview but not online. Like TV card's software it gives images only. But there's a possibility to check other channel's EPG while watching one channel in a small window. I had a chance to operate a decoder in ninewells hospital.

OFF Topic: can anybody suggest good web location to store images.

Mario said...

I posted this info back in Sept, when DTV started installing the new decoders.

FYI, here is a pic of the new decoder

http://www.zshare.net/image/57405888e56aac/

Its manufactured by TECHNOSAT - UAE.

http://www.technosat-uae.com/contents_downloads.html

CN said...

@Yakuza

Yes, Big Bang Theory is fast approaching cult status in my books too... makes you proud to be nerdy sometimes :)

Most sitcoms are available on the 'net these days for download, hence I don't tune in much via cable.

But the docs on Nat Geo & History these days are classic, esp My Brilliant Brain, The Universe, & the various UFO stuff on History.

Lightning_Struck_Tower said...

"can anybody suggest good web location to store images."

If its for photo albums http://picasaweb.google.com + Picasa application.

For other http://bayimg.com

Lightning_Struck_Tower said...

the main concern with tv series on Star World is that they are showing older seasons of shows like Two and a Half men and how i met your mother. So i've been using internet to download the latest.

http://www.eztv.it

and

http://thepiratebay.org/tv

kmrpl said...

SR tv,Cartoon network are off air.and CNN is scrambled. Whats up with those channels?

PSH said...

SRTV is no more - New tami channel coming to replace SRTV from 20th.

CN down from the original feed (Indian/Asia)

CNN - Back to normal.

yakuza said...

@cn
true, there are some great shows on natgeo and discovery these days. have you watche man vs wild, check it out sometime

@lst
i thought i was watchin latest seasons of 2.5men
anyway i have no choice just have the adsl 1000/= :(

Lightning_Struck_Tower said...

yakuza,
Latest season of two and a half men is season 5. Star world shows 4.

How i met your mother is at season 3. star world airs season 1 (i think it finished airing).

those are the two which i noticed. dont know about the rest.

anyway be careful with that 1000 package. Uncontrolled downloading and you;ll end up with a massive bill.

yakuza said...

@lst

thanks for advice
alway checking the usage meter provided by slt. hope it is accurate!!

Mario said...

DTV can be directly @

http://www.dialog.lk/en/cs/tv/contactus.html

TechnoGuy Sri Lanka said...

I can remember some time ago Sinhala Guy or someone mention here about Surround Sound on Dialog TV. I can't find that post, so can someone help me out?

1. How do I connect the STB to the AV Receiver to get surround sound. Do I use Multi-channel wires or just the normal two wires?

2. Which channels have good surround sound?

And also, where can I find a Digital Optical Cable in Sri Lanka? How much will it cost?

Thanks.

CN said...

@ technoguy

I didn't post on Surround, but have inbuilt 5.1 on my TV. I cant specifically recall which movie channels have surround, but after the recent quality hike and dumping of the radio stations, I recall most DialogTV channels are in stereo. Dont trust the stereo icon on the STB though, I detect stereo when my TV's surround speakers start up whilst switching channels. Funny, last night I remember watching a movie on Zee Studio, and it was in surround stereo. Cant vouch for the other channels, but gut feeling most of them are.

Optical cable: Try TV Centre, on Keyzer Street, just at the beginning, when you access via Malwatte Road, Fort. They have good stuff, Taiwanese, but better than the low-q Chinese stuff in the adjoining shops. If you want top notch stuff though, there are some places in the Hitad who deal European & US cables, but I cant recall who as I don't goto that extent of investment.

CN said...

lanka info - can you please confirm to us which channels are transmitting in Stereo on DialogTV?

TechnoGuy Sri Lanka said...

No, I was talking about Sinhala Guy, not CN. Thanks a lot anyway!

TechnoGuy Sri Lanka said...

Left channel audio is not available on Australia Network.

Dialog, please correct this.

DLR said...

I also have a 5.1 surround system but cannot connect to the decorder as it has only two audio channels. I dont know about new decorder's audio. So Technoguy, if you connect it to a surround system you can feel only stereo not surround.

TechnoGuy Sri Lanka said...

I've successfully converted my Entertainment System in to a Home Theatre System. Everything from Dialog TV to XBox 360 is connected and working.

@ DLR
My AV Receiver converts 2ch Stereo to 5ch Stereo. Have you checked if your system has such a facility.

I believe it is possible to experience Surround Sound using the Optical Digital Audio (TOSLINK) connection instead of the ordinary L+R connection, if surround sound is broadcasted (like in HBO, STAR Movies, Zee Studio).

But with L+R connection you have to rely on the AV Receiver's conversion for surround sound.

Tharu said...

@technoguy and dlr

Just thought of adding few words to your comments.. If your AV receiver have the fcility of Dolby Prologic II Decoding,(Music and Movie modes) you can enjoy surround sound on your 5.1 system almost similar to DTS, when the audio is broadcasted in stereo. you can use this method even when you're using analog L+R, with RC Cables.

I too use Optical cables to connect DTV decoder's digital Audio out to my AV Receiver. It gives a very good sound effect when used with Dolby PL II.

I hope DTV will take steps as soon as possible to broadcast the movie channels in DTS as well.

Some channels like 'Travel and Living' and Z-Trends are broadcated time to time in Stereo. But not always. AXN and BBC original feeds are in Stereo, but DTV gives only mono soundtracks.

I think currently DTV is only interested in some other matters as many of it's customers are not much fuzzy about sound. But I'm sure they will work on it as well if we raise our voices towards it.

yakuza said...

the strike of the writers guild is now visible now on some major channels

repeat telecasts of jay leno, big bang theory...

absence of daily show with john stewart etc

PSH said...

TBO (Tamil Box Office) channel coming to replace SRTV in other few days & the official launch is on Jan 01st.

CN – Original feed is down at the moment. (make sure Dish & tata sky using the Indian feed)

For more info: 77 7 679679

CN said...

@lanka info

Huh? I didn't understand your last post.

My original question to you was, can you please tell us what channels are being broadcasted in Stereo by DialogTV?

City Hits said...

www.cityhits.blogspot.com

TechnoGuy Sri Lanka said...

@ CN
I think Lanka Info meant "Cartoon Network".

@ Lanka Info
Are we going to get the Indian feed again or possibly Asian feed (even temporarily)?

PSH said...

HBO (family)/Zee studio/SET Family & VH1…etc these are the few stereo channels.

TechnoGuy:
Some time you can get the transmission from today evening.

City Hits said...

SR TV taken off air & TBO (TAMIL BOX OFFICE) ties up with Dialog TV

For more info:
www.cityhits.blogspot.com

TechnoGuy Sri Lanka said...

@ Lanka Info, DLR, Tharu and CN
Thanks a lot for your information.


@ City Hits
You have a good blog. I congratulate you!

But I noticed the phrase "Please keep us updated on the latest on Dialog TV as the days progress", which looks like it has been copied directly from this article. I don't know if it is a coincidence or done purposely, but please avoid this sort of thing. It could give the idea that both blogs are copying each other.

patson said...

Dialog TV,Can you start a new package with local channels to Middle east?because people are fedup of watching Tvlanka repeats.

Sam said...

Hey guys there is a special promotion going on at Kirirbathgoda that there saying you can get the connection for Rs 3700/= only .Balance you can pay from 11 months it's Rs 865/= per month.( this is only for kiribathgoda residents)

TV & Radio Sri Lanka said...

Please continue commenting under the new post titled "Merry Christmas - Happy New Year 2008 and more".

Admin

619 said...

The promotion is for ja ela area too