ETV replaces Max TV

ETV has replaced Max TV on the Dialog TV channel lineup as of last night. This is actually a good move since Prime TV which was the only Local English Language Television channel and it has not lived upto expectations ever since its launch last year.

Many of us were under the impression that Max TV went blank in order for Dialog TV to add Ten Cricket but now it is interesting to see which channel will be removed to make way for Ten Cricket. Hopefully it will be one of the crappy Hindi channels which are available on Dialog TV.

Dialog TV could also get rid of Prime TV or TH TV in order to add Ten Cricket. In addition Dialog is having problems with Aarti TV and should remove the channel and add a Hindu channel from India.

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

New Software update

Well people it looks like a brand new software update is now available for Dialog TV STB's. The notable changes are apparently

1. The volume control has moved to Top Left Hand Corner of the screen.
2. Current & Next Programme EPG on Channel Preview Screen.
3. New Dialog Logo at bottom right.
4. Faster loading of EPG.

You can either wait for Dialog to automatically update the software or if you are impatient then you can always do the following.

1. Press "Menu".
2. Select "Info".
3. Select "Software Upgrade".
   
4. Press "Ok".

Whatever you do, please do not switch off the decoder until the software has been updated. On some channels scrolling messages can be seen indicating the availability of the software upgrade.

In addition to the scroll we believe Dialog TV should have sent a message via their mailing system directly to the decoders.

On a positive note Dialog TV is at least updating channel names faster than before. Hallmark rebranded as DIVA Universal on Sunday & by monday morning Dialog TV had updated their channel lineup as well as website.

We hope Ten Cricket is added soon & the new Fox Family Movies channel is added which is expected to compliment Star Movies.

May Dialog TV Rest In Peace

Well it has been several weeks after the launch of Ten Cricket and their is still no sign of Ten Cricket on Dialog TV. LBN launched Ten Cricket first and for a company that carries the motto "The Future Today", Dialog TV certainly has never lived up to its expectations.

Well now it looks like Hallmark Channel will become Diva Universal from September 19th and Zee Sports will launch off as Ten Action soon. We hope Dialog TV updates the screen names on the exact launch dates.

Well with the increasing migration of subscribers to Indian DTH operators. We can confirm that Dialog TV is taking the path of pioneer pay television operator "Comet Cable". May All of them Rest In Peace.

We hope the management of Dialog TV of Dialog TV take steps to rectify the situation otherwise their monthly paychecks will also RIP.

DTV abandons MPEG4 conversion

A couple of years ago Dialog TV promised MPEG4 to its subscribers for better clarity & also the ability to increase the number of channels per transponder which would mean more channels at comparatively lower rentals. This was carried out with Dialog TV teams visiting residences and replacing decoders with the new MPEG4 compatible ones. Many decoders were replaced and now almost 2 or 3 years the project has been abandoned. We are receiving reports that older defective MPEG4 decoders are being replaced with new MPEG2 decoders effectively indicating the death of MPEG4 conversion project.

This would mean that new channels additions would take place at the expense of existing channels or new transponders which would increase Dialog TV overheads. HD channels could be accommodated into MPEG2 but would cost more in terms of transponder space.

There was a time advertising was carried out with indicators that the Dialog TV platform was MPEG4 but that was stopped after we highlighted the false information on this blog.

It is sad to note that Dialog TV has decided to follow the steps taken by Comet Cable. the result for Comet Cable was its ultimate death. We are yet to see if Dialog TV would end up having the same result. It is not too late since Dialog Management can turn things around and make this into a more successful customer oriented operation. There are no indications of that happening at the moment but hopefully, it does happen eventually.