Tuesday, January 22, 2013

New test channel slots activated

According to reports Dialog has activated a further 3 to 4 test slots on the transponder carrying the HD channels. 

So at present 
  • Channel slot 85 is testing Ten HD.
  • Channel slot 86 is testing Granada TV. (SD Channel)
  • Channel slot 87 is testing Sony beTV. (SD Channel)
 There are reports of a 4th test channel but we are unable to confirm this.


These will be only available under the HD package. Since the transponder that carries them is DVB-S2 and this cannot be decrypted by the standard non HD Dialog TV decoder.

This effectively means that no new channels will be available for SD subscribers in the near future and all new channels will be on the DVB-S2 format. If Dialog is to move all their subscribers to DVB-S2 decoders it will prove to be quite expensive. Dialog could move all existing channels to DVB-S1 MPEG4 since many of the decoders are already with subscribers from the initial replacement as well as sales made thereafter but there are still those on lower packages who haven't received these DVB-S1 MPEG4 decoders, who will need them replaced. Moving transponders to DVB-S1 MPEG4 will free up transponder space enough to add more SD channels for subscribers and Dialog can continue to maintain DVB-S2 MPEG4 only for HD channels. This so called switch to MPEG4 that Dialog had been talking about has never materialized and most likely never will.

It looks like Dialog TV is following in the footsteps of Dish TV India and some other DTH services in various parts of the world which maintain both MPEG2 & MPEG4. New subscribers are issued with the newer decoders whereas the existing ones are switched only when they request a package change. Those DTH services have a large customer base, however Dialog which has a relatively small customer base in comparison should take a decision and move ahead with conversion.

It may result in a significant loss on their PL account in the short run but on the long run they can recover those losses. Dialog could go one better and move all channels to DVB-S2 MPEG4 and replace all decoders issued to subscribers. The immediate loss on the PL account could be much higher but the returns on the long run would be much higher. We are sure that Dialog with Axiata's backing would be able to cushion such a loss for a short time.

It's foolish to broadcast SD channels on the present DVB-S2 MPEG4 transponder and compromise on the quality of the very few HD channels on the transponder. The quality of Discovery HD World has been adversely affected due to these new SD channels being added onto it.

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

21 comments:

nilu said...

all test channels are reducing quality of the HD channels specially Discovery HD. if they don't increase the transponder space you will be watching SD channels, there will be no HD channels.

Priyantha said...

85,86 still not working....i dont know what will happened..........any new news??????????

nilu said...

have anyone notice that HD channels quality reduced due to the new channels...

E2C said...

@ nillu

i agree with you bro all the channels that are in hd pack has been reduced the pic quality( even though in the sd channels that are in hd pack ) since these channels were introduced . i made a complain about it at dialog customer care & told this to one of their manager....

so who are being noticed this drop quality issue in HD PACK its time to make complain about it .

dulshaniko7 said...

Hey guys may i know how to disconnect dialog tv HD DTH..Im fed up with dialog hd...hoping to buy videocon hd

Priyantha said...

hi...please any body tell is 85,86,87 working or scramble ......??

nilu said...

all are scramble but 87 channel is not there. i don't know dialog is doing...

Transponder said...

who want this kind of dth provider who has not add new channels or transponder..
Dialog TV is one of the lowest service provider in Sri Lanka..
they did lie and keep it again and again...
who wants to pay Rs.2500 + for low quality several HD channels and non mpeg4 sd channels..
recently we discussed in our office about this thing and 2 of them buy videocon and i have to say that the picture quality and sound quality are awesome..

I'm sure when we have IPL they'll replace the exsisting channel to Set6..

Dialog TV is a big bugger who suck our money for low quality service..
Dialog TV is a real junkie...

Transponder said...

who want this kind of dth provider who has not add new channels or transponder..
Dialog TV is one of the lowest service provider in Sri Lanka..
they did lie and keep it again and again...
who wants to pay Rs.2500 + for low quality several HD channels and non mpeg4 sd channels..
recently we discussed in our office about this thing and 2 of them buy videocon and i have to say that the picture quality and sound quality are awesome..

I'm sure when we have IPL they'll replace the exsisting channel to Set6..

Dialog TV is a big bugger who suck our money for low quality service..
Dialog TV is a real junkie...

nilu said...

@Transpoder

I agreed with you 100%...

dulshaniko7 said...

Ya machan...IM so disappointed in dialog tv...i expect around 8 hd channel will be added to hd pack in 2013 jan. But still 5 hd channel including ngc and discovery have consist similar kind of programs. I hardly watch those 2..
Im so trilled when they testing ten hd but now it disappeared.If they unable to add ten hd before march I will seriously consider about disconnect.
Im paying 2600 to dialog tv but videocon platinum package cost 1500 include tax...

Unknown said...

Looks like Sirasa TV have launched their 24hrs broadcast, even though they have launched 24hrs broadcast still they don't have a proper lineup of programs.

Transponder said...

this blog is very important place(actually only) which provides information and faq s about dtv.
i did follow this blog and got lots of informations from it aince 2008.

but i have to say now dialog doesnt even consider what we urge from this blog here.

01.mpeg conversion
02.new transponder
03.channel replacements
04.maharaja channels

with this kind of service,DTV surely lose its customer base and brand value in near future.

if another dth provider starts to broadcast local channels in sri lanka,
surely more than 50% of dtv cuatomers will buy new dth service.
because this is enough dialog,we dont want to see you morons in our home anymore..
you did more than enough damage to our pockets and minds for such a
looooooong time.

you did not hear us!
you did not even consider what your customers urge in this blog!
this is enough!!!!

take that you dialog morons...

nilantha said...

Really, Sirasa TV have started their 24hrs transmission? When did they launched it? Admin, find more details about the Sirasa TV's 24hrs transmission.....

Priyantha said...

sirara is not a important channel. But dialog u have to think u customers. Please get nother transponder and add more HD and good International channels. MBC network always telecast crappy international program.They dont have good vision.

SLP said...

Ok, I dont know whether DTV people are interested in these comments or more precisely with this blog anymore.

Yet for all others its a platform for share any insights and express your visions and a good resource point to dtv.

so all hail for admin and the blog for far and foremost.

Yet, for MBC channels yep, I already have expressed myself earlier. instead this will elaborate any missing pieces.

Everybody here wants MBC channels. Not just that but the rest of all local channels. If in someway any other dth will launch with all local channels people will swiftly move to it and if as rumor of Carlton DTH, mind your steps dialog you got to be having really crappy times.

But what we really need is quality, few HD channels, a good service vice versa.

So basically how can you cater this. Do not wait for any further, just migrate to MP4, on s1 platform or s2 platform, its upto you to decode.

Then free up some space, while try to secure another transponder, try merge your GSM network too to deliver content on metro regions so that you may deliver much content in HD too, etc
Relax your legs.

So that all are happy and no one can outrun you in long term.

You can wait until last moment like you did in price cutting for GSM network.

Yet i suppose you shall be pretty late then.

SLP said...

coz people who really are cash cows, wont wait much longer when they have opportunity and other modes to play with.

My only concern is keep the international line up intact.

Every body needs it. but not the expense of what you are providing already.

You need to add content, not replace.

nilu said...

@SLP
well said SLP. Dialog is really sucks at the moment. they reduce the HD quality by introducing new two test channels and testing crappy channel like ITV Granada by replacing betv.

chinthakame said...

@rupavahini - now going to end of January,wt happen to Sirasa,???any good new?

don said...

Now no channel 87. whats going on ????.

TV & Radio Sri Lanka said...

Please continue commenting under the latest post titled "Test Channel No. 87 removed".

Admin