CignalHD: SD + upconverted to HD = HD = $$$

[softtouch]

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I know there's a thread here about Cignal, but that thread is not related to issues and complains, so I just open this thread.

I will discuss just the HD channels (that's why the title CignalHD), because that are the channels we pay this huge monthly subscription fee for.

We (HD subscriber) pay the high monthly subscription fee to receive 8 HD channels, as advertised by Cignal. But fact is, we only get 2 HD channels, namely NGC and History, and from time to time, HBO HD (very rare). All other 6 so called HD channels are in reality SD channels, some are upscaled, some are not.

I know, some will say "but I have them fullscreen on my lcd TV", yes, because the LCD TV will scale the image to fit its native resolution. If you connect a DVD player, the image will also be fullscreen, but that does not mean your DVD player play back a HD video.
Just think of your computer LCD monitor. Whatever resolution you select, it will be always fullscreen... except you can turn scaling off.

If you are able to turn the scaling off on your LCD HD TV, like I can do, you will see the picture in its original resolution, with black bars at the left and right, to make the 4:3 aspect ratio SD picture fit.

Lets go back to the HD channels:
History and NGC are in proper 16:9 1280x720 HD resolution, and that are the only 2 channels.

ESPN and Star Sports:
They say, its upscaled to 1080i, but they are not upscaled to fit any 16:9 TV. In fact, its still the ordinary 4:3 aspect ratio SD picture.

HBO HD:
From time to time in 16:9, but does not look clear enough for me to let me believe its HD 1280x720. Any DVD I have looks better.

Playhouse Disney:
Ordinary SD 4:3 aspect ratio, not upscaled

Sony Entertainment Channel:
Ordinary SD 4:3 aspect ratio, not upscaled

Star Movies:
Ordinary, and wrong stretched/upscaled SD, does not fit on 16:9, nor does it fit on 4:3 properly. Additionally, the picture quality is really bad, even for SD.

Proof: Turn scaling on your LCD off, use RCA, or use any 4:3 HD TV which allow you to switch between 16:9 and 4:3 and you will see the real picture dimension.

Audio:
ALL so called "HD" channels are having almost NO audio on the left channel, independent what connection you use, RCA, optical, or HDMI, tested with 2 boxes and confirmed by other subscriber.
This renders HD watching with a DTS or Dolby Surround audio systems completely useless. Sound which should come from the left speaker is just not there.
It is quiet annoying to see an explosion on the left part of the screen, but you hear it from the right side like an echo...
Proof: Just go near to your TV and listed to the left channel.

Conclusion:
Cignal sucks, letting you pay for something you do not receive.
HD subscriber should get together and file an official complain, maybe even forward a complain to DTI. Best we can do is termination and requesting a refund.
Cignal KNOW that they are cheating, because whenever you call their hotline, they will tell you things like "we can see it in HD on our LCD" and "your installer must have made a mistake", and because that's not the truth, they must know it and are told to tell you such stories, or they are such stupid *****s that they don't even know what HD, SD and upscaling is. Every video enthusiast will know it right away.

Other source with upset customer: Filsat • View topic - CIGNAL HD CHANNELS SUCKS Except HBO And HISTORY [ Guest ]

[rastaman81]

I totally agree.

[usrolla]

good thing wala pa ko mag kuha. since its new. nag wait lng sa ko mga feedbacks from people nga naa na ani nga service.

so i guess i have to stick to sky cable for the meantime

[softtouch]

Some screenshots of what I meant with absolutely NO HD and wrong aspect ratio.
Sorry for the quality, but its not that easy to make a screenshot of a moving picture...

Displayed on an HD LCD 16:9 720p
(Note the Cignal logo in the top left corner, which indicate SD)


Same image, but horizontal scaled to match 4:3 aspect ratio = PROOF ITS 4:3, not HD


Displayed on an HD LCD 16:9 720p


Same image, but horizontal scaled to match 4:3 aspect ratio = PROOF ITS 4:3, not HD


Star movies, which does not fit on any screen and is SD too


Now real HD (NGC)



And this is what they show on the PPV channel:
I just marked what is HD (green circle, but HBO is only sometimes HD *upscaled*) and what is SD (red cross)


Additionally to this crap, there's almost no sound on the left audio channel.

Now, decide for yourself...

People should complain to their agent, where they got the subscription! It cannot be they sell us SD for the price of HD!

[netcommando]

nice observation "softouch". is ur complaint been raised?

My 10-page observation report/complaint has been raised after the pac-cotto fight. he he he

[softtouch]

nice observation "softouch". is ur complaint been raised?

My 10-page observation report/complaint has been raised after the pac-cotto fight. he he he

I did report it, and the installer talked even to the tech in Manila as he was here, and everybody seems to know about this issues, but nothing happen, nor any explanation at all.

[netcommando]

i think they already knew the problem but they are still seeking remedies, work-around solutions, whatever. All they want is to launch it as scheduled. you'll expect advisories of system, software, firmware upgrades, anyother upgrades soonest... lols

[softtouch]

i think they already knew the problem but they are still seeking remedies, work-around solutions, whatever. All they want is to launch it as scheduled. you'll expect advisories of system, software, firmware upgrades, anyother upgrades soonest... lols

Haha... the weird thing is that there's no or very little sound on the left channel, but only with HD channels. That should not happen, or at least be fixed within a short period of time, but it seems to be ignored by them. They already get bad critics at filsat.com...
I also consider to terminate my subscription and request a refund.

[kitoysky]

I was interested in subscribing to their service, but reading this thread i am having 2nd thoughts

I saw cignals rate offering and it seemed low for HD, but apparently with the information shared here on this thread it seems that it's not worth the buck.

So what HD service is worth subscribing to? SKY HD? are there any other companies offering HD?

[softtouch]

I talked to somebody from PLDT in manila, he told me that they will discuss the issues at their monthly meeting. I told them that there's no sound on the left channel with HD channels, and that 6 of the 8 "HD" channels are not HD, but SD only (even the SD logo is displayed...).