My latest reply to BBC3 about the DOG

On Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:29:27 GMT, "Bazza"
wrote:


"Clem Dye" wrote in message
...
Agamemnon wrote:
Since you have completely ignored the main issue of my complaint which
was that the new DOG has made BBC3 totally unwatchable I will not be
watching anything on BBC3 again that contains a DOG, and I expect most
other viewers will do the same thing. Your claim that the brightness has
been reduced to 70% transparency is completely disingenuous since the DOG
looks exactly the same brightness and as distracting as it was before and
during dark scenes in a program still looks as bright as the sun. On top
of that the fact that it is coloured bright purple makes it impossible to
ignore it and ruins the programmes it is on.

Stop insulting the intelligence of your viewers who know perfectly well
which channel they are watching and what is coming up next by pressing
the Info or EPG button on their remote control and stop trying to copy
commercial television.

YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE DOES NOT WANT DOGS POLLUTING THEIR SCREENS. If you
claim otherwise then produce the evidence that more people have written
in requesting DOGs to be placed on BBC3 programmes than have written in
asking for them to be removed. Produce the evidence that when asked the
simple question "do you want programmes including Drama, Comedy and Films
transmitted with DOGs on the screen or would you prefer the programmes to
be transmitted without DOGs" that they supported the former and not the
later. If you cannot produce the evidence and publish it then your claim
is clearly a BLATANT LIE!

If DOGs were about helping people to identify the channel they are
watching by branding them then why aren't they broadcast during
commercial breaks or during trailers for programmes on other channels
which confuse people into they are thinking that they have accidentally
tuned into a different channel from the one they picked from their EPG?

Why can't you make the DOG optional by using an MHEG overlay instead
which can be deactivated by pressing the Green button like the "press
red" overlays on News24?

If DOGs are the norm for youth programming then why aren't they placed on
the same programmes when they are released on DVD? I'll tell you why.
Because no one would buy them or rent them. Would you want DOGs placed
all over your favourite photographs and pictures of your wedding and your
children? Do your children want that? If not then why are they being
inflicted on viewers of BBC3?

Finally I noticed that the DOG was left out of yesterdays (12/3/2008)
BBC3 episode of Torchwood. I hope this will continued that way and was
not a mistake, otherwise I will not be watching it again.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/
For grins, I complained to the BBC about the BBC Three DOG. Here's the
responses that I got.

----- begin insert -----

Dear Mr Dye

Thank you for your email regarding 'Gavin & Stacey' on BBC Three.

I was sorry to read that your enjoyment of the programme was affected by
BBC Three's Digital On-screen Graphic. I understand you feel that it is
distracting, unnecessary and are concerned about screen damage as a result
of it.

The BBC, in common with other broadcasters, has adopted a policy of
inserting Channel Identifiers in the top left-hand corner of the screen on
its dedicated digital channels. This is because, in the current
competitive multi-channel environment, we feel that such identifiers are
an aid to viewer navigation.

The position of the Channel Identifier has been set at the top left-hand
part of the picture; it would not be easy to place it elsewhere (at the
bottom, for example) due to the fact that it might clash with subtitles or
captions. The top left part of the screen rarely contains sensitive
material which one might obscure or interfere with.

This policy has evolved over the last couple of years and is applied in
what we believe is a flexible manner which best reflects the needs of the
majority of our audience - for example, we broadcast films without a DOG
on both BBC Three and BBC Four and additionally performance, comedy and
longer drama on BBC Four. This is a flexible application of our policy on
Channel Identifiers and not a reflection on the quality of individual
programmes and covers those programmes which we believe viewers tend to
watch for longer periods of time. This decision takes into account a wide
range of issues, balancing all the relevant factors in what we judge to be
the best interest of the majority of licence fee payers.

The re-vamp of BBC Three gave us the opportunity to refresh our image. Our
logo had not been changed since the channel's launch five years ago. The
logo and branding changes were part of a number of big changes to the
channel. Our BBC logos work to make sure our channels and services stand
out among media brands and are appealing to their target audiences on TV
and online.

The colour pink was chosen because it is warm, vibrant and an alive colour
to match the channel's image. The logo was then reduced to 70%
transparency, which was one of the levels previously used by BBC Three.
This level was agreed after consultations with BBC TV operations, as we
are aware of issues of screen burn to some sets caused by solid logos. The
BBC has also sought advice about this from manufacturers, and the clear
view from the industry is in normal use, screen-burn is not expected to be
a problem. Where it could possibly occur, the viewer can take avoiding
action. The advice given by one manufacturer in a TV manual expresses the
situation well, and is quoted with their permission:

"If still picture cannot be avoided, reduce the brightness and contrast
levels of the picture to minimise any damage that might occur."

We do value feedback of this kind as it is a useful part of the monitoring
process we constantly undertake and I would like to assure you Mr Dye that
we have registered your complaint on our audience log. This is the
internal report of audience feedback which we compile daily for all
programme makers and commissioning executives within the BBC, and also
their senior management. It ensures that your points, and all other
comments we receive, are circulated and considered across the BBC.

Thank you once again for taking the time to contact the BBC.

Regards

Barry Graham
BBC Complaints

----- end insert -----

In other words, and as I'd largely already surmised before receiving the
reply, a pretty standard response making it quite clear that regardless of
what Joe Public might think, the DOG is staying - like it or lump it.

There's no getting away from the fact that this is a pretty intrusive DOG,
both by colour and position on-screen. Clearly, those drones at the Beeb
charged with making BBC Three look as much like E4 as possible aren't
going to listen to us licence payers, so you have to take view as to
whether you can tolerate the DOGs whilst watching the channel. For my
part, the only thing that I've watched on the channel for some time is the
new Gavin and Stacey series. I can't be arsed to wait for it to surface on
DVD just to avoid the DOG (why pay twice, after all) although I suppose I
could wait for it to appear on DOGless BBC2 at some point. Life is too
short however, but I certainly won't be going out of my way to look at BBC
Three for general entertainment (read: something to watch whilst eating my
dinner) whilst the DOG persists. Nice one, BBC.


Clem

Perhaps we should all start complaining about the DOGs? Did you e-mail the
beeb or snail mail them by the way? If e-mail please give us the addy?

Baz


I rather we write complaints to that address Hercule recently posted.

Monsieur Tabernac wrote:
On Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:29:27 GMT, "Bazza"
wrote:

"Clem Dye" wrote in message
...
Agamemnon wrote:
Since you have completely ignored the main issue of my complaint which
was that the new DOG has made BBC3 totally unwatchable I will not be
watching anything on BBC3 again that contains a DOG, and I expect most
other viewers will do the same thing. Your claim that the brightness has
been reduced to 70% transparency is completely disingenuous since the DOG
looks exactly the same brightness and as distracting as it was before and
during dark scenes in a program still looks as bright as the sun. On top
of that the fact that it is coloured bright purple makes it impossible to
ignore it and ruins the programmes it is on.

Stop insulting the intelligence of your viewers who know perfectly well
which channel they are watching and what is coming up next by pressing
the Info or EPG button on their remote control and stop trying to copy
commercial television.

YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE DOES NOT WANT DOGS POLLUTING THEIR SCREENS. If you
claim otherwise then produce the evidence that more people have written
in requesting DOGs to be placed on BBC3 programmes than have written in
asking for them to be removed. Produce the evidence that when asked the
simple question "do you want programmes including Drama, Comedy and Films
transmitted with DOGs on the screen or would you prefer the programmes to
be transmitted without DOGs" that they supported the former and not the
later. If you cannot produce the evidence and publish it then your claim
is clearly a BLATANT LIE!

If DOGs were about helping people to identify the channel they are
watching by branding them then why aren't they broadcast during
commercial breaks or during trailers for programmes on other channels
which confuse people into they are thinking that they have accidentally
tuned into a different channel from the one they picked from their EPG?

Why can't you make the DOG optional by using an MHEG overlay instead
which can be deactivated by pressing the Green button like the "press
red" overlays on News24?

If DOGs are the norm for youth programming then why aren't they placed on
the same programmes when they are released on DVD? I'll tell you why.
Because no one would buy them or rent them. Would you want DOGs placed
all over your favourite photographs and pictures of your wedding and your
children? Do your children want that? If not then why are they being
inflicted on viewers of BBC3?

Finally I noticed that the DOG was left out of yesterdays (12/3/2008)
BBC3 episode of Torchwood. I hope this will continued that way and was
not a mistake, otherwise I will not be watching it again.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/
For grins, I complained to the BBC about the BBC Three DOG. Here's the
responses that I got.

----- begin insert -----

Dear Mr Dye

Thank you for your email regarding 'Gavin & Stacey' on BBC Three.

I was sorry to read that your enjoyment of the programme was affected by
BBC Three's Digital On-screen Graphic. I understand you feel that it is
distracting, unnecessary and are concerned about screen damage as a result
of it.

The BBC, in common with other broadcasters, has adopted a policy of
inserting Channel Identifiers in the top left-hand corner of the screen on
its dedicated digital channels. This is because, in the current
competitive multi-channel environment, we feel that such identifiers are
an aid to viewer navigation.

The position of the Channel Identifier has been set at the top left-hand
part of the picture; it would not be easy to place it elsewhere (at the
bottom, for example) due to the fact that it might clash with subtitles or
captions. The top left part of the screen rarely contains sensitive
material which one might obscure or interfere with.

This policy has evolved over the last couple of years and is applied in
what we believe is a flexible manner which best reflects the needs of the
majority of our audience - for example, we broadcast films without a DOG
on both BBC Three and BBC Four and additionally performance, comedy and
longer drama on BBC Four. This is a flexible application of our policy on
Channel Identifiers and not a reflection on the quality of individual
programmes and covers those programmes which we believe viewers tend to
watch for longer periods of time. This decision takes into account a wide
range of issues, balancing all the relevant factors in what we judge to be
the best interest of the majority of licence fee payers.

The re-vamp of BBC Three gave us the opportunity to refresh our image. Our
logo had not been changed since the channel's launch five years ago. The
logo and branding changes were part of a number of big changes to the
channel. Our BBC logos work to make sure our channels and services stand
out among media brands and are appealing to their target audiences on TV
and online.

The colour pink was chosen because it is warm, vibrant and an alive colour
to match the channel's image. The logo was then reduced to 70%
transparency, which was one of the levels previously used by BBC Three.
This level was agreed after consultations with BBC TV operations, as we
are aware of issues of screen burn to some sets caused by solid logos. The
BBC has also sought advice about this from manufacturers, and the clear
view from the industry is in normal use, screen-burn is not expected to be
a problem. Where it could possibly occur, the viewer can take avoiding
action. The advice given by one manufacturer in a TV manual expresses the
situation well, and is quoted with their permission:

"If still picture cannot be avoided, reduce the brightness and contrast
levels of the picture to minimise any damage that might occur."

We do value feedback of this kind as it is a useful part of the monitoring
process we constantly undertake and I would like to assure you Mr Dye that
we have registered your complaint on our audience log. This is the
internal report of audience feedback which we compile daily for all
programme makers and commissioning executives within the BBC, and also
their senior management. It ensures that your points, and all other
comments we receive, are circulated and considered across the BBC.

Thank you once again for taking the time to contact the BBC.

Regards

Barry Graham
BBC Complaints

----- end insert -----

In other words, and as I'd largely already surmised before receiving the
reply, a pretty standard response making it quite clear that regardless of
what Joe Public might think, the DOG is staying - like it or lump it.

There's no getting away from the fact that this is a pretty intrusive DOG,
both by colour and position on-screen. Clearly, those drones at the Beeb
charged with making BBC Three look as much like E4 as possible aren't
going to listen to us licence payers, so you have to take view as to
whether you can tolerate the DOGs whilst watching the channel. For my
part, the only thing that I've watched on the channel for some time is the
new Gavin and Stacey series. I can't be arsed to wait for it to surface on
DVD just to avoid the DOG (why pay twice, after all) although I suppose I
could wait for it to appear on DOGless BBC2 at some point. Life is too
short however, but I certainly won't be going out of my way to look at BBC
Three for general entertainment (read: something to watch whilst eating my
dinner) whilst the DOG persists. Nice one, BBC.


Clem
Perhaps we should all start complaining about the DOGs? Did you e-mail the
beeb or snail mail them by the way? If e-mail please give us the addy?

Baz


I rather we write complaints to that address Hercule recently posted.

I used http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/ .


Clem

On 24 Mar, 19:19, Clem Dye wrote:
Agamemnon wrote:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/

For grins, I complained to the BBC about the BBC Three DOG. Here's the
responses that I got.

[snip]

In other words, and as I'd largely already surmised before receiving the
reply, a pretty standard response making it quite clear that regardless
of what Joe Public might think, the DOG is staying - like it or lump it.

"If you don't pay us, we get you locked up - we'll do what we like -
what are you gonna do, punk?"

I don't know how they got a reputation for being arrogant!

There's no getting away from the fact that this is a pretty intrusive
DOG, both by colour and position on-screen. Clearly, those drones at the
Beeb charged with making BBC Three look as much like E4 as possible
aren't going to listen to us licence payers, so you have to take view as
to whether you can tolerate the DOGs whilst watching the channel. For my
part, the only thing that I've watched on the channel for some time is
the new Gavin and Stacey series. I can't be arsed to wait for it to
surface on DVD just to avoid the DOG (why pay twice, after all) although
I suppose I could wait for it to appear on DOGless BBC2 at some point.
Life is too short however, but I certainly won't be going out of my way
to look at BBC Three for general entertainment (read: something to watch
whilst eating my dinner) whilst the DOG persists. Nice one, BBC.

Most BBC Three content on BBC iPlayer does _not_ have the BBC Three
DOG, "just" the generic iPlayer transparent "BBC" DOG, at the very top
left of the screen. This DOG can also be removed fairly well.

Cheers,
David.

wrote:
On 24 Mar, 19:19, Clem Dye wrote:
Agamemnon wrote:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/
For grins, I complained to the BBC about the BBC Three DOG. Here's the
responses that I got.

[snip]

In other words, and as I'd largely already surmised before receiving the
reply, a pretty standard response making it quite clear that regardless
of what Joe Public might think, the DOG is staying - like it or lump it.

"If you don't pay us, we get you locked up - we'll do what we like -
what are you gonna do, punk?"

I don't know how they got a reputation for being arrogant!

There's no getting away from the fact that this is a pretty intrusive
DOG, both by colour and position on-screen. Clearly, those drones at the
Beeb charged with making BBC Three look as much like E4 as possible
aren't going to listen to us licence payers, so you have to take view as
to whether you can tolerate the DOGs whilst watching the channel. For my
part, the only thing that I've watched on the channel for some time is
the new Gavin and Stacey series. I can't be arsed to wait for it to
surface on DVD just to avoid the DOG (why pay twice, after all) although
I suppose I could wait for it to appear on DOGless BBC2 at some point.
Life is too short however, but I certainly won't be going out of my way
to look at BBC Three for general entertainment (read: something to watch
whilst eating my dinner) whilst the DOG persists. Nice one, BBC.

Most BBC Three content on BBC iPlayer does _not_ have the BBC Three
DOG, "just" the generic iPlayer transparent "BBC" DOG, at the very top
left of the screen. This DOG can also be removed fairly well.

Cheers,
David.

Yeah, but it's extra grief to have to d/l a programme with a less
intrusive DOG on a poorer medium (I hate watching programmes on my
computer - I have a TV for that) just to avoid a DOG that, as many of us
think, shouldn't be there in the first place.

Sigh.


Clem

On 26 Mar, 10:16, Clem Dye wrote:

Yeah, but it's extra grief to have to d/l a programme with a less
intrusive DOG on a poorer medium (I hate watching programmes on my
computer - I have a TV for that) just to avoid a DOG that, as many of us
think, shouldn't be there in the first place.

Agree 100%, but the option is there.

You don't have to watch it on your PC.

Cheers,
David.

wrote:
On 26 Mar, 10:16, Clem Dye wrote:

Yeah, but it's extra grief to have to d/l a programme with a less
intrusive DOG on a poorer medium (I hate watching programmes on my
computer - I have a TV for that) just to avoid a DOG that, as many of us
think, shouldn't be there in the first place.

Agree 100%, but the option is there.

You don't have to watch it on your PC.

Cheers,
David.

Yeah, OK I know that I could connect my Mac to my plasma but I really
don't want a 'proper' computer in my front room. If I could write the
iPlayer stuff to DVD then watch it normally, then that might be a
different proposition, but I don't think that that's an option for us
Mac users, at present at least.

Clem

Yeah, but it's extra grief to have to d/l a programme with a less
intrusive DOG on a poorer medium (I hate watching programmes on my
computer - I have a TV for that) just to avoid a DOG that,

Well, if you have a DVD player that can play DivX movies, you can download
the program in .AVI format, burn it as a computer data file onto a DVD
disk, and play it on your DVD player.

The Master wrote:

Yeah, but it's extra grief to have to d/l a programme with a less
intrusive DOG on a poorer medium (I hate watching programmes on my
computer - I have a TV for that) just to avoid a DOG that,

Well, if you have a DVD player that can play DivX movies, you can
download the program in .AVI format, burn it as a computer data file
onto a DVD disk, and play it on your DVD player.

I don't think that the Mac is supported at present other than for the
interactive service. Can someone confirm/deny that?


Clem

On Thu, 27 Mar 2008, Clem Dye wrote:

I don't think that the Mac is supported at present other than for the
interactive service. Can someone confirm/deny that?

Personally, I have no idea. However, I would imagine there is a
conversion program out there someplace.

I rather we write complaints to that address Hercule recently posted.

I used http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/ .


Clem



I use my bank account.

I won't pay the BBC whilst they annoy me with DOG ****.