I don't know if this has been mentioned, but I just recently noticed that although both HGTV HD and Food Network HD channels are mapped down to the SD channels, they are not simulcast. Has this been the case for longer than I was aware? While it is true that the content may be virtually identical, the HD channels are airing different programs at different times. This is opposite the Dish practice of mapping down only simulcast HD channels. If there is going to be a difference of airtimes for the same shows on two different channels, then I, for one, would prefer different channel numbers for the HD and SD channels.
HGTV & Food Mapdown Not the Same
- Thread starter DishSubLA
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I agree. This really confused my wife who is an HGTV fanatic. I added both the HD and SD versions of 112 to our Favorites list. Now she can key in 112 and hit the 'Down Arrow' to see HGTV-SD which is the program listed in the TV Guide.... speaking of which, it would be nice if they would list HGTV-HD and Food-HD in their print editions.
Directv handles it better the way they do their channels with map down issues. So instead of HGtv 112 and Hgtv 112 hd , they would list it as 112 for hgtv and 112-1 for hgtv hd. THis way you see the difference in the guide . That and they list HD real big in the guide on all channels that are in hd.
I have my own custom channel list, and I keep the SD version in on channels that have HD as well. Yes, it is true that if you key in the channel it will go to HD, but in the guide there is no confusion as to which is HD and SD because the HD channel has a big HD on the left of the channel number.
It's been this way since they first added the channel map-down feature. In the case of non-simulcasting channels, many people believe it's "wrong". The purpose of map-down is because too many people have HD service, know that "ESPN", for example, has an HD channel, but they watch the SD channel and don't understand why the picture quality is so poor. Many people obviously aren't aware of the 9400-range channels. If a channel doesn't simulcast, it shouldn't be next to the SD channel of the same name.
Could you somehow upload a picture of what you've described above? It would be interesting to see. Thanks.
How true. I demonstrated to mom how there are unique HD channels in the 9400 range with content she would enjoy. Well, of course, she never goes to the 9400 simply because it is not a neighborhood she has ever frequented. I showed he again Universal HD and few other unique HD's in the 9400 range, and she does want to see the content, but soon after, she forgets about that far-away neighborhood of 9400 HD. As for us technology geeks, we are at 9400's a lot.
I have been watching HGTV today and noticed that they weren't the same. Kind of nice though having HD content on the HD channgel and SD on the other. But I think it is about a four hour loop during the day.
Scripps Network has announced that HGTV and Food network will be simulcasting these channels beginning March 31. They probably have begun to line up some of the shows.
I'll miss the Food HD channel as it is now. My wife and I watch Food Network the most and loved having the HD channel be unique, oh well, all good things must end...
