I've noticed that Starz-HD logo has become more visible during the movie they broadcast - notably during dark scenes/backgrounds. With the word Starz-HD placed over a yellow hazy 'cloud', it's distracting to say the least... anyone else notice this. At least HDNet movies has the least obtrusive logo since many of there movies they showcase are 2.35 or greater.

My old 53" CRT Sony HD-TV still has a faint "Science" burnt into the lower right hand side, I've been pissy about network logos ever since.

That's a big time DITTO!
My old Toshiba 57" had a burn on the same place on the screen.

That was a few years back. Though I now have an LCD set, I find myself watching less programming with network logos on screen. (once bitten, twice shy I guess)

At the time, I felt like subscribing to their service was like paying them to destroy any resale value I might have had left in my CRT television. In the end I had to give away the 5 year-old Toshiba that I had paid $3000.00 for.

If we're paying a subscription fee to receive a channel, they shouldn't be junking up our screens with logos. It's bad enough on free TV, but this crap has got to stop.

As an aside what is the best HD station for movies? If the aspect rations on IMDB are correct I watched Hot Fuzz and 300 at the wrong aspect ratio.

There may be others, but HDnet Movies has been hands down the best in my experience. 100% OAR all the time, whether the movie is scope, 1.85, 1.33, etc.

They also tend to show more "classics", whereas StarzHD seems to be showing largely stuff that is already out on Blu-Ray. It's actually quite uncanny - 95% of the listings I see for StarzHD are either out on BD from Sony or Buena Vista.

I hadn't noticed the new StarzHD bug, but I flipped past the channel the other day and saw it. Ugh - terrible.

HBO seems to be a worse offender for showing ~2.35.1 films at 1.78 than Starz is, but they both do it way too much.

Other than the Star Wars films and Braveheart, I can't remember the last time I saw a scope film on HBO at the proper ratio. Very disappointing to see stuff like Gladiator, American Beauty and L.A. Confidential on your guide only find they're not OAR.

Well, just be happy that you even have Starz HD. Unfortunately, that is one of many HD channels that my cable operator down here doesn't offer.

And I will concur that HDNet Movies is probably the best place to watch movies in HD. I love that they play quite a few movies that you wouldn't necessarily think scream for HD treatment, some cool classics and more overlooked flicks.

Stupid Cablevision with no HDNet channel.

I have to wonder if there is some kind of unusual deal providers have to make with HDnet.

Comcast is by far the largest cable provider in the Chicago area, yet they don't get HDnet. Meanwhile, WideOpenWest, a much smaller provider in the area (which I have), does get it.

Unfortunately, it hasn't stopped. Just last night this appeared over a movie, clearly covering the movie's subtitles. It is just unacceptable for a premium channel service.

http://img839.imageshack.us/i/011wtq.jpg

I'd rather have fewer months of free HBO than a year of this so called "premium" channel service as Dish's anniversary gift. I'll still have the dvds sent to me from Netflix even though it may be playing on the channels so I won't have to be subjected to their station "poop" over their programming.

Seriously...if they really feel the need to distinguish themselves from an HBO channel, their channel bug they pop up should be very transparent. And small and in the bottom right so it doesn't interfere with anything.

This is why I don't subscribe to Starz or Showtime. They may have some interesting original programming but I'm so annoyed by the bugs that I can't even get past it. While HBO does alter the aspect ratio of theatrical movies, at least they are the one holdout for the bugs. If I ever have to peek through a logo to catch a glimpse of their programming, they're gone.

HDNET movies does have a bug, but at least it only appears briefly then goes away.

Subscribing to premium HD 1080i movie channels, is a waste of money because, as others have stated above, some movies are not broadcast in their OAR, and with subpar audio. If you want the overall superiority of high definition picture, and sound, wait for the Blu-ray. And besides, the viewers doesn't have to tolerate, and look at the network's constant onscreen logos throughout the program, ( which is extremely annoying.) If a cable, or satellite provider doesn't offer free promotional HD programming periodically, I don't permanently subscribe to them at all.

I'd rather watch VHS than watch anything in HD with a bug.

I can't believe how upset some of you people get at a network logo on your screen . They might be a little annoying and if given the choice I'd rather it not be there but it doesn't bother me so much that I'd refuse to watch programming on a network because it had a bug..

Well when the bug (solid and colorful) covers part of the movie and you can't read the subtitles...it completely DESTROYS the reason why one would PAY OUT EXTRA MONEY in the first place for the premium channels.

When these things first appeared, they were small, unobstrusive and disappeared after a few seconds. Even then a lot of people found them very irritating. Many (myself among them) also warned that "bugs" probably wouldn't stay that way, and I think that's been proven correct.

Even broadcast channel bugs have gotten out of hand. They're becoming larger, non translucent and don't disappear at all. They obscure "ticker tape" feeds running across the bottom third of local newscasts.

Broadcast television has had them for as long as I can remember so it's not like it's anything new. As far as the premium channels I personally haven't noticed it too much. The only ones I know of are Starz and I believe Showtime. I seem to remember the Showtime one being translucent anyways though so it never really bothered me. The only time I really get annoyed is when a station puts a bumper on constantly (like the ones that Fox has all the time or TBS telling you what's up next). I guess I just don't care all that much if I'm watching something on television it really doesn't surprise me that whatever network I'm watching is trying to plug itself by showing their logo on screen. Also it probably doesn't prove anything but as I'm typing this I flipped through some of the various premium channels (HBO, Starz, Cinemax, TMC, Showtime, Encore) the only networks that had a logo on were Showtime HD, TMC, and Encore.

1 I'm more annoyed at movies that are being cropped than shown in OAR. That's why I'm convinced TCM is the best channel for movies.
2 HD channels that list a movie as HD and its a Pan & Scan crap fest.
3 News channels with the crawls.
4 DirecTV's infomercial channels. If I'd known I was paying for those when I signed up I would still have OTA.
5 Flashy annoying bugs. I do not see how you can avoid 'em.

You know, you could actually just delete the post.

Haha I guess I've never used that function. I was editing something in my prior post and clicked quote by accident.

Always hated these ID bugs. Now, during the shows, we even get moving commercials presented in the corners too. Annoying as hell to try and watch anything anymore. And, it will only get worse.

The bugs come and go throughout the programming. I'm not as upset seeing the white bugs (I'd prefer to see them lighter and transparent) that say which specific theme channel you are watching as I am the stuff you specifically pay a premium to not see...like snipes for upcoming showings...like Spartacus (it's still advertising during the movie), the solid and colorful bugs like the blue Starz Saturday Premiere one that covered the movie's subtitles, and advertising over the credits so one can't listen to the song. But unfortunately they get away with their "scam" since the part where they don't censor and don't have actual commercials is true.