Instead of a full screen transition network promo at the end of a program (as capped above), this is a split-screen in-program one for a single channel (i.e.) Sunday Night and still with a countdown clock, as seen at the end of AGT
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Brisbane has changed over to using NPC on-air now. Another thing to note is that 7HD now has 5.1 surround sound audio and that all SD channels have also now gotten small black bars on either side of the picture to save on bit-rate.
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Opacity of the 7 watermark has increased with the change; HD part has decreased - comparison:
Today
Yesterday
Watermark is also slightly lower
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What’s with the channels thinking adding black bars is ok?
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It’s a consequence of dropping the aspect ratio from 720x576 to 704x576 - a change in pixel size if I’m not mistaken. Means a small saving in bandwidth which Seven can benefit from given how full their multiplex is.
It’s not a new idea either - while it’s only starting to creep into Australia, you’ll find services in the UK running at an aspect ratio as low as 544x576 flagged at 16:9!
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I’d also imagine that many viewers wouldn’t even notice the black bars since they’d likely be hidden on most TVs with overscan.
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Generally, yes - some devices vary though, which is a downside (on top of the lower resolution)
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Oh wow, they butchered that song.
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I miss their old glossy watermark.
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Major play-Out error at start of Simpsons on 7mate. Abruptly cut opening theme to promos of Friday Night Football 7HD and Mrs Doubtfire movie 7mate, now glitchy ads including Nespresso and Toyota 
Ping: @WAtvVideos (7:30 ep). Great start NPC!
edit
Strangely nope, looks like done intentionally. These new broadcast editors / ad placement schedulers (or whatever staff at NPC for Seven’s team are responsible) have NO CLUE… Take a look like I said where the ad was positioned. Capital F A I L.
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Similar in QLD - credits for Simpsons cut short then promos and adverts before the program starts. BTW the AFL finals advert seemed more applicable for Victoria.
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Some good news about NPC…
They’re now updating the EPG live! EPG said first Simpsons ep would finish at 8pm, went 2min over, they corrected EPG to 8:02pm 
Great for viewers. Nine used to do it until recently but no longer.
Hopefully it doesn’t become a regular thing though, as Seven were always the best (along with ABC and SBS) at being spot on with scheduled EPG (excluding live events).
I wonder if NPC have operators monitoring tonight particularly? As before they corrected EPG, they aired the 7mate ‘dog’ placeholder filler ident, like they knew they were behind schedule and were onto it?
PS: Second Simpsons ep also had bad ad timing, again after opening theme 
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(The classification bug after ad breaks also looks glossier and with white borders like the ACB ? Will try to find a larger classification warning to confirm)
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New classification warning (classifications now like the ACB with white borders. Consumer advice still ‘swooshes’ from the left, but no fading traditions, just sudden disappear - same when the classification disappears)
New closed caption bug (bigger)
Also, the watermarks no longer fade in/out at end/start of programs, especially noticeable on 7flix which used to do so, as each program immediately commences into the next with no promos/idents/sponsor boards. Watermark always on now (except during ad breaks).
And, the multi-transition promo with background music (as capped the past week or two) at the end of the 7:30pm show (around 8:40pm tonight) is still airing. At the end of “The Celebrity Chase” it had “Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason > 7flix”, “Always Greener > 7Plus app” > “Cheat premiere starts in [seconds] > 7”
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So the closer for The Celebrity Chase is totally different to the original 5pm show leading into the 6pm news.