Streaming the EQ Finals

[Renn_aissance]

@Tha_Ridge

(P.S. If you’re worried about giving them your payment info, pay via PayPal as I have—if I ever want to cancel, I can cancel the recurring payment through PayPal, no questions asked.)

This is good to know.

I’ve read a lot about their customer service practices here, and while it is true that Yelp only has 3 x 5-star and a million x 1 star reviews, a hundred people saying the same thing about the difficulty of cancellation does give me pause. (Especially when it is evidently well-grounded in the normal business practices of their home country! They’re allowed to do it and I’m allowed to disagree.)

I also think their streaming quality is questionable, based on what I’ve seen. It’s not so much that they need really good infrastructure and that the equipment and know-how are expensive… it’s that other providers are doing a better job.

But I’ll feel better about signing on for some potential frustration if I know that I will be able to get my money back if I am dissatisfied with the quality of the product.

[skydy]

You are so kind. Someone on the forum did that for me when I was recovering from surgery years ago, it was for an FEI jumping competition I think.

I’ll leave it to someone else to accept your kind offer, since there is no way I will be watching all 200+ of them go, beginning at 5am Mountain time. I tend to rely on the replays or watch the last one hundred (or so) go.

I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip.

[Tha_Ridge]

@Renn_aissance

I also think their streaming quality is questionable, based on what I’ve seen. It’s not so much that they need really good infrastructure and that the equipment and know-how are expensive… it’s that other providers are doing a better job.

Who though? I don’t know anyone else who has the sheer volume they have. Perhaps I am differently served as I frequently evaluate horses in Europe via their services and watch a lot of international competitions, but I don’t know of another service that offers the depth and breadth that they do.

[Renn_aissance]

“Whomever USEF was using” to cover indoors and LRK3DE before they partnered with CMH- anecdotally less buffering, fewer delays, and sometimes better audio quality. I don’t know the details of the arrangement so it’s possible that whomever was contracted to be the boots on the ground just happened to do better. I haven’t watched any of their coverage for awhile, but I also used to think Horse and Hound did a great job.

[Tha_Ridge]

@Renn_aissance

I don’t know the details of the arrangement so it’s possible that whomever was contracted to be the boots on the ground just happened to do better.

That’s my guess—and then I think USEF Network could just no longer handle the server loads, costs, staffing, etc.

[snark]

I’ll take the bait: I’m happy with CMH, no issues.

I don’t know what you people are yapping about every weekend- just figure it out. It’s NOT hard.

[wanderlust]

Same. And when I do have an issue, it’s almost every time been my computer being stupid.

[skydy]

@snark

I don’t know what you people are yapping about every weekend- just figure it out. It’s NOT hard.

@snark

I’ll take the bait: I’m happy with CMH, no issues.

While you are “taking the bait” as you put it, no one will accuse you of not living up to your screen name.

Too bad that snark is helpful to no one.

[fivestrideline]

(Caveat this is NOT aimed at you skydy AT ALL) but I’ll admit find every single thread about a final or event being 70% about CMH issues is annoying. I rarely can watch the livestream so I enjoy catching up on the action through the threads.

Regardless, the fact that CMH is such a hassle for a good chunk of people EVERY TIME, and that it’s a pretty unintuitive interface, AND that the promised USEF membership benefits just don’t work 99% of the time means there’s great need for improvement. One user getting sent to collections after attempting to cancel for ages and then canceling the payment card is enough for me to write the whole thing off. Bye. I’m probably not the only one who WOULD pay for replays but won’t risk such a debacle and so is restricted to the free USEF option or just stalking COTH threads.

Anyways, I think CMH needs a revamp, but I’m also tired of EVERY thread just being streaming issues (I do realize the irony of this post lol).

[mroades]

I watched the Hamel Finals without issue yesterday from the NHS site

[MHM]

@fivestrideline

One user getting sent to collections after attempting to cancel for ages and then canceling the payment card is enough for me to write the whole thing off.

Wow, I think I missed that story. Yikes.

I will say that I often post links to the assorted live streams, because when it works, it’s a great option to see lots of different shows.

But it’s gotten to the point where I almost feel the need to add a disclaimer in advance that based on past history with CMH the link might not work, or the live stream might be terrible, or whatever.

[dr5627]

@fivestrideline

One user getting sent to collections after attempting to cancel for ages and then canceling the payment card

I subscribe and went to see how hard it is to cancel. Clicked on my account, then another button for my membership type, then a big cancel here button that took me to a “why are you cancelling” screen. Didn’t go further as I don’t actually want to cancel but it was super easy to find. Perhaps in the past it was difficult but anyone doing a trial now should have no issues cancelling.

For the price and having almost all livestreams in one place, I think it’s absolutely worth it. I usually use the search to find what I want as the front page doesn’t always show it because they have SO MANY events but it’s super easy to search. And I love that you can find the specific ride you want to watch in an archived stream without having to navigate a 4 hour plus video!

[fivestrideline]

From what I understand, it’s everything after that “cancel” screen. And a good chance of an auto renew for the next year despite cancellation (which is what seems to have happened to that individual). Honestly though I personally don’t care if it’s “fixed” now, I’ll wait for the bugs to get worked out, maybe.

[dr5627]

Ok I just fully cancelled. That was the last screen. Not difficult at all. My membership expires in 2 days if you really want me to see if they charge again for next year but I already undid my cancellation because I want to watch pan am games this week.

[fivestrideline]

No it’s fine like I said, I don’t really care if they’ve fixed it, personally.

[MHM]

According to The Chronicle, the show will be streaming all classes on their website nhs.org

https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/what-you-need-to-know-2023-national-horse-show/?fbclid=IwAR04Aq4CH1U_rhGAIqSpuZgigxonm4Zc-TpZ0cOgLDtem2XOg6cTpSHhubM

[quietann]

Note there are no classes today! Things pick up again on Monday.

[BAC]

You should dispute the charge for your FEI TV membership! Its not fair to pay for a service that was not provided.

[Renn_aissance]

Just noting that I plan to create a Maclay Finals discussion thread separate from this closer to the day. Those often run to 400+ comments (in part because I can’t keep my mouth shut) and the forum software sometimes starts to strain around that length, so since this has been a robust discussion already, I’ll start us off on a clean slate.

[Rel6]

For planning purposes, anyone know how late the first round generally runs?