Which satellite provider? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

MoneyGuy · 03-16-2007, 11:41 AM

I'm getting tired of cable and would like to (finally) go to satellite TV. Price is important, but I'm also into movies and maybe some of the specialty channels like biographies, travel, history and educational stuff like science programs. I want convenience and good service.

I have never had satellite TV before so my knowledge about it is pretty low. What do others recommend (Bell or something else?)? Is satellite cheaper than cable TV? What about the reliability of the signal?

Bobblehead · 03-16-2007, 11:53 AM

I have Starchoice, so I can only speak to it. I've had it about 6 years, and will lose signal may once or twice a year for less than 5 minutes. Usually only during a super heavy downpour.
Customer Service - Other than waiting on hold a long time, once you do get a person they are very nice and very accommodating. I've never had the issues people mention about Expressvue.

Engine09 · 03-16-2007, 11:55 AM

Do you like hockey? I'll take a wild guess and say yes.

Only Bell carries Center Ice. End of story.

MoneyGuy · 03-16-2007, 11:58 AM

Yes, I like hockey. However, I don't need the full-meal deal with all the games. Just the basic package is fine with me. Besides, I'm an Oiler fan so hockey season is pretty much over now. I'm huge on CFL football so need that for sure. Plus the other stuff I mentioned.

CalgaryFan1988 · 03-16-2007, 12:11 PM

I've never had starchoice, but from what I've seen of it the guide and user aspect of it isnt as friendly. Bell seems to me much more user friendly.

There are pros and cons from each side.

Bell customer service, although they are rude, you can pretty much talk them into giving you anything for free when you have trouble. Bell has a disconnection charge if you sign a contract for a year, I believe its $200.

Also, if you have other Bell stuff like cell and home phone, you can Bundle things as well, saving $15 a month when you bundle 3 items (home phone $5, cell phone $5, internet $5). I've had this for a while, so you'd have to check and see if its still available, Bell call it Bundling.

and yes, Bell has Center Ice. Most people around here who have Star Choice regret not buying Bell, but Bell isnt perfect. They do have customer service issues and they keep jacking up their minimum monthly charges, which might be a good thing to look into. If you want a basic package, I'm not sure how much Bell vs Star Choice is.

Hope this helps a bit

Any questions dont be shy to ask me.

TurnedTheCorner · 03-16-2007, 12:12 PM

I've only had Bell for two years or so. The signal rarely drops out, so the reliability is good in that sense.

I had hardware issues recently with my Bell HD PVR. Some kind of hardware/software conflict as it was trying to download a software update for HDMI support. Bell tech support was responsive and Purolater'd a replacement unit within days (with prepaid labels to return the defective unit) after they determined they could not resolve the problem remotely.

Billing/CS just plain sucks. I had to call 4 times and email once before my promotional price was billed correctly and all credits for overcharged bills were applied.

If HD is your thing, I believe Bell has the most HD content available - dual feeds for US networks, dual CTV, CBC TSN and Sportsnet for sports (although SN HD licks balls).

Programming for an HD receiver plus the rental charge for said receiver plus a second "plain" one for the other TV runs about $85 or so per month before PPV or other charges.

fanforever1986 · 03-16-2007, 12:23 PM

This is easy. Go to best buy. Tell them you want to try them both. After a minute with each you'll choose Bell. Then you'll buy it. Starchoice looks mickymouse when compared to Bell.

MaDMaN_26 · 03-16-2007, 01:30 PM

If you want, what I worte here speaks to my experience with Bell.

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=39571

MaDMaN_26 · 03-16-2007, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

dual feeds for US networks, dual CTV, CBC TSN and Sportsnet for sports (although SN HD licks balls).

I don't even know how SN can claim they have a HD channel. Flames game is on their regular channel, and whats their HD channel playing? Poker or sportsnet, neither of which actually in HD... I appreciate how many games I can watch on Sportsnet, but the fact that they rarely (I'd say never, but I'm not sure) do HD games and yet claim to have a HD channel is criminal.

Bobblehead · 03-16-2007, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaDMaN_26

I don't even know how SN can claim they have a HD channel. Flames game is on their regular channel, and whats their HD channel playing? Poker or sportsnet, neither of which actually in HD... I appreciate how many games I can watch on Sportsnet, but the fact that they rarely (I'd say never, but I'm not sure) do HD games and yet claim to have a HD channel is criminal.

From my understanding, the HD channel is a national channel and SN doesn't have the rights to show Flames games nationally.

MaDMaN_26 · 03-16-2007, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

From my understanding, the HD channel is a national channel and SN doesn't have the rights to show Flames games nationally.

I guess that explains it... but have you ever seen anything HD on that channel? Cause all I ever see is non HD shows on that channel.

TurnedTheCorner · 03-16-2007, 01:53 PM

The only HD show I have seen on SN that is not them simply re-broadcasting a US signal (i.e. for baseball and basketball games) is...

...wait for it...

Prime Time Sports. Yes, SN - a radio call in show that you broadcast on TV for schedule filler absolutely requires the pristine presentation that only HD can provide.

Can the Flames even negotiate national rights with Sportsnet? I hope not - I much prefer watching the Flames on TSN or CBC in HD then anything Sportsnet has to offer. It would suck if national rights meant only Sportsnet could show Flames games.

MaDMaN_26 · 03-16-2007, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

Can the Flames even negotiate national rights with Sportsnet? I hope not - I much prefer watching the Flames on TSN or CBC in HD then anything Sportsnet has to offer. It would suck if national rights meant only Sportsnet could show Flames games.

I like CBC and TSN's broadcasts, but I'd trade them in if every single Sportsnet game was HD... I mean once or twice a month on CBC if were lucky and even less games on TSN, vs. almost every game on Sportsnet, I'm not a SN fan but like I said before I do appreciate how many games they do and if I could get them in HD... sweet...

Cowperson · 03-16-2007, 02:31 PM

I've had Star Choice for about eight years. No problems.

I think Bell might have better options of DVR . . . . haven't looked too close yet.

If I'm not mistaken, in the mid-1990's or thereabouts, after other Canadian teams complained about the Maple Leafs monopoly on national airwaves, Canada was divided by the NHL into regions, helping Sportsnet be born and pushing the Leafs off your screen for the most part.

Cowperson

JBR · 03-16-2007, 04:14 PM

Sportsnet shows quite a bit of NBA and MLB in HD. Plenty of HD Blue Jays action, which is nice.. Thus all the stupid radio ads from Sportsnet

TurnedTheCorner · 03-16-2007, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBR

Sportsnet shows quite a bit of NBA and MLB in HD. Plenty of HD Blue Jays action, which is nice.. Thus all the stupid radio ads from Sportsnet

Like I said, it re-broadcasts stuff that more respectable networks were already showing in the States. It adds virtually zero in terms of additional HD content. Especially when compared to TSN and CBC.

Vulcan · 03-16-2007, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

Like I said, it re-broadcasts stuff that more respectable networks were already showing in the States. It adds virtually zero in terms of additional HD content. Especially when compared to TSN and CBC.

You can add CTV, Global and City to that list. Almost all their HD programming is simsubbing or American bought programs. The news seems to be the only original program they have.

Mightyfire89 · 03-17-2007, 12:31 AM

I've had Bell Expressvu since '98 and I have no major complaints.

There are, and always have been some customer service issues with this company, but it hasn't been bad enough that I would switch to Starchoice. I would miss Center Ice too much.

Really, other than Center Ice, I don't think there's much to choose between the two. I know plenty of people who have one or the other and are happy, so I don't think either one is going to make you regret your decision.

CRXguy · 03-17-2007, 12:46 AM

I had ExpressVu for just over a year. Signed up right after the lockout. I chose it for the amount of HD programming it had, and for Centre Ice. The only major complaint I have is the billing department. Seems like out of the 30 calls or so my wife and I made, we only got 1 CSR that was able to help us out.

We will go back though after we move out of the condo. It's unfortunate that my balcony faces the wrong direction to get a signal. I miss HD really bad.

droopydrew19 · 03-17-2007, 01:10 AM

Bell had more HD channels so that's why I went with them. Don't quote me on this but I am sure I have read a thread similar to this in the past the Starchoice is actually running off an old Bell Satellite. I also think I heard that Bell has 2 satellites in orbit to Starchoices 1. Perhaps someone can confirm that.