Bell has two new HD channels

[Vulcan]

As the title says. Channel 828 is National GeographicHD and 838 is Showcase WestHD. For those who fancy such, now you can watch Kink in HD.

[ricoFlame]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

For those who fancy such, now you can watch Kink in HD.

very interesting...

[ken0042]

I must really be a geek as I'm happier about National Geographic HD.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I must really be a geek as I'm happier about National Geographic HD.

Me too, besides liking the content, the scarcity of commercials in such channels is great.

[Hack&Lube]

I wish I had National Geographic HD instead of Showcase. Their smut level has totally gone down the drain from classy to just stuff that makes you sick.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Thanks for the update! I do like the new guide on my 9242 that shows all HD channels by default, but I still usually use my personal guide. I'll go update it now. Thanks again!

[troutman]

When is Shaw going to add some more flippin' HD channels? In the last year they have not added ONE HD channel. I think they have 20, and Bell has about 60?

My angry letter to Shaw was met with a form letter saying they are "reviewing" things.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by troutman

When is Shaw going to add some more flippin' HD channels? In the last year they have not added ONE HD channel. I think they have 20, and Bell has about 60?

My angry letter to Shaw was met with a form letter saying they are "reviewing" things.

Shaw has a large number of HD channel applications tied up with the CRTC.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

For those who fancy such, now you can watch Kink in HD.

hmmm, it'll be so clear you'll practically be able to smell the motor oil and obesity.

Shaw has National Geographic HD and I haven't been terribly impressed by it. They do have the "hd getaway" series that is top notch, but I find a lot of the programming to be not quite as cool as discovery.

[Neeper]

When I saw the thread title I was thinking it better be National Geographic. I have called them a few times asking when they were going to add this channel. I am very happy now.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by troutman

When is Shaw going to add some more flippin' HD channels? In the last year they have not added ONE HD channel. I think they have 20, and Bell has about 60?

My angry letter to Shaw was met with a form letter saying they are "reviewing" things.

I think this brings Bell up to about 69 HD Channels...They are launching a new satellite sometime in April of this year which is suppose to allow 100's of HD channels once its set. Shaw will never be able to catch up with their concentration on Phone & Internet thats why I would never switch, I know, I know Shaw's customer service is better but with all the self-serve options by phone/internet I can't remember the last time I spoke to a ExVu rep since setting up my account.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by Rathji

Shaw has a large number of HD channel applications tied up with the CRTC.

I wish the CRTC would just go away...do they have a building I can set on fire? They ruin TV for Canadians...don't force me to watch Canadian content, put out some quality shows and I will watch them. Its sad when they have to force crap down our throats

[Russic]

Originally Posted by fotze

It really is amazing that so many people will pay more money for a far inferior product.

i'd be all over bell if my condo unit allowed dishes and/or my unit faced the proper direction.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by HOOT

I think this brings Bell up to about 69 HD Channels...They are launching a new satellite sometime in April of this year which is suppose to allow 100's of HD channels once its set. Shaw will never be able to catch up with their concentration on Phone & Internet thats why I would never switch, I know, I know Shaw's customer service is better but with all the self-serve options by phone/internet I can't remember the last time I spoke to a ExVu rep since setting up my account.

There's a flip side to adding new HD channels on Bell. Each satellite only has 32 transponders and each transponder at full HD bandwidth can only carry one HD channel at MPeg 2 with some room left over for SD channels. Bell has only one HD satellite and so they are currently compressing two or now three HD channels onto one transponder which some are now calling HDLite. They are also sending 720p signals for all their HD channels except for CBC which is 1080i. Despite all of this, in my area their picture and choice is still better than Shaw's.
Sometime in the future they will be changing over to MPeg4 [the new capable receivers 9242 and 6141] and adding another satellite at 72 degrees which will improve bandwidth and number of HD stations.
Here's a thread on Bell's compression problems and you can find other threads on MPEG4 and Bell's new satellite on this site.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=72525

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Bell has only one HD satellite

Are you sure about that? What happened to the other one?

I thought all that moving around they did last year was to put two satellites at 82, and two more at 91. The second one that was placed at 91 was the original 82 bird that was operating at 1/2 power; and it's there more as a backup than anything else.

In any case, I've done a few setups lately and have to say that Shaw's HD looks far worse than Bell's as far as over compression goes.

[Vulcan]

Yeah Ken, they have two satellites at each location but as I understand it, the second satellite is only to aid the first satellite as they are all either old or crippled. Each location still has only 32 transponders. They seem to be working on their problems though and hopefully new ownership will put them on the fast track.
I agree the Bell picture is still better than Shaw.

[burn_baby_burn]

Kenny vs Spenny in HD! Sweet!

[Thor]

Originally Posted by troutman

When is Shaw going to add some more flippin' HD channels? In the last year they have not added ONE HD channel. I think they have 20, and Bell has about 60?

My angry letter to Shaw was met with a form letter saying they are "reviewing" things.

Couldn't agree more Trout, I've called them a few times over the last year and they just don't have answers for it other than they are working on getting more.

Its frustrating, I barely watch SD TV anymore and it would be nice to get a bunch more HD channels, especially the proper HDNET channels they get in the US.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Kenny vs Spenny in HD! Sweet!

Yeah, yesterday I was watching Randy from TPB do his famous belly bump against that broad on the bus in glorious up converted HD.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

There's a flip side to adding new HD channels on Bell. Each satellite only has 32 transponders and each transponder at full HD bandwidth can only carry one HD channel at MPeg 2 with some room left over for SD channels. Bell has only one HD satellite and so they are currently compressing two or now three HD channels onto one transponder which some are now calling HDLite. They are also sending 720p signals for all their HD channels except for CBC which is 1080i. Despite all of this, in my area their picture and choice is still better than Shaw's.
Sometime in the future they will be changing over to MPeg4 [the new capable receivers 9242 and 6141] and adding another satellite at 72 degrees which will improve bandwidth and number of HD stations.
Here's a thread on Bell's compression problems and you can find other threads on MPEG4 and Bell's new satellite on this site.


http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=72525

Even though they are compressing 2/3 channels per transponder I still think the quality is amazing. Like you said when you compare it to Shaw it is still better.

Isn't 720p is the hightest "p" quality that any broadcaster is sending out right now? I don't think anyone is shooting in 1080p at the moment.

I have never had any problems with my HD but I always hear my friends who have Shaw whine and whine about the quality and choices they have for HD. I do love my Shaw High Speed though!