Bell or Shaw HDTV

[psicodude]

Originally Posted by Mayer

Bump. Question about Bell. Specifically the 9242 PVR box.

For some reason when I watch TV, the sound cuts out periodically. Not for any length of time, but just every 30 seconds or so it cuts out for 3 or 4 seconds. It's really starting to piss me off. It hasn't happened in the first few days I've had it. Just started this morning. Could it be something with the TV? All the connections are tight. I can't figure it out.

Anyone have similar problems?

Me and all of my buddies on Bell have this exact same problem. It must have something to do with the channel or signal strength, because it comes and goes.

I called Bell once and hung up after the support rep asked me to remove my smart card...

[ken0042]

Over on DHC there's a whack of people with the same problem.

I have been lucky so far- my 9242 has been fine. (Well, for that issue anyways.)

[Mayer]

Originally Posted by psicodude

Me and all of my buddies on Bell have this exact same problem. It must have something to do with the channel or signal strength, because it comes and goes.

I called Bell once and hung up after the support rep asked me to remove my smart card...

Man is it annoying. The problem is that I'm finding it with every channel. If it was just one I could probably stomach it, but watching TV is a chore right now.

I should get outside

[FlamesAddiction]

I had Bell and now have Shaw.

I think you get more HD channels with Bell, but Shaw has much better customer service from my experience (which is totally the reason I'm with them now).

[Fire]

Anyone else having problems with TSNHD and CBCHD with Shaw. During the last 3 weeks when I change to those channels it usually says "This channel will be available shortly" and just sit there. I suppose I should call Shaw before the hockey season starts.

[Mccree]

Originally Posted by Fire

Anyone else having problems with TSNHD and CBCHD with Shaw. During the last 3 weeks when I change to those channels it usually says "This channel will be available shortly" and just sit there. I suppose I should call Shaw before the hockey season starts.

Works for me. I have been watching these channels without any problems. Call Shaw.

[Vulcan]

I have the sound cut out on me with the 9242 also. It seems to happen more often with HDNET during concerts and I'm inclined to believe it's because Bell is compressing the signal too much.

Another thing I've noticed is that it happens more on digital sound, so I also have it connected to an audio receiver with composite connections [red and white wires]

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I have the sound cut out on me with the 9242 also. It seems to happen more often with HDNET during concerts and I'm inclined to believe it's because Bell is compressing the signal too much.

Another thing I've noticed is that it happens more on digital sound, so I also have it connected to an audio receiver with composite connections [red and white wires]

It is all the receiver, nothing to do with compression of the HD. I noticed the same thing with mine too, lucky I have a 9200 and 9242 in my living room now so it's not a big burden for me. I am sure the next patch will be out soon...everyone should phone in and make a complaint about it, if they don't know they can't fix it!

edit: How many people having these issues are using HDMI cables? I just spoke to my Bell TV friend and he says it has something to do with the how the HDMI syncs with the receiver and tv, known issue being worked on, so try using component cables and it may work.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by HOOT

It is all the receiver, nothing to do with compression of the HD. I noticed the same thing with mine too, lucky I have a 9200 and 9242 in my living room now so it's not a big burden for me. I am sure the next patch will be out soon...everyone should phone in and make a complaint about it, if they don't know they can't fix it!

edit: How many people having these issues are using HDMI cables? I just spoke to my Bell TV friend and he says it has something to do with the how the HDMI syncs with the receiver and tv, known issue being worked on, so try using component cables and it may work.

Well my guess that it was brought on by compression was because it seems to happen to stations that are originally transmitted in 1080i before Bell compresses them to 720p so they can put 3 stations on one transponder and in the case of HDNET it seems to happen more during concerts when Bell's abilities are being stretched. I also get a lot of picture freezing at the same time. I had even more of the same problems with a 6100 a few years ago until the picture and sound froze for a last time.

As you say this can probably be compensated for with a future update and I also suggested people try using composite cables. I just turn my TV audio off and listen to my audio reciever. You can go to the trouble of using component and composite to the TV if you don't have a receiver.

[HOOT]

That's cool I wasn't defending the fact they are compressing, personally I can't tell the difference between 720p and 1080i so I would rather have more HD if that's the sacrifice. I was saying it was receiver related and it looks like it is, for whatever reason the HDMI port is weird, and they are trying to fix it.

I don't get any of these problems and I watch HDNET probably 6 hours a day between work and home. I would check your signal strength and maybe have your receiver looked at. I changed my 9242 over to components tonight and haven't had one issue with it and usually it was every hour or so.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by HOOT

That's cool I wasn't defending the fact they are compressing, personally I can't tell the difference between 720p and 1080i so I would rather have more HD if that's the sacrifice. I was saying it was receiver related and it looks like it is, for whatever reason the HDMI port is weird, and they are trying to fix it.

I don't get any of these problems and I watch HDNET probably 6 hours a day between work and home. I would check your signal strength and maybe have your receiver looked at. I changed my 9242 over to components tonight and haven't had one issue with it and usually it was every hour or so.

If you don't get any of these problems, why have you switched to component?

I believe my 9242 is pretty much the same as everyone else's so replacing it again won't solve much. I actually like it except for this sometimes glitch.

I have a 30" dish pointing at the 82 satellite and an 24" aimed at 91, so my signal strength is more than fine.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

in the case of HDNET it seems to happen more during concerts when Bell's abilities are being stretched. I also get a lot of picture freezing at the same time. I had even more of the same problems with a 6100

Originally Posted by HOOT

I don't get any of these problems and I watch HDNET probably 6 hours a day between work and home. I changed my 9242 over to components tonight and haven't had one issue with it and usually it was every hour or so.

Well if you would read my post I was referring to HDNET and how I don't have any issues with that channel.

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I have the sound cut out on me with the 9242 also.

Originally Posted by HOOT

I noticed the same thing with mine too

Originally Posted by HOOT

I changed my 9242 over to components tonight and haven't had one issue with it and usually it was every hour or so.

Originally Posted by Vulcan

If you don't get any of these problems, why have you switched to component?

And as stated I had that tiny problem with the sound cutting in and out and it was fixed but that simple solution.

[SebC]

Bump again... isn't StarChoice uncompressed? If so, why are those who detest compression with Bell instead of StarChoice? And is the current StarChoice PVR the same one that people were talking about 5 months ago? Programming on all of them looks to be about the same to me, same goes fro price. Thanks!

[Vulcan]

IN the last little while the Bell picture has improved. From what I've heard the Bell PVR is the best on the market. If you go for the Bell PVR, the price is supposed to drop in a couple of weeks and they will also be introducing a couple of new HD receivers, so maybe wait. Also make sure you get any and all rebates for new signees.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

IN the last little while the Bell picture has improved.

Agreed. From what I understand Bell is just about done jugling their satellites up in the sky, and now have their two best ones at the "HD" orbital slot. So I think they have been able to decrease the compression.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Agreed. From what I understand Bell is just about done jugling their satellites up in the sky, and now have their two best ones at the "HD" orbital slot. So I think they have been able to decrease the compression.

The way I understand it, the compression is still there and will be until they change from MPEG 2 to MPeg4 or launch and utilize the new satellite going up at 72 degrees in 2009. Each satellite location can only use 32 transponders and each transponder can only handle two full 720p signals without compression. Bell is often stuffing three HD channels in one transponder, causing compression.
I am getting great signal strength though with the new satellite and rarely if ever lose my signal now.

Meanwhile they've developed new codecs which are doing a good job compensating for the compression. Not that I completely understand any of this, just stuff I've read.

[T@T]

Having had both Shaw and Bell at the same time for a couple of months I can say with 100% certaincy that Bell is the much better choice....and it's not even close.

And whoever says shaws customer service is better than Bells needs their head examined, I have never waited more than 10 minutes for a Bell Rep but have waited up to an hour for Shaw many times.

[greerb]

Originally Posted by SebC

Bump again... isn't StarChoice uncompressed? If so, why are those who detest compression with Bell instead of StarChoice? And is the current StarChoice PVR the same one that people were talking about 5 months ago? Programming on all of them looks to be about the same to me, same goes fro price. Thanks!

Starchoice is uncompressed. The PVR sucks compared to Bell, actually I am in the proccess of switching right now to Bell. There are also audio cutouts on HD Net with Star so it's not a compression problem.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by T@T

And whoever says shaws customer service is better than Bells needs their head examined, I have never waited more than 10 minutes for a Bell Rep but have waited up to an hour for Shaw many times.

Keep in mind the age of this thread. It started in the summer, and prior to last month I always had some positive experiences with Shaw's customer service. However their customer service in the last few weeks has been so bad that I'm actually in the process of switching both phone and internet back over to Telus.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by HOOT

That's cool I wasn't defending the fact they are compressing, personally I can't tell the difference between 720p and 1080i so I would rather have more HD if that's the sacrifice. I.

I can't imagine how much you'd harp on this point if it was Shaw doing what Bell was doing.