Shaw HDPVR - time to buy? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

SebC · 12-25-2009, 01:34 AM

Hey all,

Been renting an HDPVR from Shaw because I got cable hooked up at my apartment it was hard to find a deal on them (they were $700, hard to find under $500). Was looking to see if I could pick one up at boxing day and here's what I've found:

The regular price is now $500 for the 160 gig HDPVR.
Most places that have 'em on sale will have limited quantities for ~$380.
Shaw itself is offering the HD Tuner + 1 TB expander for $400.
Is it just me, or is the HD Tuner + expander by far the way to go, and also a good time to buy it?

Thanks!

HOOT · 12-25-2009, 10:53 AM

I'd recommend the external hard drive deal because it is shocking how quickly you can fill up the regular hard drive (with HD content), or at least with Bell it is (I think it is also 160GB, maybe a tiny bit more).

I don't think you can go wrong for $400. Hard drive by itself is probably $120ish, so you are basically getting the HDPVR for half price what they were last year. I'd say buy unless you get a decent rental price. What do you pay a month?

TheU · 12-25-2009, 12:19 PM

i got the free hd for 6 months and free box rental deal, now i can buy the motorola shaw pvr for 240... i recomend this option highly

LockedOut · 12-25-2009, 11:03 PM

I got the Shaw Pace HD box at Future Shop for $230. You can add your own external hard drive as long as it has an eSATA connection. FS has been selling this for $230 for awhile now and it seems FS has it for the cheapest. As for the HD, if you have an extra one laying around just use that or buy an external one cheaper from a place like Memory Express. Not written in stone that it has to be 1 TB so maybe save more money buying a smaller external hard drive.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...71&catid=24994

TheU · 12-26-2009, 12:53 AM

\a shaw tech told me to stay away from that as the motorola is much better

Rathji · 12-26-2009, 08:32 AM

I know a TSR w/ Shaw who says the early Pace boxes had alot of problems, but they are being fixed as time goes on. I agree with TheU though, if you have the option stay away from the Pace box. However, if there is a noticable price difference, or you cant fit the whole bill for the HD pvr all at once, then buy the Pace HD box first and add the pvr expander onto it later.

RW99 · 12-26-2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rathji

I know a TSR w/ Shaw who says the early Pace boxes had alot of problems, but they are being fixed as time goes on. I agree with TheU though, if you have the option stay away from the Pace box. However, if there is a noticable price difference, or you cant fit the whole bill for the HD pvr all at once, then buy the Pace HD box first and add the pvr expander onto it later.

I agree as well. I've had Motorola 6414, Pace Tahoe and Pace Aspen. The Pace boxes have some issues that the Motorola box does not. The Pace boxes can freeze up a bit and all your remote commands are delayed then all of a sudden the 7 times you've pressed Guide suddenly happens. There is also some issues switching tuners when you have the PVR. There's a couple of other items as well.

Hemi-Cuda · 12-26-2009, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RW99

I agree as well. I've had Motorola 6414, Pace Tahoe and Pace Aspen. The Pace boxes have some issues that the Motorola box does not. The Pace boxes can freeze up a bit and all your remote commands are delayed then all of a sudden the 7 times you've pressed Guide suddenly happens. There is also some issues switching tuners when you have the PVR. There's a couple of other items as well.

i have an older Motorola model and that same thing happens. basically you're better off buying the newest model available, whatever the manufacturer

RW99 · 12-26-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

i have an older Motorola model and that same thing happens. basically you're better off buying the newest model available, whatever the manufacturer

Crud. Never had that with my old Motorola.

I_H8_Crawford · 12-27-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

i have an older Motorola model and that same thing happens. basically you're better off buying the newest model available, whatever the manufacturer

Me too. Every once in a while my Moto HDPVR just freezes up and a minute or 2 later it hoes through all the commands that were inputted on the remote. Quite annoying.

Only problem I've had with the Pace is once it showed as 100% full when I knew it wasn't even close. Just unplugged the pace plugged it back in again an it was good to go.

BlackArcher101 · 12-27-2009, 03:05 PM

I have the PACE and don't have any complaints.

You Need a Thneed · 12-27-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

I have the PACE and don't have any complaints.

I DON'T have the Pace and I don't have any complaints either.

SebC · 12-27-2009, 09:53 PM

Well, bought the Pace Summit from FS. Now just have to see if I can find an eSata drive (or enclosure + drive) that beats Shaw's price.

Tyler12 · 12-27-2009, 10:01 PM

The Pace seems to be a pretty decent box. Price wise its hard to beat, I payed $450 for my DCT 6200 almost 3 years ago and the PVR was going for $750. (not complaining about the price after all it was 3 years ago) But Shaw has a real alternative that fits alot more budgets now. The pace has room to grow with Firmware updates as well. Much quicker menu then my Moto box.

Thinking about snagging one my self.

Tyler12 · 12-27-2009, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SebC

Well, bought the Pace Summit from FS. Now just have to see if I can find an eSata drive (or enclosure + drive) that beats Shaw's price.

Many options over at Tigerdirect.ca
This drive is $98 plus shipping

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...551&CatId=2429

SebC · 12-27-2009, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler12

Many options over at Tigerdirect.ca
This drive is $98 plus shipping

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...551&CatId=2429

Thanks for the suggestion, went with this at TigerDirect.

For 1 TB

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...201&CatId=2780

+

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5509395&CatId=2459

=

$112 (Shipping is free over $100.)

Quite a bit better than the $150 for the Shaw PVR Expander, which does the same thing. Total: $342 for 1 TB HDPVR, vs. $398 from Shaw. Saved $56, and I think Shaw's normal price is another $100 higher.

Tyler12 · 12-28-2009, 07:52 PM

And you know your getting a better HD and much better cooling by the looks of that enclosure which = LONGER life =)

aaronck · 01-04-2010, 12:11 PM

Looking at this as well and am not sure which way to go. I just had my 6 month free trial of a Pace PVR run out-Visions and FS have the Motorola box on for $399.
I can see how much Shaw wants for the PVR I already have, which has a smaller hard drive but is expandable, or I could go with the Pace and external hard drive above for the same price. The only complaint I have currently is that the Pace machine has a constant hum, which is a little annoying, other than that-seems like a decent unit. Also, if I get a new unit, is there any way to get the content I have on my PVR now onto a new one if I doa swap? I got a few cool concerts from HDnet I wouldn't mind keeping