Shaw vs. Telus Cable TV

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Rathji

1. All your non-digital devices will still function as normal.

I'm going to disagree with you on that one.

Yes, as of today they will still function, but keep in mind Shaw is trying to get rid of analog all together. So now they can check sclitheroe's house off as "no longer needing analog"; as there is a DCT for each line in his house.

I'd send it back, and tell the CSR you have an elderly parent who finally figured out how to use a circa 1994 Sony remote; and you do not want to make the switch to Digital.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I'm going to disagree with you on that one.

Yes, as of today they will still function, but keep in mind Shaw is trying to get rid of analog all together. So now they can check sclitheroe's house off as "no longer needing analog"; as there is a DCT for each line in his house.

I'd send it back, and tell the CSR you have an elderly parent who finally figured out how to use a circa 1994 Sony remote; and you do not want to make the switch to Digital.

I was thinking about that - and my guess is its going to be a good long while yet before they ditch analog. Certainly a few years anyways, which would be enough time to come up with a new solution for using my Mac as a PVR

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I'm going to disagree with you on that one.

Yes, as of today they will still function, but keep in mind Shaw is trying to get rid of analog all together. So now they can check sclitheroe's house off as "no longer needing analog"; as there is a DCT for each line in his house.

I'd send it back, and tell the CSR you have an elderly parent who finally figured out how to use a circa 1994 Sony remote; and you do not want to make the switch to Digital.

That is a very good point that I had not considered.

However, its not like they will just randomly shut down analog to one person's house, will they? It seems like the time spent doing it for each house would be very time consuming, only to have to reverse it if someone moves in who doesn't have or want digital. Or are you saying the plan is to make nodes "all digital" and then remove analog from that node and not have it as an option for new people who move in?

Eventually analog will not be an option for anyone, and refusing a digital box won't change the fact you will need to change later.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

I was thinking about that - and my guess is its going to be a good long while yet before they ditch analog. Certainly a few years anyways, which would be enough time to come up with a new solution for using my Mac as a PVR

By then Apple TV will be good enough that you won't need the PVR.

*fingers crossed*

I can't wait for the day when you need 1 connection to your house to get everything you need. You can pretty much do it now, but there isn't enough legal content to make it worthwhile.

[hmmhmmcamo]

So I called Shaw around 1pm today as a new customer, waited on hold for probably 10ish min before being offered a call back, got the call back roughly 20 minutes later.

I asked what kind of promotions they have for internet and tv. She asked if I wanted a phone line, and I told her I could take ot or leave it. She said its included in there current promotion:
-extreme internet
-full digital (3 tiers) plus some basic HD
-free PVR rental for a year
-phone line with unlimited long distance in N.A., call display plus some other things I dont really need/care about

The price is $79.99 + tax no installation fee.

Adding movie central and HBO is 17 bucks but they're giving the first 3 months free.

I also made sure I'm getting the Motorola 3400 and not the PACE p.o.s. you guys have been talking about.

Overall I'm pretty happy. I wanted to keep it under $100 bucks with a PVR and didn't want to sign a contract with Telus. I've lived without much HD to this point so that wasn't much of a factor for me. Plus they're coming to install it tomorrow afternoon which is sweet.

Thanks to all of you that shared your experience with this stuff. It made it easy to know what to expect.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by hmmhmmcamo

So I called Shaw around 1pm today as a new customer, waited on hold for probably 10ish min before being offered a call back, got the call back roughly 20 minutes later.

I asked what kind of promotions they have for internet and tv. She asked if I wanted a phone line, and I told her I could take ot or leave it. She said its included in there current promotion:
-extreme internet
-full digital (3 tiers) plus some basic HD
-free PVR rental for a year
-phone line with unlimited long distance in N.A., call display plus some other things I dont really need/care about

The price is $79.99 + tax no installation fee.

Adding movie central and HBO is 17 bucks but they're giving the first 3 months free.

I also made sure I'm getting the Motorola 3400 and not the PACE p.o.s. you guys have been talking about.

Overall I'm pretty happy. I wanted to keep it under $100 bucks with a PVR and didn't want to sign a contract with Telus. I've lived without much HD to this point so that wasn't much of a factor for me. Plus they're coming to install it tomorrow afternoon which is sweet.

Thanks to all of you that shared your experience with this stuff. It made it easy to know what to expect.

To be fair, there are 4 or so Pace models, and from what I understand only 2 of them are really garbage.

The DCX3400 still is better than them all though.

[CrazyIvan]

I called Shaw on Tuesday after being courted by Telus earlier that day and after asking to cancel was quoted $84.95 for:

- Extreme Internet (that he would upgrade me to for free)
- Basic Phone plus CallerID and Free North America LD
- Digital TV, HD Basic and HD plus

This sounded great but the kicker was no free HD receiver which would be (I think) $24.95 per month (not sure if that was PVR or regular HD receiver) although he offered me a credit of ~$80 to go towards purchasing a $398 receiver. Is anyone getting free HD hardware offered? I didn't pay enough attention to Telus so told Shaw I'd think about it and they'll call me back tomorrow. Any tips on what I could do to get the HD hardware for free? I mentioned how Telus had the xbox360 and a free HD receiver but they wouldn't bite. Thoughts?

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by CrazyIvan

I called Shaw on Tuesday after being courted by Telus earlier that day and after asking to cancel was quoted $84.95 for:

- Extreme Internet (that he would upgrade me to for free)
- Basic Phone plus CallerID and Free North America LD
- Digital TV, HD Basic and HD plus

This sounded great but the kicker was no free HD receiver which would be (I think) $24.95 per month (not sure if that was PVR or regular HD receiver) although he offered me a credit of ~$80 to go towards purchasing a $398 receiver. Is anyone getting free HD hardware offered? I didn't pay enough attention to Telus so told Shaw I'd think about it and they'll call me back tomorrow. Any tips on what I could do to get the HD hardware for free? I mentioned how Telus had the xbox360 and a free HD receiver but they wouldn't bite. Thoughts?

I am pretty sure if you push for it you can get a free rental for a year or something.

[Huntingwhale]

I signed up for Shaw yesterday for when l move friday. Basically, l got Shaw Extreme for a year for $19.95/month, and the HD plus TV package for 36.95/month for 6 months. I'm pretty happy with it.

[fundmark19]

We tried pushing for a good 30 extra mins with the rep to get the pvr for a year and all they kept saying was deal is not offered anymore

[Sparks]

Wow, anyone think Rathji works for Shaw?

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Sparks

Wow, anyone think Rathji works for Shaw?

I do not work for Shaw.

As I have stated in this thread, I do know a couple girls working for Shaw, who have been in various departments so I think I have a fairly reasonable idea of how some things happen within the company.

I did apply for Shaw about 18 months ago though. The rejected me, since I didn't have any actual work experience related to telling people to power cycle their modems. Sure glad they did, because I am pretty sure I have the best job in the world for me right now.

[theonlywhiteout]

switching to telus optik pretty soon. setting my PVR with my iphone and optiks features are just too much to say no to anymore. i am excite.

[McG]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

We tried pushing for a good 30 extra mins with the rep to get the pvr for a year and all they kept saying was deal is not offered anymore

Exactly what happened with me. Of course, I am not so easily beaten and accordingly they can expect a call from me again this weekend to see what deals they have on HDPVRs. I was at $100 off the purchase price when i got my deal but that is just a starting point.

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by CrazyIvan

This sounded great but the kicker was no free HD receiver which would be (I think) $24.95 per month (not sure if that was PVR or regular HD receiver) although he offered me a credit of ~$80 to go towards purchasing a $398 receiver. Is anyone getting free HD hardware offered? I didn't pay enough attention to Telus so told Shaw I'd think about it and they'll call me back tomorrow. Any tips on what I could do to get the HD hardware for free? I mentioned how Telus had the xbox360 and a free HD receiver but they wouldn't bite. Thoughts?

I got an HDPVR free for one year. It is a $24.95/month value supposedly. If I was you though, I'd see if they will give you a larger credit to use towards purchasing a new HDPVR. If you are renting they give you a refurbished unit and that can be a real crapshoot. I'm sure I will buy new at the end of my free rental period as I can't see myself paying for used equipment.

[CrazyIvan]

Shaw called me back last night to see if I'd decided and I mentioned that I'd Googled about it and found lots of folks were getting free HD PVR's. Was then told that the promotion for free equipment was over a couple of weeks ago as it was being re-evaluated and maybe it will be brought back after the evaluation. So I said I'd give it a month or 2 and try again then.

Biggest discount they'd do for me was a free month so $84.95 off the price of $398 for the new Motorola HD PVR.

[Khel]

Originally Posted by theonlywhiteout

switching to telus optik pretty soon. setting my PVR with my iphone and optiks features are just too much to say no to anymore. i am excite.

I love this feature. I've got a 2 year old, so at work i'll delete the shows i've taped for her, and set a bunch of different ones, keeps things fresh.

The iPhone is alot easier to set and delete with than the remote as well.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Khel

I love this feature. I've got a 2 year old, so at work i'll delete the shows i've taped for her, and set a bunch of different ones, keeps things fresh.

The iPhone is alot easier to set and delete with than the remote as well.

The thing I love about my PVR is I never really need to mess with it. I set it and when I have time I sit down and watch a show. The only time I ever need to set it to record is for a hockey game that I won't be home on time for.

I guess for hockey games alone, that would be a pretty useful feature.

[FlamesKickAss]

yeah its sweet when you are stuck at the office, and the game is about to start and no one is at home!

[old-fart]

Optiks PVR thing is awesome. Way better than anything Shaw has dreamed about. I love being able to sit down with the iPad and flip through deleting stuff, or do it from work on the web. My son tapes all kinds of crap, never deletes anything (daughter at least deletes some of the Hanna Montanas and Wizards of whatever on occasion). This lets me do it without them whining about it.

Also love that they can go watch the crap they have PVRd downstairs while I watch the game on the nice 52" plasma.