Shaw PVR Questions

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

Anyone know anything regarding whether Shaw will be bringing over the PVR-anywhere ability that Telus Optik currently has? I really wish they had it.

The newest boxes DCX 3400 apparently have the physical hardware to do it, but the firmware needs to be updated to make it possible.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by STeeLy

Hey FF, any idea if the PVR (not the expander, but the motorola digital box and PVR) is going to be on a bigger sale come boxing day?

Best Buy has their bozing day flyers online now, so I'd check those out. Both are on sale.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by Rathji

The newest boxes DCX 3400 apparently have the physical hardware to do it, but the firmware needs to be updated to make it possible.

Yes they have a cable card and modem so they will be able to do it once firmware catches up. But, you will need the same for any other box in your house so this new one is your only option right now. $178 is pretty good though.

http://www.shaw.ca/en-ca/ProductsSer...dware-3200.htm

[McG]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Best Buy has their bozing day flyers online now, so I'd check those out. Both are on sale.

and it looks like shaw has dropped the price by $50 on their site as well for all of their hardware; so be careful when you see stores offering $50 off when actually it is the same price as shaw is charging.

any opinions on whether it is better to buy from shaw or from another party like a best buy?

thanks!

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by McG

and it looks like shaw has dropped the price by $50 on their site as well for all of their hardware; so be careful when you see stores offering $50 off when actually it is the same price as shaw is charging.

any opinions on whether it is better to buy from shaw or from another party like a best buy?

thanks!

Shouldn't matter, but personally I would go with Shaw since it will probably not be as busy.

[McG]

Originally Posted by Rathji

Shouldn't matter, but personally I would go with Shaw since it will probably not be as busy.

thank you!

quick follow up question...does anyone know if there is a new shaw device imminent? i know that there will eventually be something newer...but just wondering if it is worth waiting for a brief moment or if now is the time to snag the new 3400.

thanks!

[MickMcGeough]

Originally Posted by McG

thank you!

quick follow up question...does anyone know if there is a new shaw device imminent? i know that there will eventually be something newer...but just wondering if it is worth waiting for a brief moment or if now is the time to snag the new 3400.

thanks!

Shaw claims to be doing a major hardware overhaul sometime in 2011, to something that matches Optik in features (PVR anywhere, new UI, etc.)

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by McG

thank you!

quick follow up question...does anyone know if there is a new shaw device imminent? i know that there will eventually be something newer...but just wondering if it is worth waiting for a brief moment or if now is the time to snag the new 3400.

thanks!

I would get it now.

The new DCX 3400 is able to handle the new 'Optik TV' setup once the firmware comes out, and I think it is reasonably safe to assume that the firmware will come out in conjunction with them launching the service, even if they offer additional new hardware at the time as well.

[To Be Quite Honest]

Okay, I have a question as I am new to the cable box stuff.

Getting Shaw here and I would like to have a regular SD box with the option of an external HD capabilities.

Any advice on model #s? I don't need the best, I'm Scottish.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by To Be Quite Honest

Okay, I have a question as I am new to the cable box stuff.

Getting Shaw here and I would like to have a regular SD bow with the option of an external HD capabilities.

Any advice on model #s? I don't need the best, I'm Scottish.

No such thing.

Edit: I am assuming you are asking for a Non High Definition box with external hard drive add on recording capabilities.

[To Be Quite Honest]

Originally Posted by Barnes

No such thing.

Edit: I am assuming you are asking for a Non High Definition box with external hard drive add on recording capabilities.

Well, any kind of box I can record on to a Hard Drive. I just don't care too much for HD being my TV is only 40 inches. So a SD would be find (if they exist) my SD FTA has one but I would like more channels.

So if there are any models that are out there with that ability... I don't need a built in HD PVR. And I don't want to spend a lot of bank notes on it.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by To Be Quite Honest

Well, any kind of box I can record on to a Hard Drive. I just don't care too much for HD being my TV is only 40 inches. So a SD would be find (if they exist) my SD FTA has one but I would like more channels.

So if there are any models that are out there with that ability... I don't need a built in HD PVR. And I don't want to spend a lot of bank notes on it.

There is only on SD box.

http://www.shaw.ca/en-ca/ProductsSer...l/Hardware.htm

If you're new to Shaw, I would see if they will give you a box free for a year. There is still a considerable difference between HD and SD at 40".

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Barnes

If you're new to Shaw, I would see if they will give you a box free for a year. There is still a considerable difference between HD and SD at 40".

The resolution is nice, even at 40", but the aspect ratio is fantastic. Hockey at 4:3 doesn't even compare to hockey at 16:9.

Your best option, if you're set on SD, would be to get a standalone PVR that works independently from the Shaw box. The big disadvantage, however, is that it won't work with the guide, so you'll end up having to program it like a VCR by setting the program channel, date, time, etc. Although it didn't bug me even 5 years ago, this seems like a major pain by today's standards.

[To Be Quite Honest]

Originally Posted by Barnes

There is only on SD box.

http://www.shaw.ca/en-ca/ProductsSer...l/Hardware.htm

If you're new to Shaw, I would see if they will give you a box free for a year. There is still a considerable difference between HD and SD at 40".

Hmmmm, k, I'll suck it up and look for an HD one. lol

I assume the older models have the external HDD capabilities?

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by To Be Quite Honest

Hmmmm, k, I'll suck it up and look for an HD one. lol

I assume the older models have the external HDD capabilities?

My brother-in-law has an extrenal HD hooked up to a Motorola with a 160 GB internal drive. I can't remember the exact model that he's got, but it is a few years old.

I don't think that you'll regret going HD. When you watch a game on HD, flip back to the standard def channel and compare the difference.

[To Be Quite Honest]

No, my heart isn't set on SD. I just have real limited knowledge on this side of technology so I figured SD would be cheaper to start with.

What are some good options?

Thanks for the replies too, I really appreciate it.

[Jimmy Stang]

I have a Lite-On 5045 standard def PVR. I paid 500 bucks for it a few years ago, and certainly did the trick. As mentioned, it was more cumbersome to program as it was like a VCR. I doubt that they even make it anymore, but there are probably similar options available. Of course, they wouldn't be $500 now!!

My PVR on my main TV now is a Shaw Pace box with my own 1 TB external hard drive attached. This is the model: http://www.shaw.ca/en-ca/ProductsSer...ardware-HD.htm

For $100 more, which is essentially the price of a hard drive and an enclosure, you can get this set up: http://www.shaw.ca/en-ca/ProductsSer...ware-HDPVR.htm

When I went to HD a year and a half ago, the standalone was $300 and they wanted $200 more for the expander. So said screw it and used a third-party hard drive. Now it looks like the price is a little more reasonable to get both from Shaw. If you're able to swallow $300, that's how I'd do it.

Keep in mind that the HD channels will cost you more per month, but there may be some promotions available. I believe that I got the HD channels for free for 6 months, and the movie HD channels free for 2 months or something like that. I'd even call Shaw and say "I'm thinking about going to HD, what can you do for me?" You can even pull the Telus card and see if they'll sweeten the deal.

[Rathji]

DOn't have time to look it up, but I think one of the newer Motorola boxes has the ability to do this for less than $200. Maybe the DCX 3200? I am probably confusing the model though.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by Rathji

DOn't have time to look it up, but I think one of the newer Motorola boxes has the ability to do this for less than $200. Maybe the DCX 3200? I am probably confusing the model though.

The DCX 3200 does not have esata so you can't attach a drive.

The only non PVR boxes (PVR Ready) is.

$198
http://www.shaw.ca/en-ca/ProductsSer...ardware-HD.htm

or

$298 with a 1 TB drive
http://www.shaw.ca/en-ca/ProductsSer...ware-HDPVR.htm

I only have ever had Motorola ones so I can't comment on them.

[To Be Quite Honest]

Thank you for your help. You guy's rule!