TELUS Optik TV Thread

[8sPOT]

Originally Posted by Canehdianman

I've been having this problem since install date. I think tonight I'll try the "unplug three times" method and see if it gets any better.

Might be time to switch back to Shaw anyways.

Are you running Cat5 or coax? The tech said, running coax and using the older modem etc is a common problem.

[Canehdianman]

Originally Posted by 8sPOT

Are you running Cat5 or coax? The tech said, running coax and using the older modem etc is a common problem.

The tech set it all up using coax. Would they switch it to cat5 if I called them?

Hmmm, that might be a better long term solution. For now I think I'll switch the PVR and STB (since I watch a lot more TV upstairs than downstairs (where the PVR is now).

[PsnaP]

Running coax and using an older modem isnt a common problem. The coax needs to be in good shape, not split and have the compression ends on them to work properly. They may change out the coax for cat5 if it isnt good, there are new tests the tech use now to make sure the wiring is sufficient. If youre having issues.. call in a trouble and have someone look at it.

[8sPOT]

Yeah maybe I should clarify, the tech said it was a common problem given the issues I was having. The 'recording not available' is not a common problem, however, the coax and older machine causing that issue is common...according to the tech.

When I asked why not change the upstairs coax with cat5 he basically said it would be too much of a PITA. Funny enough, we just started having some jittering issues and video on demand not working properly at the PVR. Will see if it persists, as this never happened prior to the tech visiting.

Should also mention, about a week after the tech came I got a call from Telus apologizing for the shoddy service over the last few months. They gave me two free VOD movie rentals. I thought that was decent.

[silentsim]

which is the "older" modem, the DLINK? The Actiontec is the "new" one correct?

[8sPOT]

Not sure about the name of it, the tech has it installed so I can't see the top of it. But I went from two units (a large silver one, and a small black one) to a single unit.

It's been a full week now and have not had any issues at all watching TV on the XBOX.

[Coach]

So Im thinking of switching from Shaw to telus tv. I currently have Shaw classic cable and extreme high speed internet and pay $120/ month. I just saw a promo for Telus Optik TV with an HD box and PVR rental and internet for $40/month (for the first 6 months). Will I see a significant difference in download speed, or am I just being ripped off by Shaw? I'd like to think its the latter so I can dump em and get this service. Any recommendations?

[J Diddy]

You might want to call shaw first to see what adjustments can be made to get your bill reduced. My dad just called last week and had $40 knocked off his bill going forward and was upgraded to BB50 internet. This was due to him having an out dated bundle package.

I'm happy enough with telus but the small price increases every month are starting to get annoying. A three year contract with telus doesn't price protect you and the 15mbps maximum speeds in my neighborhood is pretty pathetic.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by MattyC

So Im thinking of switching from Shaw to telus tv. I currently have Shaw classic cable and extreme high speed internet and pay $120/ month. I just saw a promo for Telus Optik TV with an HD box and PVR rental and internet for $40/month (for the first 6 months). Will I see a significant difference in download speed, or am I just being ripped off by Shaw? I'd like to think its the latter so I can dump em and get this service. Any recommendations?

Don't consider the promo price IMHO, regardless of provider.

In reality, you save a bit of money but unless you are planning on switching back and forth between providers it really doesn't matter in the long run. You should only consider the promo price as paying for the annoyance of getting it installed and dealing with Telus/Shaw to fix problems that always happen with any new install. If you sign a contract, then this discount also 'pays' for you to cancel it if they suck.

As for the product. You will see a definite download speed reduction, but it might not be enough for you to notice. Your $40 Telus bundle includes 15Mb/s download speeds, and Extreme is 25Mb/s*. In the past, Telus internet speeds were impacted by the number of streams currently being viewed/recorded on the TV, so that could be a 1-3MB/s per stream (unless this is no longer an issue). You can upgrade to 25Mb/s but you need to have the available profile on your node and the cost is obviously increased.

You might also notice a loss in available channels in a $40 bundle. I know when I was considering the switch, to get more than just basic channels you needed to get a more expensive bundle, I think ours was $20-$30 extra, for the second biggest bundle. I don't see that information easily on their website so can't tell what the current price is.

My opinion, is call Shaw and get a current bundle for your needs. Almost certainly, even just using the personalizer (https://shawpersonalizer.ca/) , you can save a bunch. If they can't match the 'post promo' price of Telus, and the reduced speeds don't matter, then switch.

*just going from memory, since Shaw has changed all their packages, and thier current regular speed internet package is 20Mb/s

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Rathji

Stuff[/SIZE]

Thanks for the info. Here's what Im looking at. I pay around $120 for pretty much basic cable with no HD channels or PVR and extreme highspeed.

The Telus promo says $40 for the first 6 months and $65 for any month after that. Includes an HD reciever, actual HD channels, and a PVR and Optik internet. PLUS a free Laptop.

If I have to pay an extra 10 bucks a month to get bumped to the 25 mb/s internet I will and I would still be saving a buttload. Im calling shaw to find our if I can get similar service for a similar price. If not I'm likely out. Saving $50/month and having better service is a no brainer for me. Especially with the HD and PVR worked in.

[showtime]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Thanks for the info. Here's what Im looking at. I pay around $120 for pretty much basic cable with no HD channels or PVR and extreme highspeed.

The Telus promo says $40 for the first 6 months and $65 for any month after that. Includes an HD reciever, actual HD channels, and a PVR and Optik internet. PLUS a free Laptop.

If I have to pay an extra 10 bucks a month to get bumped to the 25 mb/s internet I will and I would still be saving a buttload. Im calling shaw to find our if I can get similar service for a similar price. If not I'm likely out. Saving $50/month and having better service is a no brainer for me. Especially with the HD and PVR worked in.

The laptop costs in an extra $15 dollars a month over the two year plan. So its not exactly free.

[Coach]

Ah nice catch Shane. I suppose I could try to get that part nixed as I dont need a computer anyways. Im currently in the process of trying to get my shaw bill reduced. The HD/PVR is what is really selling me. To be paying twice as much and NOT have those services is chapping my ass.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Thanks for the info. Here's what Im looking at. I pay around $120 for pretty much basic cable with no HD channels or PVR and extreme highspeed.

The Telus promo says $40 for the first 6 months and $65 for any month after that. Includes an HD reciever, actual HD channels, and a PVR and Optik internet. PLUS a free Laptop.

If I have to pay an extra 10 bucks a month to get bumped to the 25 mb/s internet I will and I would still be saving a buttload. Im calling shaw to find our if I can get similar service for a similar price. If not I'm likely out. Saving $50/month and having better service is a no brainer for me. Especially with the HD and PVR worked in.

That is too much. Even the personalizer can get you a much better deal than that.

[Coach]

Well as an update, I called shaw and explained. The guy I spoke to was very helpful and has basically cut my bill in half for the same services through magical bundling powers. So +1 for shaw and their customer service.

[Drury18]

So my 3 year contract with Telus is finally done and I'm looking and purchasing my own PVR/Digital box equipment.

I know I need a box for each TV (and only 1 PVR), however do I need to purchase a router for each TV as well? I've seen conflicting information regarding this. I currently only have one TV connected and one router (which I believe I own as it was included in my 3 year deal as a "Wireless Gateway" but the CS at Telus couldn't confirm), but I wasn't sure if I needed to purchase another for when I get the second TV connected.

Thanks

[Madman]

No, only 1 router needed.

[Drury18]

Thanks. That's what I thought. Additional boxes would just be wireless connections.

[silentsim]

Originally Posted by Drury18

Thanks. That's what I thought. Additional boxes would just be wireless connections.

Negative, not wireless. They need to be hooked up via Coax or Ethernet

[PsnaP]

Originally Posted by silentsim

Negative, not wireless. They need to be hooked up via Coax or Ethernet

For now...

[8sPOT]

Originally Posted by PsnaP

For now...

Really? Wireless is on the way? That sounds like more problems and troubles to me.