Shaw vs. Telus Cable TV

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Bob

I think they'd have a much easier time getting multiple high-quality HD streams if they were to blow away all the old channels taking up space and just stream people what they watching.

Yes, but how many technophobes would they alienate by putting in such radical changes? That what keeps some of my elderly family from looking at something else; they don't want another remote.

It's why the newspapers still print a TV guide. There's enough people with VCRs flashing 12:00 to make Shaw want to keep the old analog signals.

[Titan]

Originally Posted by nwflamesfan

So inspired by this thread I called Shaw to see if they can restructure my bill. All I had to do is mention the $84.95 deal and was immediately offered it. I'm pretty pleased as my bill before was $102 for Regular internet and digital cable. Now I have Home phone with free long distance in US and Canada for 1 year. Extreme Internet, New Motorola HDPVR, I mentioned that I was interested in purchasing the CI package to insure they would send me the new one and all the HD channels minus the 3 movie channels that Shaw offers. Needless to say I am happy as no contract had to be signed and after the year I can just go back to my old plan or whatever they are offering at the time.

Thanks CP.

One quick question to someone who already has been sent there PVR. I forgot to ask the size of the HD. I believe it is 500gb but I do not want to wait on hold for another 20 minutes to find out. Can any one confirm this?

Free LD for a year? Damn, I didn't get that. I think I will call back before the installer comes...

[nwflamesfan]

Originally Posted by Titan

Free LD for a year? Damn, I didn't get that. I think I will call back before the installer comes...

Ya anytime long distance for the period of the deal. I am not sure where you live but i'm in Vancouver, not to sure if that will make a difference though.

[iggyntangs]

Got free LD for a year too and I'm in Calgary.

[Roast Beef]

Originally Posted by Diverce

I find the HD better then Shaw... I haven't seen Bell so I can't compare, but I find Shaw a little bit grainier, Optik seems so have brighter colors IMO

My parents have Shaw and I have Optik. I do notice more macro blocking in their Shaw HD service however that could be the compression used or my own bias coming into play. The biggest difference for me is the overall experience.

2HD+ 1SD stream. The ease of navigation. The superior guide. The remote recording from any computer or iDevice. PVR anywhere. Etc. Considering that Shaw has been in the cable TV business since 1966 I expect better of them.

ken0042 I completely agree with you. Shaw would be abandoning a large market if they eliminated their analog signals. It's only a matter of time before they do, however that time is at least 10 years from now. My friend is a perfect example. He has a 55 inch plasma tv with a full 5.1 surround system. His idea of watching tv is an analog cable split between 2 VCR's and a DVD recorder.(it's his PVR) The 4:3 signal is stretched to fit the 16:9 screen. He uses the printed tv guide to look for shows and uses an archaic system known as pencil and paper to label all of the tapes he has recorded. He sees no reason to go to a digital or HD box. For him fuzzy streched SD with a multiple VCR DVD recorder setup with a paper guide is better than a set top box. (and he wonders why I don't go over there to watch Flames or Stamps games.)

[henry07]

this forum is awesome. because of you guys, i called shaw and got my bill knocked down to $85 for internet, cable, phone with LD throughout north america, extreme hi speed, hdpvr and hd channels for the year!! it was great speaking with shaw and we very pleasant with everything.

[rayne008]

Originally Posted by rayne008

This is what I currently have from shaw...

Originally Posted by rayne008

--------------

Current Monthly Services (09-Oct-10 to 08-Nov-10)
Digital TV/Movies & High-Speed 121.95
HD Plus Package 12.00
Timeshift 3.95
Internet Discount -5.00
Total Current Monthly Services $132.90
------------------------

Any suggestions on how to get this monthly bill lowered? Do I need to suggest switching to telus, or am I paying about right for the service I'm getting. I'm fairly happy with Shaw other that the wonky PVR menu freezing and poor audio quality we get.

I finally got around to calling shaw, and got put on some six month promo rates... I didn't need another PVR, and I only watch HD, so thats why I cut down just to basic cable + HD Plus package. Still seems too expensive, but it's better than nothing...

------------------
Current Monthly Services (09-Nov-10 to 08-Dec-10)
Basic Cable 36.95
Movie Central (4 Services) 17.00
HD Plus Package 12.00
Timeshift 3.95
Internet Discount -5.00
High-Speed Internet 52.00
Total Current Monthly Services $116.90
Promotions
Basic Cable Promotion (expires 8-May-11) -22.00
High-Speed Internet Promotion (expires 8-May-11) -27.05
Total Promotions $-49.05
Total Current Monthly Services $67.85
Savings $65.05
----------------------------

[Shazam]

Called too, went down to $90, got the movie channels free for one month as well.

[Pacem]

Originally Posted by Bob

It's 500 GB. It also spins constantly, which is annoying. They don't have standard screws on the back, otherwise I'd have already tried to replace mine with a spare 1 TB drive--they're some kind of crazy lock-tight torx crap which need a micro-wrench or something.

I've got an older PVR and my recorded shows are seeming to act funny lately, and the PVR seems to make some noises at time. I've been figuring the HDD is going.

So I want to replace the Hard drive and see if that makes it better. What kind of software would need to be installed? And what format is required on the hard drive?

[iggyntangs]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Called too, went down to $90, got the movie channels free for one month as well.

Force the issue, I got movie/HBO channels for 3 months free.

[Bob]

Originally Posted by Pacem

I've got an older PVR and my recorded shows are seeming to act funny lately, and the PVR seems to make some noises at time. I've been figuring the HDD is going.

So I want to replace the Hard drive and see if that makes it better. What kind of software would need to be installed? And what format is required on the hard drive?

So long as the drive is recognized by the PVR, nothing is needed. It formats it itself and then it's ready to go.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by Bob

It's 500 GB. It also spins constantly, which is annoying. They don't have standard screws on the back, otherwise I'd have already tried to replace mine with a spare 1 TB drive--they're some kind of crazy lock-tight torx crap which need a micro-wrench or something.

FYI it spins constantly because that is the only way to be able to pause live TV, its always recording.

Also if you open the box you void the warranty.

[FlamesKickAss]

Originally Posted by iggyntangs

Force the issue, I got movie/HBO channels for 3 months free.

especially since Telus is offering it free for 3 months right now, I didnt even ask for it.

tried to get the xbox, could have but they wanted to change my rate to the full 37 for internet instead on the 10 I pay...

So frustrated with that company right now.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by Roast Beef

My parents have Shaw and I have Optik. I do notice more macro blocking in their Shaw HD service however that could be the compression used or my own bias coming into play. The biggest difference for me is the overall experience.

2HD+ 1SD stream. The ease of navigation. The superior guide. The remote recording from any computer or iDevice. PVR anywhere. Etc. Considering that Shaw has been in the cable TV business since 1966 I expect better of them.

ken0042 I completely agree with you. Shaw would be abandoning a large market if they eliminated their analog signals. It's only a matter of time before they do, however that time is at least 10 years from now. My friend is a perfect example. He has a 55 inch plasma tv with a full 5.1 surround system. His idea of watching tv is an analog cable split between 2 VCR's and a DVD recorder.(it's his PVR) The 4:3 signal is stretched to fit the 16:9 screen. He uses the printed tv guide to look for shows and uses an archaic system known as pencil and paper to label all of the tapes he has recorded. He sees no reason to go to a digital or HD box. For him fuzzy streched SD with a multiple VCR DVD recorder setup with a paper guide is better than a set top box. (and he wonders why I don't go over there to watch Flames or Stamps games.)

How old is said friend? 80?

[Bob]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

FYI it spins constantly because that is the only way to be able to pause live TV, its always recording.

Also if you open the box you void the warranty.

No, I mean it spins constantly when the box is "off". Spinning when watching TV is okay, but when it's off (and not recording) it should spin down. Other boxes (Pace) do this (after a while), but I can't find any option to do the same thing with the new PVR (using either the "on" or "off" menus).

It's even writing (or seeking, or something) while "off". I can hear it clicking away quietly all the time. It's not storing the channels, menu, listings, or anything else to disk (it all goes away when you pull the plug), so there doesn't seem to be a reason for it to be do anything.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Pacem

I've got an older PVR and my recorded shows are seeming to act funny lately, and the PVR seems to make some noises at time. I've been figuring the HDD is going.

So I want to replace the Hard drive and see if that makes it better. What kind of software would need to be installed? And what format is required on the hard drive?

My PVR was doing the same thing so I wanted to do the same and upgrade to a TB internal drive. Before hand, I talked to Shaw and inquired about warranty. Apparently if you have phone/tv/internet through shaw (like this $85 deal in this thread) you have a lifetime warranty with all your equipment. They are willing to replace my PVR with a comparable model (which is an upgrade from the model they told me) when I bring it in.

The biggest problem is I will lose all my programming. I am actually thinking about renting a box for a couple months, recording all my stuff to that box and watching the old content from my old box. When I am done watching the old content, I will trade it in on warranty, watch the shows on the rental box until it is cleared up and then return it. From what the TSR I talked to said, I could probably even get a free rental for that time period.

[CMPunk]

Got an offer from Telus today for $45 a month for a year

Includes:

89 channels and 10 HD channels
Free HD PVR
Optik High Speed
Phone with 1 calling feature
4 cents/minute long distance

[Roast Beef]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

How old is said friend? 80?

39, and cheap as hell.

[hmmhmmcamo]

Originally Posted by CMPunk

Got an offer from Telus today for $45 a month for a year

Includes:

89 channels and 10 HD channels
Free HD PVR
Optik High Speed
Phone with 1 calling feature
4 cents/minute long distance

Did you have to sign a contract?

We're going to be shopping for an internet/cable package in the next couple weeks. We'd rather not sign a contract, we want a HD pvr and don't really care about the phone. Are my choices pretty much shaw, telus, and bell? Any tips?

[Bob]

Originally Posted by hmmhmmcamo

Did you have to sign a contract?

We're going to be shopping for an internet/cable package in the next couple weeks. We'd rather not sign a contract, we want a HD pvr and don't really care about the phone. Are my choices pretty much shaw, telus, and bell? Any tips?

I believe that's a standard contract offer. I got one in the mail just like it. Also, IIRC the $45/month is introductory pricing good for the first year only.