Question about Bell TV.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Yeah, I've been brought down to their level too but it sure doesn't sit right with me, having to lie or cheat just to break even. I've also had un-enjoyable experiences with Shaw and Telus, but it's been to do with their product and high prices, not their lying and cheating.

Fair enough. I'm just trying to say all companies have their problems, it's about locating the ones that won't effect you as much. For me the customer service can be frustrating but as stated before I rarely have to speak to them, usually when I do it is because I want something free or half price. For example: NHLCI being 50% for 'new' customers, I always make them give me it for that price.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

I'm not talking about PPV. I'm talking about On Demand channels that are not an additional charge. Like the movie channels on demand so that I can choose from a wide variety of movies to watch whenever I want.

I wouldn't be watching movies that are free on TV. If they are free most likely I have already seen them in the theater or downloaded them. So it works for you, but that would be something that would interest me little, if any, even if Bell had it. Again, sounds like Shaw works for you but doesn't for me which is why I have Bell when I could have Shaw for free.

[Bobblehead]

I've got Shaw Direct (formerly known as Star Choice). I've only ever had one issue with them and that was cleared up so long ago I forget what it is.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by HOOT

I wouldn't be watching movies that are free on TV. If they are free most likely I have already seen them in the theater or downloaded them. So it works for you, but that would be something that would interest me little, if any, even if Bell had it. Again, sounds like Shaw works for you but doesn't for me which is why I have Bell when I could have Shaw for free.

I don't have Bell or Shaw. But On Demand also helped me start following shows like True Blood and East Bound & Down.

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by fotze

I'll assume you aren't trying to come across as arrogant as that came across. But do you really think thats the problem that people have? Really? That 4X4 is just stupid, I am and others?

I had the EXACT same problems as 4X4 and also Bertuzzied. Bert and I signed up on the same week and had identical experiences. Pretty strong coincidence that we were stupid concurrently and in the same way.

Like I said, I think their product is superior and I get the feeling they have fired whatever VP was encouraging the employees to lie, but the memory of that is still too much for me to get over the godamn shawondemand button I keep accidentally pressing, the lack of channels and stumbled upon porn.

No, not trying to come across as arrogant. But my experiences over the past three years or so is that I've gotten exactly what Bell reps have told me. I asked specific questions, they gave me specific answers and explained how everything was going to work, when to expect certain things on my bill and so on.

So while I'm sure that you guys aren't liars and such, I still don't understand based on my numerous experiences with Bell why you've had such problems.

In any case, Telus is the scourge of the Earth and should be banished with utmost severity.

[OilKiller]

Originally Posted by HOOT

What are you talking about? First off I could personally care less about the US commercials since you can watch them almost anywhere after the game without having to quiet down a room full of people watching the game. Is this seriously you big concern on SB Sunday? Yikes.

Oh please...yeah, let's downplay the SuperBowl ads because no one cares about them... Many people really enjoy the SB ads. Including just about everyone I know. Of course those people who have Bell don't because they CAN'T WATCH THEM. Watch them after the game...lol...

Originally Posted by HOOT

Enjoy cutoffs? Never had this happen, so please explain. You always bring up this simsub crap every argument but again, if you have a PVR what the hell are you doing watching commercials in the first place?

I bring up the simsub crap because it's TRUE. You don't like me bringing it up because you have NO ARGUMENT AGAINST IT.

Simsubs suck. Missing SB commercials sucks. I had cut offs at the start of shows, the end of shows, WRONG shows entirely recorded because of simsubs. Simsubs are a huge pain in the ass and pretty much the #1 reason for not being with Bell IMO, but hey, go hug your Bell PVR.

I used it and while it is not a bad piece of hardware, there is nothing saying it has a huge advantage at all on Shaw's box or Rogers box for that matter.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by OilKiller

I had cut offs at the start of shows, the end of shows, WRONG shows entirely recorded because of simsubs. Simsubs are a huge pain in the ass and pretty much the #1 reason for not being with Bell IMO, but hey, go hug your Bell PVR.

In all the years I have owned a PVR I have never had a show cut off because of a commercial. And go hug my PVR? What do you think I'm doing right now?

Good job proving your point with that though.

I used it and while it is not a bad piece of hardware, there is nothing saying it has a huge advantage at all on Shaw's box or Rogers box for that matter.

Well I'm saying it along with anyone who has ever used it compared to a Shaw box. It blows the Shaw PVRs out of the water, not even close. Add in the remote and Bell would be so far ahead it could crawl to the finish line.

[kermitology]

To be fair, why is anyone using a stock remote instead of a harmony?

[OilKiller]

Originally Posted by HOOT

In all the years I have owned a PVR I have never had a show cut off because of a commercial. And go hug my PVR? What do you think I'm doing right now?

Well, you are one of the luckiest Bell customers ever. And I'm not talking because of a commercial, I'm talking about simsubs taking over networks early or releasing late, etc. Their timing has been off so many times I had missed a ton of openings and closings. Not to mention missing entire shows because they never released the simsub or put the wrong one on the wrong channel.

This argument is getting old. We've had it several times.

Me = Everything Bell sucks
You = Everything Shaw sucks.

Move along...nothing to see here.

[HOOT]

Actually you are the only one who thinks a company 'sucks'. I don't think Shaw sucks, I just think they are average in everything they do when it comes to television service. If I wanted average television with great customer service I would be with Shaw. I just choose to have great television and average customer service. Goes back to what I was asking before...why do Shaw customers have to phone CS so much that they need to have such friendly service? I NEVER have to phone into Bell.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by kermitology

To be fair, why is anyone using a stock remote instead of a harmony?

Well, for me I don't think harmony has a UHF remote and that's what I use 90% of the time as the Bell receiver has the two types of remotes.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by HOOT

Actually you are the only one who thinks a company 'sucks'. I don't think Shaw sucks, I just think they are average in everything they do when it comes to television service. If I wanted average television with great customer service I would be with Shaw. I just choose to have great television and average customer service. Goes back to what I was asking before...why do Shaw customers have to phone CS so much that they need to have such friendly service? I NEVER have to phone into Bell.

Originally Posted by HOOT

Retentions once gave me a free 9242, not a rental but outright own one.

If you know how to deal with people they are easy.

So if you "NEVER" have needed to call into them where did you learn "how to deal" with them and how did you end you speaking to retentions?

[OilKiller]

Originally Posted by HOOT

Actually you are the only one who thinks a company 'sucks'. I don't think Shaw sucks, I just think they are average in everything they do when it comes to television service. If I wanted average television with great customer service I would be with Shaw. I just choose to have great television and average customer service. Goes back to what I was asking before...why do Shaw customers have to phone CS so much that they need to have such friendly service? I NEVER have to phone into Bell.

For me it's all about the simsubs for the most part. Customer service is important too though and I have gotten some AWFUL, AWFUL service from Bell when I needed them.

I used to have my TV service with them and my cell phone. In both cases, I had the worst experiences I've ever had with a company. Nothing but problems.

From channels not working, to subbed channels not being available, to of course simsub issues, missing channels, signal going out, trying to change what I was subbed to, ordering PPV...the list goes on and on. Each and every time I called these guys, it seemed to get worse and worse and my patience grew very thin. Not to mention having to watch every single bill like a hawk. I lost count how many times they "oops, sorry, mischarged you".

My cell phone experience was almost as bad bill wise, usage, extra charges, etc.

I'm with Rogers now for phone and have had ZERO issues. The one time I had to call them was to change my plan and number. They were courteous, helpful and it took no time at all. Everything they said they would do they did and I had no issues whatsoever.

Being with Shaw, I've had issues with loss of service from time to time and some audio drop out issues, that has since been fixed. I talked to a higher up there (which I could never seem to do with Bell) and got a special supervisor line number. Now if I have an issue, I don't have to call regular support and jump through any normal hoops. I call, leave a message with my info and issue and it is taken care of.

I get excellent picture and sound. Have all the HD channels I could ever want with more being added all the time and I deal with about 2% simsubs which I can easily get away from if I record or watch the Eastern feed of something because of the Global HD channel out of Edmonton being on my local Shaw.

Currently I have no complaints about Shaw's hardware either, other than the earlier mentioned occasional pause in responsiveness when deleting a show for example from the PVR. Up on my main HDTV, I have an HD PVR as well as a regular HD box hooked up. Nice and easy, 3 lines no issues unlike with satellite with large signal splitters required, as we have cable in 4 other places as well throughout the house. MY HD PVR can record two things at the same time, while I can watch an HD hockey game on the HD box and everyone is happy.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

So if you "NEVER" have needed to call into them where did you learn "how to deal" with them and how did you end you speaking to retentions?

As I stated earlier I never have to phone them for technical or billing issues, the only time I do is when I want something for free. So I speak to them on my own terms not because the hockey game isn't on, or I'm being charge PPV outside the PPV region, etc. Which seems to be a common theme when talking about Shaw.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by OilKiller

Move along...nothing to see here.

What happened to this?

[OilKiller]

Originally Posted by HOOT

What happened to this?

Well, you gave me hell for not stating my case, so I did.

[Titan]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

One other recommendation, go for the dual tuner HD PVR and search the web for the older 9242, it's much better than the newer 9241. .

On this. I have heard this before. How do I go about it? Buy a 9242 on ebay, hook it up and then put my card in? Do I have to get Bell involved? I have been quite disappointed by the Bell hardware but I was coming from Tivo. Simply the best hardware and interaction experience I have ever used.

Anyways, what makes the 9242 better?

Thanks.

btw which company is better? Just kidding.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Titan

On this. I have heard this before. How do I go about it? Buy a 9242 on ebay, hook it up and then put my card in? Do I have to get Bell involved? I have been quite disappointed by the Bell hardware but I was coming from Tivo. Simply the best hardware and interaction experience I have ever used.

Anyways, what makes the 9242 better?

Thanks.

btw which company is better? Just kidding.

If you buy the 9242 used, you may not get the introductory offers for new customers, on the other hand if you get and install the dish yourself, if you are handy and if you are careful dealing with Bell, you won't have to sign a 2 year contract. Personally, for a first time buyer, I'd get the Bell installation as they will supply the dish, line it up and install the needed switches.
The Bell HD receivers 9242, 9241, 6141 and 6131 don't require a card and you can add an External HDD to all of them.

I'd try and find a new 9242 myself. Be careful buying off Ebay as a private seller may owe money on his account, so Bell won't allow it to be added to a new account.

The 9242 and the 9241 are both dual tuner receivers, so you can watch one program while recording another or even record two programs while watching a recorded program.

The advantage of the 9242 is that

1. it actually has three tuners. The third is an Over The Air tuner, so you can watch and record over the air programs too. Calgary has two HD OTA stations, CTV and Global with more to come. My area doesn't have any HD OTA channels so I haven't used this function yet.

2. both satellite tuners are available to watch, so a simple push of a button, instantly takes you to the other tuners channel. Also and this can be big, it has PIP and PAP (split screen) so you can keep track of two hockey games at a time or whatever, handy during commercials. Both tuners can be paused for up to an hour , so you can play around, say if you've found a program you want to watch the end of while another program you want to watch comes on, just pause the current show and the new program on the other tuner and return to your movie or whatever with out having to record either show.

3. You can set it up to control two TVs running separate programming, one HD and one SD, so you are given two remotes. You lose your PIP ability though, so for extra TVs, I just buy another receiver.

Digital Home Canada is a great source for all your Bell, Shaw, or other tech questions dealing with Audio Video and computers dealing with audio and video.

Here's the Bell forum, check out the last few pages of Procedures for Buying and Selling of BTV Receivers for more info and any other threads that can help you.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=10

[OilKiller]

Hey Hoot...Just FYI, plugged in a 1TB external drive to my Shaw PVR just a few minutes ago. Took the Shaw PVR 10 seconds to format and it was ready to go. I was up to 32% full on my Shaw box, now 0%.

Wow...Shaw couldn't have made that any easier.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by OilKiller

Hey Hoot...Just FYI, plugged in a 1TB external drive to my Shaw PVR just a few minutes ago. Took the Shaw PVR 10 seconds to format and it was ready to go. I was up to 32% full on my Shaw box, now 0%.

Wow...Shaw couldn't have made that any easier.

I've had external hard drives hooked up to two HD Bell receivers for a year now. The 9242 will accept and use up to 1 1/2 TB hard drives.
With the new internet connection, it shouldn't be long for us to be downloading BluRay quality 1080p content.