Since BTV changes all channels to 720P, it'll probably be better to use 720P, since then there will be one less format change. Try both to see what you prefer and see the following FAQ on the topic.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=87543

I have my Shaw Direct 505 set to 1080i and it looks great. I'm wondering, if Bell puts all channels, even HDNet to 720p? HDNet is broadcast in 1080i. Just wondering if HDNet looks very good on Telus Sat. in 720p...cause I think it is one of if not the best PQ HD channels on Shaw Direct.

Shaw Direct changes all channels to 1080i. BTV changes all channels to 720P. Here's the FAQ on that topic, showing the changes and the original "broadcast" format:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=76129

HDNet usually looks great (yes it looks good on BTV) because of the production values that go into the programming that they air. See the following post on the topic:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?p=893245#post893245

Thanks very much all, I shall stick with 720p. : )

Also considering switching, so this discussion is very timely for me.

So the Telus Sat install was FREE, or do you have to sign a contract for the install to be free?

Would any satellite provider ever try to link up with a house's existing cable install somehow? (yes, I'm a n00bie)

Right now in our large house (our family & in-laws) we have 5 TVs on cable - would the installers run satellite cable to all those places ONLY IF we buy/rent receivers for each location? Was nice to hear that they put in a switch 'just in case' for future use.

Thanks for all responses - I'll be following this one closely!

R

Its free install on a 3 year deal, however I did not actually sign any agreement, so I guess me calling to schedule an install is as good as a written agreement. The free install is worth it imo, in my case I got all new wire, new switchs, new dish, cleanup and testing. the service is good so 3 years is nothing to me, its not like a cell phone where after 1 year you want something else.

I have had satalitte for 7 years now, starchoice - Bell - Telus, and when I go somewhere with cable, i find it very dissappointing, the guides are ugly, slow, picture never seems as good. And im talking even people with HD cable. Maybe im just lucky with my plasma tv.

I'd prefer going month-to-month, or maybe a 1-year deal (this is my first foray into satellite) but it could be an expensive install if I really get it set up to serve the same TVs that are now on cable, so it might be worth it even for a 3-year deal! :D

Out of 5 TVs, only one is HD so far, but I have been disappointed with Shaw's limited HD offerings and costs, which is what intrigues me with Telus/Bell...

R

my bill is 67 a month, with telus, I get 6 theme packs plud HD, this gives me around 200 channels, and around 50 HD channels. They also gave me a free month of HD movies,

That's pretty decent! I'm figuring, though, that the receiver rental for 5 TVs could add up pretty quickly. I wonder if a Bell-branded 6131 or 9241 would be allowed on Telus's system? Or for a couple of the TVs, even an older one (3100?).

Hmmm...

Since TTV ONLY have the 2 HD models, a 3100 won't cut it and they know the R0 numbers of their inventory, so ONLY a TTV box can be authorized, even though under the skin, they are the SAME Echostar receivers.
The firmware just has "T" suffix on the end for the internal branding.

There seems to be lots of expertise on this forum, so I can hope soemone can help me out.

Just signed up for Telus Sat TV (my wife needs to see Global's Kevin Newman in all his HD glory). We plan to run the signal into a plasma set and a pretty basic Sony home theatre in a box.

Here's my questions:

The Telus page says the installer will arrive with all necessary hardware. Would this include video cabling from the HD receiver to the plasma set and audio cabling to my DVD box? I suspect the Telus tech would be reluctant to do this, since connecting to the plasma involves dismounting it from the wall.

If, as I think, I'm responsible for cabling between the receiver and the TV and DVD, am I right in thinking that HDMI is my best choice to connect to the TV and that standard audio cable (red and white) for audio to the DVD player? I know this will only give me 2 channels of sound but that's all the input I've got on the back of my DVD box. But will this arrangement work at Telus's HD box end?

Finally, as I understand it, the selling point for HDMI cable is that only it can can handle the high volume of information required to support 1080 video plus the 5.1 or 7.1 video feed.

But satellite dishes connect to receivers with coaxial cable, which is decidedly low-tech. The kid at Future Shop tried to assure me that I really needed coxial in and HDMI out of the receiver, because the receiver "improves the signal, but he couldn't explain how this happens.

Can anyone reduce my confusion?

The Telus page says the installer will arrive with all necessary hardware. Would this include video cabling from the HD receiver to the plasma set and audio cabling to my DVD box? I suspect the Telus tech would be reluctant to do this, since connecting to the plasma involves dismounting it from the wall.

If, as I think, I'm responsible for cabling between the receiver and the TV and DVD, am I right in thinking that HDMI is my best choice to connect to the TV and that standard audio cable (red and white) for audio to the DVD player? I know this will only give me 2 channels of sound but that's all the input I've got on the back of my DVD box. But will this arrangement work at Telus's HD box end?

Finally, as I understand it, the selling point for HDMI cable is that only it can can handle the high volume of information required to support 1080 video plus the 5.1 or 7.1 video feed.

But satellite dishes connect to receivers with coaxial cable, which is decidedly low-tech. The kid at Future Shop tried to assure me that I really needed coxial in and HDMI out of the receiver, because the receiver "improves the signal, but he couldn't explain how this happens.

Can anyone reduce my confusion?

The installer should be equipped with all of the cables needed for hooking everything up. I am getting Telus Sat. TV hooked up in 1 1/2 weeks. With my StarChoice receivers, they came with DVI(StarChoice doesn't have HDMI hookup) and component cables...plus the RCA(red & white) cables for audio.

Component cables can handle the 1080 video signal(Telus Sat. TV is 720p) as well as HDMI...it just doesn't transmit audio. If you hook the HDMI to your TV, audio will be heard from the TV as well as your Sony system with the RCA cables running to it. You can turn the speakers off on the TV, or just hook up the component cables, instead of HDMI.

The coaxial cable comes from the dish to the receiver, then it does all of the work from the signal then it gets put through either HDMI or component...whichever you go with.

Hope I made some sense out of all this...and if I made any mistakes, please someone correct me. :D

The reciever will not come with an HDMI cable, at least the HDPVR doesnt, you want to use HDMI between all devices.

The problem is, your home theatre might not have HDMI in and out, so you might have to use a TosLink cable between the reciever and TV to get the audio.


My theatre only has HDMI out, for playing dvds.

All these cables can be bought real cheap at mono price dot com, fully legit site, have used many times.

So, I just got my Telus Sat. TV installed today and my first impressions are GREAT! I was worried about the HD picture being not as good as Shaw Direct, but I am very happy with the picture. As far as the 9241 HD PVR, I love all of the features(searchable guide, info on shows, etc.), plus the black box matches all of my home theater equipment.

Sure glad I didn't end up buying a DSR-530 PVR from Shaw Direct. I'd say to anyone wanting or thinking about switching from SD to Telus, go for it its great!:D

y wouldn't you think telus satellite would be better than shaw direct? everyone knows bell has the best clearest picture in canada...duh!!

True that!

I've had my system in place for a week now and I have nothing but positive thigns to say about the service. Took the installer about 6 hours to install the whole system (not his fault, due to the layout of our house and yard).

The HD picture quality and sound made the long install worth the wait.

We went with the HD PVR and it is a easy to use box.

We will have to remove a tree in the next year or so as it will eventually block the signal to the dish but as we were sort of thinking about taking it out anyways this isn't a problem.

Anyone wanting to make the switch I would recommend it.

Not only is the service great but the professionalism shown by the installer was second to none. I can't even tell where he ran 95% of the wiring.

He also left the existing cable install in place so that should we ever sell the new owner can go back to cable.

No complaints.

My telus HD satellite will be installed on Oct. 25Th. I now have Bell and very happy but price and bundling has made me switch. With Bell I have 2 PVRs that control 4 TVs HD at the source and SD at the bedroom TVs.The telus rep. told me that the receiver's will be the same as Bells is this true or will I Require a receiver for each TV.

Telus use 9241's and the 6131, so you tell us if they are the same models as you have right now...

I have a 9242 and a 9200 both are duel receivers, is the 9241,6131 duel or will I have to order 2 extra receivers ?