I'm looking for a quick bit of advice before trying to wait on hold with Shaw.

I'm looking at buying a new HD box for my 2nd TV (bedroom), aside from the DCX3400 I have for my main entertainment room. I was thinking just the basic standalone Motorola HD box ($178), but am wondering about the new Arris portal version. Can the new box be used independently of the Gateway? I may want to move to the new system in the future, and don't want to be bogged down by older boxes (Motorola) that may not work with it. Is it better to buy the Arris box, use it for now, and then be in a better situation to possibly transition to Gateway in the future?

Thanks to all advice

The Arris box only works with the gateway not independently

I guess when Shaw knows that those of us who had invested heavily in the latest Arris Gateway system (propriety system) will be on the hook to stick with Shaw's service no matter what to realize our investment... very sticky situation and next to impossible to switch TV providers.... am I correct?

unlike the older technology generic DVD hard drive recorders that is not service provider dependent

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think any provider in Shaw's service area uses generic equipment, so this isn't a specific ploy by them. In fact, this is more a response to Telus' proprietary system that was stealing customers away; the average customer wants hardware that offers extra features over the generic equipment.

It's the case with almost all Cable providers. You must remain a customer, or sell the equipment to another customer of the same provider, assuming your account is in good standing.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/2011/05/buying-a-used-cable-set-top-box-in-canada/

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think any provider in Shaw's service area uses generic equipment, so this isn't a specific ploy by them. In fact, this is more a response to Telus' proprietary system that was stealing customers away; the average customer wants hardware that offers extra features over the generic equipment.

There really isn't any such thing as generic equipment in the TV delivery marketplace any longer. Since the advent of STBs all services be they from a cableco, satellite or IP could be described as propriatary since the equipment is not useable on any of the other service delivery types. Perhaps the delivery was generic back when you had a coax or OTA antenna attached to your TV directly. That was generic since it was the 'generic' TV that did the reception of the signal.

There is a significant difference between the service marketing methods of Shaw's Arris Gateway, satellite services and IP (TELUS's Optik). Shaw offers the Gateway on a customer purchase model, where the customer purchases their equipment and owns it outright. Shaw uses no contracts in their marketing plan. The Shaw Gateway is not customer installable and requires a tech visit to install. Satellite providers have models where the equipment (IRDs) can be either purchased or rented, although the dish is usually provided with the service for no charge. Satellite services can be installed by the customer. TELUS uses a model with different options, customers can buy or rent their STBs or even buy some and rent the rest. Contracts are available to offset rental costs but aren't a requirement. TELUS's Optik is not customer installable and requires a tech visit. Cost for the satellite IRDs, Optik STBs or Shaw's other standalone STBs are considerably less then Shaw's Gateway system by comparisson.

Ric01, the DVD recorder is not a good comparisson to a PVR. The DVD recorder isn't capable of the same performance or features of a PVR and isn't able to receive the signal on its own. DVD recorders must be connected to an STB to receive their input signal and are therefore no different than a TV, they provide a non digital copy that is burned onto (usually) a one time use recordable DVD disc. In contrast todays digital PVRs available from all providers record a digital signal directly to the PVR HDD requiring no blank disc and many of these PVRs are capable of recording multiple programs simultaneously, while previous recordings or live TV is also being viewed. Some systems (Gateway and Optik) are even capable of utilising one central PVR to which all other STBs in the house can record or playback from. The DVD recorder is simply a piece of consumer electronics with no really comparable functionality beyond it's ability to record a video signal. They weren't anything more than a next generation VCR and are now just as obsolete IMO.