But how long do you think rogers will take to lay out fiber?

I never specified Rogers. My comments were on cable TV technology in general. What a BDU chooses to implement is totally unpredictable and that goes for BEV and *C as well.

Ultimately, as I_Want_My_HDTV pointed out again, cable TV delivery is FAR more future proof than satellite. Its ability to be methodically converted to what basically works out to FiOS means that satellite does not stand a chance.

On an additional note, it also means that unless the telcos in Canada start doing FiOS, they are in big trouble thinking that IPTV will save them or that xDSL will ever catch up to DOCSIS 2.0/3.0 or what speeds that FiOS gives for intenet access.

Well I already have the internet speed with videotron's new ultimate high speed a 50 Mbps service which is great, and I have a BEV system, and it's great.

But if any cable company made the switch to FIOS I would move to them right away.

Here's my first question, does Expressvu simsubs any of the US West network SD feeds? I know Rogers doesn't.

Some other questions you might have?

Does BEV looses signal with "almost" every local rain/thunder storm? Yes it Does.

Does BEV simsub HD west coast feeds? Yes it Does (CBC, CTV and Global for now)

Does BEV downconvert to 720p every 1080i HD Channel. Yes it Does.

Does BEV also compress the HD signal to less than 15 Mbps and also the SD versions? Yes It Does (in my opinion PPV SD movies are not worth it , you r better off with DVD)

I am kind of bias for bell by the way, I chose them mainly because their HD PVR is the Best and at least they have a technical forum that seems very honest at least for the canadian standards lol lol lol. Rogers does not have such a technical forum and as any other company in this country will also mislead you and in my opinion lie. (They did that to me and at the time I was even a Rogers Tech. Of course I quited later lol lol)

Rogers will "probably" also start using Stat Multiplexing in the future and like Satellite operators are also bandwith starving. But Rogers PQ is also outstanding specially having the option to passthrough HD in their native format.

Like everything in live , your choice is in a balance ? the question is , which way will it go? lol lol lol

Does BEV looses signal with "almost" every local rain/thunder storm? Yes it Does.



I agree with some of yuor other points, but a properly installed/aimed dish will NOT lose signal with "almost" every local rain/thunder storm
During major rain/snow storms, yes, but the majority of the time, its OK

Really? My dish gets crap reception, it seems as if a drop of rain falls it loses signal.

StarNoChoice, maybe you should have your dish reamided. I don't have any issues with my dish alignning.

All interesting points, but for now I didn't a HD TV. To go back to my original question, how much simulcasting does Bell do on the US West channels?

If you live in the east you may not lose your BEV signal but almost always in the west. I switched to SC and never lose my signal. Also if you travel to the USA and want to take your satellite with you; you do not lose your stations as you are allowed to have SC in the US but not BEV. BEV satellite "Echostar belongs to Dish" SC satellite is all Canadian.

how much simulcasting does Bell do on the US West channels?

It's all simsubbed for everyone. If you don't want west simsubs - go with Star Choice

The last time I looked at BEV (4 months ago) the US east network SD feeds were of atrocious quality. They were so compressed they looked like YouTube videos. The quality of the Canadian network SD feeds wasn't as bad. It looked like they were getting more bandwidth.

I had BEV for a year when I moved into my home. I switched to Rogers and they took the dish with them. I negotiated a sweet deal for a two year period which was up a while ago. My bill keeps creeping up on me. I stayed with Rogers for their on demand but find I don't use it much anymore.

I like all the movie channels, HD channels (want an HD PVR) and most specialty channels like A&E, Showcase, etc... Here is my latest bill:

*fyi I have a Bell land line and Sympatico. I have flexibility to switch Internet providers. We have two cell phones with Fido which we will not switch.

I want ONE HD PVR and one standard non HD box.

$130.80 plus tax = $147.62

VIP Digital Movies Plus $83.92
VIP Digital Terminal $4.49
HD PVR Digital Terminal Rental $24.95
Digital Services Fee $2.99
HDTV Channel Pak $0.00
HDTV Specialty Channel Package $8.95
Top 25 Specialty Package $17.99
Customer Choice Package $2.79

VIP Discount ($6.48)
VIP Digital Movie Plus Discount ($14.96)

Total $139.63.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

Firstly, how happy are you with your Rogers service? If you are happy with it, you may not have a reason to switch, however, that is a very high bill.
I'm not totally clear on whether you plan to switch back to BEV, or if you are considering another provider.

BEV would be $109 + tax/month for 6 SD themes, 4 HD Themes, TMN. This number includes the rental fees for a HDPVR and a regular receiver.

With *C, you'd be looking at 81.95/month + tax for Digital Favorites, HD Extra, HD Sports and MRF.
However, *C does not do rentals, so to get a DVR530 (which is not horrible like some say) plus a DSR317 would be $788 + tax. You'd get a $50 credit on your first bill, plus 8 free PPV movies.

That is too bad about Starchoice and no rentals.

It sounds like I'm going to have to renegotiate with BEV to see what I can get.

FWIW my last Expressvu bill shows:

Standard Channels .. $31.00
8 Theme packs plus the premium movie channels .. $51.00
HDTV Value Pack .. $10.00
Digital Service Fee .. $3.00
US Timeshifting Channels (east and west versions of the US networks) .. $1.00

With tax (Manitoba 7% PST + 5% GST) it's $107.52 (I don't rent, it would be more if I did)..

Rogers hooked me up.

No commitment, guaranteed for 12 months same package $91.04 AFTER tax or $80.57 before.

Bell told me $104 before tax and 3 months free. They both work out even.

Now I'll wait until the Bell guy calls me and see if he can do better.

STAY with Rogers. That's a great deal.

Rogers receiver rentals are high compared to other ISPs. For example, EV rents SD receivers for $3 and HD PVRs for $20. Switching to EV or *C may save a few $ on programming as well but they have fewer/different channels. If you are happy with the service, look for a HD PVR on sale and ditch the rental. I would also ditch Sympatico. It is overpriced. Bell tel is also overpriced if certain features are purchased (such as call display and LD.) You could save another $15-$30/mo by shopping around for phone and internet services.

Eastlink HD DVR is only $14.95/mth . At least there cheap on the DVR rentals compared to most providers in Canada it seems. Paying $24.95/mth seems a little steep for a rental if you ask me. Your better off just purchasing a box.

Hi.

I've just been offered a deal with Bell and I'm hesitant to take it. Right now I'm with Rogers for phone (1 feature - call display), cable Digital VIP (1 digital box and two tvs that are analogue) and internet (light). I pay around $130 (tax included) a month for all three services.

Bell is offering phone (1 feature - call display), cable 103 channels (2 receivers and 1 PVR) and Internet (high speed with 2 GB download limit) for $90 before tax for a year and then it's around $100 before tax for the second year on a two year contract.

The problem is I'm not sure about switching to Bell for cable and Internet (it's an unknown entity to me). I actually called to cancel installation today and the CSR talked me into waiting to cancel by saying they wouldn't be offering a deal like this again and Rogers would not offer analogue next year so I'd need to get the digital box for each tv anyway in about 6 months. She talked about Bell's picture being clearer and the Internet being faster since I'm not sharing with others...I told her a couple of my tvs are very old (maybe 20-30 years) and she said that would not be a problem.

She was very clear about what I could cancel (the contract only applies to the tv - I have 10 days to decide before I'm locked in for two years, everything else I can cancel after even after 10 days, I just have to give 30 days notice).

I just don't know if this is a good deal (other than financially speaking). Is it worth it to switch to Bell for all these services? They say it's a better service (of course) but I don't know anyone who uses Bell for Internet or tv services. Am I going to be getting the same channels? What about time shifting? Is the dish as reliable as cable? CSR says "yes, it's better" but I think they're just telling me what I want to hear. I've been told different things every time I speak to a CSR and it's very frustrating.

Any response would be greatly appreciated.