Edit: I was wrong about, MTS / Shaw HD Comparison, here are official HD channels available from both providers.

...

Shaw HD - all free for now
CBC Toronto HD
CTV Toronto HD
TSN HD
Sportsnet HD
DISCOVERY HD
Movie Central HD**
CBS Detroit HD
NBC Detroit HD
ABC Detroit HD
FOX Detroit HD
PBS Fargo HD
National Geographic HD
A&E HD
Showcase HD

...

HD: Go with Shaw

Excuse me, but who told you Shaw is carrying those channels in red?

There carrying these channels in november

Excuse me, but who told you Shaw is carrying those channels in red?

Ok then, I have heard about this in previous threads regarding the new Shaw HD lineup, and I believe it was mod. ShawGuy who posted it in one of his replies, also I have a relative who works for Shaw in Wpg. as an installer who even confirmed those channels to me. Those channels are unique to Shaw, and probably will be introduced to shaw's sister company Star Choice. And as Fami said, these channels have not quite been introduced yet, but Novemember they are, and I don't know if Bell are carrying these, but if there not that sure gives an edge in HD to shaw. They already got the amazing Discovery HD recently added, TSN, and National Geo. would be very interesting along with the interesting movies/programs on A&E and Showcase.

Ok honestly, who really needs a digital receiver for each room of your house, if your a digital cable sub. your usually got these stats

Single Person: 1 receiver
Couple: 1 receiver
Couple + 1-2 kids: 1-2 receivers
etc.

You get 63 analog channels, for your other TV's Unless you digital crazy, 1-2 receivers is more than enough, but it is a nice feature to have digital / VOD / IPG on 3 TV's with MTS. But than again, IPTV systems cannot usually support more than 3 TV's, without pulling in a new line into your house for the other TV's. With the new Telus TV, your only allowed 2 TV's for now, which just highlites the limitations of IPTV for multi-tv homes.

If you absolutely needed digital TV on 3 rooms in your house, go with MTS, as it is alot less start up cost for that.

On a side not where I side with MTS: How come Shaw is not 100% digital??? The reason your receivers are so expensive is you need 2 tuners, analog digital, and 3, if you want HD!! Small Cable Co's (like mine :) & Rogers can do it what is the hold up for Shaw? I mean if there is some locals they "can't" convert, well switch the feed to detroit! Its alot better than having to pay a fortune for the cable boxes. I find this to be a bunch of bull though, there partner Cancom is has many digitals provided to Star Choice they could use.

Single person with three HD TVs. Projector in theatre room (place to relax and watch my shows on big screen 108"), HD LCD in family room (can watch while cooking etc) and HD LCD in master bedroom (need I say more???).

Simple fact, MTS has a far better picture . Is that not what what most people want? MTS has 56,000 TV customers and increasing that amount every day. The Shaw analogue picture is terrible.

Simple fact, MTS has a far better picture . Is that not what what most people want? MTS has 56,000 TV customers and increasing that amount every day. The Shaw analogue picture is terrible.

Cough, cough, MTS employee ;)

Simple fact, cable companies have to provide analog cable until the amount of digital subs. goes up significantly, and the CRTC lets them drop analog, which is bound to happen, people started out with OTA antennas on there roof, they moved on to analog cable, and soon people will get with the program and move to digital. And how on earth can you compare Cable Digital signal to an ADSL line? Honestly, I have seen what MTS TV looks like at a friends in Winnipeg, it was shocking for me, way over-compressed which cause the PQ to look Green, and Grainy. My first impression of the picture was surprising. Shaw has not yet realeased its 4 quarter report, which will be interesting, but my prediction (not making claims here, no mod, say do you have some #'s to back that up, cause the latest #'s are not out yet!!)

Cable Phone Service is bringing in 40 000 new subs. a month. They expect cable phone subs. to skyrocket. And the general impression of what I hear about the TV, is that people switched to MTS cause it was new, and Shaw is probably getting a certain precentage of those customers back.

I do not work for any cable co. but I was once a loyal MTS for everything customer, but after a awful cellular experience a few years back (another story) and having to pay $20 / month just to have a local phone, I got fed up and moved all my business over to the cable co and Rogers Wireless. Compared to what I was paying 1 year ago I am saving $40 / month. One thing I find interesting, why isn't MTS expanding to Portage, Brandon, Selkirk, Morden/Winkler areas, SaskTel service is all over SK. I have heard rumours they are moving over to Brandon, but most people are pretty loyal to our cable co here cause they aren't out to make money. ( we have a co-operative member shares, I have $600 worth of cash from my cable-co I get that If I move out of there service area :) )

If the source signal is compressed than naturally the picture will not be the best.( this is not due to MTS) Generally the picture is superb. The program you watched may not of been the best. Sorry don't work for MTS. My bill is low as I don't make much LD, and Shaw phone service would cost more.I was tired of the poor picture, lack of colour and snow on the Shaw service. Take a survey and I am sure that you will see that the MTS picture is better in most folks opinion.

If the source signal is compressed than naturally the picture will not be the best.( this is not due to MTS) Generally the picture is superb. The program you watched may not of been the best. Sorry don't work for MTS. My bill is low as I don't make much LD, and Shaw phone service would cost more.I was tired of the poor picture, lack of colour and snow on the Shaw service. Take a survey and I am sure that you will see that the MTS picture is better in most folks opinion.

I apologize, I should not have judged MTS TV on my first impression, but the PQ on ABC Grand Forks (I get the WAY better WXYZ ABC Detroit) was awful quality but Winnipeg has always had that link to the PBS & ABC in North Dakota. But on the part of long distance, if you do lots of intl. and ld calling Shaw's plan is much better. Take a survey an I am sure that you will see that the Shaw Phone plan is better in Long Distance area in most folks opinion. (get it ;)

In my opinion though the basic package is pretty pricey

$27.99 / month for (24 Channels [+ YTV Timeshift] & Music

1) US/Canadian Nets
2) Basic Channels (Weather Net, CBC Newsworld, APTN, CPAC)
3) 4 Specialty Channels (YTV/TSN/Vision/MuchMusic)
4) Music Channels

Shaw's website doesn't give the price on Basic Cable, so someone tell me and I'll edit it in: $27.00, but there basic has:

32 Channels

1) US/Canadian Nets
2) Basic Channels (weather net, CPAC, TSC, APTN, etc.)
3) 13 Specialty Channels
If you have Digital:
1) US Superstations
2) US Timeshifts
3) Music Channels

So unless Shaw is very expensive for Basic (someone post the cost: $27.00) Basic TV is better with Shaw, 99 cents cheaper, more specialty channels on analog, and if you have digital they throw in US superstations, US timeshifts, and Music Channels. So for people who only want the bare minimum basic service for TV, in Wpg. Shaw has a little edge over MTS, not huge but still has the edge.

as of september 1 2006 shaw basic cable is $27.00 a month plus includes superstations,music, and us time shifts.

as of september 1 2006 shaw basic cable is $27.00 a month plus includes superstations,music, and us time shifts.

I am talking about analog cable here, cause superstations, music and US timeshifts are digital i'm pretty sure, is that the price of Shaw Basic Analog Cable to, and if you have a cable receiver they throw in the other channels?

MTS
$27.99 / month for (24 Channels [+ YTV Timeshift] & Music

1) US/Canadian Nets
2) Basic Channels (Weather Net, CBC Newsworld, APTN, CPAC)
3) 4 Specialty Channels (YTV/TSN/Vision/MuchMusic)
4) Music Channels

Shaw's website doesn't give the price on Basic Cable, so someone tell me and I'll edit it in: $27.00, but there basic has:

32 Channels

1) US/Canadian Nets
2) Basic Channels (weather net, CPAC, TSC, APTN, etc.)
3) 13 Specialty Channels

So unless Shaw is very expensive for Basic (someone post the cost: $27.00) Basic TV is better with Shaw, 99 cents cheaper, more specialty channels on analog, and if you have digital they throw in US superstations, US timeshifts, and Music Channels. So for people who only want the bare minimum basic service for TV, in Wpg. Shaw has a little edge over MTS, not huge but still has the edge.

Don't compare MTS Digital at $27.99 to Shaw Digital, compare it to Shaw Basic at $27.00. That's the price range to compare, and at that price, there really is an advantage for MTS. Digital on 3 TVs, guide, VOD, digital music, etc.

Don't compare MTS Digital at $27.99 to Shaw Digital, compare it to Shaw Basic at $27.00. That's the price range to compare, and at that price, there really is an advantage for MTS. Digital on 3 TVs, guide, VOD, digital music, etc.

You can only have 3 TV's tuned into 3 seperate channels with MTS, Shaw you can have as many TV's as you want. Anyways that was no the point I was getting at, almost everyone has TV service, poor, rich, middle class, whatever

1) You have to pay for your receiver that lets you have Guide, VOD, etc. on 3 TV's (how much, website doesn't say, I'll edit it in)

For many people they can't afford, or don't want to spend the money one the receivers. The biggest margin for TV subs. is the basic subs. thats the biggest percentage, these people want a there local channels, US Nets, TSN, and some YTV/Family for there kids. Most people are not interested in HD/Digital (everyone on this forum is cause it is the "digital forum") Do people want to be putting money out for receivers, no. That is why analog will be here for a long time unless:

1) prices on digital receivers go way down.
2) the cable company makes a drastic move to give free basic Digital Tuners with IPG's.

MTS and Shaw are on even ground with Basic service

1) roughly same price
2) Shaw has a few more channels
3) you don't need a receiver.

1) You have to pay for your receiver that lets you have Guide, VOD, etc. on 3 TV's (how much, website doesn't say, I'll edit it in)
MTS and Shaw are on even ground with Basic service

1) roughly same price
2) Shaw has a few more channels
3) you don't need a receiver.

But again - you don't pay a dime for the MTS digital receiver. Getting digital signal on MTS is the same price (I guess 99 cents more) than getting basic cable on Shaw. Sure, you're limited to 3 different channels at one time, but how many people watch more than 3 TVs in their home at any given time? If they do, MTS will often set you up with a 2nd digital box anyways.

I just think that, between Shaw Analog and MTS Digital, MTS has the edge for the most part. We can compare Shaw Digital and MTS Digital and perhaps get a different result.

But again - you don't pay a dime for the MTS digital receiver. Getting digital signal on MTS is the same price (I guess 99 cents more) than getting basic cable on Shaw. Sure, you're limited to 3 different channels at one time, but how many people watch more than 3 TVs in their home at any given time? If they do, MTS will often set you up with a 2nd digital box anyways.

I just think that, between Shaw Analog and MTS Digital, MTS has the edge for the most part. We can compare Shaw Digital and MTS Digital and perhaps get a different result.


Have we mentioned that MTS has a better picture?

Have we mentioned that MTS has a better picture?

Please don't bring up PQ, different people get different result, you can't say they have better PQ overall because:

1) Different people in different neighbourhoods, certain areas are weaker

2) The Way the cable wiring was done, professional installers are not all the same in there installation process.

3) THE TV!!! Some TV's look better than other ones.

MTS has better picture for YOU. Don't say it does for everyone.

MTS has better picture for YOU. Don't say it does for everyone.

Okay, but has anyone ever seen Shaw Digital and MTS Digital on the same TV set in the same house, and can compare PQ?

Well here is my rant, I have had both MTS most recent and it has been years since I had Shaw. Bottom line is that the Digital signal is better. I have seen side by side comparisons it (Digital) is better. As of Feb 12,2009 (Analog in the U.S will be turnned off, what happens in the US will happen here to!) it will only be Digital. So Westmanguy who care about analog picture quality in one neighbouhood or another, weak signal or not, digital will be the only way to go. So given that point MTS digital is the way to go. Shaw knows that they have to change to Digital, but alas they do it very slowly.

HD is another matter and that is why I am with StarChoice and not MTS, and yes HD is the next great wave and it ROCKS!!!!!!!!

So given that point MTS digital is the way to go. Shaw knows that they have to change to Digital, but alas they do it very slowly.


Okay, but now what about Shaw Digital versus MTS TV? How is the PQ there?

the shaw pq is great

the shaw pq is great

Thank you for that hard-hitting, objective viewpoint. Can you elaborate? How does it stack up to MTS TV? I have a 42" Plasma HDTV, and I want to know - which of the two (Shaw DIGITAL and MTSTV DIGITAL) will look better on it, especially in terms of SD.