You probably are getting the run around ... since in December they told me the all-digital rollout for all customers was coming "next month"

"next month" to shaw means anything from 30 days to 3 years from now.

You CAN get switched to all digital, but you need to talk to the right person. I got switched when on my third call to complain about the audio problem that Movie Central HD had a while back. I think they relented just to get me off the phone!;)

So what is the advantage once Shaw goes all digital in Vancouver? I don't understand how this will benefit me.

Better picture for now. Eventually Shaw will stop carrying analog entirely which will free up tons of bandwidth for lots more channels in the future, since digital channels are compressed MPEG2 streams. Takes up a lot less bandwidth for a digital channel than an analog channel.

Recordings also will take up less space on your PVR, if you have one.

it is only being delayed so there is not a influx of customer unhappy with the switch to Digital without proper precautions set in place. Please be patient.

Who honestly cares for customers who can't evolve into new technology? If I were a CSR, I would tell them to have good luck in finding some other analog source (that is if they enjoy 3 channels). They should just leave that as a message before you choose customer support on their phone service so it will free up traffic from the complainers.

jvic

So why feed BS to those customers who know what this is all about, have realistic expectations and want all digital?!? Delay the masses til doomsday for all I care, but many of us here have been told that its either impossible without the new all digital boxes, or to wait "a little while". Why not use these customers to help test what customers will experience in making the switch .. maybe even solicit their feedback?

Even patience has its limits.

I just got off the phone with one of the shaw csr's asking to change over to a digital map. He wouldn't even attempt to try changing me over and told me to wait until the end of March. Which is apparently the time they will fully release the digital map to all customers? I don't know if i'm getting the run around here :0 .

I phoned from my parent's place today. I got the same BS. I didn't even get an answer as to when they might expect the rollout of the all digital FCS. I would have called back until I got someone smart enough to switch my folks over to all digital. I've had just about enough of this, "you gotta get the DCT700 or 3080 if you want all digital right now". I spent a few minutes pointing out that the DCT2500 is more than capable of all digital, so why not put it on now... yeah, the run around.

Viva OTA!

I used the Contact Us link on the website and emailed this:
"I would like to know when Shaw plans to make the analog channels digital. I find that recording analog channels fills up my PVR quite fast. Please respond via email. Thanks"
I got this as a reply
"Hello ,

Thank you for your email.
Currently in the Calgary Area, we do have an all digital lineup. We have changed your PVR to an all digital channel map, all your terminals should now be on the digital channel map.
At Shaw we strive to improve service and exceed customer expectations. As many decisions made by Shaw are influenced by our customers, we appreciate the time you've taken to provide us with your feedback. We have logged your suggestion for future consideration.

Please let us know if we can be of further assistance."

I am now all digital on my 6416 and my 2500.

For what it's worth, apparently, the new SDPVR is showing all channels, including analog ones, from 2 to 59, in digital. Sure enough., The older digital box shows channel 2 but not the 3080. Interesting.

Not me and my 6412 :(

I sent an email to Shaw, like what hockeymancw did. I have a DCT 2000 (
5 yrs old), a DCT700 and a 6412, and got the following reply from Shaw..
"Thank you for contacting our office. We have looked into your account, and noted that you currently have one of our All Digital Terminals. At this time, Shaw does have plans to upgrade our total lineup to All Digital. However, with consideration to factors including: CRTC regulations, mass appeal to channels, technical and business implications, etc, this becomes a very long and complicated process.
Thank-you for your continued support of our services. Please contact us again if you have any additional inquiries. "

I thought the 2000 and the 6412 could handle an all digital connection. I'd like to talk tom somebody there - but who knows how that would go :-)

Shaw does not know what is going on at all. Like you have to have a good tech rep over the phone and they'll do it for you. Took like a week before I had mine working on my DCT2500 cause no one had a clue what I was talking about. Over email they just don't care; I always get bad responses from email support or no email from them what so ever (No jokes; I've sent emails before that were nice and they never respond back to me).

brgnewman... what did you say to the shaw tech rep to get them to switch you over to digital?

I guess I must have been lucky. As soon as I mentioned it the guy knew exactly what I was talking about. Added the code, reset the boxes and I've been all digital for about 3 weeks now.

First couple tries I just said "I was wondering if you could switch my mixed Analog/Digital signal to fully Digital" and they had no clue what I was talking about. Then one day I finally said "I want the All Digital-FCS code added to my account", and the guy did.

You just have to get a good employee; some have no clue what to do. I can't even remember if it was a TSR or a CSR I talked to.

Shaw has a special 1-888 number that they use for new box activations. The number is written on the letter that comes with every new terminal -- sorry, I can't remember it off the top of my head. If I need anything I ALWAYS call that number because a live TSR always answers. (I guess they want to fast track new subscribers so they can start billing ASAP.) There's no menu system to navigate, and pretty much no queues. I'll see if I can dig up the number. Maybe someone else has it?

The number is 1-888-270-2433. Good luck getting switched to digital.

I sent Shaw an email asking when Winnipeg will be on all digital and the response was no plans have been announced?
Also asked if WGN HD and HDnet would be coming soon now that *choice had them (I figure it is a Shaw company so why not ask) again - no plans.