1. This is not happening to everyone. If they couldn't fix your situation, then that's their fault, but perhaps it could also be an issue with your cables or equipment. It has been reported several times on this forum that certain AV Receivers and some cables simply don't work well with the STBs.

2. This is "normal" due to the use of 6 channels (DD5.1) instead of 2 (DD2.0) When all the channels have sound, the audio level is actually roughly as loud, it's just that normally DD5.1 doesn't have all channels active, therefore it you need to turn up the volume. This is currently there on all service providers.

3. This may or may not be due to MPEG, which relates to the source and Shaw can do nothing about that. If you get this on their "best" channel, then obviously Shaw can do nothing about it since it's the source and Shaw are not compressing the signal further.

4. Most people on cable companies would agree with you, but this has nothing to do with HD and has everything to do with the firmware, which has not yet taken this into account. The more people who ask, the sooner we may get.

5. I have no idea what the lack of a paper schedule has to do with Shaw. I know of no service provider that provides paper schedules. Even TV Guide is getting out of providing paper schedules. It also has nothing to do with HD.

6. This was probably a misunderstanding when you were discussing pricing with the CSR.

7. The cost of the STB has nothing to do with the cost of other electronics and, as has been discussed here before, the pricing is "fair" considering the cost of the STB. Some service providers may subsidize the cost of the STB by charging a bit more for the programming or for other reasons. You were aware of this cost before purchase, so although this may irk you, it was a "known quantity" going in.

1. It might not be happening to everyone, but enough viewers have complained that it cannot be attributed to equipment or connections. It is reported on this forum a often.

2. Not even close, agreed all channels are or might be active at any time but the audio output when all channels ARE active is so very low in comparison to regular shaw sound or any other audio source. The shaw tech who attended agreed it was very queit, his solution,"turn it up". Can't agree with you on this one.

3. I have no idea which channel is shaws best but I do know that they all suffer from this problem as I have described in detail previous. From hockey to figure skating to dancing with the stars to the free preview movies I have noticed it on all broadcasts.

4&5. I included these in my letter because although not related to hd it did relate to one of the many reasons why I discontinued service. If the listings were included in my daily paper it would be one more reason to keep the service.

6. When I first began investigating shaw hd there were no hd tiers and the few channels available were all included in the basic hd package included with a basic subscription. The tier system was started in 07 for hd in my city (other than movies) up to that point it was included in basic. This would have been worse for me had I purchased before 2007 as I had been told no further purchases would be needed for programming once the box was purchased.

7. Again this is listed because it was another reason why I discontinued digital service. It does irk me and no other type of business would survive for long with a pricing schedule like shaws. Think automobiles, furniture,appliances, books, etc.

I will post if I get a reply.

2. There is also a difference in volume between many channels - even DD2.0 to DD2.0, not only DD2.0 to DD5.1. For example, on some HDNet concerts, I have to increase the volume 10, sometimes 20dB. This is not really the service provider's fault, rather the fault of the channel.

Apparently there is currently no "standard" for audio levels on digital channels, like there is for analogue channels. Also, it's much easier to equalize the sound on analogue channels, while it would take special equipment to do so on digital channels.

Good luck in your efforts.

There has been no reply to my letter to shaw, (which does not suprise me).
It has been suggested that the 6200 model might be at fault for most of my complaints. I am wondering if anyone noticed an improvement in picture quality after upgrading models?

There has been no reply to my letter to shaw, (which does not suprise me).
It has been suggested that the 6200 model might be at fault for most of my complaints. I am wondering if anyone noticed an improvement in picture quality after upgrading models?
kiwi.................I have the 6416 model and many of the problems you site are legitimate. If you do a search on these Motorola boxes for problems you will be astounded by the list. Some straight shooting Shaw reps will tell you that these boxes are far from perfect. At this stage of the game you have to just be satisfied that the box delivers " most of the time".
I disagree with 57 regarding sound. It is a problem on all HD boxes. Limiting the frequency of the problem is the best you can hope for till we see some firmware upgrades and even then I'm not convinved. All in all we are dealing with new technology that has problems and Shaw defenders of the faith.....because they have to. We put up with it because it is a far cry from standard TV, but some honesty in the process would serve people better than a lot of the replies that tend to mask the problems inherent in the technology.

I disagree with 57 regarding sound. It is a problem on all HD boxesIf you're talking about the variability of DD5.1 vs DD2.0 channels - or even variability of channels with the same audio type, I don't believe there's anything to be done in the box itself for DD signals. This is the signal as it comes from the affiliate. Although the service provider could perhaps equalize the sound, I don't believe it's done by many, if any. If you're talking about something else, sorry, I then missed the reference.

To be fair regarding to TV broadcast volume issues, it might be more complicated than what you and me are thinking. It's a broadcast industrial problem, not to be easily solved by Shaw or Motorola. Even Dolby is working on a solution ("Dolby Volume" technology) to overcome it:

http://www.dolby.com/professional/pro_audio_engineering/solutions_broadcastloudness.html

If one still really like to blame Shaw+Moto, then include Dolby as well (cause all the audio signal in cable is processed by Dolby (before & after), be it mono or 5.1 :)

BTW, I'm not a Shaw defender :)

Starts getting off-topic now ....

I have the 6416 model and many of the problems you site are legitimate

snoboy
Do you notice the artifacts on the 6416 also that I mentioned? I was truly hoping it was the box itself because it was older than the 6416 phase 3.

snoboy
Do you notice the artifacts on the 6416 also that I mentioned? I was truly hoping it was the box itself because it was older than the 6416 phase 3.
No I usually don't with the exception of some weak and watered downed HD transmissions. If you can't get rid of them tweaking your TV, chances are the problem lies either in your TV or box. Many recommendations on this board for the latter. With the TV it is usually associated with torch mode, but a quality TV makes a difference here

This may seem like a silly suggestion, but I don't believe you mentioned it before in your other posts.
Have you booked a service call? Perhaps you havea poor signal going into your house and require a new drop, or an amp. Perhaps the set top box needs recalibrating?

I recieved a telephone call from a senoir rep addressing my compliants as follows.
1. The audio dropouts are due to a poorly positioned tower. The tower is in the process of being replaced with a properly positioned one. This should solve the problem.
2. Audio balance issues have been referred to technical department.
3. The compression problem could be anything, if I were to try again he would be willing to spend some time viewing the box and attempt corrections. It could be cables ,etc,etc.
4. Customise the guide. The giude is as it is, future versions might have the features I suggested.
5. Paper schedules not avaiable for all channels. shaw provides all tv listings to the newspapers, the newspapers decide what to channels to print in the listings.
6.More basic hd channels. shaw has added more hd in the form of timeshift networks.
7.Equipment too expensive and out of step with companion equipment.
shaw has introduced low cost digital tuner and pvr.

He also made note of the fact the current hd tuners include analog tuners which are not required now in Winnipeg and parts of Alberta and B.C. These tuners add to the cost of the box. Possibly a lower cost hd box might be in the works in the near future with out the analog components.

All in all I was mostly satisfied by the responses from shaw.

wuvhandles
Have you booked a service call? Perhaps you havea poor signal going into your house and require a new drop, or an amp. Perhaps the set top box needs recalibrating?
The box is gone. I am going to wait to get these issues addressed before I attempt hd cable agian. I did not know the box could be calibrated?

Motorola does in fact have a PVR that is exactly the same as the 3080, only HD. Its the 3400.

http://broadband.motorola.com/consumers/products/dct3400/

This might help things.

Plus, do the Shaw boxes use MPEG-2 or MPEG - 4? I've heard MPEG - 4 encoding/decoding is better.

I'll do a search to find more info on MPEG - 2 and 4 and how it relates to the box, the carrier, and the originator of the programming. If you have some links for me, that would be great.

I've seen in the Bell forums that they are coming out with an MPEG - 4 box, and it seems to me that future digital stuff from the broadcasters will be in MPEG -4 only, IIRC.

You can calibrate the box. Many people find switching it form 1080i to 720p solves stuttering problems (sometimes audio issues as well). I belive there are some more technical things an installer to do to the box, but this may be incorrect.
One thing that can solve problems is the installation of an amp to boost the signal to optimal levels.