I had a 9200 (HDPVR) and 4100 (vanilla receiver) with Expressvu.

I sold my EVU receivers independantly. I signed up for the Shaw satellite trade-in promo going on right now. I gave Shaw two old, old previously subscribed to Directv receivers (not hacked) in exchange I got the Shaw HDPVR and a regular Shaw vanilla receiver. SO basically traded in maybe $20 worth of equipment for $850 worth of equipment. With the free install and first month of Everything free, Shaw gave me $1000+ retail value of product and service for $20. There is no conract with Shaw. In theory, I can cancel and I own the receivers outright.

Installation went very smooth. Shaw installer was a pro and knew his stuff.

The Shaw HD picture is measurably better than what EVU's HD picture has become. This is evident on every HD channel, but in particular TSN HD and SportsNet HD. The colours are so much more vivid and seriously sharper images.

The Shaw SD PQ is also generally stronger than EVU's.

Everything on my TV screen tells me that I made the right decision.

Now, I recognize that there is a learning curve with any new electronics, but I do much prefer the functionality of EVU's 9200. As an aside, I have also used a DTV HDPVR and I prefer the 9200 over it as well. Actually the Shaw HDPVR is a distant third behind the DTV box as well. That is not to say that the Shaw HDPVR is poor or anything, I just much prefer the EVU and DTV versions.

On top of all this, I now save $9 a month on my Shaw internet because of bundling.

I did have a great EVU experience for many years. Really it was the HD PQ that was the deciding factor in all this. Combine that with the Shaw trade-in promo and it was the best decision and one that I am 100% happy with. No regrets.

Now, I recognize that there is a learning curve with any new electronics, but I do much prefer the functionality of EVU's 9200.
I think you are right there, this will not be much of a factor in a few months.
I'm with Expressvu 3 years now and it looks like it might be time to check back with cable.

Shaw kicks ass over everyone. they gave me 14 specialty channels for a year!!

If you just mention u are switching to MTS they'll do everything u want. they even gave me extreme i internet for a free upgrade from regular high speed.:D:D:D:

I know the original and very (in)famous DigitalDude.

Wear it well friend.

The Shaw HD picture is measurably better than what EVU's HD picture has become. This is evident on every HD channel, but in particular TSN HD and SportsNet HD. The colours are so much more vivid and seriously sharper images.

The Shaw SD PQ is also generally stronger than EVU's.

I hate to disagree with you, but I wouldn't say that Shaw has a superior picture over Bell. I have both Shaw and Bell on a 119" screen and my experience is that HD is comparable on both. As to the SD channels, Shaw's analog channels are a lot grainier than the same channel on Bell. The same SD channels on Bell have a smoother look to them. Having said that, I watch mostly HD as anything SD is almost unwatchable.

I hate to disagree with you, but I wouldn't say that Shaw has a superior picture over Bell. I have both Shaw and Bell on a 119" screen and my experience is that HD is comparable on both. As to the SD channels, Shaw's analog channels are a lot grainier than the same channel on Bell. The same SD channels on Bell have a smoother look to them. Having said that, I watch mostly HD as anything SD is almost unwatchable.
119" WOW!

I am watching on 65" CRT HDTV.

Bell's HD has decreased over time. I had stuff on my 9200HDPVR from 2006 and when I would compare it to what EVU was offering currently, it was worse.

TSN HD and SNET HD for me are a good bit better, particularly more vivid color and sharpness on SHAW then on EVU. HDNET about the same on both. US NETS better on SHAW. Haven't watched enough CBC HD to know there yet.

I tend to stick with HD as well. The SD I watch I typically watch on my SDTV as SD looks better on a SDTV than on a HDTV.

I live in the Edmonton area ... perhaps not all SHAWs are the same.

Oh, I also just wanted to comment on SHAW's HD pricing.

They say it is free, but of course free usually means price is hidden someplace else.

There is a $2 digital box fee which includes access to HD feeds of US HD NETS EAST & WEST and CBC HD.

So in theory I can get basic cable for 29.95 and add the digital box fee of $2 to get CBC HD and US NETS HD.

So HD ACCESS is $2

HDPLUS $9 - includes TSNHD, SNETHD, HDNET CANADA, SHOWCASE HD, A+E HD, DISCOVERY HD, CTV HD, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC HD, and WGN HD.

or I can add TSN HD and SNET HD together for $3.

So it ain't free. In fact, it is more than EVU.

Are you using the same type of input (component or HDMI) for both providers? That can make a difference depending upon how your TV handles each type of input.

Yep component for all.

I've only used HDMI for Bell and component for Shaw. I will connect my 9200 using component and report back how it compares to Shaw.

I hate to disagree with you, but I wouldn't say that Shaw has a superior picture over Bell.....

I've only used HDMI for Bell and component for Shaw.


I'd be interested to see if your opening remark still holds true whence we compare apples to apples and not apples to oranges.

I just switched from Bell to Shaw and I will agree that EV's picture quality is noticeably better. I'm about 15-20 miles from the eastern edge of where Shaw stops supplying service nation wide, perhaps being at 'the end of the road' is factor.
I had identical set ups for both.

Oh, I also just wanted to comment on SHAW's HD pricing.

They say it is free, but of course free usually means price is hidden someplace else.

There is a $2 digital box fee which includes access to HD feeds of US HD NETS EAST & WEST and CBC HD.

So in theory I can get basic cable for 29.95 and add the digital box fee of $2 to get CBC HD and US NETS HD.

So HD ACCESS is $2

HDPLUS $9 - includes TSNHD, SNETHD, HDNET CANADA, SHOWCASE HD, A+E HD, DISCOVERY HD, CTV HD, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC HD, and WGN HD.

or I can add TSN HD and SNET HD together for $3.

So it ain't free. In fact, it is more than EVU.
Just to clear up an error in your statement. The $2 is not for HD access. The $2 is a digital access fee for the DCT to be active on the Shaw plant. All unbundled or secondary DCTs are subject to the $1.99 fee. There are a handful of FREE HD channels that are available to any customer who has an HD terminal and there is no extra charge for these channels. :)

A bit of semantics. I agree it isn't an HD Access fee. But it is a service charge that is there and if you don't pay that charge you don't get HD Access.

If I had paid $750 (plus tax) for a new HDPVR and then was nickled and dimed $2 a month per box to have it active, I wouldn't be impressed. It isn't a lease fee. Just $2 per receiver a month so that subs can use the equipment that they bought outright.

People bitched when EVU had a $3.00 (or whatever) Service Access fee on every account because they saw it for what it was. A "not so hidden" hidden fee.

Companies do this so that they can say programming is cheaper because they collect money for stuff like allowing you to use the equipment you purchased rather than just add the money onto the programming package itself.

I'd be interested to see if your opening remark still holds true whence we compare apples to apples and not apples to oranges.
What I have found is that HDMI with the 9200 has less color and a little brighter picture than component with a Bell model 6000. But I can calibrate either input to look the same on my 119" screen. The model 6000 and Shaw have the same HD picture over component, without calibration. So I extrapolated my results and concluded that HDMI with the 9200 gives a very similar picture as does using component with Shaw, after calibration. But I would still like to try component with the 9200 and see how it compares to Shaw, and the bell model 6000.

Thing is, it's $1.99 for any digital box--HD or not--so it's definitely not an HD fee. Essentially it's for the SD US timeshifts, a number of other SD channels (e.g. MSNBC, WGN, NationalGeographic, EA2), the digital music set, and the program guide. With an HD box, the $2 includes HD basic.

$2 for all that is a pretty good deal (as discussed in this thread). It's a heck of a lot more channels than basic on its own, so I understand why Shaw is charging the $2. Of course I'd prefer it wasn't charged at all, but at the same time I can't really complain about it.

That said, I really don't understand why it's $2 per DCT rather than $2 per account. Seems excessive to add the fee per DCT. Smells too much like a per outlet fee from days gone by.

...the local CableCo that I subscribe to only charges a flat $2.82 Digital Access fee, regardless of number of STB's.

Interesting, thanks for the update.
Agreed, calibration of inputs is paramount.

As for the $2 Shaw 'fee', I was told it covers the cost of the programming guide and data in the box, when you own the boxes.
Otherwise it's part of the rental.
BTW, it also applies to SD boxes as well.
They even charged me for my DCP501 and I own the DCT6412 as well.
Could also be part of some extra outlet fee, since they deliver FULL cable service to each outlet.

YADA YADA subtle slightly hidden cash grab. :)

I am not saying I blame them or fault them. It is free market.

Somehow Star Choice and Expressvu can provide programming guide and keep box data current for "free". Well, moreover it is just included in the cost of the programming package.

Anyways, I'll let go of this now! Hooray!

Bottomline line is I need to pay the $2 box fee to access the Free HD channels (again $2 is not just for the HD, I get it!) and to access the $9 HD Plus Channels.

There was no box fee for me to access the free HD channels with my former provider.

Dean, there's a big difference. *C and BEV don't have a basic package without a digital box. Shaw does. The $2 provides a lot (as I attempted to detail above). Shaw can't provide that for nothing, vs. a regular basic subscriber. Or are you suggesting they totally hide the fee, by pushing it onto basic cable subscribers without a digital box?

My problem is that they charge per box, rather than per account. It's one reason we've scaled back to a single box (6412 alone, instead of a 6412 + 2500).