And that is just not true.

It's one thing with random problems. But when it's the same problems over and over, it gets old quick. I routinely miss some of my favorite shows because it wont record when there's a bad feed. And the movie channels get macro blocking and audio dropouts all the time. Having owned both Bell HD and Shaw HD, I'm flabbergasted that anyone thinks Shaw has better quality.

For those who think Bell has no HD issues check out this out.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=74184&page=2

I was one that dropped Shaw after fighting with the audio drop-outs and macroblocking in HD for around 4 months (and 5 tech visits) to Bell HD. I actually have not experienced any audio drop outs, even in recordings with Bell (I only watch a couple hours TV a day though). I do experience some macroblocking when there are clouds, rain, thunderstorms and the random loss of signal in the 9 months with Bell; but with Shaw on those first 3 months of the year it was just pathetic!

I'm on shaw and I don't have much of a choice. My apt faces north so I can't get satellite (and i'm close enough to the ground that I'm afraid someone would climb up and yank of the dish anyways).

I had regular telus tv before I bought an hdtv, and could notice the macroblocking on an sdtv. Telus wouldn't give me HD, so after a few months I switch to Shaw.

I do find the marcoblocking on the shaw channels (and audio dropouts) annoying. But just about as annoying as I did on telus tv on a 27inch SDTV.

I really wish i could get satellite, I guess the next time i move i'll have to make an effort to live somewhere that faces the right direction.

I couldn't agree with you more. Next time I am going to face the proper direction for satellite.

I don't know what to make of my current situation. Its been going on for about 3 weeks and I've had roughly 4 visits from the Shaw tech. My picture (across all channels) will break up badly. Rampant pixelation? Not sure what to call it. The video (and audio) skip / break up and it can last anywhere from a minute to 10 minutes at a time.

Shaw has done a lot of work in trying to solve the issue but no luck yet. They've installed an amp, reset the cable box (several times), outright replaced the box (6416 with a 3416), put me on the digital map, and have played with the box outside the house. Still the same problem.

Did they check the drop coming to your house? Could be an old wire, which is quite common.

And... Telus TV? Never heard of such a thing. Is that a joke? Or does something technical exists that (shocker!) I've never heard of?

Telus TV exists, but is fairly limited right now. Hopefully it becomes more widespread, as anything that gives shaw some competition in the TV realm (besides Sat) is a good thing.

that IS awesome! Although, I wouldn't go near Telus for anything service-related with a ten-foot pole, it is nice to see competition in the market.

Earlier today I watched the Olympic Opening Ceremonies on CBC over-the-air. I found that the quality was much better than watching it with my cable box. Isn't there some way we can complain to the CRTC about Shaw's additional comprerssion?

The opening ceremonies on CBC HD 209 had outstanding picture and audio quality. A couple of drops, but nothing significant.

No comment

Shaw goes through the motions of pretending to solve the problem by wasting their money and your time with bandaid measures. They know that the problem is compression, but they will not spend the money to fix it.

I finally gave up waiting for Shaw to fix their HD compression problem and cancelled all service today.

The spousal unit saw the crystal clear CBC HD, Global HD, and CTV HD via a small antenna on the roof deck... Quote: "Isn't the picture supposed to better with cable?"

Here's a chance to take a survey.

http://www.shaw.ca/en-ca/CustomerCare/customerfeedback

dbarron,

Are you going to try other providers? So you not getting Shaw anymore?

Welcome to competition in Canada

Good luck choosing providers.

We're going to stick with antenna for now - at a one time cost of $40 for the antenna.

We get most of the stuff we want to watch with perfect antenna reception of CBC-HD, CTV-HD, Global-HD, A Channel, Channel M, and SRC. Can't see the point of paying Shaw so much every month if we can it free at higher quality. We will supplement with shared/rented DVDs and AppleTV etc.

If we hear that Shaw has improved we might come back.

We kept Shaw phone and internet as they are fine, and their customer service is superlative, it's just the TV service that is problematic for us.

Antenna... HD Signals 'free to air' right? Heard about that. I'm guessing it's only in certain areas of BC? Highly doubt I'd get that up here in PG eh?

I think the only alternatives to Shaw outside of Vancouver for HD are Expressvu and Starchoice. But I can't speak to their HD quality.