Ok, I've been reading this thread, and I was all set on getting Shaw HD (I am just getting a HDTV now), and I've been thinking of Shaw vs. Starchoice.

Based on what I am reading here...Shaw sucks.

Does it suck ALL the time? I mean...is there HD not even HD like at all? I can live with some random audio dropouts, but if the PQ is always piss poor, do you guys think I should just go to Starchoice?

Reason I wanted to go Shaw is the convienience of bundling my current internet with the HD Tv package. I am also getting a better deal Shaw's PVR vs. Starchoices...so that is another reason why I am thinking Shaw over Starchoice.

Is it just certain channels that are bad...or are ALL the channels bad? I am also getting their PVR...how is Shaw's PVR vs. Starchoices?

I've read through some of the Starchoice forumn here...havent seen as much complaining as I am seeing in Shaw's forumns.

I would appreciate some honest advice. Thanks!

I think the macroblocking problem on shaw is with all HD channels, all the time. I have never seen Starchoice HD so I can't comment; to me, bell HD has the same amount of macroblocking.

Not at my location. Shaw HD is great. I'm really starting to dislike blanket statements like all Shaw HD sucks.

Mr Crumb where are you located?

I will repeat what Nanuuk has said. My signal where I live in Winnipeg is great as well.
I have had HD for 4 years and have stayed with Shaw since the days when they only had 1 HD channel. Yes there have been issues from time to time. For the most part Shaw has resolved most of those problems, at least that is what I see where I live. 5 other people where I work are also on Shaw, they are also happy. I recently had several neighbors who also switched after seeing my signal.

What you are witnessing in this forum is that the people with problems tend to post their problems. Misery loves company I guess. If you look at 10 people how subscribe to a service and 1 has a problem, guess which 1 will post.

I am not saying that everyone on Shaw is happy. That is not the case. I know in some parts of town people are having issues. I have a brother inlaw in that position. There seems to be problems where he lives.

My advise to you is check with Nieghbours who subscribe to Shaw HD. If they are happy , chances are you will be. If they are having problems, chances are you will.

Just my 2 cents.

If I comlain about my reception, clearly it is my reception about which I am complaining. If I attribute the problem to the provider, it is clearly that provider about whom I am complaining. If my provider is Shaw, clearly it is Shaw about whom I am complaining. Now, here comes the part where you have to do a little synthesis: If my location is Vancouver, clearly I am complaining about Shaw in my location. We all know the pitfalls of assuming. I am neither all-seeing and all-knowing, nor do I assume that the rest of Canada is being served by Shaw Vancouver; therefore, it is only them about whom I am complaining, and they are most definitely not giving me, and many others locally, the service for which we are paying...period!

And there are different neighbourhoods in Vancouver. No?

I thought that Shaw sucks everywhere as well, however after seeing the picture quality in Panorama Hills, I will have to change my opinion. My friend's (who work's for Shaw) HD looks way better than mine. During HNIC the logo flash barely had any artifacts at all. Compared to what mine would have looked like it's night and day.

He remarked that since I lived close to downtown, that was probably my issue. He said that the downtown hub, is in a serious need of an upgrade.

Last night I had problems with channels 211 and 212 (formerly the Movie Central channels) - they were a mess of pixels, so I called to complain. The guy messed my box up pretty badly, and I wasn't authorized to view anything. I called back and the new person fixed the problem, and we started talking about Shaw's service. He said they have different "channel maps" and I was moved from one channel map to another, and hopefully that would solve the problem. I checked earlier today and the movie channels, now on different channels, don't look as compressed as before (Entourage was really bad for me on Sunday night).

Does anyone know what these different channel maps are, and whether moving from one to another could improve the quality of the channels?

Gord

I don't know about the channel maps. All the info I got was an e-mail in my inbox about the Shaw HD channels moving around a bit.

http://www.shaw.ca/cmsShawCA/Templates/DPLanding.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRNODEGUID={06B9EFDA-0591-4574-A91E-85BFF9645630}&NRORIGINALURL=%2fen-ca%2fCustomerBulletins%2fdefault.htm&NRCACHEHINT=Guest

I'll look tonight and see if I think the channels are better - at least where I am in Calgary)

Mine looks the worst it ever has, and that's a statement right there. Recording programs now to show the SUPER TECH on Friday.

I've not seen a good looking Shaw signal anywhere that I've been in Vancouver.

Stores, friends places...it all looks like overcompressed crap.

Also the audio drops are back with a vengenace.

Star Choice is pretty much thought to have the best PQ of the major providers, so if it's a choice between the two, go with SC. The money's going to the same guys either way.

Last night I had problems with channels 211 and 212 (formerly the Movie Central channels) - they were a mess of pixels, so I called to complain. The guy messed my box up pretty badly, and I wasn't authorized to view anything. I called back and the new person fixed the problem, and we started talking about Shaw's service. He said they have different "channel maps" and I was moved from one channel map to another, and hopefully that would solve the problem. I checked earlier today and the movie channels, now on different channels, don't look as compressed as before (Entourage was really bad for me on Sunday night).

Does anyone know what these different channel maps are, and whether moving from one to another could improve the quality of the channels?

Gord
There is a hybrid channel map (analogue and digital mixed for older DCTs) and an all digital channel map (all channels in digital quality on DCT 700, 3080, and 3416). However the digital channels (usually 55+) should always be the same as it's only the analogue channels that would change between maps. All of the digital channels come off the same equipment wether the DCT is on either map. I can't explain how changing the map would bring the signal in better for HD Movie Central.

I know I was on the digital map before, but this guy said there was map A, B, C, D and I think E, and each one has the same channels.

Beats me! I don't care as long as the quality is decent, and I haven't watched anything on MC since I was changed over.

Gord

I have also noticed an improved picture since they changed the channels around. I first noticed it during the Canucks Rangers game and then last night watching CBS the picture was way better than before.

I have also noticed an improved picture since they changed the channels around. I first noticed it during the Canucks Rangers game and then last night watching CBS the picture was way better than before.
I suppose it's possible that they shuffled the number of channels per QAM to clear up some blocking issues.

I just took up Shaw's Trade-in offer of a free HDPVR for a starchoice receiver (without contract and free 30-day service). Based on my initial comparision between Starchoice and Shaw (Both up and running), the Shaw HDMI signal is junk, very bad, however using component cables the video quality is close... not quite equivalent to Starchoice..

Has anyone else experienced what Starbudder's talking about? I've always had my STB connected via HDMI...

BTW (and a bt off-topic) I was in Phoenix recntly and saw a Qwest satellite transmission of an NFL game. It was flawless. Not microblocking with player movement, no "waving fields of astroturf." Live feed. Put Shaw's channels to shame.

Has anyone else experienced what Starbudder's talking about? I've always had my STB connected via HDMI...

I have both Moto 6416 and Pace Tahoe and tried component and HDMI. Zero difference to naked eye. Using HDMI for less clutter. When it comes to macroblocking it's not cables (when not defective) but rather Shaw's signal (or source).

CBC HD looked really bad last night. I had the Red Wings / Calgary game on and I thought it looked pretty bad, lots of compression/macroblocking. I compared it to the capitals game that was on CI, and the quality of the CSN feed was light years better than cbc hd.

I wonder if they use less compression on the CI channels?

I'm watching the Grey Cup replay on TSN2 (213) here in Winnipeg and it looks terrible. I have not seen such micro blocking for awhile. As long as there is no moving images it looks somewhat ok but as soon as I get moving image is down right crap.

I think the Lego people are returning with a vengeance. At least on TSN2 HD.

Absolutely the same here in Vancouver -- any movement at all produced very visible macroblocking.

I've got an Apple TV, and the HD I've downloaded from iTunes is about 1,000 times better than Shaw's version. And Apple compresses, too, make no mistake. But explosions actually look like explosions, not exploding Lego castles.

In my experience, though, football is the worst. Hockey, not so bad. Football is a joke.