Atlantic Canada uses Motorola STBs, so there is no relationship between that and the SA products used here. See previous posts in this thread on the topic. It's possible we could get a new IPG, but it's just as likely we won't.

Thanks 57. If I understand correctly, the new IPG used in Atlantic Canada is not proprietary to Motorola, and is in fact compatible with the Scientific Atalnta line of STBs as well (I think it's called "Passport"), so hopefully we'll see it here soon.

Rogers doesn't use Passport on their SA equipment. They use SARA. (Some US service providers do use Passport)

As has been stated many times, the firmware and IPG provided by Rogers is simply horrible. It is so old it's ridiculous. StarChoice is upgrading their firmware with some very nice additions, and the IPG is lightyears ahead of Rogers (or Scientific Atlanta, or whomever makes these decisions).
I've seen screenshots of much nicer SA IPG and features. Why don't we get them?

I suggest that you pose those questions to Rogers. If they hear enough complaints, or suggestions of specific improvements, then they may take action.

Star Choice is upgrading the firmware in Spring 2009 to give it some of the features that Rogers has had for quite some time!

Oh; does that mean Star Choice customers will no longer be able to reliably record Terminator just like us????? ;-)

Rogers doesn't use Passport on their SA equipment. They use SARA. (Some US service providers do use Passport)
True, but Rogers could easily switch to Passport. It would make a lot of sense considering they are using it in Atlantic Canada. One feature that Passport has that SARA doesn't seem to is a proper title search where you can type in the title.

I like many others would very much like to see the channels I subscribe to identified in the IPG and even exclude those I don't want to see.

This is a know request by most if not all Rogers IPG users and no response from Rogers. They want to expose the customers to seeing the availability of countless channels even though they repeat.

An arrogant monopoly in cahoots with the governing bodies. Rogers will soon acquire the CN Tower now that the Feds are likely going to sell it and other crown assets.

I have to agree. When I had SC I had the absolute basic $79 receiver, and I was able to have 4 list of favourites - one had the channels I was subscribed to, the 2nd had just movies, etc etc. The ability to search by four letters of name saves a helluva lot of time.

It shouldn't be hard to implement, but I've been annoyed with the SciAtla boxes since I got my first STB back in 1999 ...


Back then I was also one of the first people in Ontario to have the "Rogers Interactive TV" service, and was told I was the first in London Ontario to have it. I had the service installed at 8am on the release date *LMAO* Ah, the fun times.

The thing I hate most about Rogers guide is scrolling through all the channels
Bell at least hides channels you cant watch (which makes it more obvious which ones are on preview)
Worse you cant even block/hide the stupid PPV or porn channels (I dont have kids yet but Id never let them touch the remote

Is it just me or are Movies lumped in with other shows when you sort by theme? There is a Movie theme but it doesn't show movies but instead shows you shows about movies.

Although the software, as far as I know, is compatible with the SA boxes, there is a rights agreement in place, AFAIK, stating Rogers must use the current software for a certain duration. I am unsure when the RA expires.

Good News! It looks like Rogers has planned UI coming down the pipe really soon! I just got a letter in the mail today saying that I have a SA 2000 reciever on my account (I never have had one, but that is besides the point) and that there is going to be changes coming to the UI coming soon. As a result, the SA 2000 model's are going to not display the text on channels properly and Rogers is offering to give $20 towards any upgrade on a SA 2000 on ANY terminal that you purchase at a Rogers Plus outlet. I guess you can probably trade in a SA 2000 if it is a rental.

This should also become a forwarning for people that they should no longer be purchasing SA 2000 model recievers from a 3rd party, unless the purpose is to get the $20 rebate because they will not be able to properly display the UI enhancements that are coming down the pipe.

I wouldn't get your hopes up, they may simply be switching to the 'high-res' version of the current interface which, while it looks better, is still 4x3 and has all the same quirks as the current interface.

Or maybe they're switching to the mythical Tivo-on-SA OS that's been rumoured for years...but probably not. :)

Heh heh... it's funny you mention Harmony remote, as a few buttons on my 880 are beginning to wear out, mostly the volume buttons.:mad:

With regards to Rogers and the UI, I agree with the concensus that is it just plain horrible. Unfortunately, looking at the situation objectively from a purely business perspective, how much more revenue/profit will Rogers stand to gain by spending big bucks to revamp the interface? Probably not much... at least compared to the money spent, as *most* customers don't really care (excluding yourself, if you are reading this!). Furthermore, the added strain on the tech support people from all the induhviduals confused by the new UI, and it has the makings of a huge headache for minimal financial gain.

Remember, MOST customers don't know/don't care there are other/better options out there. The people who frequent these boards tend to be far more knowledgeable and critical, but represent a VERY small percentage of Rogers' business.

Unfortunately, I feel that unless Rogers starts losing droves of customers citing their ugly UI as the reason for moving their business away, we are unlikely to see any significant change... :(

Right now, I'd be happy just to get that high-res update to the UI, that we saw some screenshots of last year around the time of the long-overdue update to 1.89 firmware.

All is just my opinion, of course....:cool:

Right now the only reason I'm still with Rogers is the rent-free-for-life deal on the PVR and second digital box. If I have any friends with kids I tell them to go with BEV because with Rogers (the channel layout, no way to disable showing unsubscribed channels, and no way to filter out adult content) you wil end up trying to explain to your 10 year old what "Naughty Neighbors" or "Rear Entry" is all about, and why is it sitting int he guide right next to the CloneWars that he wants to watch.

Believe me, if it was not for the free PVR I would be switching back to BEV now, and to BellIPTV when available (I still don't like the rain-induced signal loss with satellite).

Oh; does that mean Star Choice customers will no longer be able to reliably record Terminator just like us????? ;-)

OMG, how true. I have missed it twice this year, but I've "caught it" another five times, I think. Which would mean the title had changed five or siz times. There's only been 10 episodes this season, this is ridiculous!

Hi everyone. First post!

I just purchased a home theatre and got Rogers PVR. Before that I had a standard definition TIVO. Was really bummed that there is no TIVO HD option in Canada.

Was 10x more bummed when I actually say the Rogers program guide and GUI for the PVR. I think the Rogers program guide, PVR, on demand guide etc.. is complete garbage and offensive to my eyes. Very un-functional and unintuitive.

Things I hate about the program guide:
- Ugly as sin
- Poor resolution
- Very poor descriptions / abbreviations for program names. I'm slowly getting used to the abbreviations for the channels, but its taking forever to figure out which channels I'm actually subscribed to.
- Rogers PVR remote / layout is horrible.

So wish TIVO was available in Canada. So much nicer layout.

(Edit) I should say, much nicer in my opinion. (No offence to people who like Rogers PVR's)

TIVO is available in Canada.

Was 10x more bummed when I actually say the Rogers program guide and GUI for the PVR. I think the Rogers program guide, PVR, on demand guide etc.. is complete garbage and offensive to my eyes. Very un-functional and unintuitive.

Having said that, it is worth noting that, aesthetics aside, the Rogers PVR is reliable and functional. It does what it says it does -- provides a system to record shows, in HD, according to an advance or repeatable schedule. I've had mine for at least two years and it is something of a workhorse.

There is also more to life than PVR -- and that includes On Demand. My monthly viewing of TMN / HBO has risen dramatically thanks to the convenience of both SD and HD programming on ch 308 from this service.

It would be nice to have TiVo HD in Canada but since they declined to produce an HD PVR that works with non-Cable Card technology, that's hardly Rogers problem. And, it saves me $15/mth in TiVo subscription fees for nothing more than pretty program descriptions -- TiVo is not a TV source.

Who knows? Perhaps TiVo will do a deal with Rogers down the road for Cisco-backed boxes that incorporate their software. I'd be in line to check it out. In the meantime, I'm still managing to enjoy HD, and the HD PVR capabilities, and especially On Demand services that are available to me form Rogers.

(No offence to people who like TiVo SD PVRs).