Shaw Direct Complaint and Rant Thread

[starchoice]

Originally Posted by FunkyTown

So you mean new channels that Shaw Direct adds will automatically be added to his favorites lists? That seems odd.

No, not favourites. Why would you use favourites? Can you even default to that when you turn on your TV? You use parental locks to lock out unsubscribed channels. These are then the only channels showing in your guide. If a new channel gets added, you see it but not if you've created and watch from a Favourites list.

[dmoes]

Im tired of

-crappy guide and program info
-constant NO DATA
- broken promises or forever delays on new features and updated firmware to fix the above
-pointless new HD channels example Frame and AMC has anyone seen any true HD content on AMC? upscaled and stretched SD don't count.

When I made the switch a few years ago the rumours were abound that changes were coming. even the CSR I spoke to at the time said that the guide would change and new interactive features. nothing other than an improved design for the guide but no real new information or features.
Shaw Direct has yet to add any true value to my programming other than higher prices.

Shaw Direct, my current provider is falling behind. our local cable has moved forward quite a bit since I left them loads more HD. and much better guide.

now I am starting to regret that I switched.

I know that what I have said is nothing new but I just needed to blow off steam.

[starchoice]

You're luck that you have the option of a local cable provide. Cable in the West is monopolized by...you guessed it...Shaw.

[Jos]

Why is everything stretched out to make it unwatchable?
We tried watching The Shining the other day and after just a few minutes switched it off. We thought it was just a problem with this one particular movie but it's obvious it's not. Damn near everything shown on this channel is not HD It looks like 4:3 content stretched out to fill out a 16:9 screen! Jack Nicholson's head looked like it had been squashed.Thats not high definition! It's 4:3 pan and scan and thats not acceptable. If your going to show 4:3 content show it in it's original format the way the director and producer intended it to be shown. Why butcher the movie?
You advertise this channel as a HD channel urging your customers to switch to a high def receiver to receive it.
To all Shaw employees and management who watch this forum..We know you do... please answer my question

Jos

[GaryE]

Is it Shaw that does this? I'm under the impression that AMC stretches the image on their HD channel and when they show something in true 16:9 HD then there is an "HD" after the AMC bug.

[rdehaven]

Originally Posted by GaryE

Is it Shaw that does this? I'm under the impression that AMC stretches the image on their HD channel and when they show something in true 16:9 HD then there is an "HD" after the AMC bug.

The AMC HD screen bug has a RED band around it instead of BLUE. I get the real HD version of this channel through another service. Everytime I watch that channel I've noticed that it has always said 'AMC HD'.

I believe that Shaw is only feeding/stretching the SD AMC feed.

[yargo34]

Hey jos, GaryE is more or less correct. How i know that... A mystery... I know for a fact there were some issues with 8psk modulation for some reason or another just the way SD was recieving the channel in the backend, which did result in that feed being swapped for the sd one rarely... All has been resolved though

[QCK]

Originally Posted by yargo34

I know for a fact there were some issues with 8psk modulation for some reason or another just the way SD was recieving the channel in the backend, which did result in that feed being swapped for the sd one rarely

It was not rarely, the SD version was on at least 95% of the time.

[Rikter]

Don't believe you are going to like Telus TV. It's just green crap instead of gray crap.

[Rikter]

After travelling around the world, Starchoice/Shaw direct is clearly one of the worst providers in the world. Even when compared to the Shaw Cable DVR the DSR 530 leaves alot to be desired. Random reboots, freezing up, slow or no (poor quality) guide navigation & information. The CRTC pushed for a second sat provider & Starchoice seemed un-happy about that (based on service). Direct TV in the U.S. is one to look to for the industry standard.
We Canadians get what we are willing to put up with. If we pushed the CRTC for more freedoms within the satellite services we might see improvements. For instance: Why can't we have a U.S. sat provider in Canada if we choose?

[gretzky]

because it's illegal

[sports addict]

I'm with them for 10 years and the only complains i have are :

1- They are usually much slower to add channels, vs Bell TV

2- They waste too much space on the satellite , with that endless list of regional channels ( cbc , ctv, global ... )

[Peter K]

Just hope you never have to deal with Shaw direct customer service. I dont think it could get any worse! If you want someone who really treats you like trash ask for Rich. If you think there is good in everyone you have never talked to him!

[TJ77]

Regulatory requirements , and the fact that they provide service nationally, is why there are so many locals. When they did cut a few there was outrage.

Peter, what exactly happened?

[Ouser]

in EVERY call I have ever made (in 10 years of subs) I have always had courteous and polite CSR's. They may not know as much as we do here sometimes, but in that case, to have an issue resolved, I have politely asked for an escalation, and I have always been satisfied.