New Telus TV platform - a review of the new system - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

lord500 · 2010-02-08, 05:53 PM

Hi folks,

Thought I would start a new thread on this topic, mainly to give my feedback now that I'm switched over to the new system.

so for me, I'm very impressed. a big leap forward from the old system. For anyone that is used to using media centre, this is what it's like - and I love'd using my computer as the pvr in the past.
so wow, nice set up.

the quality of the picture is much better, including the regular feed also. regular tv is almost as crsip as the hd used to be - and hd has improved also.
the dual tuner - long time coming and now it's like a tri tuner (tape three programs at once).

limitations - so far the only one I've noticed is that it shows all the tv channels in the guide, regardless of what you've subscribed to. I liked that the old one let you alternate between all, subscribed, hd, and fav's. If I could change one thing, this would be it. I hate having to flip through all those channels that I don't have... makes the mindless flipping a bit of a pain.
but - this is very minor in comparison to all the other plus'es.

overall, very impressed.
and once again, the install folks were very good. My guy knew his product, was very friendly and personable - make it a great overall experience.

Thumbs up Telus - kick'en the crap out of what shaw has to offer (imho)

how about you?
-what do you think?
-what differences (positives)
-what limitations do you see? (and solutions if anyone figures them out)

TheAntiQAM · 2010-02-08, 09:46 PM

Lord, cool to hear you like the service! The overall experience is even better in person than described in advertising copy - it's a nuanced and elegant user experience that is much more than just PVR Anywhere.

Regarding Subscribed channel view, that is one feature that is regretably absent from the Microsoft platform at this time. But you do get 1 favourite list, and you can go into settings to remove unsubscribed channels from the default Guide view to reduce the clutter. Assumes you know all the channels you subscribe to of course.

SD video is much better because while it's still MPEG2 on Minerva, all SD signals on Mediaroom are MPEG4. That means the picture looks better, especially when it's viewed on larger screens.

Moiza67 · 2010-02-09, 01:15 AM

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/...672/story.html

lord500 · 2010-02-09, 12:41 PM

Background image:

One clarification. When the advanced info was released/leaked on this, including the one image of the program guide - one of the users of this forum noted that the background image was the arc de triumph in Paris. I think the comment was something like 'I hope they change the image so that it is some thing more canadian.' I agree with that sentiment.

Just to let you know, the arc isn't there, or any other static image. When you pull up the guide, you see what is playing on your current channel. then as you scroll through the other channels which you may jump to, that video is shown in the picture in picture box.
On the old set up, you were watching the current program in the PIP box, and didn't get to preview the new channel.

My thoughts on that - much nicer.

lord500 · 2010-02-09, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheAntiQAM

Lord, cool to hear you like the service! The overall experience is even better in person than described in advertising copy - it's a nuanced and elegant user experience that is much more than just PVR Anywhere.

Regarding Subscribed channel view, that is one feature that is regretably absent from the Microsoft platform at this time. But you do get 1 favourite list, and you can go into settings to remove unsubscribed channels from the default Guide view to reduce the clutter. Assumes you know all the channels you subscribe to of course.

SD video is much better because while it's still MPEG2 on Minerva, all SD signals on Mediaroom are MPEG4. That means the picture looks better, especially when it's viewed on larger screens.

Thanks Anti,

I ended up playing with that last night and finding it. I was able to figure which channels I had access to as they showed up in the PIP. if it was black - I wasn't getting the signal. Guess I may have to adjust if I add more channels (or if telus gives me more channels - I might not notice!)

I agree, this is a minor downside when compared with the overall experiance.

Last night we got to use the HD capability of the new tv up in the bonus room. Till now the HD feed (and pvr) has been on the main floor - so it was very nice to have a crisp clear signal on the new tv. I was really able to see just how much of a thumping the oilers got last night.

we also tested out the 'start watching a program upstairs, and continue watching on the other tv' feature. Pretty cool. I can see it coming in very handy if we are making dinner/a snack and finish watching the program in the comfort of the bonus room.

ctown6412 · 2010-02-09, 03:46 PM

Well just got the system installed and I can say without a doubt that the picture is cleaner and clearer than the previous telustv, shawhd. I would say it is equal if not better than Bell satellite but would literally have to do a side by side blind test as it is that clear!

Hd channels are perfect, and standard def look amazing for standard def.

To give you an idea I was testing on a 96" 720p projection screen and on a 42" 1080p lcd.

Channel changes are instant with zero noticeable lag.

Will do more playing tonight once I get home but I was blown away at how good it looked and how fast channel changes are now. WOW great job telus!

ctown6412 · 2010-02-09, 06:36 PM

"limitations - so far the only one I've noticed is that it shows all the tv channels in the guide, regardless of what you've subscribed to. I liked that the old one let you alternate between all, subscribed, hd, and fav's. If I could change one thing, this would be it. I hate having to flip through all those channels that I don't have... makes the mindless flipping a bit of a pain.
but - this is very minor in comparison to all the other plus'es."

I did find that you can delete channels from the master list. at the moment I cant recall what menu screen I was in but it does allow you to uncheck channels for the list.

canuckerfan · 2010-02-09, 08:21 PM

what's the slowest your internet has gotten? i'm assuming you have telus internet

ctown6412 · 2010-02-09, 09:18 PM

right now with 3 shows recording I am getting 5.4meg

Moiza67 · 2010-02-09, 10:29 PM

You can customize the look of the guide to your liking. Here is how. On the Telus remote press MENU. Then push the arrows keys 3 to the left or until you highlight SETTINGS. Then Go down to TELEVISION and push OK. Then go down to CUSTOMIZE YOUR GUIDE and push OK.

Now scroll through every channel. You will notice at the bottom right that there is a little screen. If you see content on that screen, leave the channel checked because you are subscribed to it. If it appears black uncheck it. Yes it will take awhile to do given the radio and music channels, but you will only need to do it once. Once you are done, scroll up and click SAVE.

So now everytime you select guide only your "picked" channels will show up. The best way again to see all the channels that Telus Offers without deleting your customized guide is to create a favourites list that has all the channels selected.

lord500 · 2010-02-09, 11:54 PM

yes, thanks guys spent some time working on that one tonight.
that's a good solution - would be ideal if there was some way to do it automatically - but like I said a minor inconvienience compared to the other improvements!

anyone else get it yet, other then cowtown and I?
other thoughts?

Hilman · 2010-02-10, 01:23 AM

I will let you know Wednesday night

. I am interested to see how the picture quality compares to Starchoice. I am pumped to see all these new features and actually have a PVR that is more than a glorified VCR.

yvrwindsor · 2010-02-10, 02:03 AM

I understand the stbs are not replaced. But did you get new remotes?

ttvguy · 2010-02-10, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yvrwindsor

I understand the stbs are not replaced. But did you get new remotes?

You must get new remotes with the new system or some of the functionality would be lost because some buttons don't work and some are missing on the old remote. If you didn't get a new black remote then call in and they should send one to you.

random2k · 2010-02-10, 05:31 AM

Quote:

You must get new remotes with the new system or some of the functionality would be lost because some buttons don't work and some are missing on the old remote. If you didn't get a new black remote then call in and they should send one to you.

ttvguy,
Thank you for saying this. I posted about this on the other thread you started and some yuppie from Telus got uppity on me. Saying i don't need the new remote blah blah, started telling me off nearly.

Thanks!

I was the one who leaked the guide images . Yeah no frenchness woot!(jk i love french people)

2010-02-08, 05:53 PM	#1
lord500 Rookie Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 21	New Telus TV platform - a review of the new system Hi folks, Thought I would start a new thread on this topic, mainly to give my feedback now that I'm switched over to the new system. so for me, I'm very impressed. a big leap forward from the old system. For anyone that is used to using media centre, this is what it's like - and I love'd using my computer as the pvr in the past. so wow, nice set up. the quality of the picture is much better, including the regular feed also. regular tv is almost as crsip as the hd used to be - and hd has improved also. the dual tuner - long time coming and now it's like a tri tuner (tape three programs at once). limitations - so far the only one I've noticed is that it shows all the tv channels in the guide, regardless of what you've subscribed to. I liked that the old one let you alternate between all, subscribed, hd, and fav's. If I could change one thing, this would be it. I hate having to flip through all those channels that I don't have... makes the mindless flipping a bit of a pain. but - this is very minor in comparison to all the other plus'es. overall, very impressed. and once again, the install folks were very good. My guy knew his product, was very friendly and personable - make it a great overall experience. Thumbs up Telus - kick'en the crap out of what shaw has to offer (imho) how about you? -what do you think? -what differences (positives) -what limitations do you see? (and solutions if anyone figures them out)

2010-02-09, 03:46 PM	#6
ctown6412 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Calgary Posts: 1,194	Well just got the system installed and I can say without a doubt that the picture is cleaner and clearer than the previous telustv, shawhd. I would say it is equal if not better than Bell satellite but would literally have to do a side by side blind test as it is that clear! Hd channels are perfect, and standard def look amazing for standard def. To give you an idea I was testing on a 96" 720p projection screen and on a 42" 1080p lcd. Channel changes are instant with zero noticeable lag. Will do more playing tonight once I get home but I was blown away at how good it looked and how fast channel changes are now. WOW great job telus! __________________ TBD yet again :)

2010-02-09, 06:36 PM	#7
ctown6412 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Calgary Posts: 1,194	"limitations - so far the only one I've noticed is that it shows all the tv channels in the guide, regardless of what you've subscribed to. I liked that the old one let you alternate between all, subscribed, hd, and fav's. If I could change one thing, this would be it. I hate having to flip through all those channels that I don't have... makes the mindless flipping a bit of a pain. but - this is very minor in comparison to all the other plus'es." I did find that you can delete channels from the master list. at the moment I cant recall what menu screen I was in but it does allow you to uncheck channels for the list. __________________ TBD yet again :)

2010-02-09, 09:18 PM	#9
ctown6412 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Calgary Posts: 1,194	right now with 3 shows recording I am getting 5.4meg __________________ TBD yet again :)

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2010-02-08, 09:46 PM	#2
TheAntiQAM Rookie Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 25	Lord, cool to hear you like the service! The overall experience is even better in person than described in advertising copy - it's a nuanced and elegant user experience that is much more than just PVR Anywhere. Regarding Subscribed channel view, that is one feature that is regretably absent from the Microsoft platform at this time. But you do get 1 favourite list, and you can go into settings to remove unsubscribed channels from the default Guide view to reduce the clutter. Assumes you know all the channels you subscribe to of course. SD video is much better because while it's still MPEG2 on Minerva, all SD signals on Mediaroom are MPEG4. That means the picture looks better, especially when it's viewed on larger screens.

2010-02-09, 01:15 AM	#3
Moiza67 Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 60	http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/...672/story.html

2010-02-09, 12:41 PM	#4
lord500 Rookie Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 21	Background image: One clarification. When the advanced info was released/leaked on this, including the one image of the program guide - one of the users of this forum noted that the background image was the arc de triumph in Paris. I think the comment was something like 'I hope they change the image so that it is some thing more canadian.' I agree with that sentiment. Just to let you know, the arc isn't there, or any other static image. When you pull up the guide, you see what is playing on your current channel. then as you scroll through the other channels which you may jump to, that video is shown in the picture in picture box. On the old set up, you were watching the current program in the PIP box, and didn't get to preview the new channel. My thoughts on that - much nicer.

2010-02-09, 08:21 PM	#8
canuckerfan Rookie Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 6	what's the slowest your internet has gotten? i'm assuming you have telus internet

2010-02-09, 10:29 PM	#10
Moiza67 Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 60	You can customize the look of the guide to your liking. Here is how. On the Telus remote press MENU. Then push the arrows keys 3 to the left or until you highlight SETTINGS. Then Go down to TELEVISION and push OK. Then go down to CUSTOMIZE YOUR GUIDE and push OK. Now scroll through every channel. You will notice at the bottom right that there is a little screen. If you see content on that screen, leave the channel checked because you are subscribed to it. If it appears black uncheck it. Yes it will take awhile to do given the radio and music channels, but you will only need to do it once. Once you are done, scroll up and click SAVE. So now everytime you select guide only your "picked" channels will show up. The best way again to see all the channels that Telus Offers without deleting your customized guide is to create a favourites list that has all the channels selected.

2010-02-09, 11:54 PM	#11
lord500 Rookie Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 21	yes, thanks guys spent some time working on that one tonight. that's a good solution - would be ideal if there was some way to do it automatically - but like I said a minor inconvienience compared to the other improvements! anyone else get it yet, other then cowtown and I? other thoughts?

2010-02-10, 01:23 AM	#12
Hilman Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Edmonton Posts: 328	I will let you know Wednesday night . I am interested to see how the picture quality compares to Starchoice. I am pumped to see all these new features and actually have a PVR that is more than a glorified VCR.

2010-02-10, 02:03 AM	#13
yvrwindsor Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 175	I understand the stbs are not replaced. But did you get new remotes?