More HD on Shaw Direct before end of 2012? Lets take a look - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

bigoranget · 2011-08-31, 01:00 PM

Is it possibel for Shaw Direct to add more HD before the end of 2012? Lets take a look at the traffic as it stands currently.

Anik F1R
======
Transponder 1: CLEAR
Transponder 10: 4x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels
Transponder 13: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels, 1x SD MPEG-2 8PSK channel

Anik F2
======
Transponder 2: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels, 2x SD MPEG-2 8PSK channels
Transponder 5: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels
Transponder 7: 4x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels
Transponder 8: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels, 2x SD MPEG-2 8PSK channels
Transponder 10: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels, 1x SD MPEG-2 8PSK channel
Transponder 11: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels
Transponder 12: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels, 1x SD MPEG-2 8PSK channel
Transponder 15: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels, 2x SD MPEG-2 8PSK channels
Transponder 18: 2x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels
Transponder 20: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels
Transponder 21: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels, 1x SD MPEG-2 8PSK channels
Transponder 22: 2x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels
Transponder 25: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels
Transponder 27: 4x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels
Transponder 31: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels, 2x SD MPEG-2 8PSK channels
Transponder 32: 4x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels

I've only included the transponders that currently have HD feeds and the one transponder on Anik F1R that is currently empty.
=======================================================

Okay so if we know for sure that none of the current HD feeds are switching to MPEG-4. Lets assume that they will use Anik F1R, Transponder 1 for MPEG-4 HD. This will allow Shaw Direct to add 6 new HD channels.

Then there is several transponders that have just 2x HD channels or just 3x HD channels. If we assume that Shaw Direct may max out capacity on each transponder by offering 4x feeds per transponder; thats about another 8 chanenls there. There is also some transponders that have 3x HD feeds and 1x SD feeds. They could probably place SD chanenls such as RDS2, TVA Sports and Mille to these transponders (I'm fairly sure that is going to be the case). So with that said; Shaw could feasibly add about another 10-14 HD channels between now and next year.

They could probably also make more room if they move some of the English and French locals to MPEG-4 SD. I believe they are still planning to drop the Spokane feeds at some point, so that will make more room as well.

takeaim · 2011-08-31, 02:22 PM

by dropping spokane, you're saying no more west coast american networks? i don't think that'll happen, or at least i hope not. it's nice for some sporting events to have the option of another game out there, but also if you missed something on the east coast, it's nice to pick it up 3 hrs later out west.

it would be nice if they'd offer more channels, but i think there was a statement saying that they didn't plan on offering any more until the new sat was launched.

bigoranget · 2011-08-31, 02:33 PM

Shaw Direct offers both Spokane and Seattle west feeds. The spokane feeds are SD only where the seattle feeds are SD and HD. The long term plan was to remove the Spokane locals (less KSPS) once the fiber link from Spokane to Calgary was completed.

billpaidJr · 2011-08-31, 02:48 PM

http://www.shaw.ca/uploadedFiles/Cor...te3March31.pdf

They have leased some more room on a 3rd satellite from TELESAT. That will be in action near the end of 2012.

Plenty more HD coming to SHAW Direct

ElenaH · 2011-08-31, 02:50 PM

Good, so there is no reason they can't add more HD before 2013. Nice to hear that it should be possible.

I will keep up my monthly call requesting MUCHHD and SPACEHD and DISHD then!

It's insane to think you can go nearly 2 years without new HD channels. At this point a handful of HD channels should be added every month. By 2013 we should be adding a bunch of 3D channels, never mind HD.

There is no reason I should still have to watch standard def anymore, HD is not new technology.

the previous post by billpaidJr is being sarcastic right?
because the end of 2012 is a long way away…
over a year away is eons in terms of the advance of technology.
isn't it?

billpaidJr · 2011-08-31, 02:56 PM

no sarcasm...satellite is limited in amount of channels it can carry on each satellite.

The date is given on their press release.

ElenaH · 2011-08-31, 03:02 PM

I was referring to your happy face statement

Quote:

Plenty more HD coming to SHAW Direct

surely that was sarcastic?
as in the end of 2012 is hardly something to brag about?
as in we're getting plenty of HD many, many, many, months from now?

Or am I alone in thinking that waiting that long for more HD channels is sad?

billpaidJr · 2011-08-31, 03:06 PM

Ok that part could be considered sarcasm lol... The content is only just now catching up to demand.

Many so called HD channels do not carry 100% HD content all the time anyway.

The technology has been around a long time now but the content has not. Satellite capacity is crazy expensive also.

bigoranget · 2011-08-31, 03:09 PM

100% agree ElenaH

Shaw Direct's HD line-up is by far the weakest of any major BDU. While most providers will see as many as 10-15 new channels this fall; we'll be lucky to get even a few. Let's also not forget that Shaw is missing a bunch of popular stations that have been on air for quite some time. There HD line-up is an absolute joke for September 2011.

They are trying to convince people to upgrade their receivers to the new 600 series receivers. But what's the benifit? To get a bunch of MPEG-4 locals that have the same programming as the channels we already have or to continue having access to NFL or NHL sports packages mostly in SD.

I really hope Shaw makes good use of the bandwith they have between now and next year when Anik G1 launches. Missing channels such as Space HD, Discovery HD, Much HD and Family HD is not going to be tolerated by many people for a year +.

bigoranget · 2011-08-31, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Many so called HD channels do not carry 100% HD content all the time anyway.

The technology has been around a long time now but the content has not. Satellite capacity is crazy expensive also.

That really isn't true today. Much of the programming is HD now. I'd say in most cases at least 60-70% of the programming. It certainly isn't like 2005 when we were lucky to get more then 5-10 hours a week of HD programming.

TJ77 · 2011-08-31, 03:12 PM

Thank for the breakdown. What channels are are transponders 18 and 22? Is there a reason there are only 2 feeds (increased PQ)?

You are both absolutely right, Space, Much, Discovery and Family are must haves right now!

bigoranget · 2011-08-31, 03:37 PM

Transponder 18 only has Big Ten HD and PBS Detroit HD. I'm sure one or two more channels will go here.

Transponder 22 has Super Ecran HD, V HD. I'm assuming RDS2HD and TVA Sports HD will go here.

Snickerdoodles · 2011-08-31, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigoranget

Shaw Direct's HD line-up is by far the weakest of any major BDU.

Naw, Cogeco is still pretty bad. I actually get more HD specialties on Shaw Direct than I did with Cogeco, but I got more HD locals with Cogeco.

If all new HD content was MPEG4, Shaw Direct could add enough new HD channels to their existing transponders across their two satellites to remain competitive until Anik G1 is ready. Once Anik G1 is up there and if everything added to it is MPEG4 they'll be in a good position from that point forward for the next little bit.

Gotta remember though, we don't want to start overloading transponders with channels. Yes, we could theoretically start shoving more HD onto each transponder, but do you want lots of HD that is overcompressed and looks like crap? Or would you rather live with less HD but channels that looks spectacular on a large TV? That's something one needs to remember.

bigoranget · 2011-09-01, 12:34 AM

Cogeco is only bad in certain areas but that will change very shortly with the removal of the analog value pack in most areas.

cslusarc · 2011-09-01, 03:17 AM

I'm a Shaw Cable customer and the cable side has already migrated NFL Sunday Ticket and NHL Centre Ice to all HD with MPEG-4 encryption in Fibre-fed headends. I'm quite shocked that Shaw Direct hans't done the same yet. After premium Sports Packages go HD only in MPEG, you do the same to Superchannel, Movie Central, Super Écran and The Movie Network. Then you`d convert all specialty channels, superstations and US 4+1s. Once all 505 and 530s start life expiring you'd convert to MPEG-4 all local channels.

2011-08-31, 01:00 PM	#1
bigoranget Veteran Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Hamilton Posts: 2,941	More HD on Shaw Direct before end of 2012? Lets take a look Is it possibel for Shaw Direct to add more HD before the end of 2012? Lets take a look at the traffic as it stands currently. Anik F1R ====== Transponder 1: CLEAR Transponder 10: 4x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels Transponder 13: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels, 1x SD MPEG-2 8PSK channel Anik F2 ====== Transponder 2: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels, 2x SD MPEG-2 8PSK channels Transponder 5: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels Transponder 7: 4x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels Transponder 8: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels, 2x SD MPEG-2 8PSK channels Transponder 10: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels, 1x SD MPEG-2 8PSK channel Transponder 11: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels Transponder 12: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels, 1x SD MPEG-2 8PSK channel Transponder 15: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels, 2x SD MPEG-2 8PSK channels Transponder 18: 2x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels Transponder 20: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels Transponder 21: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels, 1x SD MPEG-2 8PSK channels Transponder 22: 2x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels Transponder 25: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels Transponder 27: 4x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels Transponder 31: 3x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels, 2x SD MPEG-2 8PSK channels Transponder 32: 4x HD MPEG-2 8PSK channels I've only included the transponders that currently have HD feeds and the one transponder on Anik F1R that is currently empty. ======================================================= Okay so if we know for sure that none of the current HD feeds are switching to MPEG-4. Lets assume that they will use Anik F1R, Transponder 1 for MPEG-4 HD. This will allow Shaw Direct to add 6 new HD channels. Then there is several transponders that have just 2x HD channels or just 3x HD channels. If we assume that Shaw Direct may max out capacity on each transponder by offering 4x feeds per transponder; thats about another 8 chanenls there. There is also some transponders that have 3x HD feeds and 1x SD feeds. They could probably place SD chanenls such as RDS2, TVA Sports and Mille to these transponders (I'm fairly sure that is going to be the case). So with that said; Shaw could feasibly add about another 10-14 HD channels between now and next year. They could probably also make more room if they move some of the English and French locals to MPEG-4 SD. I believe they are still planning to drop the Spokane feeds at some point, so that will make more room as well.

2011-08-31, 02:50 PM	#5
ElenaH Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cambridge Posts: 220	Good, so there is no reason they can't add more HD before 2013. Nice to hear that it should be possible. I will keep up my monthly call requesting MUCHHD and SPACEHD and DISHD then! It's insane to think you can go nearly 2 years without new HD channels. At this point a handful of HD channels should be added every month. By 2013 we should be adding a bunch of 3D channels, never mind HD. There is no reason I should still have to watch standard def anymore, HD is not new technology. the previous post by billpaidJr is being sarcastic right? because the end of 2012 is a long way away… over a year away is eons in terms of the advance of technology. isn't it? __________________ Rogers / HDPVR NextBox / Samsung HD 32" LCD LNT3242H

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2011-08-31, 02:22 PM	#2
takeaim Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 363	by dropping spokane, you're saying no more west coast american networks? i don't think that'll happen, or at least i hope not. it's nice for some sporting events to have the option of another game out there, but also if you missed something on the east coast, it's nice to pick it up 3 hrs later out west. it would be nice if they'd offer more channels, but i think there was a statement saying that they didn't plan on offering any more until the new sat was launched.

2011-08-31, 02:33 PM	#3
bigoranget Veteran Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Hamilton Posts: 2,941	Shaw Direct offers both Spokane and Seattle west feeds. The spokane feeds are SD only where the seattle feeds are SD and HD. The long term plan was to remove the Spokane locals (less KSPS) once the fiber link from Spokane to Calgary was completed.

2011-08-31, 02:48 PM	#4
billpaidJr Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 299	http://www.shaw.ca/uploadedFiles/Cor...te3March31.pdf They have leased some more room on a 3rd satellite from TELESAT. That will be in action near the end of 2012. Plenty more HD coming to SHAW Direct

2011-08-31, 02:56 PM	#6
billpaidJr Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 299	no sarcasm...satellite is limited in amount of channels it can carry on each satellite. The date is given on their press release.

2011-08-31, 03:06 PM	#8
billpaidJr Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 299	Ok that part could be considered sarcasm lol... The content is only just now catching up to demand. Many so called HD channels do not carry 100% HD content all the time anyway. The technology has been around a long time now but the content has not. Satellite capacity is crazy expensive also.

2011-08-31, 03:09 PM	#9
bigoranget Veteran Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Hamilton Posts: 2,941	100% agree ElenaH Shaw Direct's HD line-up is by far the weakest of any major BDU. While most providers will see as many as 10-15 new channels this fall; we'll be lucky to get even a few. Let's also not forget that Shaw is missing a bunch of popular stations that have been on air for quite some time. There HD line-up is an absolute joke for September 2011. They are trying to convince people to upgrade their receivers to the new 600 series receivers. But what's the benifit? To get a bunch of MPEG-4 locals that have the same programming as the channels we already have or to continue having access to NFL or NHL sports packages mostly in SD. I really hope Shaw makes good use of the bandwith they have between now and next year when Anik G1 launches. Missing channels such as Space HD, Discovery HD, Much HD and Family HD is not going to be tolerated by many people for a year +.

2011-08-31, 03:12 PM	#11
TJ77 Veteran Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,984	Thank for the breakdown. What channels are are transponders 18 and 22? Is there a reason there are only 2 feeds (increased PQ)? You are both absolutely right, Space, Much, Discovery and Family are must haves right now!

2011-08-31, 03:37 PM	#12
bigoranget Veteran Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Hamilton Posts: 2,941	Transponder 18 only has Big Ten HD and PBS Detroit HD. I'm sure one or two more channels will go here. Transponder 22 has Super Ecran HD, V HD. I'm assuming RDS2HD and TVA Sports HD will go here.

2011-09-01, 12:34 AM	#14
bigoranget Veteran Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Hamilton Posts: 2,941	Cogeco is only bad in certain areas but that will change very shortly with the removal of the analog value pack in most areas.

2011-09-01, 03:17 AM	#15
cslusarc Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 307	I'm a Shaw Cable customer and the cable side has already migrated NFL Sunday Ticket and NHL Centre Ice to all HD with MPEG-4 encryption in Fibre-fed headends. I'm quite shocked that Shaw Direct hans't done the same yet. After premium Sports Packages go HD only in MPEG, you do the same to Superchannel, Movie Central, Super Écran and The Movie Network. Then you`d convert all specialty channels, superstations and US 4+1s. Once all 505 and 530s start life expiring you'd convert to MPEG-4 all local channels.