Official Shaw Direct Vs. Bell Satellite Thread

[classicsat]

I would douby they would use actual DLNA. They would use something proprietary, to protect the content they are charged with keeping secure.

The new batch of Shaw Direct receivers (6xx series) do have Ethernet ports, so there is hope. I believe the lastest Echostar receivers are networkable also, so there.

[Blackloz]

Originally Posted by madhi19

By now I would have expected both corporation to offer receivers that are DLNA capable. That way you could have one receiver feeding all your TV's via your home network.

Not sure about Shaw D's plans but I really hope that Bell plans to purchase the XIP 810/813 whole home line of receivers from Echostar at some point.

[ACPewty]

Hi...new poster here looking for current answers to a few questions. I have been a Shaw Direct subscriber for 12 years but am now considering switching to Bell for the apparently more reliable PVR with EHD option, and better HD selection. I have been reading lots of posts here and have seen an answer to my first question, but I'm wondering if it still applies as a more recent firmware update could have changed things. I currently like to archive movies etc to DVD (strictly for personal use) in anamorphic widescreen format and I would like to continue to do so with Bell if possible.

1) Can the 9241 output anamorphic widescreen via s-video? (Or is it still only available letterboxed or cropped in which case if switching providers I would have to purchase a component to S-video converter.)

2) Are all the 9241's outputs simultaneously active? (eg can I output to HDMI, component and s-video at the same time?)

3) How does Bell compare to Shaw Direct regarding rain fade?

4) How does Bell compare to Shaw Direct regarding picture quality especially on premium channels like The Movie Network?

5) Aside from the obvious Bell customer service complaints, are there any other warnings/issues you think I should be aware of before switching?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[57]

1. Not sure, probably not.

2. Yes.

3. BTV is worse - see the various rain/snow fade threads in the BTV forum.

4. Probably a bit softer since all channels are changed to 720P on BTV.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=76129

5. Bell customer service is probably amongst the worst of any provider. Each provider has advantages and disadvantages. Read earlier posts in this thread, to which your post was moved.

Useful Post: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741

[Blackloz]

Actually I have had very,very little rain fade and never any snow issues, using the standard Bell Dish.

[MCIBUS]

Since I have had both SD& BTV at the sametime I can say each has its good points and bad points.

(All observation prior to Jan 2007)

True BTV rain fade is worse then SD
BTV has a far large selection of HD channels then SD
BTV has a larger selection of francphone channels then SD
BTV has a larger selection of ethnic channels then SD
PQ varies from channel to channel(same channel on both services)

I'm not sure as to why certain channels IE CTV2(Ottawa) looked better on BTV then it did on SD as to why I'm not sure. It should be noted(at the time I had both services)the commericals on CTV2 Ottawa where slightly different on BTV/SD then on Rogers Cables CTV2 Ottawa version. IE comerical same time BTV/SD was ad for Pembrooke BIZ Rogers Ottawa was commerical for Ottawa biz.

Now grant you I can't comment on how both BTV & SD compare now(After Jan 2007) as I don't have either to compare.

[ACPewty]

Thanks to all for the input. I guess to get an answer to question #1 I'll have to post in another thread.

I have read that Bell suffers from rain fade more than SD, but I guess how much is subjective and also depends on geography. I am in the Peterborough Ontario region and with SD we don't really ever have a problem with snow unless it's sticky and really coats the dish. Rain does knock out reception occasionally but only if there's very heavy rain and typically only for a few minutes...about 3 or 4 times a year.

I guess I'm wondering if anyone in southern Ontario can comment on how often rain is an issue with Bell, and also disregarding when the dish is heavily coated with sticky snow, does snow ever affect reception?

Thanks again.

[57]

There are two types of outage due to rain/snow fade.

One occurs at the uplink and has been tracked in the following thread for 2011. There's also a link there for 2010. This affects everyone.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=138780

Then there's rain/snow fade at your location, which would typically double the incidents/times depending on your location, size of dish, how well it's pointed, etc. Yes, heavy snow affects reception in the same way heavy rain does.

[peano]

A well pointed Bell 20" standard dish (90+ on both sats) is just as stable during rain as Shaw Direct with their 60E dish. Same with snow.

I would not let rain fade be the deciding factor. I am not a big fan of Bell, but the Shaw Direct HD PVR is riddled with bugs and I would never recommend SD because of it.

I have had both at the same time to compare.

[taxtwit]

Originally Posted by ACPewty

Thanks to all for the input. I guess to get an answer to question #1 I'll have to post in another thread.

Originally Posted by ACPewty

1) Can the 9241 output anamorphic widescreen via s-video? (Or is it still only available letterboxed or cropped in which case if switching providers I would have to purchase a component to S-video converter.)

The 9241 has a S-video out. I haven't a clue whether it outputs "anamorphic widescreen". Like every other S-video out, it does not output "HD", as most of us understand the concept. Component video is HD, so I don't know why you'd want or need a "component to S-video converter".

[lzweifel]

Please help Please!!!!!!!

I have been a Shaw subscriber for ever... probably 20 years!!! I purchased an automatic dome which was only compatible with Bell, so I purchased my very first Bell HD Receiver and subscribed to some programming.

Here is my dilemma.... I am not liking Bell programming, finding it really hard to locate specific networks/channels etc. I think this is probably due to simple unfamiliarity, we are huge sports fans and I also watch US Networks most often.

Is there anyone out there that is familiar with both that can help me make a decision... Bell tells me they have the Best HD programming than anyone, but I have had calls from Telus saying the same thing - it's hard to take that advise from a salesman.. of course they are going to want to promote their product, not the competetor.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

[The Stew]

Soon, I may be moving up with my family up to a rural zone in Northern Alberta, so there won't be any cable, so we're thinking of switching to satellite.

I know this question is asked a lot on this forum, but this is why I want to ask.

• We have an HD-PVR, or at least want to be able to use at least one. (Though more is always good.)
• A preference for HD channels.
• All TV's in our house are HD capable.

So, what would be the best one to pick? Shaw Direct, Bell TV or Telus Sat?

[Dwayne Gorniak]

In my opinion, Customer Service would the biggest factor to not overlook. I can't comment on Telus Satellite being that I have never used it. But I can tell you that Shaw's Custmer Service blows Bell out of the water. I switched from Bell to Shaw and could never even think about going back to Bell.

Other than that, compare apples to apples and see what kind of deals you can get becoming a new customer. Phone them and see what they will do for you.

[Dr.Dave]

Telus resells Bell Satellite in B.C. and Alberta, so the actual satellite service is the same, although Telus has better prices when bundled with Internet. Telus provides their own installation and customer service. Otherwise the channel packages are the same and Telus uses the same hardware (HD-only).

When choosing between Bell/Telus and Shaw, the first step is to check if both providers have the channels you want and which package you will need to get the channels you want.

[peano]

For hardware, Bell/Telus wins hands down. The Shaw Direct 630 PVR is a terrible receiver plagued with bugs.