Installation - What to Expect?
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Half the job is finding the room and then finding out how to get into the room. It really gets frustrating. Used to be we almost always had a key in a lock box but now it is pretty rare to have a lock box with a key in it with all of the heightened security. The real frustrating ones are security people (usually office buildings) who figure we have nothing better than to book with them 24 to 48 hours ahead of time for access.
Telus Optik TV with Speakercraft IR Repeater
I am looking to switch to Telus Optik TV. Currently I have all of my components in a media room with a Speakercraft IR repeaters being used to relay the signal from the TV room to the media room. I borrowed a box from a friend and tried to turn it off and on from the TV room through the IR Repeater and it seemed to have trouble getting the signal.
Does anybody know if these two systems are compatiable? Is there a trick to how I set this up?
Thank you for the help,
I am looking to switch to Telus Optik TV. Currently I have all of my components in a media room with a Speakercraft IR repeaters being used to relay the signal from the TV room to the media room. I borrowed a box from a friend and tried to turn it off and on from the TV room through the IR Repeater and it seemed to have trouble getting the signal.
Does anybody know if these two systems are compatiable? Is there a trick to how I set this up?
Thank you for the help,
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jkennedy, I think the Telus remote operates in the 60 KHz range, so it should work if your Speakercraft IR repeaters support that range. Here is a discussion of IR extenders that might be helpful (2 pages):
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?p=1219897#post1219897
Some people have found various repeaters that work.
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?p=1219897#post1219897
Some people have found various repeaters that work.
well after just over 3 months i have decided to come back to Optik tv + internet. Atleast it should be an easy install as all the lines are still there. I am not going with a contract and am buying the cis430. lol what have i done. They are coming out on the 10th to do installation.
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I can't recall why you left Blintok? Wasn't it the price increases to TV and DSL? If so, what has brought you back again?
wasnt so much price as Telus/Shaw pricing pretty much same now. Main thing that scared me off was the drop of the allowed bandwidth to 250GB from 500 and the $2/GB overage charge.
But now atleast if they do start (to charge) i have an easy out (no contract) and can go back to Shaw (for internet) and keep Optik for TV.
Also just was not happy with the Shaw channel selection availability. Many of the HD channels i did not get (new added one H2 as example) because my area not been DNU'd (Digital Network Upgrade) and all i am told is "soon" - other "missing" channels are the HIFI HD line up and 2 of the movie central HD channels. So Shaw telling me how they have added lots of HD is meaningless if i cant get them.
Hate the old guide on the 3400box and the 3510 is still buggy. I always liked the Telus guide and the new features in the 2.3 update kind of was incentive to come back.
also it did not hurt that the current promotion where i can get Large & Internet 25 for 80$/month for 6 months.
But now atleast if they do start (to charge) i have an easy out (no contract) and can go back to Shaw (for internet) and keep Optik for TV.
Also just was not happy with the Shaw channel selection availability. Many of the HD channels i did not get (new added one H2 as example) because my area not been DNU'd (Digital Network Upgrade) and all i am told is "soon" - other "missing" channels are the HIFI HD line up and 2 of the movie central HD channels. So Shaw telling me how they have added lots of HD is meaningless if i cant get them.
Hate the old guide on the 3400box and the 3510 is still buggy. I always liked the Telus guide and the new features in the 2.3 update kind of was incentive to come back.
also it did not hurt that the current promotion where i can get Large & Internet 25 for 80$/month for 6 months.
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I am looking forward to this as well!
Ive been looking to switch from Shaw to Telus for my TV and internet.
One question I have though is regarding the setup of these boxes. The most annoying thing about Shaw is that you have to have coaxial cable access wherever you wanted TV. Unfortunately, I dont have coaxial cable in the right places.
I have, however, utilized Powerline plugs to bring internet connectivity to all my rooms. This way, I am able to get network access to all my HTPCs. My question is this: will the Optik system be able to piggyback on my existing home network?
Or will it need a dedicated network to run?
One question I have though is regarding the setup of these boxes. The most annoying thing about Shaw is that you have to have coaxial cable access wherever you wanted TV. Unfortunately, I dont have coaxial cable in the right places.
I have, however, utilized Powerline plugs to bring internet connectivity to all my rooms. This way, I am able to get network access to all my HTPCs. My question is this: will the Optik system be able to piggyback on my existing home network?
Or will it need a dedicated network to run?
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Gateway0, some people have had problems with powerline, while it works OK for others - see this thread:
Optik pixelation after powerline ethernet network installation
Here are some powerline tips (Bell Fibe and Telus Optik both use Mediaroom):
Run FibeTV over your house's electric wiring! (HomePlug Ethernet)
The PVR should be hard-wired due to the amount of bandwidth it uses recording programs and sending previous recordings to other STBs.
Optik pixelation after powerline ethernet network installation
Here are some powerline tips (Bell Fibe and Telus Optik both use Mediaroom):
Run FibeTV over your house's electric wiring! (HomePlug Ethernet)
The PVR should be hard-wired due to the amount of bandwidth it uses recording programs and sending previous recordings to other STBs.
so the installation went well. installer showed up on time, as i suspected it would be, it was a super easy install. Everything from my previous Optik time (acct closed in feb 2013) was still in place. It was pretty much plug it in and turn it on. 30 minutes and it was done. Very happy to have come back. The first thing i noticed was how crisp and clear the HD looked.
I do not mind the new remote, the only minor thing i find is you have to be pointing the remote right at the box to get it to work. I guess it is infrared instead of RF? It was same with old remote so it must be a telus (cis430) thing.
The only other thing i noticed that was different was when i had optik installed 3yrs ago they setup internet including email - the installer had a laptop and made sure all was well and i had email up.
This time it was pretty much, plug it all in. yes it works. yes you can get on webpages. all is well. call (a number i was given) if you want help to set up email.
one other thing - and it just may be i am missing a setting - but i recall reading in the 2.3 update thread about "SD-HD Equivalence = if you select a SD channel to watch where there is an equivilent HD channel available a pop up will suggest it"
i tuned to a sd station (movietime) and i got no pop up to suggest the HD movietime.
I do not mind the new remote, the only minor thing i find is you have to be pointing the remote right at the box to get it to work. I guess it is infrared instead of RF? It was same with old remote so it must be a telus (cis430) thing.
The only other thing i noticed that was different was when i had optik installed 3yrs ago they setup internet including email - the installer had a laptop and made sure all was well and i had email up.
This time it was pretty much, plug it all in. yes it works. yes you can get on webpages. all is well. call (a number i was given) if you want help to set up email.
one other thing - and it just may be i am missing a setting - but i recall reading in the 2.3 update thread about "SD-HD Equivalence = if you select a SD channel to watch where there is an equivilent HD channel available a pop up will suggest it"
i tuned to a sd station (movietime) and i got no pop up to suggest the HD movietime.
New Telus Installation Questions
Hi all,
First off, I just want to say thanks for all the information you guys provide here. I always appreciate being able to look up other's experiences to make mine easier.
I'm getting Telus basic IPTV and Optik 50 installed this Friday in my new house. I just moved in and had a good look at what is pre-existing in the house. Right now, there are cat 5e cables all running into the powercabinet, with a fiberoptic drop coming in.
I have a couple of questions, which I could probably get answered after a long discussion with technicians and even then it might not be the right answer.
1. Will the installation technician re-terminate the cat 5e connections at the box into RJ45s? Will they terminate the user-end on the walls to RJ45? Currently they are behind wall plates and are not terminated.
2. I read somewhere (can't find it now) that they will provide switches when you get an installation. Is this true, or should I go and purchase the necessary switches for my network.
3. Currently my TV setup in the living room has an RG6 with no cat5e in the correct location. Would the technician install a new box and run a cat5e for me, or is this something that I should do myself beforehand. I want to put a switch in the living room to feed my ps3, xbox, wii, and TV.
4. I've read that you could use the STB's out if it is connected on RG6, but that option seems like a workaround solution. Would it be feasible, or should I just run a new cat5e?
For anyone interested, I'm getting both the basic optik tv and optik 50 internet for 55/month on a 1 yr tv contract. One STB is provided.
Again, thanks for your help!
Hi all,
First off, I just want to say thanks for all the information you guys provide here. I always appreciate being able to look up other's experiences to make mine easier.
I'm getting Telus basic IPTV and Optik 50 installed this Friday in my new house. I just moved in and had a good look at what is pre-existing in the house. Right now, there are cat 5e cables all running into the powercabinet, with a fiberoptic drop coming in.
I have a couple of questions, which I could probably get answered after a long discussion with technicians and even then it might not be the right answer.
1. Will the installation technician re-terminate the cat 5e connections at the box into RJ45s? Will they terminate the user-end on the walls to RJ45? Currently they are behind wall plates and are not terminated.
2. I read somewhere (can't find it now) that they will provide switches when you get an installation. Is this true, or should I go and purchase the necessary switches for my network.
3. Currently my TV setup in the living room has an RG6 with no cat5e in the correct location. Would the technician install a new box and run a cat5e for me, or is this something that I should do myself beforehand. I want to put a switch in the living room to feed my ps3, xbox, wii, and TV.
4. I've read that you could use the STB's out if it is connected on RG6, but that option seems like a workaround solution. Would it be feasible, or should I just run a new cat5e?
For anyone interested, I'm getting both the basic optik tv and optik 50 internet for 55/month on a 1 yr tv contract. One STB is provided.
Again, thanks for your help!
@nguy467: When I had my Optik TV installed:
1. Yes, they terminated the cat5e for me.
2. Yes, they provided a switch.
3. The technician will probably just use the existing RG6.
4. Done that with one of my non-pvr STB. There is only RG6 in the room and I needed to connect an old non-wifi xbox360. I have no problem with it because I'm either watching TV or on the xbox. But, I don't recommend doing this on a pvr STB.
1. Yes, they terminated the cat5e for me.
2. Yes, they provided a switch.
3. The technician will probably just use the existing RG6.
4. Done that with one of my non-pvr STB. There is only RG6 in the room and I needed to connect an old non-wifi xbox360. I have no problem with it because I'm either watching TV or on the xbox. But, I don't recommend doing this on a pvr STB.
Installation question(s)
Changing from Shaw Direct to Optik next Wednesday 18th Dec. I have a "neat" wiring system now and am curious about what wires specifically come from my modem to the TV.. Evidently the "bundle" comes installed but if there are wires to run I would prefer to do them myself prior to the installer doing it.. false ceilings to move.. wires to fish to outlets.. outlets to install.
So.. assuming my modem stays where it is from there to the TV.. are the wires cat5.. coax.. telephone?
Currently I have a cat5 cable from the modem to a router that splits the signal to my Boxee and TV. Will I be able to use this line for Optik.. and my Boxee?
Any other issues that I should be aware of prior to the installer coming to do his magic?
Thank you for your time
Changing from Shaw Direct to Optik next Wednesday 18th Dec. I have a "neat" wiring system now and am curious about what wires specifically come from my modem to the TV.. Evidently the "bundle" comes installed but if there are wires to run I would prefer to do them myself prior to the installer doing it.. false ceilings to move.. wires to fish to outlets.. outlets to install.
So.. assuming my modem stays where it is from there to the TV.. are the wires cat5.. coax.. telephone?
Currently I have a cat5 cable from the modem to a router that splits the signal to my Boxee and TV. Will I be able to use this line for Optik.. and my Boxee?
Any other issues that I should be aware of prior to the installer coming to do his magic?
Thank you for your time
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