[Boozers3000]

With Bell and TELUS Optik I believe having the option to record shows from your smartphone onto your PVR, anybody know If SHAW is making in roads with this? or is it going to be a long time. Any feedback Id appreciate It

 

[Shaw Guru]

I have heard talk of a new model PVR that uses a difirrent interface that if Shaw does launch it has an online option that you can add and change recordings. Again I'm not 100% sure if Shaw will be going with this newer PVR or not or when it will launch. If I do hear anything I will post it in the forums.

 

[sonyxbr]

is this new pvr a motorola or pace ?

 

[Shaw Guru]

The info I was passed mentioned it was not Motorola or Pace but another company. Again this may change as the industry changes from month to month as well.

 

[sebberry]

With Telus pushing Optik and the various cool features of the receivers I think it would be wise for Shaw to announce a new platform sooner rather than later.

I can't stand Telus but I am quite tempted to look at the service simply because of the features in the new boxes. If I knew Shaw was going to start rolling out a similar system in say 6 months, then I'd know to stick with Shaw.

 

[tux]

I have heard talk of a new model PVR that uses a difirrent interface that if Shaw does launch it has an online option that you can add and change recordings. Again I'm not 100% sure if Shaw will be going with this newer PVR or not or when it will launch. If I do hear anything I will post it in the forums.

All of the existing Motorola boxes (DCT64xx/3xxx) already have this capability; it just requires a software upgrade from Shaw's end.

In the US, Comcast was able to launch online PVR management immediately after their A28 guide launch. However, there was a hiccup forcing existing customers to re-setup their series records when this launched.

They were also able to launch this on Scientific Atlanta boxes (in S-A markets) and on Pace RNG110 boxes via software upgrades.

 

[spitoon]

According to Wikibooks our version of the A28 guide software should have this capability:

Version 78.44 - A28p0-2.0908.r4

* Available for Models: All
* Available Date: 2009-06-16
* VOD Version: 6.18
* Bugfixes:
o VOD Graphics no longer invert upon selection of asset.
o VOD Graphics do not distort upon returning from free preview.
o Wack-a-Mole recording issue apparently fixed.
o "To Be Announced" in the time bar fixed.
o Screen saver fixed (now fills the whole 16:9 screen on HD channels).
o Returning from DVR recordings or "Listings by Channel" using the last button no longer distorts last row / guide ad.
o Numerous performance enhancements
* New or updated features:
o Official Comcast page: [2] New Guide Features
o Flip bar redesigned. On Demand links now embedded in bar. New "Watch in HD" shortcut to HD channel button. More lines of text available.
o Enhanced VOD performance. 5 Minute Skip Forward and Back with Page Up/Dn keys. Improved response on trick play controls.
o DVR menu reworked to include Manage My DVR, and Search and Record features.
o Manage My DVR - Allows to adjust series priorities, DVR Setup to turn on/off DVR Folders, Live Program Notice and DVR Clipping. DVR Cleanup and DVR History.
o DVR Cleanup allows for bulk DVR program deletion by checking off multiple items.
o DVR History keeps a record of the previous 28 days recordings to help avoid duplicates.
o Search & Record allows you to set low priority recordings based on Title Search, Actor/Director, or by keyword.
o Search allows for input up to 25 characters (up from the previous 5).
o Web based DVR support. New Web Access Status diagnostic and Remote Access Setup menu item.
o SDV "Switched Digital Video" support.
o Start Over service supported.
o DVR Auto correction (Automatically adjust for that split-second delay between hand-eye coordination and the stopping point upon returning from FF/REW.)
o DVR Folders group similar recordings under a common folder heading.
o Improved libraries for wider Interactive TV applications. MAC-G Client updated to 3.4.x (from 3.1.x). Applications dependent on service provider and third party application developer.
o Added key sequence for MAC-G Client diagnostics (ITV Provider). Stop, Help, Stop on remote within 2 seconds.
o New "One Moment Please" message within a small box is displayed in the top center of the screen when deleting DVR recordings or loading On Demand content.
o The "Finished Recording" banner now displays for less time.
o SD Set tops no longer can tune into HD Channels and listen to audio. A new banner message will explain you need an HDTV and HD Set top box.
o Channel label text in guide (full screen or mini-guide) are now centered in it's column.
o 4 digit channel number support 1 through 4096.
* New Bugs:
o Intermittent blank-screen dropouts when using HDMI
o Longer HDMI handshake on TV power-up
o Occasional blank channel after HDMI handshake (guide works, but no channel audio/video until channel changed, then changed back)
o Occasional channel info pops up on the hour, sometimes not even for the current channel (possibly info from other tuner?)
o Favorites list resets at the top of the channel list when exiting info screens.
o If you are tuned to an SD channel that has an HD version available, a popup will appear for several seconds when a new HD program starts, even if you are actually watching an unrelated recording.
o When starting to play a recording, or after stopping playback, the audio may be muted. (Pause, then Play, will usually restore audio.)
o Sometimes after a tuner swap, or stopping a recording playback, the audio and video will continuously cycle on and off.
o VCR-style manual recordings (channel, start-time, end-time) that are set to repeat weekly will not record past midnight.
o Guide only holds 9-10 days of data, versus 14-15 with previous versions.

That is what that means right?

I'm guessing that Shaw has decided to disable it?

 

[Jetranger]

As I mentioned before, we need a 'wiki' specifically from Shaw as they seem to pick and choose what they allow us to have with each update. It's pathetic, really.

 

[mtn.breeze]

In the Q1 results conference call yesterday it was mentioned that a new box will be coming out in the spring, they said it is a 'media gateway' that will lead frog the competition. Apparently it will have a new gui, up to 6 dct's will operate independently but be able to stream shows from another dcts pvr, it will also allow photos, videos, etc to be streamed from any pc/laptop, etc in the home. They wouldn't confirm the manufacturer but indicated that they have been working with this well known manufacturer for a little over 6 months.

 

[antonk]

That sounds pretty awesome. I figured Shaw couldn't just be sitting there watching Telus take away some of their customers with new technology, although it's a bit surprising that they haven't announced anything like this to keep people from jumping ship and instead waiting a few months or so until the new stuff is out. I'd pick Shaw over Telus service any day, so it's nice to hear that they have something up their sleeve, if that is indeed the case.

 

[SnowGoose]

In the Q1 results conference call yesterday it was mentioned that a new box will be coming out in the spring, they said it is a 'media gateway' that will lead frog the competition. Apparently it will have a new gui, up to 6 dct's will operate independently but be able to stream shows from another dcts pvr, it will also allow photos, videos, etc to be streamed from any pc/laptop, etc in the home. They wouldn't confirm the manufacturer but indicated that they have been working with this well known manufacturer for a little over 6 months.

Ummmmm....doesn't sounds too awesome to me - sounds like an additional expense!

Not totally clear, but if MoCa was enabled on the current crop of Moto boxes, we'd be good to go??

 

[bishop8]

Wow, I'll be super-po'ed if my two new Moto 3400s are suddenly 'orphaned' from this new home networking option -- that's the whole reason I upgraded to them in the first place!!!

 

[TechGuy8]

The number of Shaw SD/HD/HVR boxes for sale listing at Kijiji is going up recently. I picked up a DCT3416 for $75.

I still have 14 months free rental to go with my Pace 770D. I will return it and buy a newer box...

 

[Jimsathome]

The number of Shaw SD/HD/HVR boxes for sale listing at Kijiji is going up recently. I picked up a DCT3416 for $75.

I still have 14 months free rental to go with my Pace 770D. I will return it and buy a newer box...

Wow - That's a Deal I could live with!

 

[Shaw Champ]

Ummmmm....doesn't sounds too awesome to me - sounds like an additional expense!

Not totally clear, but if MoCa was enabled on the current crop of Moto boxes, we'd be good to go??

Regarding the comments made from the Q1 Conference Call, the connection type has not been announced yet, it will however be new equipment, remote recording is a feature coming down the pipe too.

There is a massive difference between the way this technology works compared to previous Set Top Boxes (Moto/Pace compared to the new stuff) Over time more info will flow but this is something that was first hinted at being in development publically a year ago. I am very excited for it and rest assured Shaw has not been sitting around.

It is not a case of enabling Moca on Moto's and things would be the same. There are some key differences which I can't talk about yet.

 

[sebberry]

So it sounds like my $750 HDPVR box, all it's HD connections, ethernet ports, etc.. will be obsolete when this new tech comes out?

Are the processors too slow? Can the new HD boxes at least act as extenders for whatever the new boxes will be or will I have to upgrade every box in my place?

 

[Shaw Champ]

Hey Sebberry, really sorry, but can not say anything else at this point in time. As soon as I can divulge more info I will do here. Everything I have commented on before was released publically in several places.

Speculating though, it would be neat if the third question you ask would happen.

 

[753951]

Considering that amazing "extenders" can be had for anywhere from $50 to $150, and that Pace boxes are still being sold, release of DCX3400 was smack in the face of Shaw's customers. Or at least ones stupid enough to buy one.

Considering that no one competes on quality any more, but rather on feature check-mark, that should not come as surprise.

"was first hinted at being in development publically a year ago" you are saying. I will throw in a prediction here. Regular customers will not see this in their homes fully working for another, and this time you are not getting this "early adopter". In our family interest for anything "TV" is fading fast, and provider(s) have lots to do with it.

 

[boneshj]

@Shaw Champ

I understand you can't speak about details yet, but can you say how much longer before some information will be available.

For me, my biggest concern is whether or not this upgrade will "moth-ball" my recent DCX3400 purchase. If so, I'll be pretty pissed off that they released something that would be made useless within a year. Hopefully, they'd at least give a decent trade-in offer if so.

 

[Jetranger]

Despite Shaw's dismal record with purchasing the 'right' equipment, I would hazard to guess the new equipment will at least be 'MoCA' compatible. I can't see any other reason for Shaw to have released the recent DCX boxes if they were only going to make them obsolete in such a short time. That would only serve to alienate customers, hurting their bottom line. At least this is what I am sincerely hoping anyway. This should all be part of enabling remote recording with the current Guide and whatever the 'new' guide will be.