[57]

1. Does anyone know how to access this installers menu on this new box? I’m hoping there is a hidden volume setting in there.

2. Or have any idea how to increase the volume output of the 4K Wireless Blue Sky box?

1. This is the diagnostics (passive) menu and doesn't have anything that can be changed (like volume).

2. Some boxes have audio settings for Narrow, Normal, Wide. The Narrow setting is usually a bit louder but also decreases the dynamic range.

3. Most AVRs can be balanced for volume via the input on the AVR. If you have a half decent AVR it should be possible to adjust (increase) the volume for the particular problem input. Check the operating manual for your AVR.

 

[mi6_]

Thanks for the reply. I found the diagnostics setting and as you said it doesn’t let you adjust anything just shows information. As for #2, I couldn’t find any audio compression settings like some of the past Shaw Motorola boxes had. I can adjust this on my receiver but found it made no noticeable difference.

As for #3 I know how to increase the audio input volume (my Pioneer receiver lets me adjust it +/- 12 dB). The problem is that the Netflix and YouTube apps (run through the Arris Xi6 box) are already much louder than the tv channel volume. So adding volume to the input just makes Netflix/YouTube run even louder.

I guess I’ll just live with it as is and crank it up as needed when watching cable.

 

[spitoon]

Hi All, I used to roam these forums back in the day when I had a DCT6412. Moved on to a 3400 and eventually a Gateway system.

Last week I upgraded to the Bluecurve system with the wireless portals.

Not sure if this is the correct forum, but I have three initial questions for anyone that has experience with this system.

First, I can't find any info on the capacity of the cloud based pvr. I think it's 500GB (and not expandable at this time), but it doesn't seem to be posted anywhere on Shaw's website. Coming from my expanded Gateway, I initially thought this might prove to be a challenge, but with all the "On Demand" options it's probably okay. You don't need to record as much, at least as far as most regular network stuff.

This leads to my second question relating to the On Demand offerings. Does anyone know how reliable they are? For example, we've been watching a show on History called Kings of Pain. On Demand has episodes 1, 2, 3, and 5. Why not 4? If the On Demand system is going to be unreliable then we will have to record everything and the PVR limit will become an issue.

Lastly, I've been unable to get my Harmony Hub to connect to the Xi6-A box. Harmony doesn't have them in the catalog of devices at all, but I was able to find two options, one is Roger's Ignite and the other is Comcast. I tried those and neither work. The next step would be to make the Harmony learn all the signals, but that seems like a great deal of work, and I'm not even sure the Xi6-A responds to IR signals? Its only been a couple days and we will probably keep using the Shaw remote anyways because of the voice activated system, but I must tinker.

Thanks!

 

[Nanuuk]

Thanks for the post. I assume you lost all of your Gateway recordings. Did you subscribe to a new BlueCurve TV package? I had posted on the Shaw Support site on the question of whether you could retain your existing package (in my case a grandfathered Popular Tv plan) and the answer was yes. So I'm curious as to what route you took. Thanks in advance.

 

[Dr.Dave]

@spitoon I set up a Harmony remote for someone else a couple of years ago using the BlueCurve wired STBs. I'm pretty sure the codes are the same for the wireless boxes, but I can't remember what I used. They use the Shaw remote and Harmony interchangeably.

Keep in mind that the content owner sets the length of time that On Demand is available. Some programs are only available for a few weeks and others may not be available on demand at all. You should also be aware that Cloud recordings automatically expire after 1 year.
https://support.shaw.ca/t5/tv-articles/about-cloud-pvr/ta-p/5289

 

[spitoon]

Thanks for the post. I assume you lost all of your Gateway recordings. Did you subscribe to a new BlueCurve TV package? I had posted on the Shaw Support site on the question of whether you could retain your existing package (in my case a grandfathered Popular Tv plan) and the answer was yes. So I'm curious as to what route you took. Thanks in advance.

It is a new Bluecurve package called the "Total TV" plan. Seems to have most of what we watch. We did lose everything on the gateway. My kids had a "Gateway marathon" on the weekend to watch what was important 🙂. From what I understand the two systems can't operate simultaneously. Mainly because they are on a different billing system?

 

[spitoon]

@spitoon I set up a Harmony remote for someone else a couple of years ago using the BlueCurve wired STBs. I'm pretty sure the codes are the same for the wireless boxes, but I can't remember what I used. They use the Shaw remote and Harmony interchangeably

Interesting. None of the buttons worked at all, although the hub did appear to be sending signals. I will continue to tinker.

Thanks for the input.

 

[57]

Lastly, I've been unable to get my Harmony Hub to connect to the Xi6-A box. Harmony doesn't have them in the catalog of devices at all, but I was able to find two options, one is Roger's Ignite and the other is Comcast.

Rogers Ignite or Comcast Xfinity should work. Lots of people on Rogers have set up their Harmony remotes. Some people with the Harmony Hub have had to position it very close to (touching?) the box.

 

[spitoon]

I could probably look this up, but do you happen to know how the Xi6 box receives its signals? WiFi? RF? IR?

 

[57]

I believe it can be RF from the (Rogers) remote since the box can be hidden away. However, it also receives IR since that's what most of the Harmony remotes send. Many people find the (Rogers) remote useful due to the voice commands for searches, or skipping 3 minutes, etc., so the number of people using Harmony is not that high.

 

[faston]

Last week I upgraded to the Bluecurve system with the wireless portals.

I have never viewed the Bluecurve as an upgrade from the Gateway

we will have to record everything and the PVR limit will become an issue.

For precisely this reason.

What was it about the Bluecurve that made you feel it was an 'upgrade'?

 

[Dr.Dave]

I used a Harmony 650, so I didn't have those issues with the hub. After I thought about it, I think I used the model from the physical label on the PVR - I think it might have been Shaw AX014AN, The model number on the STBs wasn't in the Harmony database, but the PVR code worked for those as well.

The Shaw voice remotes work on RF, but the Shaw boxes supposedly have IR enabled by default as well. The place I set up use whichever remote is handy. They like the Harmony because they have a lot of other devices and they keep both remotes handy.

If the Shaw box doesn't respond to the Harmony, try this thread:
https://support.shaw.ca/t5/tv-discussions/shaw-box-4k-box-rf-to-ir-mode/td-p/3059

 

[Nanuuk]

From what I understand all channels on BlueCurve Tv are HD. No more SD. Which is why I inquired about the portability of grandfathered plans. If I switched, I would gain HD channels that Shaw otherwise wouldn't offer in HD. The problem for me is that the Mrs. has a lot of shows recorded as we also use an extender with the Gateway. I'll have to wait until one of my components craps out.

 

[spitoon]

What was it about the Bluecurve that made you feel it was an 'upgrade'?

I guess it's sort of a lateral move. The bundle/promo is saving me about $40/month and I'm getting the "300" internet vs my old 75.

The controls and PVR vs On Demand thing will take some getting used to for sure. I've already heard it from my daughter as she wasn't able to skip through the commercials while watching an On Demand episode 😉

 

[spitoon]

I used a Harmony 650, so I didn't have those issues with the hub. After I thought about it, I think I used the model from the physical label on the PVR - I think it might have been Shaw AX014AN, The model number on the STBs wasn't in the Harmony database, but the PVR code worked for those as well.

The Shaw voice remotes work on RF, but the Shaw boxes supposedly have IR enabled by default as well.

I got It to work. It is IR, but as 57 pointed out above you need to get the IR beam in the right location.

For most devices the Harmony Hub seems to have a strong signal that can bounce off furniture and make its way to its target. That doesn't seem to be the case here. It needs a direct line of sight. Fortunately I had a spare IR blaster so I stuck it right on the front.

 

[insync44]

I'm waiting for my Contract to expire and get rid of Shaw.

 

[ronjoh11]

New to Bluecurve

Sorry if I'm not to technical, but could use some advice re my trial Bluecurve experience.

I ordered Bluecurve in Nov and finally received equipment 6 weeks later (Presently use Shaw Direct).

First of all I received all refurbished equipment (apparently a shortage on 4K equipment). Discover that only 4 tuners were working (although loyalty dept and tech told me there only was 4 ) . Two other techs and online info indicates there are 6 tuners. Apparently there is no other 4K pvrs available. I thought this was an improvement over satellite so decided to move head and ordered a 2nd 4K pvr to add recordings , Tech arrived to install the new box but advised me he could only get the old 1v3. I decided to go ahead as I was still on the trial period (I did have it extended when I was going to cancel). For the last 8 days I have been either chatting or calling Shaw with problems. I now feel the 4K and 1v3 are not 100% compatible. This is what I don't know. Have not found the tech support to be very helpful/honest.
To continue with Bluecurve I am considering exchanging the faulty 4K box with another 1v3 (Trying to get two 4K boxes does not seem impossible as they are not being produced anymore). We have about three days to decide whether to cancel or continue. We weren't really unhappy with Shaw direct , but would like to be able to record more programs at once.
I would like to know about other peoples experience with Bluecurve and should we continue with the older boxes (1v3). Wireless is not available in our area. It's been a frustrating week. Thanks

 

[meshmellow]

Is Telus an option in your area? They have something like ten 4K channels and more HD channels than Shaw. Does Shaw have any?

 

[magnet]

The only 4k channels on Shaw aren't really channels.
NetFlix 4k and Amazon Prime 4k are available through the 4k box (App Section) and only if you are a subscriber.

https://support.shaw.ca/t5/tv-articles/about-4k-tv-service/ta-p/5144

 

[Hugh Jass]

Shaw wireless Blue Curve box

Shaw has now brought out the BlueCurve TV Player | Wireless 4K (Xi6) box.

Has anyone traded their previous box for this one? They both will play 4K content. Is this new box any better? I only have one TV so the ability to connect wirelessly doesn't benefit me.