[NovaMan]

Everyone with Shaw Direct should now know about the transition from mpeg to hevc. If you press channel 230 (or other marker channels) on your guide you'll see the explanation and the need for 8XX receivers. It directs you to this page:

https://www.shawdirect.ca/english/support/article/8433/

Now when you call Shaw, the wait is unbelievable!

 

[thundercraft]

My Brother already did that, as we expected the demise of F2 to occur a bit earlier. Shaw will offer "Free Rentals" (so they retain ownership of the new receivers) and you get to recycle your old 6xx units when they become boat anchors. (They don't ask you to ship them in exchange - at least if you own them - as we do.)

It looks like the "Free Rentals" are only good till 2025 stated on bill. Then what?? No way in hell I am paying rental fees for my receiver!

 

[tvmaster]

Everyone with Shaw Direct should now know about the transition from mpeg to hevc. If you press channel 230 (or other marker channels) on your guide you'll see the explanation and the need for 8XX receivers. It directs you to this page:

https://www.shawdirect.ca/english/support/article/8433/

Now when you call Shaw, the wait is unbelievable!

So the February 'important service update' from Shaw on the previous page can still be believed as accurate with regards to channels and dates?
What about online chat access/speed to respond, just as awful?

 

[ExDilbert]

It looks like the "Free Rentals" are only good till 2025 stated on bill. Then what??

It's possible that Shaw Direct could be gone by then or soon after. I give it until 2030 at the very most but Rogers may have plans for a quicker demise, especially if it is losing money. Anik G1 was launched in 2013 and its expected lifespan is 15 years so the math is pretty clear. Geosynchronous satellite TV subscriptions have been tanking for years and IPTV or OTT streaming using low orbit satellites may soon be a better option.

 

[Romany]

Everyone with Shaw Direct should now know about the transition from mpeg to hevc. If you press channel 230 (or other marker channels) on your guide you'll see the explanation and the need for 8XX receivers. It directs you to this page:

https://www.shawdirect.ca/english/support/article/8433/

Now when you call Shaw, the wait is unbelievable!

I phoned in a couple of days ago when I saw the notice on the guide and got through with in 5 minutes.The Agent was well versed in the changes coming and is sending me out a 830 receiver to replace my 630.She said the 830 will be programmed to my account and all you have to do is call a special number and enter the PIN number that the 830 will display.
The old 630 will be able to play back all the programs recorded on it even after the switch over.

 

[k801809]

It looks like the "Free Rentals" are only good till 2025 stated on bill. Then what?? No way in hell I am paying rental fees for my receiver!

Sounds like you signed up for a 2-Year ValuePlan - you will be contacted at least 90 days before the end of your ValuePlan to ensure you don't experience sudden increases after the contract ceases on month 25. There will be options for you.

 

[NovaMan]

So the February 'important service update' from Shaw on the previous page can still be believed as accurate with regards to channels and dates?
What about online chat access/speed to respond, just as awful?

Yes, tvmaster, I think you can believe the previous page, and the fact that we still have time to replace equipment.

As Romany says he "got through with in 5 minutes and the Agent was well versed.
So it is the luck of the draw. Sometimes you get right through, and sometimes you have to wait for hours. It depends on the time of day, etc. Maybe the issue isn’t that staffing levels are too low, but that Shaw Direct is receiving too many inbound calls at certain times of the day. Also, the programmed robot, in the online chat feature, does not give you the option to order "free to rent" receivers to replace your 6XXs. If it did offer this option, then it would take much of the strain off of the overworked agents. Just a few thoughts on a Wednesday morning.

ExDilbert, Maybe in the future your predictions will come true, but right now Shaw Direct is the only system that gives me 100% of my channels in high definition. I have decided that "a bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush" , so I'll stick with my satellite system.

 

[ExDilbert]

I wasn't suggesting that Shaw Direct customers abandon their service, just responding to the"Then what??" question. Barring sudden satellite failure, I do expect that Shaw Direct will be available for another 5 years or so. After that its not so clear.

 

[HenryWiggers]

I have 6 receivers and I`m entitled to 1 free one for the upgrade. I`ll have to pay for the other five! Shaw constantly amazes me how they figure out ways to rip off their customers. Pathetic! I don`t want to hear about IPTV. Our internet here is garbage a lot of the time. Bell? Another Canadian rip off story. Maybe it would be cheaper to go with DirectTV or Dish Network. They seem to value their customers down there.

 

[[email protected]]

Called today got 2 free(one pvr) and 3rd for 2.99/month. 2 year contract. Suggest you call back.

 

[thundercraft]

Sounds like you signed up for a 2-Year ValuePlan - you will be contacted at least 90 days before the end of your ValuePlan to ensure you don't experience sudden increases after the contract ceases on month 25. There will be options for you.

Well I guess we will just have to wait and see what transpires over the next year especially once Rogers takes over? This is sort of a mess right now and the future somewhat unstable.🤔

 

[tvmaster]

I have 6 receivers and I`m entitled to 1 free one for the upgrade. I`ll have to pay for the other five! Shaw constantly amazes me how they figure out ways to rip off their customers. Pathetic! I don`t want to hear about IPTV. Our internet here is garbage a lot of the time. Bell? Another Canadian rip off story. Maybe it would be cheaper to go with DirectTV or Dish Network. They seem to value their customers down there.

If those are the terms (I too have five/six PURCHASED boxes on my account), it may be that I keep five working 6 series until they're all obsolete, and then cut the cord with Shaw

 

[Keith Brannen]

Just called Shaw about a replacement receiver for my 630. I noted that on their website about the change that you can also purchase a new 830 receiver, instead of a free rental. So asked about it and the purchase price is 299 plus tax. I went for it for a couple reasons. First being I don't trust Rogers when they take over Shaw Direct not to change the "free rental" part (we left Rogers to go to Star Choice over 20 years ago). Secondly, it avoids the de-commissioning of the 630 after thirty days if you go for the free rental replacement. So I'll be able to use it for recording until all the channels are transitioned to HEVC. Just my preferences, but thought others might want to be aware of the purchase option.

EDIT: Just to note that when I called I was connected to an agent almost immediately.

 

[[email protected]]

Quick question. Do the replacement receivers come with remotes

 

[NovaMan]

Quick question. Do the replacement receivers come with remotes

I just hooked up a friends new 800 receiver. It was a free replacement for his old 600, and yes a remote control, batteries, and an HDMI cable was in the box.

 

[k801809]

Quick question. Do the replacement receivers come with remotes

At this time they will, which may change in the future depending on inventory (just as an FYI!).

 

[Techluvr]

Well, I just had my call to Shaw Direct. Luckily, I had read this thread and was prepared for what I heard.
They will replace a single 630 for a refurbished 800 series PVR; but I was told it was for as long as I'm a S.D. customer, no end date. Any additional 600 series receiver that you own will not qualify for free rental. That means an additional monthly rental cost as well as the existing multi-receiver fee, I assume? - I forgot to ask about that $6.00/mo fee.

My first solution is to accept the single swap for one receiver, then start using Freerange, or Curve, or whatever the heck they call it, to watch whatever channels go bye-bye on the old 630 I keep.

My second solution, once the ground thaws, I call Bell ( ugh ) and ask if they could run that fibre at the end of my driveway up to the house. Perhaps at that time, I could first call S.D. to tell them of my plan, and maybe get a retention deal for the second free rental. That'll keep me until some cosmic mishap blows out G1.

 

[tvmaster]

I'm still wondering about K's 'remote included' statement. Especially if we have to 'rent' units...

 

[Jimsathome]

All of our 8xx receivers came with new Remotes.

 

[k801809]

The remote would be the same model you were given with your 6XX, there weren't any remote updates done for 8XX (though a couple of years ago we did get the TV pairing instructions screened onto the back, that's the only difference).