Bell Tv

[flteng]

I'm hearing that the new Bell satellite launch in May 2012 means no more signal south of the most northern states. Anyone out there know anything about it? If true there will be a mass migration of Canadian Bell subscribers to Shaw Direct.

[Yvonmy]

I come back from myrtle beach and I can confirm that Bell TV does not work in South Carolina since July. Bell replaced by its Nimiq 1 and Nimiq 6 it no longer emits the south. then those who think capturing Bell, next winter will be disappointed. The only way to capture the Canadian television shaw direct, united states this year because shaw direct will orbit a new satellite in the fall with no issue in Canada.

[michelb]

almcc wrote:
Michelb you didn't read the word "exactly" in my post. Bottom line is that the footprint on the telsat website is an approximation and real world testing by users after the sat is launched will confirm the actual footprint. Those published footprints are only a guide, they don't show "holes" in coverage or spill over beyond the indicated boundaries, ask anyone who has sat internet for their experiences.

They'll never be able to tell you "exactly" as it depends on variable factors (line of sight / properly aiming, dish size, etc) - they wouldn't even be able to you that right now for the current satellites. If you live in Toronto, they'll tell you you can get the signal but if you happen to live in Toronto next to a 25 story highrise in the line of sight of the satellite, you're not going to get any signal no matter what you do.

As I said in my previous message, they might not be able to tell you exactly where you will be and won't be able to get a signal in the northern US but they can tell you right now that you won't be able to get it in the Southern US or Mexico.

[almcc]

Michelb you didn't read the word "exactly" in my post. Bottom line is that the footprint on the telsat website is an approximation and real world testing by users after the sat is launched will confirm the actual footprint. Those published footprints are only a guide, they don't show "holes" in coverage or spill over beyond the indicated boundaries, ask anyone who has sat internet for their experiences.

[michelb]

almcc wrote:
We are Shaw users and I talked to Shaw about the third sat (and I had a new LBNF installed to tune to the new sat), Shaw is unsure exactly what the footprint of the new sat will look like until after it's launched and tested. The other two sats will still be in operation and they will start to move some channels after the testing.

They are aware of the concerns that some of us have about coverage in the US, it will be interesting to see how things turn out.

Whoever it is at Shaw that's telling you they don't know what the footprint of the new sat will look like is either ignorant or lying to you. It's not magic - the satellite is already planned and it's known where it will beam (they might not be able to tell you if you'll get a signal in Minneapolis or Akron (which will likely depend on your line of sight and dish size) but they can certainly tell you you won't be able to get it in Florida or Texas or Mexico).

http://www.telesat.com/satellite-fleet/anik/anik-g1

(For Shaw, you care about the North America Extended KU band)

[almcc]

We are Shaw users and I talked to Shaw about the third sat (and I had a new LBNF installed to tune to the new sat), Shaw is unsure exactly what the footprint of the new sat will look like until after it's launched and tested. The other two sats will still be in operation and they will start to move some channels after the testing.

They are aware of the concerns that some of us have about coverage in the US, it will be interesting to see how things turn out.

[michelb]

FYI, Shaw is launching a new satellite this fall (G1) and it will only cover Canada / Northern US (like Bell's). From I've read, this will only carry some SD and mostly HD but it does look like Shaw is following the same pattern.

[Canuck_Travelle]

I guess if I knew for sure that Bell Expressvu was not going to be available this winter than for sure I would get Shaw Direct BUT it appears as if no one knows for sure.
I like Bell Expressvu for the smaller size dish (we have a house in Florida but go to the State Parks every couple of weeks, I can set up in minutes if no big trees) and I have an embedded cost that I don't like to give up.
The other concern is what if Shaw Direct decides to change their Satellites, putting every Snowbird out of Canadian TV? Talk of this going around, maybe all this is rumour. Maybe Slingbox is only answer.

[bob1859]

I'm a longtime Snowbird and Bell customer. They like us to think it's a legality or CRTC restriction about not using their signal in the U.S.--that's baloney. It's an agreement Bell made with Dish Network about not allowing subscribers to encroach on each other's territory.
When I heard Bell was replacing its Nimiq 1 satellite with one that covers only Canada, I started researching alternatives.
Shaw has no problem with customers using their system cross border; their only stipulation is they can't send equipment to the USA. BUT, satellites run out of fuel after 12 or 13 years (that's why Bell is replacing theirs) and Shaw's is approx 10 years old now. Who's to say the same couldn't happen with Shaw not far down the road.
There are alternatives: Comcast will sign you up and lease cable boxes/DVRs with no contract. DirecTV will sell you all the equipment you need and you can use it in Canada, or put your system on vacation for six months of the year. As for Dish Network, I couldn't get a straight answer. After questioning two "agents" I was told to talk to an installer.
We're hockey fans so it's important that Centre Ice be available; no problem, everyone carries it.
Hope this helps some of you.

[moisheh]

vic46:

I did read your post and I provided a possible explanation as to why Shaw does not have a tracking system! Neither does Directv HD.It has to do with technology changing. I guess that would make Directv outclassed as well. I dont think any present day dome would be large enough to see more than one satellite. You are living in the past. But that ancient dome would make a good fire pit where you could burn old 8 tracks and Betamax tapes!

Moisheh

[vic46]

moisheh wrote:
vic46: I think you should rereard your first post. It is Bell that is outclassed! The day of roof top domes are numbered! There are 3 mfrs. of automatic roof top units( not domes) for Shaw but none for Bell! Your complaining about no domes is like saying that no current RV mfr. provides a VHS player! Within a few years all TV programming will be in HD. Satellite service providers seem to need more than one satellite to provide all of the channels. Direct uses 5 and Shaw I think is 2. Domes cannot see enough satellites. In motion TV should be bannned anyway as a driver distraction! Technology changes and many of us do have trouble adapting to the changes. Shaw will support you while in the USA and I have even heard of people in Yuma getting Shaw service reps at their site! Bell CSR's are the nastiest people. Shaw tries but their phone lines are overloaded.

Moisheh

Perhaps you should reread my post. I was talking about SHAW DIRECT! My Post included the site addresses for the three roof mount antennas that will work with the SHAW satellite system, non of which are tracking. The comment about banning tracking is solely your opinion. Surely we don't need more RULES. My comment about Bell was their historic concern about Canuck's using the Bell sat system south of the US/Can border.

[Canuck_Travelle]

Bell has an agreement with Dish Network, not Direct TV, the information below is quite helpful and explains the history of Bell TV in Canada, I have “Pasted” some of the relevant info below the link as to wikipedia’s contribution’s take on this subject, hope it is helpful to all.
Wikipedia Link
“Residential accounts are limited to a maximum of six (6) receivers per account, but each of them can be a dual tuner receiver. Therefore, up to 12 televisions can be served. Account stacking, which consists of having receivers on one account located in different locations, is contrary to the Bell TV Residential and Commercial Agreements. It is certainly not illegal, and in a worst-case scenario, service will be cancelled. This practice is detailed in CRTC Public Notice 2006-133 and 2006-134. There is no requirement whatsoever in the Regulations that prohibits a BDU (broadcast distribution undertaking) from providing service at more than one location via a single account. Bell has mostly focused on improving its satellite signal reception in Canada while seeking to prevent snowbirds from accessing this signal. The use of Bell TV services in the United States is not illegal, but it remains a controversial issue.”

[bjbear]

nbking wrote:
When I first heard about Bell not permitting use of their system in the USA, I called them. I was told the CRTC did not allow the system to be used outside Canada. I then called the CRTC and was told they have no interest whatsoever in where the signal is received. Still a strange situation.

My understanding is that Bell has an agreement with Direct TV not to allow it's users to view when in the U.S. Purely a business arrangement.

Shaw/StarChoice works great everywhere in the US and into Mexico. I use a portable dish. I also have a First Strike Meter (FS1) that I use to aim the dish. I just enter the coordinates from my GPS, and the meter tells me where to point, the angle and shows the signal strength so I can lock it in. Just takes a few minutes.

[barberd]

Just a quick note for those who want to get a Shaw Direct system to go to the southern Us and Mexico. Get a .74 meter dish as opposed to the .60 meter dish. The larger dish works in the most souther parts of Mexico where the .60 meter dish only works into the very northern part of Mexico.

My automatic Winegard travller dish is .74 meters and works well everywhere. The tripod installs in PV area requirethat the dish be rotated to its highest point and on some installs we have even lifted the front legs to obtain the higher point. Others I have seen have drilled out the range of travel to increase it. There are dealers in the PV area that have Shaw direct systems to sell and service

[moisheh]

vic46: I think you should rereard your first post. It is Bell that is outclassed! The day of roof top domes are numbered! There are 3 mfrs. of automatic roof top units( not domes) for Shaw but none for Bell! Your complaining about no domes is like saying that no current RV mfr. provides a VHS player! Within a few years all TV programming will be in HD. Satellite service providers seem to need more than one satellite to provide all of the channels. Direct uses 5 and Shaw I think is 2. Domes cannot see enough satellites. In motion TV should be bannned anyway as a driver distraction! Technology changes and many of us do have trouble adapting to the changes. Shaw will support you while in the USA and I have even heard of people in Yuma getting Shaw service reps at their site! Bell CSR's are the nastiest people. Shaw tries but their phone lines are overloaded.

Moisheh

[robatthelake]

The reason that Shaw doesn't work with those Roof Top Tracking Domes and Automatic setup Dishes has to do with the Skew Adjustment Mechanism.

If You have the Correct Settings downloaded and printed it takes no more than 10 Minutes to be set up with a Manual Shaw Dish and that includes hauling the Dish out from the Basement storage Compartment.

Sure would be nice to have one on the Roof and some day Somebody will cobble together an Electric Stepping Motor and Gear Drive that works for the Shaw Dish!

And as far as CRTC having anything to do with the use "Outside Canada" that is just a bunch of Bell Service! The real reason is that Ma Bell is American and won't step on the Toes of it's Partners in Crime South of the 49th!