toban
Canada
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We need to keep up the dialogue for Canadian users. I've now heard conflicting reports about the service in the U.S. I just heard it's not a new satellite going up May 17th, they are taking an old one down because with the new tecnology it's not needed. I was told people with the old 2700 and 3100 recievers may have to upgrade but the 4100 receivers are still okay. There was no mention at all about limiting service to North America.
Just thought I'd add this bit to the discussion about this subject.
We still need to find a Canadian who is travelling in the states in July for example who is using Bell to see if they have a signal down there in order to verify.
Toban
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1981Scamper
Kamloops, BC, Canada
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You guys use Bell ExpressVu, really. Do you you need a special dish or how does that work. Sorry I just have a question to answer your question with but very curious.
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toban
Canada
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I question why you think this is odd? Lots of people use Bell and alot of people use Shaw as well. You get a dish when you order the service/LNB and a receiver the same as Shaw.
There are many people who are watching the service level in the states for this winter and that's why I posted this thread.
Toban
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frank-2
Ontario
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Toban I will try and explain this the best I can. I just had a discussion on another forum about this. We just spent five months down in the Texas area and in Alabama and Louisiana and we had no problem receiving Bell expressed you will have a hard time high definition which is 82. You'll have no problems receiving 91just won't receive all the transponders know what is going on with the receivers is from my understanding we got a letter from Bell expressed you saying that are high definition receiver, which I think is 6100 will be going down and they will send us a free 6131, which we have received and hooked up and watching and I've also heard rumors that some time in May or June anybody taken their Bell expressed few across the border will not receive any reception, which I don't know is true or not. I know my wife asked them on the phone and they said they knew nothing about it. Whether they are telling us to truth or not. I do not know but for the last five years we have never had a problem receiving reception once we crossed the border but what next year brings. I don't know. I will just have to wait and find out and if Bell expressed shuts it down. I will go to Shaw . I hope this is of some help and explain at least half so you can understand if you need any more information let me know
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Dream_Chaser!
London, ON, Canada
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Bell is launching a new satellite (Nimiq 6) on May 17th from Russia and it will replace the old Nimiq 1 so called 91.
The footprint for the new satellite will be considerably less than what is available now. The footprint extends approximately 100 miles into the States. This means that snowbirds in Florida, Texas, Arizona, etc. will not get a signal this winter.
Bell Customer Service Reps know nothing about the new satellite and claim that nothing is going to change. I spoke to a couple and did not know a new satellite was even being launched.
Most satellite forums indicate it will take 3-4 weeks for the signals to be bounced off the new satellite, so by the first of July we will have an indication of what is happening.
Best thing right now is to sit tight and wait. In your spare time, look at what Shaw has to offer and compare it to your present plan.
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bjbear
Cold Lake, AB, Can
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The bottom line is that if you spend time in the US, and want satellite TV, you need to drop Bell and get Shaw Direct (Starchoice). I know lots of people besides myself that started with Bell. As you move south (past Salt Lake City in my case), it gets harder and harder to lock onto the Bell satellite(s). You first loose HD, then other channels as well. I use a first strike meter so if the signal is there, I will find it!! Also, there is absolutely no technical support from Bell if you are in the US and tell them that. With Shaw Direct, I have no problem picking up a strong lock with as far south as the Mexican border. Friends who visit Mexico tell me that the signal continues south as well.
I have had Shaw Direct for about 4 years now and am happy with the service. There are some things that Bell does better (i.e. programming descriptions), but Shaw definitely has better technical support.
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toban
Canada
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Thanks for the dialogue on this subject. I am aware of everything everyone is telling me but I'm trying to find out whether a satellite is going up or coming down as I was told. I'm not sure how they can restrict the coverage.
As one poster said, we'll have to wait and see what happenens in July. I don't have any problem switching to Shaw but my dome satellite unit won't work with it so it will be useless unless I subscribed to direct or dish network and I don't want to do that.
So, maybe we can all sit tight and see what happens with anyone in the states in July or August who can report coverage in the southern states.
Toban
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michelb
Ottawa, ON, Canada
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FWIW, for anyone considering a switch to Shaw, they will also be launching a new satellite (Anik G1) later this year (Nov 2012) and rumors are that this one, like the new ExpressVu sats, will only be visible in the Northern US and up. However, unlike ExpressVu, the old Shaw sats will remain in use so you won't lose all the service, you just won't get any of the new ones (and it is very likely that some old stations are moved to the new sat so you might lose some of those too).
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moisheh
North America
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michelb: If your info is correct then Canadians will have to go grey market with Direct or Dish. We will miss the local news!
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michelb
Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Here's the footprint information from Telesat (they should know - they're the ones sending it up there!)
http://www.telesat.com/satellite-fleet/anik/anik-g1
What remains to be seen is what exactly will be carried on it. It will require a 60cm triple lnb dish.
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