Digital/sat boxes in Canada

[werb]

Hello Canuks!

I am currently with Shaw, but am shopping around for a new TV provider. They are all about the same but I would like to use the box with a cable to change channels instead of the IR blasters I currently use. Who do you use and with what box? Has anyone looked into the fire-wire to HD box versions (yes I know we aren't at that point yet) with your current providers?

[mrgrocery]

AFAIK there are no Canadian Sat Boxes capable of serial tuning.

[RiderFan]

I don't know why you are against using a usb-uirt. I use mine to control 3 express-vu satalite receivers and I have never had a problem, and the channels change quick.

[werb]

Well the Shaw boxes are incapable of adjusting to different IR frequencies (according to Shaw) so I would need three different IR blasters that are isolated from one another. Not really practical.

[areviaki]

Dump Shaw!

Or at least do some research to confirm that the boxes all use the same frequency.

Need to talk to the techies here that are up on how IR frequencies work and if there's a way to test them.

Seems silly that ALL there boxes work on the same frequency. Starchoice has a way of setting 3 unique channels(frequencies) per box.

[mrgrocery]

Originally Posted by werb

Well the Shaw boxes are incapable of adjusting to different IR frequencies (according to Shaw) so I would need three different IR blasters that are isolated from one another. Not really practical.

Would it be possible to even run 3 serial tuners off of one pc?

[mrlumpy]

A lot of Canadians I know simply use DirecTV or Dish Network. As long as you have a US address, you can get top quality TV and you don't have to settle for Canada's sloppy seconds... Just something to think about.

[mrgrocery]

Actually I have both and the sloppy seconds you are refering to are in alot of ways are much better overall than the american offerings.

[opilion]

Can the IR blaster included with the PVR-150 control both StarChoice and Expressvu receivers?

op

[tim_d_wagner]

Originally Posted by werb

Well the Shaw boxes are incapable of adjusting to different IR frequencies (according to Shaw) so I would need three different IR blasters that are isolated from one another. Not really practical.

You can use a single USB-UIRT and plug in multiple stick on IR transmiters to control 4 devices even if all four use the same frequency and codes. The forum here http://www.usbuirt.com/support.htm has good info.

[werb]

Originally Posted by tim_d_wagner

You can use a single USB-UIRT and plug in multiple stick on IR transmitters to control 4 devices even if all four use the same frequency and codes. The forum here http://www.usbuirt.com/support.htm has good info.

Stick on whaaaaaa????
Where did you see that. Right now their forum must be down. Please post the link to the stick on transmitters.

[googlie]

If you have the right kind of STB, you can tune it via Firewire. Lot's of good info and "linkeage" here:
Control Cable Box from Firewire

I have a Motorola 6208 from Shaw (Calgary as well) and it works fine.
Not going to use it this way for other reasons - but tried it out as an "option" for later.

Not sure about other providers or boxes, but from what I've read, it shouldn't be a problem to try.

Googlie

[tim_d_wagner]

Does nobody Google anymore? Here is the link http://www.smarthome.com/shdiremitters.html I have not bought from here, I found some localy before, and I see there are instructions on building the. The forum is up now, but it was down when I checked it last.

Originally Posted by werb

Stick on whaaaaaa????
Where did you see that. Right now their forum must be down. Please post the link to the stick on transmitters.