Any free HD channels on Shaw cable?

Sonny300 · 09-09-2007, 08:23 PM

At present I have a Toshiba H57 with only an NTSC tuner, and I have the Shaw HD Tuner. I am paying an extra $9 a month for the 20 HD channels and do enjoy them. Later I`m looking at getting another larger HD television for our rec room, and am wondering if I buy one with NTSC/ATSC/Qam built into the television can I get some HD channels with that built in tuner? And maybe not have to buy another Shaw Box. Oh, yea, over-the-air is a non starter, too remote a location. This is a important question,cause I see that the Toshiba 37 inch with only the one tuner is on sale for $999. And with 3 tuners is $1299. Can anyone who is using Shaw give me a heads-up on this?

Thanks

teranova · 09-16-2007, 10:22 PM

Our bedroom HD set is a Samsung that has an ATSC tuner for over-the-air digital and Hi-Def channels. Just using an indoor Philips amplified antenna from Wal-Mart ($26.00) I can pick up Vancouver CBC HD and CTV HD as clear as a bell. It also picks up all the local VHF channels plus KCPQ HD Seattle (Fox) and a few other digital channels. Unfortunately, I can't receive the rest of the network Seattle stations and would have to get an outdoor antenna to do that.
It also has a QAM tuner for receiving un-scrambled cable channels. As Shaw Cable encrypts 98% of their channels, I've only been able to receive KCPQ HD on I believe channel 85-7.
Apparently, in the States, cable companies must carry local HD channels un-scrambled but the same rules don't apply here in Canada.

Sonny300 · 09-17-2007, 12:46 PM

Yes, I suspected that Shaw scrambled most of their signals, and thank you for confirming that. I am saving for a larger HD television set for next year and now I see that 2 sets mean 2 hd terminals. I`m on the island, 60 klicks north of Victoria, so dont believe we would pick up any thing with an antenna. Thanks again, no big deal, just means we have to save a couple of extra months.

teranova · 09-17-2007, 06:45 PM

Well, you might get the Vancouver and Seattle stations using an amplified Yagi antenna. You would probably need a rotor to rotate the antenna to the different directions of the transmitters.
I grew up on a farm in Saanich and we could pull in Bellingham, Vancouver, and Seattle stations using a medium gain un-amplified antenna mounted on the roof. It was called a "Sim's Flying Vee"
Some of the Seattle and Tacoma stations were a little grainy but were quite watchable. I'm sure antenna technology has improved considerably since I left the Island in 1960 and moved to the Mainland.

09-09-2007, 08:23 PM	#1
Sonny300 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 174	Any free HD channels on Shaw cable? At present I have a Toshiba H57 with only an NTSC tuner, and I have the Shaw HD Tuner. I am paying an extra $9 a month for the 20 HD channels and do enjoy them. Later I`m looking at getting another larger HD television for our rec room, and am wondering if I buy one with NTSC/ATSC/Qam built into the television can I get some HD channels with that built in tuner? And maybe not have to buy another Shaw Box. Oh, yea, over-the-air is a non starter, too remote a location. This is a important question,cause I see that the Toshiba 37 inch with only the one tuner is on sale for $999. And with 3 tuners is $1299. Can anyone who is using Shaw give me a heads-up on this? Thanks

09-17-2007, 12:46 PM	#3
Sonny300 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 174	Thanks teranova Yes, I suspected that Shaw scrambled most of their signals, and thank you for confirming that. I am saving for a larger HD television set for next year and now I see that 2 sets mean 2 hd terminals. I`m on the island, 60 klicks north of Victoria, so dont believe we would pick up any thing with an antenna. Thanks again, no big deal, just means we have to save a couple of extra months.

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09-16-2007, 10:22 PM	#2
teranova High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 369	Our bedroom HD set is a Samsung that has an ATSC tuner for over-the-air digital and Hi-Def channels. Just using an indoor Philips amplified antenna from Wal-Mart ($26.00) I can pick up Vancouver CBC HD and CTV HD as clear as a bell. It also picks up all the local VHF channels plus KCPQ HD Seattle (Fox) and a few other digital channels. Unfortunately, I can't receive the rest of the network Seattle stations and would have to get an outdoor antenna to do that. It also has a QAM tuner for receiving un-scrambled cable channels. As Shaw Cable encrypts 98% of their channels, I've only been able to receive KCPQ HD on I believe channel 85-7. Apparently, in the States, cable companies must carry local HD channels un-scrambled but the same rules don't apply here in Canada.

09-17-2007, 06:45 PM	#4
teranova High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 369	Well, you might get the Vancouver and Seattle stations using an amplified Yagi antenna. You would probably need a rotor to rotate the antenna to the different directions of the transmitters. I grew up on a farm in Saanich and we could pull in Bellingham, Vancouver, and Seattle stations using a medium gain un-amplified antenna mounted on the roof. It was called a "Sim's Flying Vee" Some of the Seattle and Tacoma stations were a little grainy but were quite watchable. I'm sure antenna technology has improved considerably since I left the Island in 1960 and moved to the Mainland.