Thread: StarChoice (Shaw) Cleveland Ohio

Hello, I've been a long time lurker and finally am making that first post! (Go easy on me!) My husband and I have had Directv for as long as it has been available in our area and at the time it was a great choice; to be honest, price wise, it is still better then anything else in our area...the problem? We are paying for a lot of channels we don't want to get a few we do like! We are big fans of Canadian tv and have decided to get a StarChoice system. Since we live along Lake Erie, (and where we used to get some Canadian channels) we know we'll have a good strong signal. Problem? I am wondering if anyone could install it for us and how much they would charge. I am sure my husband could do it...if he wanted to.

Anyway, I am also a bit unclear about the programming. Here it is simple, you get to pick from package 1,2,3 or 4. It seems there is a lot of ala cart type stuff with the Canadian programming. (A big plus if you ask me.) Here is basically what I am looking for; if someone could point me to the most cost effective solution I would be forever in your debt:

I didn't see any "Disney" channels - are they not available in Canada?

I was thinking the "Gold" package would probably work best if we want HD...
or
The Digital favourites with a couple of add ons if we don't go HD...

Basically I am looking for what would be comparable to Choice Plus on Directv without all the B.S! (don't need all the religious channels, reality channels, misc sports channels) We want the big news networks, all the childrens programming we can get, all the "smart" channels we can get (TLC, Animal Planet, Discovery, Food etc...) Showcase is a must, IFC would be nice.



I know that is a lot of information but this is a big decision for us. Husband needs lots of info before he is comfortable making a decision. I've even been considering keeping our Directv and getting a Free-to-Air satellite but I am having a hard time figuring out what channels we can get with that!

So if you've read this all the way through and think you can give me some help, I'd appreciate it!

Welcome to SatGuys from a fellow Clevelander. Unfortunately, I can't answer your questions regarding programming, but I'm pretty sure you'll have to go through a broker to get Canadian TV here in the states...just wanted to make sure you knew that.

Welcome to the forum. I'll try to answer your questions as best I can.

Originally Posted by TrailerParkFan

We are big fans of Canadian tv and have decided to get a StarChoice system. Since we live along Lake Erie, (and where we used to get some Canadian channels) we know we'll have a good strong signal. Problem? I am wondering if anyone could install it for us and how much they would charge. I am sure my husband could do it...if he wanted to.

If you can use a drill and basic hand tools, you can install a dish. It's actually pretty straightforward. If I can do it, anyone can.

Originally Posted by TrailerParkFan

Anyway, I am also a bit unclear about the programming. Here it is simple, you get to pick from package 1,2,3 or 4. It seems there is a lot of ala cart type stuff with the Canadian programming. (A big plus if you ask me.) Here is basically what I am looking for; if someone could point me to the most cost effective solution I would be forever in your debt:

I didn't see any "Disney" channels - are they not available in Canada?

A lot of Disney programming is seen on family channel in Canada, which is vastly different from ABC family. That being said, Playhouse Disney is now available in Canada, though not on Shaw Direct.

Originally Posted by TrailerParkFan

I was thinking the "Gold" package would probably work best if we want HD...
or
The Digital favourites with a couple of add ons if we don't go HD...

you will want the HD

Originally Posted by TrailerParkFan

Basically I am looking for what would be comparable to Choice Plus on Directv without all the B.S! (don't need all the religious channels, reality channels, misc sports channels) We want the big news networks, all the childrens programming we can get, all the "smart" channels we can get (TLC, Animal Planet, Discovery, Food etc...) Showcase is a must, IFC would be nice.

You've done your homework, researching the shawdirect website, so you have a pretty good idea of what kind of programming you want. just an FYI, specialty channels such as food and HGTV are different in Canada, so some shows aren't the same. My wife's only gripe is that she doesn't get to see Paula Dean every day on Food.


Someone else said you need to go through a broker. that is not entirely tryue, but it makes life a lot easier.

All the Disney Channel stuff is on Family
The Nickelodeon stuff (kids) is on YTV

Both have a E & W coast feed so if you miss something you can see it 3 hours later

although this is outside the scope of your question and this forum, if you are relatively close to lake erie, you should be able to pick up over the air stations from London with an outdoor antenna pointed north.

Thanks for the info...the two little guys wouldn't want to lose their Disney programs. They are really excited about getting "Treehouse" though. Most of the shows they love (like Max & Ruby) are Treehouse productions.

We were going to use family's address originally but I don't want to risk getting them in trouble so I think we will use a broker. The exchange rate thing has got me a little concerned, but who knows...? Our economy might pick up.....someday.

Our "over the air" antenna isn't connected anymore. We just have a small digital one for the tv in the kitchen.

Has anyone else had any problem getting Canadian tv here in the US? I have family that gets it at their vacation house, so I can't see it being such a big deal.

As for installing it myself...I am afraid my AD/HD will kick in and I'll never get the thing pointing exactly right. We currently have a Directv dish on the house too...guess we'll have to take that down because the husband doesn't want too many holes drilled into the house.

Originally Posted by Frenchophile

Welcome to the forum. I'll try to answer your questions as best I can.



If you can use a drill and basic hand tools, you can install a dish. It's actually pretty straightforward. If I can do it, anyone can.



A lot of Disney programming is seen on family channel in Canada, which is vastly different from ABC family. That being said, Playhouse Disney is now available in Canada, though not on Shaw Direct.




you will want the HD



You've done your homework, researching the shawdirect website, so you have a pretty good idea of what kind of programming you want. just an FYI, specialty channels such as food and HGTV are different in Canada, so some shows aren't the same. My wife's only gripe is that she doesn't get to see Paula Dean every day on Food.


Someone else said you need to go through a broker. that is not entirely tryue, but it makes life a lot easier.

I am not a Paula Deen fan, so that's okay with me. Is there anything MAJOR that we have here that is missing with the Canadian satellite programming? Personally, the only channels I watch are Food, Bravo, TLC, IFC, and our 101 Network and that is just for one specific show that I can get with the Canadian programming.
I did notice a BIG lack of religious programming on Canadian tv...that was a relief! It seems a good portion of the channels we get are religious networks!

Originally Posted by TrailerParkFan

I am not a Paula Deen fan, so that's okay with me. Is there anything MAJOR that we have here that is missing with the Canadian satellite programming? Personally, the only channels I watch are Food, Bravo, TLC, IFC, and our 101 Network and that is just for one specific show that I can get with the Canadian programming.
I did notice a BIG lack of religious programming on Canadian tv...that was a relief! It seems a good portion of the channels we get are religious networks!

The only major thing missing is college sports.

Originally Posted by TrailerParkFan

Thanks for the info...the two little guys wouldn't want to lose their Disney programs. They are really excited about getting "Treehouse" though. Most of the shows they love (like Max & Ruby) are Treehouse productions.

I've got 2 nieces so Family & treehouse are always on. The oddball thing with family is usually there are no commercials so the shows start at 00 & 30 and end about 22 minutes later.....so for 7-8 minutes there is filler. Sometimes they just start the new show so you'll see lots of oddball start times

We were going to use family's address originally but I don't want to risk getting them in trouble so I think we will use a broker. The exchange rate thing has got me a little concerned, but who knows...? Our economy might pick up.....someday.

honestly unless they have Shaw, use their address. Shaw allows you to call from the US and you can go paperless billing. A broker "holds your account hostage" and honestly why pay the extra money for it when you can do it yourself?

Has anyone else had any problem getting Canadian tv here in the US? I have family that gets it at their vacation house, so I can't see it being such a big deal.

no big deal. I have it here in MN