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mecdatlanta
Last reply · posted in Canadian Satellite Services

OK, So I am Closer Than Ever to Cancelling Shaw Direct and Going 100% Internet

Greetings CDN Satellite Fans,

I love my Shaw Direct system here in Atlanta, GA. Been using my oversized 2-dish system for the past two years (was previously with Bell) and really have no complaints. Well, I guess I could complain about the CRTC's restrictions on content, but there's really no point in doing that here. ;-)

What I am finding is, increasingly, internet options are giving me what I need in terms of content. Using a VPN, I am able to get television content from countries like France (we are a French-speaking family) and Netflix (Netflix Canada offers some French content but Netflix France will be coming on board in the Fall of 2014 with even more). The content that I get from Shaw Direct is looking less and less attractive in light of these alternatives...

I am wondering if others are arriving at the same conclusion or if I am alone in this given that my main reason for going with SD is for access to French language content. It may also be that France offers its residents direct access to its television channels via the internet (provided you can provide a local country IP address, of course), whereas North America seems to still be stuck with licensing agreements with cable companies and the like who restrict access other than via their channels. One of the rare instances where, compared to the U.S, the consumer comes out ahead in France!

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts. The fact that I can gain access to Netflix France via a VPN for about $7 per month while services like Super Écran (the French-language movie channel) costs about $12 per month seems to lend a strong argument to internet vs satellite. Plus, when you compare the content, it becomes even more compelling. And, of course, the $60 per month that I spend for the basic channels (of which I watch relatively little) is even harder to justify.

I guess it all changed when I realized the power of VPN several months back. Now, we are watching foreign content (both live and in replay), which was something that we didn't even think possible back then. That, coupled with Netflix makes for a match made in heaven. Oh, and I guess I will need to order NHL Centre Ice too. But then I will be able to see all the games instead of only the Montreal Canadiens games, which they show on our French language RDS channel. Then again, it's not like I have time to watch every NHL game anyways. :-)

The biggest thing that I struggle with is the several hundreds of dollars I spent just two short years ago in switching to Shaw. I never thought that I would even dream of retiring my hardware so soon.

Somebody tell me that I shouldn't call Shaw and cancel my service. I guess if I find that I miss it, I can always restart it. I just find it hard to believe that I am having the thought in the first place!

Don
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primestar31
primestar31
How is that internet dvr for recording and scheduling shows to watch later working out for you?....
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osu1991
osu1991
Similarly I use my vpn more and more to watch UK, Canadian, Irish and Australian programming more than US programming. The iplayers give instant access to 720p and 480p streams. Some have commercials but there are ways around that if one really wants to. The lack of some (most) live US sports online are all that keep me subscribing. Im getting close to canceling anyway and just using OTA and VPN.

I would say if you own your equipment try the vpn alone for a month or two. If it doesn't work out you can always reactivate a shaw subscription.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using SatelliteGuys
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B
billpa
primestar31 said:
How is that internet dvr for recording and scheduling shows to watch later working out for you?....
Click to expand...
There are sites like Zattoo that actually allow you to do this. If accessed correctly they carry many French channels from both France and Switzerland.
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M
mecdatlanta
Hi Everyone,

Sorry that I haven't been keeping up with this thread. I apparently didn't have it set to alert me to new replies.

Anyways, tonight I pulled the plug on Shaw. I have been so amazed by the amount of content that I am able to access via VPN. And, to answer your question primestar31, I have something better than PVR. It's called "replay". French tv stations have it "en masse". I can watch whatever program that was recently shown I want whenever I want by using the replay option. There are even websites dedicated to keeping track of what is available and on what station (i.e. website). Amazingly, the French actually have it better than we do for this. Here in the U.S. (and Canada), the networks are still largely in bed with the distributors. In France, they seem to have an almost anti-distributor mentality and favor free access to all (provided you live within French borders, that is). And as luck would have it, with VPN, now I too live in France. Vive le VPN! Vive le contenu français!

The bottom line is I can always turn my service back on. But I just cut my monthly bill down from $70 per month to about $5 per month (the price I pay for the 2 simultaneous family user VPN service I have). Truth be told, the fee that Shaw was charging wasn't a big issue. But saving money is always good and is a bonus in this case. The main reason for changing though is the quality of French programming that I am now able to access via VPN.

Oh and another thing that you might be interested in... When you subscribe to Netflix you can actually use the service in any country that Netflix has a presence. Netflix is present in Canada, and although the amount of French programming is small (I think there are disputes/territorial battles with Bell/Super Ecran and the CRTC that are keeping content fairly limited [sigh]), neverthless, I have found some good content for the kids to watch. The biggest piece of news is, starting in September, Netflix France will be online. So there will be even more content then.

Anyways, it will be weird not being in the Shaw Direct world. I will miss it. There is something neat about being able to flick on one's television and seeing content from "back home". Then again, the number that the CRTC has played on content is quickly making me realize it's time to dry my tears. Canadians have it worse than the French, thanks to the CRTC.

All the best you all!
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R
rthurlow
I had trouble with my sat system for a few days, probably debris on the dish between two storms (better after the second one). I finally picked up a VPN so that I could get past the out-of-country restrictions (for The National on the CBC! Grumble). I consider it a good tool, but when sites only put one days show up at a time, it does not replace the PVR.
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Scott Greczkowski
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Song Name Game Part 3!

Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne


Get it?


An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
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dishstaller
dishstaller
Too Much Time on My Hands - Styx
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sdfntx
sdfntx
Time Has Come Today - The Chambers Brothers
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long_time_Dish
long_time_Dish
No Time - The Guess Who
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H
hwkn
TIME Won't Let Me-The Outsiders
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ClarkGable
ClarkGable
Time In A Bottle - Jim Croce
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ewindowman
ewindowman
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Dish Bankruptcy - Business as Usual

Looks like dish is Bankrupt. Filling tomorrow Tuesday June 30th
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nelson61
nelson61
Washington Post

SpaceX has held talks with Boost's parent company EchoStar in recent months about launching its own signature wireless service through a deal with the company, according to two people familiar with the negotiations.
Musk, the SpaceX CEO, has discussed the deal personally, meeting with EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen last month, according to the people. The potential deal may result in SpaceX acquiring Boost Mobile or SpaceX gaining access to its network, which it leases from AT&T and T-Mobile US, the people said.
Access to those lease agreements would be a coup for SpaceX. The back door would allow Musk to make a play for a U.S. wireless market that equity research firm MoffettNathanson estimates is worth $235 billion. But the proposed service may need consent from those carriers for the service to actually launch, the people said.
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Scott Greczkowski
Scott Greczkowski
nelson61 said:
Washington Post

SpaceX has held talks with Boost's parent company EchoStar in recent months about launching its own signature wireless service through a deal with the company, according to two people familiar with the negotiations.
Musk, the SpaceX CEO, has discussed the deal personally, meeting with EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen last month, according to the people. The potential deal may result in SpaceX acquiring Boost Mobile or SpaceX gaining access to its network, which it leases from AT&T and T-Mobile US, the people said.
Access to those lease agreements would be a coup for SpaceX. The back door would allow Musk to make a play for a U.S. wireless market that equity research firm MoffettNathanson estimates is worth $235 billion. But the proposed service may need consent from those carriers for the service to actually launch, the people said.
Click to expand...
Can't remember where or who I saw predict this. :D

It wouldn't surprise me to see Elon soon own all of DISH / Echostar in the future.
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Bruce
Bruce
Scott Greczkowski said:
It wouldn't surprise me to see Elon soon own all of DISH / Echostar in the future.
Click to expand...
Again, why would Musk want a TV Service, specially one that is losing over a million subscribers a year.

Phone service…maybe, but not TV.
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Scott Greczkowski
Scott Greczkowski
Bruce said:
Again, why would Musk want a TV Service, specially one that is losing over a million subscribers a year.

Phone service…maybe, but not TV.
Click to expand...
I know he wants TV. He wants to deliver EVERYTHING to EVERYWHERE.
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Bruce
Bruce
Scott Greczkowski said:
I know he wants TV. He wants to deliver EVERYTHING to EVERYWHERE.
Click to expand...
Again, if so, why would he want Dish/Sling of all the providers?

He could deliver anything without actually owning, for example, watching the Lions game in my Tesla Y on it's screen via the YT app, while on the way to my future in-laws on Sunday.
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Bruce
Bruce
nelson61 said:
Washington Post

SpaceX has held talks with Boost's parent company EchoStar in recent months about launching its own signature wireless service through a deal with the company, according to two people familiar with the negotiations.
Musk, the SpaceX CEO, has discussed the deal personally, meeting with EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen last month, according to the people. The potential deal may result in SpaceX acquiring Boost Mobile or SpaceX gaining access to its network, which it leases from AT&T and T-Mobile US, the people said.
Access to those lease agreements would be a coup for SpaceX. The back door would allow Musk to make a play for a U.S. wireless market that equity research firm MoffettNathanson estimates is worth $235 billion. But the proposed service may need consent from those carriers for the service to actually launch, the people said.
Click to expand...
If Musk really wants to buy Boost, he might get a great price once Dish Wireless is out of Chapter 11.

Boost just lost 182,000 subs in the 3rd quarter-

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M
man00
Is Dish like Iran in one way...they both will totally collapse by end of week :)
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Foxbat
Foxbat
Other than the price, my experience with Boost is not that different than what I experienced with my years with Cricket. I will be curious to see what happens if SpaceX takes the reins.
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S
slow_poke_pete
Bruce said:
Again, if so, why would he want Dish/Sling of all the providers?

He could deliver anything without actually owning, for example, watching the Lions game in my Tesla Y on it's screen via the YT app, while on the way to my future in-laws on Sunday.
Click to expand...
dish has new sats dtv does not
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R
renjy651
slow_poke_pete said:
dish has new sats dtv does not
Click to expand...
Hate to say this no one is ordering Satellite TV. Both DISH and Direct no new customers.
After 25 years with centurylink DSL 80 speed i changed to Xfinity 300 speed for $50 wow lightning fast for streaming. Still have DISH 27 years with them. Americas 250 package for $103. What you think of superbox or vseebox for streaming is it legal?
Still dish is easy to operate and change channels. What will Charlie Ergen do with new super satellites with loosing customers with satellites and boost?
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Ham Radio 2.0
· posted in Ham Radio 2.0

The Best Black Friday Deals for Off-Grid Comms Right Now!

Time for another AWESOME video from Ham Radio 2.0!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFoqfrcM8pw


Direct YouTube Link - The Best Black Friday Deals for Off-Grid Comms Right Now!
Ham Radio 2.0 Website
Ham Radio 2.0 on Facebook
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

AI Hiking Advice Nearly Turns Deadly on Mount Shasta #shorts

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/V6XzeaKDC0Y


Direct YouTube Link - AI Hiking Advice Nearly Turns Deadly on Mount Shasta #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Google's AI Ultimatum for Schools

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH-9zj0f7jQ


Direct YouTube Link - Google's AI Ultimatum for Schools
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Religious Exemption from Using AI?

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m4uwajewUU


Direct YouTube Link - Religious Exemption from Using AI?
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

The Binance Crypto Heist

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd5TCAV3Cek


Direct YouTube Link - The Binance Crypto Heist
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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Lon.TV
· posted in Lon.TV

HP’s Answer to the MacBook Neo? OmniBook 5 14 Review

Time for another AWESOME video from Lon Seidman of LON.TV!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o62FsJ2V5Cc


Direct YouTube Link - HP's Answer to the MacBook Neo? OmniBook 5 14 Review
The Official LON.TV Website
Lon on Facebook
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dishstaller
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club

I think we could all use a laugh - Rodney Dangerfield on Carson

Good...simple humor. Enjoy


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E92AtfTLge4

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJy0WnejlF4
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dishstaller
dishstaller
Sorry for posting the wrong link. Just corrected it.
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dfergie
dfergie
I loved it when Rodney was on the Tonight Show...
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Foxbat
Foxbat
dishstaller said:
Sorry for posting the wrong link. Just corrected it.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I wasn't sure if you had the wrong Subject or the wrong YouTube link.
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osu1991
osu1991
Was a Don Rickles fan. I've dvr'd most of his appearances on Carson from the antenna tv replays.

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dishstaller
dishstaller
More Dangerfield rapid fire on Carson.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scEQFHQHHhU
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dishdude
dishdude
Rodney Dangerfield is great. One of his best one liners - "My wife likes to talk to me during sex, last night she called me from Florida!"

Jackie Gleason is another one of the greats.


View: https://youtu.be/ciUV77AzIB4
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dfergie
dfergie
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!
Last reply · posted in Movie Talk

Godzilla Minus Zero


View: https://youtu.be/n-NDYWPXpKg?si=hcI4ueMkFCreZ8Qq
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primestar31
primestar31
dfergie said:

View: https://youtu.be/n-NDYWPXpKg?si=hcI4ueMkFCreZ8Qq
Click to expand...

Wait, didn't this one come out a few years ago? It was all in Japanese. It was also VERY good!

OK, looked it up, that was Godzilla Minus One
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Bruce
Bruce
primestar31 said:
Wait, didn't this one come out a few years ago? It was all in Japanese. It was also VERY good!

OK, looked it up, that was Godzilla Minus One
Click to expand...
At theaters, only in Japanese, on Disc and Netflix, available in English.
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Foxbat
Foxbat
New trailer has dropped:
​
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dishstaller
long_time_Dish
long_time_Dish
Looks good! I'm interested...
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