Discussion:
Considering Star Choice in USA
(too old to reply)
KevinXKitchen
2004-07-26 13:59:12 UTC
Permalink
I am considering it. That is all at this time. I called them and the 800 number
works from the USA unlike ExpressVu. The CSR answered and I requested aiming
cordinates for a US city and he gladly gave them to me. They also have
paperless ebilling eliminating the need to have a service address in Canada
capable of getting mail (although I have one via family there). It appears that
Star Choice is more "USA friendly" than ExpressVu is. So here are questions I
have:

1. I want English networks and locals (Canada and Seattle and Buffalo) as well
as all the radio stations. Do I need the oval or round dish for southern USA
reception?
2. Are they really uptight about the phone line requirement for one receiver (I
don't think they are)? How about 2 or 3?
Warren Oates
2004-07-26 16:42:31 UTC
Permalink
In article <***@mb-m27.aol.com>,
***@aol.com (KevinXKitchen) wrote:

:1. I want English networks and locals (Canada and Seattle and Buffalo) as well
:as all the radio stations. Do I need the oval or round dish for southern USA
:reception?

I don't think you can just get a round dish anymore. The oval dish is
for 2 satellites, and yes, most of the French stuff is on a separate
bird, but I don't think you'll save any money trying to get a single-lnb
dish, unless you're using an existing one -- Starchoice is just Ku band,
as far as I know. How far south?

You have to pay extra for western US networks if you live in the east
(and vice versa if you live in the west). The basic package includes
either Buffalo or Detroit (east) or Seattle or Spokane (west), you have
to choose. There are alot of US radio stations in the basic package, but
you have to pay extra for the Canadian ones, I don't know why. The basic
package also includes almost every tv station in Canada, certainly all
the network ones, and quite a few "independants," plus CBC-French and
some crappy channels you'll never watch (APTN comes to mind).

:2. Are they really uptight about the phone line requirement for one receiver (I
:don't think they are)? How about 2 or 3?

No, they don't care, they only use the phone line for PPV.

Here's a trick: try to get a subscription from some place in the middle
of nowhere, like Brighton Ontario, or Blanc-Sablon Quebec, or Lab City
Nfld, like that, and then you won't get "simsubs" and you can watch your
US networks uncensored, including the Super Bowl. Starchoice obey the
letter of the CRTC regs (CRTC = FCC) in this matter, which is one reason
to choose them over the evil ones.
--
Looks like more of Texas to me.
... Arizona, where the nights are warm and the roads are straight.
KevinXKitchen
2004-07-26 22:22:16 UTC
Permalink
Post by Warren Oates
is
for 2 satellites, and yes, most of the French stuff is on a separate
bird, but I don't think you'll save any money trying to get a single-lnb
dish, unless you're using an existing one -- Starchoice is just Ku band,
as far as I know. How far south?
Georgia
Post by Warren Oates
You have to pay extra for western US networks if you live in the east
(and vice versa if you live in the west). The basic package includes
either Buffalo or Detroit (east) or Seattle or Spokane (west), you have
to choose. There are alot of US radio stations in the basic package, but
I notice the website says Spokane or Seattle and Buffalo or Detroit but I guess
you cannot get all 4 even for the extra money. ExpressVu gives you both of
those for free (2) but they only offer Boston (why? not near Canada) and
Seattle which is what I want anyway.
Post by Warren Oates
The basic
package also includes almost every tv station in Canada, certainly all
the network ones, and quite a few "independants," plus CBC-French and
some crappy channels you'll never watch (APTN comes to mind).
I want those too.
Post by Warren Oates
:2. Are they really uptight about the phone line requirement for one receiver (I
:don't think they are)? How about 2 or 3?
No, they don't care, they only use the phone line for PPV.
That is a big thing because I want 3 receivers.
Post by Warren Oates
There are alot of US radio stations in the basic package, but
you have to pay extra for the Canadian ones, I don't know why.
I specifically want CHUM FM in Toronto because my teenagers like it.
Warren Oates
2004-07-27 11:22:32 UTC
Permalink
In article <***@mb-m16.aol.com>,
***@aol.com (KevinXKitchen) wrote:

:I specifically want CHUM FM in Toronto because my teenagers like it.

It's not part of the "basics;" you'll have to buy the radio package to
get it.

You should be okay in Georgia with an elliptical dish. A lot of the 4dtv
guys in the US subscribe to Starchoice (very expensive hardware option),
and they have a couple of forums, you can google "4dtv forum."
--
Looks like more of Texas to me.
... Arizona, where the nights are warm and the roads are straight.
Gary Tait
2004-07-27 23:59:26 UTC
Permalink
Post by Warren Oates
:I specifically want CHUM FM in Toronto because my teenagers like it.
It's not part of the "basics;" you'll have to buy the radio package to
get it.
Or the Music package that has Much and Much more, wich includes the
radio package.
Post by Warren Oates
You should be okay in Georgia with an elliptical dish. A lot of the 4dtv
guys in the US subscribe to Starchoice (very expensive hardware option),
and they have a couple of forums, you can google "4dtv forum."
KevinXKitchen
2004-07-28 00:07:07 UTC
Permalink
Post by Warren Oates
You should be okay in Georgia with an elliptical dish. A lot of the 4dtv
guys in the US subscribe to Starchoice (very expensive hardware option),
and they have a couple of forums, you can google "4dtv forum."
Cool. I MAY get it although I have ExpressVu now. There is gay outfit here that
sells the units (mostly to gays that want Pride TV or whatever it is) so I may
just buy one and give it a try. Then, if I like it, I will get 2 more.
Man from Mars
2004-07-27 15:40:58 UTC
Permalink
Post by KevinXKitchen
1. I want English networks and locals (Canada and Seattle and Buffalo) as well
as all the radio stations. Do I need the oval or round dish for southern USA
reception?
Since Anik F2 was just launched (and will come into service in
October) get the 75cm elliptical
Post by KevinXKitchen
2. Are they really uptight about the phone line requirement for one receiver (I> don't think they are)?
They will never call a single receiver customer who has not activated
PPV

How about 2 or 3?
They do some random to phone checks for account splitting (not on same
level as Expressvu - the North American leader in hacked out systems
Tom Morse
2004-07-29 21:07:41 UTC
Permalink
Post by KevinXKitchen
I am considering it. That is all at this time. I called them and the 800 number
works from the USA unlike ExpressVu. The CSR answered and I requested aiming
cordinates for a US city and he gladly gave them to me. They also have
paperless ebilling eliminating the need to have a service address in Canada
capable of getting mail (although I have one via family there). It appears that
Star Choice is more "USA friendly" than ExpressVu is. So here are questions I
Kev, yet another 6 month aol trial subscription?

Tom


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KevinXKitchen
2004-07-30 01:37:49 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tom Morse
Kev, yet another 6 month aol trial subscription?
Every 6 months! Do you actually pay for AOL?
Tom Morse
2004-07-30 18:15:32 UTC
Permalink
Post by KevinXKitchen
Post by Tom Morse
Kev, yet another 6 month aol trial subscription?
Every 6 months! Do you actually pay for AOL?
I don't use AOL.

Tom


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Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
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KevinXKitchen
2004-08-01 03:27:13 UTC
Permalink
Post by KevinXKitchen
Every 6 months! Do you actually pay for AOL?
I don't use AOL.
Well wny not use something you don't have to pay for?

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