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Shaw Cable offering 3D video on-demand, but not the good kind

by Richard Lawler posted May 8th 2009 at 10:56AM

In the race to bring home 3D Shaw Cable has taken an early lead, although we're not sure everyone would agree it's worth it. Together with Corus Entertainment, it's loading up the VOD library full of films, sports, concert events and other content all in anaglyph (red/blue) 3D and distributing glasses free of charge to all of its subscribers. No word on how much ordering up the content will cost or when it will be available, but the biggest factor in our disappointment is that while it will work on any television, the quality simply doesn't compare to proper stereoscopic 3D. Still, Canadians haven't been able to call "First" many times, we guess we'll let them have this one. [Warning: PDF read link]

[Via Digital Home Canada]

Shaw launches Big Ten Network HD / Golf HD in Canada

by Darren Murph posted Dec 21st 2008 at 5:41PM

It's a few days behind schedule, but Shaw Cable customers in Canada are now getting not one, but two new sports-related HD channels. Effective immediately, subscribers in the Great North can tune to Big Ten Network HD and Golf HD, both of which are available in free preview form until January 31, 2009. Both networks are falling into the carrier's HD Plus service, which goes for an extra $9 per month.

Star Choice launches Big Ten Network HD December 16

by Richard Lawler posted Dec 12th 2008 at 10:25PM

Some would say it's too late for football, but with plenty of time left on college hockey & basketball schedules, the Big Ten Network is headed to Canada's Star Choice. The SD version should be available now, with the high definition feed scheduled to launch December 16. No word what package you'll need to get the channel full time, but a free preview is promised all this month on channel 265.

Shaw regroups HD channels so you don't have to search

by Darren Murph posted Nov 17th 2008 at 9:12PM

It's a proven fact that most HDTV viewers take for granted that their high-def favorites are grouped together in the EPG, but high-def onlookers in Shaw territory have been hunting and pecking for ages... until now. The Canadian cable provider has just announced that it will soon be shuffling its lineup around in order to "give Shaw customers a better viewing experience by grouping high-definition channels together for ease of channel surfing." The changes are slated to take place on November 18th for Calgary, Canmore, Banff, Edmonton, Redwater, Edson, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Brooks, Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler, Winnipeg, rural Manitoba, Kenora, Saskatoon and Prince Albert, while all other markets will see the difference the day after.

The Frame brings high-def art to Canadian HDTVs on Star Choice

by Darren Murph posted Oct 22nd 2008 at 7:24AM

We'll go ahead and say it: Canada is in desperate need of some fresh HD channels, and while we're sure Canucks will take any one they can get, we have all ideas The Frame isn't high on their list of wants. Nevertheless, the all-HD-art channel that hit Shaw Cable back in August has finally arrived on subsidiary Star Choice, and as expected, it will provide a 24-hour feed of high-def art sans commercials. From "exclusive fine art collections to award-winning photographs," The Frame promises to give your HDTV a workout when there's absolutely nothing else on. Those somehow looking forward to this can catch it on slot 268 this Thursday.

[Via Digital Home]

Shaw launching TSN2 HD Friday

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 18th 2008 at 6:03PM

Slightly more exciting than a 24/7 art channel, Shaw Cable is the latest to add TSN2 HD. Starting Friday September 19 subscribers can check out (hopefully sans-pixelization) all the curling, hockey, NASCAR, CFL and other sports action in high definition on channel 226 (HD Plus) or 269 (Star Choice). We know we had you at curling.

Shaw Cable launches The Frame HD channel: high-def art, all the time

by Darren Murph posted Aug 13th 2008 at 1:11AM

Apparently this whole "showing off HD art on the HDTV" fad is quite popular. Not only are certain HDTV manufacturers partnering with content providers, Canada's Shaw Cable is actually launching a 24/7 channel that broadcasts high-def art around the clock to entertain guests and show off just how pixelated pay-TV can be. The commercial free station, dubbed The Frame, essentially converts your set into an HD canvas that shows off art from Canada Collects, Animal Kingdom, Water World, Birds of a Feather, The Seven Seas, Canadian Horizons, City Lights, Sands of Time, Gardens of Delight, and many others. The galleries rotate every half hour and the images change every 30 seconds. As of now, the station is on slot 225 in Calgary, while the carrier intends to roll it out in more markets by September.

Shaw gets CRTC approval to expand services to Campbell River, B.C.

by Darren Murph posted May 1st 2008 at 2:12AM

We can't imagine Campbell River residents being enthused about having access to heavily pixelated HD content, but nevertheless, Shaw has just received CRTC approval to extend the authorized service area of its Courtenay British Columbia cable system to include the aforesaid community. The thumbs-up gives the carrier the ability to offer up its full range of cable, internet and digital phone services in Campbell River, but it doesn't seem as if anything new is coming to the new locale. Here's to hoping you folks have better luck than most everyone else with the picture quality.

Shaw shuffles lineup, adds in HD programming

by Darren Murph posted Apr 17th 2008 at 2:41PM

We're not sure if Shaw subscribers in the Great North are still experiencing those retched pixelation issues, but nevertheless, the Canadian cable provider is getting set to shuffle the lineups in a number of locales to accommodate new HD programming. Certain parts of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba will see an undisclosed amount of channels swap spots starting next week, but we'd say the aggravation will be well worth it when TLC HD, Encore Avenue HD and a handful of new HD pay-per-view movies show up. If the quality is up to snuff, that is.

Shaw cable customers still facing quality issues?

by Darren Murph posted Feb 28th 2008 at 12:20AM


We had heard that some Shaw customers up north (that's Canada, to be precise) were having some serious quality issues with their HD programming towards the end of 2007, and according to a recent writeup by Digital Home, the problems haven't gone away -- entirely, at least. Apparently, the audio dropouts and macroblocking that seemed to be present on nearly every HD channel were finally brought to the attention of management, and while the bigwigs did proclaim that they were taking the complaints "very seriously," nothing had been done as of early January. After a six-week effort that consisted of gathering data from 38 volunteers experiencing the problems, users say that the audio issues have improved somewhat, yet visual quirks are persisting. Any problem that hangs around for months on end can't be good, but we're curious to see if Shaw's done anything since to improve matters. So, dear Canadians, has it?

[Image courtesy of Vidiot]

Canada's Star Choice, Shaw launch Speed HD and NASCAR HotPass

by Darren Murph posted Feb 13th 2008 at 8:11AM

Ready for the Daytona 500? No, seriously -- are you ready? For Canucks subscribed to Star Choice or Shaw, you can harmoniously nod your head up and down right about now, as your provider just launched Speed HD and NASCAR HotPass. Effectively immediately, said customers can tune in and catch the latest on Speed HD, while two HD channels will open up on February 17th as the debut of HotPass coincides with the 50th running of the famed race. If you're interested, you can upgrade to Star Choice's HD SPORTS bundle in order to secure Speed HD, while NASCAR HotPass will be available for $9.99 per month. Better still, the former is free for everyone for the first month, while the latter will be beamed out gratis for Sunday's event.

Read - Star Choice adds Speed HD and NASCAR HotPass
Read - Shaw adds Speed HD and NASCAR HotPass

Shaw freshens up cable lineup with HD offerings

by Darren Murph posted Apr 18th 2007 at 4:51PM

While a number of other Canadian programming providers have already caved to the HD demands, those stuck with Shaw Cable can start rejoicing, too. The provider has just announced that "it will change analog and digital television channel lineups in Victoria starting Thursday" to include more digital options, a few "time-shifting channels," and an (admittedly small) HD tier. On the high-definition front, Shaw customers can soon look forward to HDNet, Movie Central HD 2, WXYZ-ABC, WWJ-CBS, WDIV-NBC, and WJBK-FOX, while GOL TV and World Fishing Network join the digital SD suite. So for those of you in the line of the newfangled HD fire, be sure to tune in tomorrow and let us know your initial impressions.




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