ExpressVu vs. Starchoice (Satellite TV)

[N8Magic]

For those Canucks with Satellite, what did you choose? I currently have ExpressVu, but i'll be moving soon and may switch TV providers.

ExpressVu
Pros: Excellent channel selection, slightly cheaper monthly fee than Starchoice, equipment costs are slightly cheaper
Cons: Worst remote control ever, worst menu interface ever, $99.00 installation fee, new satellite is low on horizon (more prone to interference)

Starchoice
Pros: Also a great channel selection, hardware seems to be of better quality, way better remote control and menu interface, free installation, satellite higher on horizon
Cons: Equipment costs are slightly higher, programming costs are slightly higher, channel selection is a bit more limited

Which would you choose?

 

[joohang]

Which receiver are you using?

I have two 3100 hooked up to one dish on Bell ExpressVu. I'm very happy with it so far. I like the menu interface too, although there is a lot of room for improvement. The remote control is not bad either.

Perhaps you just happen to have one of the older receivers? I had a refurb 2700 for 1 week but didn't like it and it died on me. So I exchanged it for a new 3100 and paid the difference.

I heard that Bell will buy out Starchoice soon. I could be wrong though.

And Bell's flexible channel selection is the best of all TV companies I've seen.

 

[N8Magic]

I think we have a 2700 now. The thing sucks soooooooooooooooooooo bad.

 

[joohang]

Originally posted by: N8Magic
I think we have a 2700 now. The thing sucks soooooooooooooooooooo bad.

You'll like 3100 much better.

Or get a 5100 PVR while you are at it.

BTW, Bell will ship you a new dish and offer you discount on the new dish installation when you tell them about moving. Looks like they want more customers so they encourage you to leave the old dish for the new resident.

 

[burek]

Why dont you get an American one?

 

[N8Magic]

Originally posted by: joohang

Originally posted by: N8Magic
I think we have a 2700 now. The thing sucks soooooooooooooooooooo bad.

You'll like 3100 much better.

Or get a 5100 PVR while you are at it.

BTW, Bell will ship you a new dish and offer you discount on the new dish installation when you tell them about moving. Looks like they want more customers so they encourage you to leave the old dish for the new resident.

I was considering the 5100, but it's damn expensive. (even with my Bell employee discount) As for leaving the old dish, my roommates hate it so much they want to take it out back and pull an Office Space on it.

 

[N8Magic]

Originally posted by: burek
Why dont you get an American one?

Heh, the hacked cards get fried too quickly nowadays, and setting up an account/paying the fees is too expensive once exchange is taken into consideration.

 

[burek]

Well I dont know much about it but my friend has a DirecTV satellite and has a computer hooked up to the reciever to get all the channels. He told me it only goes down about once a month. I dont think he pays anything