Reliable sources report another satellite has been leased, with 32 transponders for use at the 82 degree slot. It's currently in the air and should be in service December 2005.

They expect to add 10-13 HD channels in the next 18 months, TBD. Logical candidates include West CBC and Global feeds.

For details on the existing BEV HD service, see the HDTV Programming Synopsis (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=164671).

Is this going to be like the Nimiq 3 bird so us in the deep south and California cannot get a signal? I sure hope not! This is geat news! Thanks for the info Ken!

I'm getting BEV next week(well once I figure out how to install it). I almost went with Starchoice but figured I'd get more HD from Bell. Looks like I did the right thing :)

Outstanding!!! Let's see I get east and west feeds of networks, Canadian HD programming, WGN in HD, the NFL package in HD, MHD, TSNHD.....I'm watching this provider on a 10 to 1 basis over *E right now!!!!!!!!

As far as receiving the HD channels in far west and southwest, I used a 90 CM (36") dish GeoSatPro 90cm Dish (GeoSatPro 90) and my signal level jumped from 50 to 80 and has worked fine ever since. A google on GeoSatPro 90 will find prices/retailers.

10-13 more HD Channels?...other than CBC West, Global West and Sun HD, what other Canadian HD channels could they add? Hopefully the rest will be American HD channels like HDNET, InHD, KTLA HD, TNT HD, etc...

10-13 more HD Channels?...other than CBC West, Global West and Sun HD, what other Canadian HD channels could they add? ..

Exactly the issue isn't it - the smoke and mirrors at Expressvu continue. At the present time Expressvu only offers 31% more programming in HD with 28 channels vs SC with 11 channels. This gap will be even smaller when CBC and CITY HD are added to SC later this fall.

Add 10 more channels but no new HD programming, as their parent company Bell Canada keeps blocking HD applications at the CRTC.

There are only 6 transponders at 82 degrees that are not being used - so one is looking at 12 additional services at 2 HD/transponder. The satellite in question is a Directv satellite - so the answer to the question "Will it be another Nimiq3" is yes, it will be tilted so the footprint covers as much of Canada as possible

Another thing I hope they don't move over any existing channels to the new bird, esp. if this new satellite cannot cover all North America. Any more details on exatcly what satellite we are talking about here and its beam pattern?

I would really hate to lose TSN-HD, Sportsnet HD or the CBC HD!!

Is Sportsnet HD on the 82 degrees satellite? I stopped receiving it several months ago and cannot get an explanation out of my provider. I do not focus on the 91 degree bird that BEV uses.

I'm going to use this week old FCC story to get started:



The International Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission granted DirecTV authority to operate its DirecTV 5 satellite at the 109.8-degree orbital location and to relocate the DirecTV 6 satellite to the 109.7-degree orbital location.

Eventually, the satellite TV company will hand off customer traffic from DirecTV 6 to DirecTV 5, and place DirecTV 6 at the 109.5-degree orbital location, where it will reside as an in-orbit spare. The FCC authorization will allow DirecTV to maintain continuity of service for customers receiving signals from the orbital location, the FCC said.

The DirecTV 6 satellite currently serves customers from 109.8 degrees. The satellite has experienced solar array failures that cause a continuing decrease in operational capacity, which compelled the company to replace the spacecraft with the DirecTV 5 satellite.




So going by notes & theory, I think I have the order correct -

72.5 D5 replaced with D1
110 D6 replaced with D5
82> receives D6

Will the extra 82 degee Nimiq sat do the same as Nimiq 3?
I think we can all answer that question= Certainly
Using the same Nimiq 3 theory, powering 8 transponders, equal three channels
per transponder; 3x8= 24 HD channels go to the extra satellite for exclusive
hi powered Northern coverage.
18 month process to add new HD, which means per Ken, a couple of West Coast Feed HD channels.

This is a front to park Directvs satellite for them;
Add transponders to regain the permanent payload damage, of complete loss
to run a full 32 tp load,
(Currently 27 HD channels: 27-24=3) Custom pick three HD channels for their Southern snowbirds subs.

Although not official, Lyngsat is showing Sportsnet HD on Nimiq 2 (82 degrees) at frequency 12370 right polarization, but this information is as of May 25, 2005. http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/expressvu2.html

On Nimiq 3 (91 degrees) they show the regional Sportsnet stations (Ontario, East, West and Pacific) but not the HD station. http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/expressvu1.html.

Again, this information may be out of date.

As for where the new HD stations will be carried, Telesat Canada recently launced a replacement for Anik F1, but what I understand is this will carry Starchoice stations, not ExpressVu. There appear to be a fair number of available channels on Nimiq 3, however.

Ross

10-13 more HD Channels?...other than CBC West, Global West and Sun HD, what other Canadian HD channels could they add? Hopefully the rest will be American HD channels like HDNET, InHD, KTLA HD, TNT HD, etc...

HD channels can't launch without distribution, after all, and they're a major piece of the digital pie. I'd like to see an HD version of Showcase. There's also TVA and TQS HD to come and they could add WSBK-HD.

I'm sure they didn't get a new (old) sat just on the chance that there may be channels to fill it.

I'm in the deep south and I can get all HD channels on BEV....Sportsnet included.....small dish

I'm in the deep south and I can get all HD channels on BEV....Sportsnet included.....small dish

Yes, because the HD are currently on 82W with a full signal.

Most in the USA cannot get some of the SD channels on 91W which is aimed at Canada. Remember there are currently 2 birds in the 91W slot. You can pick up the signal from one, but not the other.

What they seem to be implying here is the same type bird that currently does not serve the entire US is being moved to 82W and will replace some of the capacity there.

If they position the footprint the same as the last Directv bird now at 91W, it means anything moved to that new bird will not be available over a large portion of the USA.

Can someone dig up the links to pictures of the Canadian providers' satellite footprints?

I know I saw that online sometime in the past...

Can someone dig up the links to pictures of the Canadian providers' satellite footprints?

I know I saw that online sometime in the past...

Nimiq 3 is the one at 91W that does not cover the USA entirely. It was an old D* Bird that is similar to what they are moving to 82W - so this is the concern one would have if the footprint is adjusted to skew towards Canada as they did with the 91W bird.

From user reports:

http://mrda.ca/N3_files/image_map.gif

Its fairly accurate

This is another one:

http://img202.exs.cx/img202/1898/expressvucoverage4sa.jpg

Nimiq 3 is the one at 91W that does not cover the USA entirely. It was an old D* Bird that is similar to what they are moving to 82W - so this is the concern one would have if the footprint is adjusted to skew towards Canada as they did with the 91W bird.

Thanks for digging those up!

If for whatever reason a BEV dish would end up, say, here in this part of the world... there'd be no problem, as we're fairly close to Canada. But I was curious about other parts of "The Southern Provinces"...it'd mostly impact the West and Southwest, it looks like.

Napa_Newbie,

What channel do you receive Sportsnet HD on? Do you subscribe to a "Sports Pack" in order to receive it?

Jack

Can someone dig up the links to pictures of the Canadian providers' satellite footprints?

I know I saw that online sometime in the past...

A good site for Canadian telecommunication satellites is their controller's website, http://www.telesat.ca/

Start with the overview page here: http://www.telesat.ca/satellites/index.htm

Footprints of the Anik birds here: http://www.telesat.ca/satellites/footprints/index.htm (Nimiq seem to be missing, however, but Nimiq 2 footprint is here: http://www.geo-orbit.org/westhemipgs/fnimiqp.html)

Anik and Nimiq channel charts here: http://www.telesat.ca/satellites/harts/index.htm

While I'm in the FAQ mood, FYI, Nimiq is an Inuit (i.e., Eskimo) word used for an object or a force which binds things together. Anik in Inuit means "little brother."

Wow, thanks for the information!

Well, as I said, here, just across Lake Erie from southern Ontario, I'm sure signals are strong out of the Canadian birds.

(Nimiq seem to be missing, however, but Nimiq 2 footprint is here: http://www.geo-orbit.org/westhemipgs/fnimiqp.html)


And unfortunately Nimiq 3 is the signal that does not get to a lot of the Southern USA.

Napa_Newbie,

What channel do you receive Sportsnet HD on? Do you subscribe to a "Sports Pack" in order to receive it?

Jack

i believe if you sub to the sportspak 1 you receive tsnhd ch.850 and sportsnethd ch.851.

Jackb,
yes...sportspack 1 and HDTV pack. That is on top of the basic package. This is huge in allowing me to watch a variety of HD NFL games on east and west coast feeds of the locals. I also have Directv and don't need NFL season ticket. Additionally, I like watching Alias and other shows earlier than the west coast feed.

Do you have BEV and have a huge dish? Do you get every channel clean? no Southern province BS?

Exactly the issue isn't it - the smoke and mirrors at Expressvu continue. At the present time Expressvu only offers 31% more programming in HD with 28 channels vs SC with 11 channels. This gap will be even smaller when CBC and CITY HD are added to SC later this fall.

I'm anything but a math professor, but isnt this about 200 percent more HD for Bel vs. SC or am I missing something here? :confused:

I'm anything but a math professor, but isnt this about 200 percent more HD for Bel vs. SC or am I missing something here? :confused:

254% to be exact but whose counting.

Now I understand why info on Nimiq 3 is tough to find... it wasn't launched under that name. A history of the ExpressVu service is here: http://satellitetv.digitalinsurrection.com/bell_expressvu.php

"In 2004, Bell Expressvu acquired use of an older Directv DBS class satellite, which was re-named Nimiq 3 and located it at the 91° orbital location, to operate with Nimiq 1. This would allow Expressvu to strengthen its reception in Canada by increasing the power on the satellite by removing 8 active transponders on Nimiq 1 and using Nimiq 3 to transmit these instead. This re-allocation had a negative effect for some Canadians living in the USA, as it caused a loss of signal in many southern US states, that had previously enjoyed excellent reception."

Ross

Now I understand why info on Nimiq 3 is tough to find... it wasn't launched under that name. A history of the ExpressVu service is here: http://satellitetv.digitalinsurrection.com/bell_expressvu.php

"In 2004, Bell Expressvu acquired use of an older Directv DBS class satellite, which was re-named Nimiq 3 and located it at the 91° orbital location, to operate with Nimiq 1. This would allow Expressvu to strengthen its reception in Canada by increasing the power on the satellite by removing 8 active transponders on Nimiq 1 and using Nimiq 3 to transmit these instead. This re-allocation had a negative effect for some Canadians living in the USA, as it caused a loss of signal in many southern US states, that had previously enjoyed excellent reception."

Ross


And that is the concern for the new bird coming to 82W

napa_newbie,

I have BEV on small dish focused on 82 Degrees and have no problem with picture. It looks like my problem is that I don't subscribe to the Sportspack. Sportsnet used to be free but I guess that has changed. I may be discontinuing my BEV for awhile as my Direct TV HD networks have survived an audit when the east coast was eliminated. I lost ASC for a few weeks when I changed receivers and the computer decided ABC should be eliminated. But I got it back.

Do you know if there are any problems getting new southerly connections to BEV if I should cancel it for a while. When Direct TV tries to ship me a new MPEG4 box and find I don't respond to their mail I might have a problem.

I'm in the deep south and I can get all HD channels on BEV....Sportsnet included.....small dish

Gee! Didn't know Napa, CA was in the deep south! Anyway, I see you got an answer why you get the BEV's HDs with no problem from Nimiq 2. I'm on DirecTV and Star Choice 100 mi. NE of you. Granted, I don't get as many HDs on *C, but combined with D*, it's a pretty complete package. *C is supposed to be adding 4 or 5 more HDs this month. No one knows for sure what they'll be, but "beggars can't be choosy". Nearly all their HD is available at no extra charge.
For your sake, I hope BEV doesn't move much HD programming to their new bird at 82 degrees. Consensus on this forum is that the footprint in the US will be similar to Nimiq 3 (bad in the west and southeast).
Good luck!

Yeah, I'm holding out as long as possible. As long as they don't take away my current HD channels, I'm happy. But at this point, I'm willing to cancel BEV and start over with *C if necessary. I'm just sitting here in Napa, crossing my fingers. Please preserve my HD, please BEV. Your sub fees depend on it, and I'm not the only one in the deep south singing that tune. I really don't want to install another dish, my roofline takes the whole 28 ft ladder, and I ain't going up there again. (The pro installer will have to do it next time.)

Yeah, I'm holding out as long as possible. As long as they don't take away my current HD channels, I'm happy. But at this point, I'm willing to cancel BEV and start over with *C if necessary. I'm just sitting here in Napa, crossing my fingers. Please preserve my HD, please BEV. Your sub fees depend on it, and I'm not the only one in the deep south singing that tune. I really don't want to install another dish, my roofline takes the whole 28 ft ladder, and I ain't going up there again. (The pro installer will have to do it next time.)

You might want to check the Sun's location from about 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM. This time of year. it is almost directly behind the satellites. During this time window, it will go from Star Choice's ANIK F1 satellite (at 107.3 degrees) to their F2 bird (at 111.1 degrees). If you want Star choice, you may find a spot lower on your house (or even on the ground) that has a clear shot at this arc.
Your BEV dish needs to see the Sun earlier in the morning, as it is pointed at the area between 82 and 91 degrees.

I'm anything but a math professor, but isnt this about 200 percent more HD for Bel vs. SC or am I missing something here? :confused:

....I think he's referring to programs that are actually in HD....StarChoice has most every HD program that's available on ExpressVu.....

........no extra charge for HD with StarChoice either vs an extra $10 per month for HD with ExpressVu! www.starchoice.com/english/learn/programming/hdtv.asp

Carl,
thanks for the tip. Our community is very hilly and so the side of the house I have my dishes, has the neighbors house's lot about 8 ft higher. Of course, I also have to take into consideration minimizing the eyesore, location of external cable feeds, etc. But I appreciate the advice, I will check the sun out today, if it shows up?????

I noticed that starchoice does not have the following HD channels....CBC, TSN and Global.....is this correct? I need my NHL in HD.....

I noticed that starchoice does not have the following HD channels....CBC, TSN and Global.....is this correct? I need my NHL in HD.....

Currently yes. But as mentioned in an earlier post they are planning to add a couple of new channels in the following weeks. CBC will definetly be one that's coming. TSN is rather questionable.

But as mentioned in an earlier post they are planning to add a couple of new channels in the following weeks.

....The StarChoice flyer in today's Halifax Sunday Daily News states "StarChoice has 11 HD channels to chose from, plus 4 new HD channels coming in October '05" :)

....The StarChoice flyer in today's Halifax Sunday Daily News states "StarChoice has 11 HD channels to chose from, plus 4 new HD channels coming in October '05" :)

I tried last week to get an official response on the Dialog Zone on the new channels, but no luck. October is half over. The only reason I can think of is that Star Choice does not yet have all its agreements in place, and doesn't want to risk the embarrassment of promising what it can't deliver.

The only reason I can think of is that Star Choice does not yet have all its agreements in place, and doesn't want to risk the embarrassment of promising what it can't deliver.

The satellites are not yet in place to move the F2 feeds that are on the 4 transponders that were sold to SC.

Ken H, just wondering if your sources have any idea what these new expressvu hd channels might be, any good rumors will do :)

The satellites are not yet in place to move the F2 feeds that are on the 4 transponders that were sold to SC.

So, in addition to perhaps not having all the agreements in place, there are hardware issues.

Meridian HD and Adrenaline HD will be added June 1.

Wow, talk about a blast from the past thread! :)

Meridian HD and Adrenaline HD will be added June 1.

What are these channels? What type of programming?

Adrenaline sounds like Voom's Rush and Meridian sounds like a National Geographic channel. They're going to have to be on the right satellite and transponder for me here in the very deep southern province.

254% to be exact but whose counting.It's 154% more, to be more exact.

I don't know if this is the right place...

Anyway I am wondering is it still possible to get Bell Expressvu in the southern provinces now that they have gone rental?

lol southern provinces.

Always thought is was the "Northern State"


Mom & Pop ExpressVu retailers will still sell systems instead
of the rental program.

Alliance Atlantis has applied for licenses for HD versions of:

Food Network Canada
Showcase
HGTV Canada
Life Network
National Geographic Channel Canada

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Notices/2006/pb2006-52.htm

Meridian HD and Adrenaline HD will be added June 1.


Well no new channels here. I haven't seen the addition of these channels mentioned anywhere else either.

My bad. My very bad. I assumed that since the CRTC approved
Meridian HD and Adrenaline HD for June 1, that they would be
added June 1. I talked to a couple of CSR's at Bell. They said
they have not received any notification about any new HD channels.

So sorry.

My bad. My very bad. I assumed that since the CRTC approved
Meridian HD and Adrenaline HD for June 1, that they would be
added June 1. I talked to a couple of CSR's at Bell. They said
they have not received any notification about any new HD channels.

So sorry.

They have been testing at least 1 new HD channel that I am aware of (Currently on 842) - but no one here has ever identified it.

I will state that it did change 3 weeks ago from one to another while in test mode.

I read on the digital canada forum that BEV is having a some sort of HD related annoucement n the 5th. So maybe you'll end up being right after all.

The one thing about all these channels listed above is though, how much actual HD content do they have? As of now most Canadian HD channels don't have that much HD content. So just mentioning a channel can be pretty misleading, if the actual content is not there.

BEV may have the biggest number of HD channels, but I'm not sure if they are really the provider that carries the most HD content.

The one thing about all these channels listed above is though, how much actual HD content do they have? As of now most Canadian HD channels don't have that much HD content. So just mentioning a channel can be pretty misleading, if the actual content is not there.

BEV may have the biggest number of HD channels, but I'm not sure if they are really the provider that carries the most HD content.

Interesting comment.

4 HD PPV

2 MovieNetwork HD Channels

2 Movie Central HD Channels

That alone puts it ahead of the other Canadian Service.

And we've yet to mention OasisHD and TreasureHD, their other Voom Counterparts, CityHD etc etc.

BEV may have the biggest number of HD channels, but I'm not sure if they are really the provider that carries the most HD content.

There is a thread on the Digital Home forum that shows hours of original HD by Canadian cable/sat providers. It shows Rogers Cable Ontario systems in a virtual tie with Expressvu. And it shows that on an average week Expressvu has 23 hours more HD than Star Choice on 33 vs 14 HD channels.

Expressvu has a much bigger problem to address now that pressure is coming from Canadian cable systems telling potential new programmers that they are not interested in carrying their product if it is also available from unsecure sources. Hence this is why some people are reporting unmapped Expressvu channels (which are only available for use by Bell and Kudelski engineers.)

The one thing about all these channels listed above is though, how much PQ they have. BEV's HD looks more like widescreen SD. Macroblocking is terrible, just painful to watch. If you thought D* was bad, take a look at BEV.

The one thing about all these channels listed above is though, how much actual HD content do they have? As of now most Canadian HD channels don't have that much HD content. So just mentioning a channel can be pretty misleading, if the actual content is not there.

BEV may have the biggest number of HD channels, but I'm not sure if they are really the provider that carries the most HD content.

I moved to Star Choice after spending one month with Bev's poor SD and HD PQ.

The one thing about all these channels listed above is though, how much PQ they have. BEV's HD looks more like widescreen SD. Macroblocking is terrible, just painful to watch. If you thought D* was bad, take a look at BEV.

I have both and I find BEV to have much better picture quality than D* on both HD and SD channels. I'm not trying to say that BEV has top notch PQ or anything but saying it's worse than D* is just not true, IMO.

OT: I do wish Star Choice would get off its Butt and try to match BEV's HD content

There is a thread on the Digital Home forum that shows hours of original HD by Canadian cable/sat providers. It shows Rogers Cable Ontario systems in a virtual tie with Expressvu. And it shows that on an average week Expressvu has 23 hours more HD than Star Choice on 33 vs 14 HD channels.

Expressvu has a much bigger problem to address now that pressure is coming from Canadian cable systems telling potential new programmers that they are not interested in carrying their product if it is also available from unsecure sources. Hence this is why some people are reporting unmapped Expressvu channels (which are only available for use by Bell and Kudelski engineers.)

I realize you are only reporting what is reported elsewhere, but that number is totally bogus.

Just the fact that SC does not carry ABC out of Seattle in HD, that station alone blows that number and its credibility out of the water (unless you do not think that ABC shows 23 hours of HD in 1 week, lol.

Add Oasis and TreasureHD...the numbers really begin to go through the roof.

MPIX is not on SC and is BEV.....that's easily 100+ hours on that 1 channel alone.

CityHD is not on SC in HD and it has HD programming as well.

I could go on and one, but on those channels mentioned there are easily HUNDREDS more hours of HD programming than on SC.

4 HD PPV Movie channels on BEV - none on SC.

Those 4 movie channels blow out the 23 hour per week figure.

If you want to debate picture quality, that fine and legit.

However, don't bring some bogus BS figures from another site than any 3 year old can see through as false and not expect to be challenged as some here can add.

I realize you are only reporting what is reported elsewhere, but that number is totally bogus.

Just the fact that SC does not carry ABC out of Seattle in HD, that station alone blows that number and its credibility out of the water (unless you do not think that ABC shows 23 hours of HD in 1 week, lol.



The number in the article is for original hours. And it does not count each hour of simsubbed programming as 3 or 4 or 6 hours of HD.

Bottom line is that HD is not a big deal to the vast majority of Canadian consumers. It's no wonder why in a country where Rogers Sportsnet produces more HD per year than all the other broadcasters combined. The biggest supplier of HD is Cancom - and not a single one of their cable company customers even buys all the Cancom feeds. Give most Canadian consumers the big sporting events in HD and they are satisfied.

A further indicator is that MTS (Manitoba Telephone) recently announced the addition of HD to their IPTV service. Their big competitor for telephone/internet/tv is Shaw Cable. Who did they select for their HD supplier? Not the service that offers 33 HD channels - rather the service owned by their competitor.

The number in the article is for original hours. And it does not count each hour of simsubbed programming as 3 or 4 or 6 hours of HD.

Bottom line is that HD is not a big deal to the vast majority of Canadian consumers. It's no wonder why in a country where Rogers Sportsnet produces more HD per year than all the other broadcasters combined. The biggest supplier of HD is Cancom - and not a single one of their cable company customers even buys all the Cancom feeds. Give most Canadian consumers the big sporting events in HD and they are satisfied.

A further indicator is that MTS (Manitoba Telephone) recently announced the addition of HD to their IPTV service. Their big competitor for telephone/internet/tv is Shaw Cable. Who did they select for their HD supplier? Not the service that offers 33 HD channels - rather the service owned by their competitor.

I agree with you. The vast majority of Canadian (and US) satellite viewers are quite happy with getting original network programming and sports in HD. In that regard, the two Canadian services are equivalent. Yes, there is currently no ABC West HD on SC, but that is likely to be fixed this fall. In the meantime, many of us get that feed OTA or via another provider. As to the picture quality issue, I have both, and SC has a slight edge (at least to me).

Bell is the best for HD and have no complains at all. Would never consider any other service provider. Movie channels in HD are awesome, hate watching movies in SD, lol.

Bell has the most channels and most programming. Period. And they'll continue to be the leader in HD. I hope, lol.

The number in the article is for original hours. And it does not count each hour of simsubbed programming as 3 or 4 or 6 hours of HD.


Yawn.....

You just keep stepping in it....

TSN-HD 280 850
Rogers Sportsnet HD 281 851
The Movie Network HD 282 840
Movie Central HD 283 841
NBC East HD 284 815
ABC East HD 285 816
CBS East HD 286 817
FOX East HD 287 818
PBS East HD 288 819
NBC West HD 289 820
ABC West HD --- 821
CBS West HD 290 822
FOX West HD 291 823
PBS West HD --- 824
CBC HD 292 802
CTV East HD 293 800
Global - Toronto HD --- 801
CityHD --- 803
CTV West HD --- 806
TreasureHD --- 809
OasisHD --- 810
WGN-HD - Chicago --- 825
PPV Demo Channel --- 829
HD PPV #1 --- 830
HD PPV #2 --- 831
HD PPV #3 --- 832
HD PPV #4 --- 833
MPIX HD --- 839
Raptors NBA-TV HD --- 849
Discovery Channel HD --- 853
SRC HD --- 860


ABC West:

Good Morning America - 2 hours HD Programming every morning for = 14 Hours
ABC 22 Hours of Primetime Programming - Usually 16 Hours in HD
ABC Sports Programming on weekends
Virtually no ABC programming is SimSubbed.

Local Newscasts In HD:
0500-0700 HD Newscast 7x = 14 Hours a Week
1100-1200 HD Newscast 6x = 6 Hours a Week
2300-2332 HD Newscast 7x = 4 Hours a Week

So there is 24 hours of Local News on KOMO4 in HD - more than the 23 hours total you said BEV had over SC all together. Add Primetime and Good Morning America for another 30 hours - or 54 Hours total - plus weekend Sports in HD - running it close to 60 hours in HD on this 1 Channel alone that SC doesn't have.

AGAIN READ AGAIN...24 HOURS OF ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING FROM IN LOCAL NEWSCASTS ON 1 CHANNEL THAT BLOW YOUR NUMBER OUT OF THE WATER BY ITSELF.

PBS:
Though 98% most of the PBS programming is the same for Boston/Detroit and Seattle, WGBH is one of the Top 5 producers of Programming for PBS and does have occasional repeats of local originated material - maybe 1%-2% of total. KCTS in also Seattle will have different programming than PBS-HD National Feed usually around 1-2% a week. Detroit is not a big PBS Market (in terms of producing programming for PBS HD) and thus airs the PBS National Feed virtually intact. Overall 5 hours a week are probably unique and not available on SC.

Global HD:
Very little to any original HD Programming - Probably 1-2 hours a week at tops. Mostly American HD Programming. I'll give it 1-2 Hours, which is probably low of material not on SC.

City HD:
Mostly American HD Programming, HOWEVER, they do have movies in HD usually 3 times a week that I have never seen in HD anywhere else. For example, Ferris Bueller (real HD in OAR - not the "we don't have it in HD Cinemax 4:3 Version), Grease, Beverly Hills Cop 2 etc. I easily put this at 10 hours a week not on SC.

CTV West HD:
3 Hour delay of CTV East. Still more HD Content.

Treasure HD:
Off shoot of Voom Auction Channel. 100% HD. Roughly 168 hours of HD Programming a week not available on Rogers or SC.

Oasis HD:
Some of the best, visually stunning HD - and most I have not seen on DiscoveryHD, EquatorHD or the rest. Roughly 168 hours of HD Programming a week not available on Rogers or SC.

WGN-HD:
Chicago WGN. Baseball games in HD. WB in HD. Over 23 hours of HD a week not available via StarChoicene on this channel alone.

HD PPV 1-4:
Does air free concerts - usually once a week. Robbie Williams, Coldplay etc.
Current HD offering this week include 3 concerts, 6 HD Movies and HDNET Night - Total of roughly 24 hours of HD titles not available on Rogers or SC.

MPIX HD:
Movie Channel - Not fulltime but easily 100+ hours of movies per week not available on SC including Titles I have not seen in other places including the ORIGINAL Posedion Adeventure and The Great Escape.

Raptors NBA HD:
Essentially NBA HD Channel. Many HD Games not available in HD in Canada including TNT-HD Games. Not available on StarChoice.

Discovery Channel HD:
The Canadian Channel of the US Discovery Channel with many of the same programs - still Nothing Similar on SC. 168 Hours of Unique HD available here as well.

SRC HD:
French narrative HD Sports. Also, was yet another HD Channel for during the Olympics. I had a total of 5 HD Olympic Channels at the same time with 5 different Sporting Events most of the time - but never less than 4 different Events in HD at the same time. I don't watch it as I don't speak french, but it's easily over 50 hours a week of unique HD Programming not available on SC.

Simple math shows this is OVER 500 HOURS OF ORIGINAL HD PROGRAMMING and closer to 1,000 HOURS A WEEK THAT CANNOT BE FOUND ON SC.


AND THIS DOESN'T INCLUDE THE 24/7/365 HD CHANNELS THEY HAVE IN TESTING ABOUT TO GO LIVE TO CONSUMERS.

Bottom line is that HD is not a big deal to the vast majority of Canadian consumers. It's no wonder why in a country where Rogers Sportsnet produces more HD per year than all the other broadcasters combined. The biggest supplier of HD is Cancom - and not a single one of their cable company customers even buys all the Cancom feeds. Give most Canadian consumers the big sporting events in HD and they are satisfied.

A further indicator is that MTS (Manitoba Telephone) recently announced the addition of HD to their IPTV service. Their big competitor for telephone/internet/tv is Shaw Cable. Who did they select for their HD supplier? Not the service that offers 33 HD channels - rather the service owned by their competitor.

Imagine that .....a telephone company didn't get in bed with a Baby Bell company!!!!! Who would have thought it!!!!!!

If you want to say SC has better video quality, I'll grant you that.

However, don't come up with BS stories about only 23 Hours of HD Programming Difference a week between the 2.

SC looses that hands down and only an uninformed consumer would buy that.

^ Word!

Bell just added
RUSH HD
EQUATOR HD
A&E HD

I am an Expressvu subscriber in the California. I am about to make the jump to a HD TV and I am considering bumping my Expressvu up to HD as well. I currently only have a basic package + TSN, mostly for hockey coverage. I am thinking of getting the HD DVR and starting to use Expressvu for more of my regular TV viewing.

What is the current state of channels that I will not be able to get with a regular dish here in California?
I know that there was a good link to that information that I found when the Nimiq 3 changes first came out, but I cannot find it now.

Thanks for any help,
Hunter

If you are having trouble with 82W as many in California are, you will not have good luck with HD.

Be aware that the 2 satellites now being constructed (Nimiq 4 & 5) for placement at 82 and 91 degrees will not have a footprint below 39 or 42 degrees (depending on location in N.A.). They will be launched in 2009/2011 and tested at 72.5 before final placement.

The change in footprint is to focus a stronger signal on Canada's west coast where rainfade is a big issue with present Nimiq satellites.

N2 will then be moved to 72.5 with N1 acting as an inorbit spare. The DTV satellites at 91/82 will then be deorbited.