Anyone have the new Shaw Gateway PVR? Opinions?
 

I have the Motorola DCT3416 right now, and for some reason the HDMI port stopped working (but the component video port still works). Kind of shitty after only having it for under 3 years. (Anyone know how long Shaw warranties the Motorola PVRs?)

Best Buy has the new Shaw Gateway PVR's on sale for $205, so I am considering upgrading.

Do the new gateways require any changes to the TV service plan?
Do the new gateways replace the existing cable modem for internet?

If you have the Shaw Gateway box for your TV, how do you like it? If you had a motorola box before, how does it compare?

Shaw warranties their units for 3 years. You should still be able to get coverage for your dead PVR if it's within 3 years.

The Gateway PVR is a slick unit, BUT you need the Gateway and then a Portal unit for EACH TV you have. EACH. So you will need a Gateway + 1 Portal at a minimum, which will end up around $350 before taxes.

The Gateway is nice, having a lot of tuners is great and their new guide menus are better. However, if you just have one TV I'd get the regular Motorola PVR for $198. Quality is the same, so no difference there. I haven't had a situation where I needed 6 tuners simultaneously with the single TV in our house...

Double post.

I'll check my receipt, but I'm pretty sure I bought the Motorola in Jan '09 so I should be just within warranty.

I have an HDTV and a PC with TV tuner, which generally works just fine but my wife sometimes complains that she can't watch Oasis (Her favourite channel, and is only on the HD stations) on the PC.

I was thinking of going with the Gateway for the main TV and hooking up the Motorola to the PC (through the TV tuner). I know that it won't be an HD picture on the PC, but at least my wife can watch those channels.
Is that scenario possible?

The big thing for me is that the Gateway seems to be the direction Shaw is going for all their future services, I think that in a little while the Motorola's will be phased out. I definately like the look of the guide etc.

You cannot use the Gateway as a TV tuner. It will not work that way - it has no video outputs. You will need a portal unit as I've said before.

You also cannot use the Motorola PVR with the Gateway, it'll have to be wired up on its own. So yes, your wife can watch TV through the PVR on the PC, in non-HD res.

Ok, now I understand thanks. I did not know that the Gateway does not have video outputs. I thought it worked like the Telus system my parents have where the PVR is also the portal for one TV.

Oh, and to answer your other question, it does not replace your modem or require changes to your plan.
Posted via RS Mobile

So I'm still in warranty, I called Shaw and they had to have a tech come diagnose it. I don't know what more he can diagnose than what I've done already.

Do they still have 3416's kicking around, or will they just upgrade me to the newer 500gig Motorola?

3416s are still around. the tech may just replace the unit.

3 year warranty begins from date purchased and not many know this BUT

if you have all 3 services with shaw. you will be covered under extended warranty even if the warranty on the unit itself is over.

Only field techs have the power to replace a unit thats why. Phone reps can't send you to a retail store to swap your cable box.

Yeah that's pretty dumb. Now I have to take time off work for the "all day appointment". What a fucking inconvenience.

Just wondering if shaw PVR service is extra money on your bill? I have an hd box from 2 years ago I can buy an attachment for pvr. I've been debating whether or not I shud grab the pvr extension. But if you have to pay for the service I probably won't grab it..
Posted via RS Mobile

No, you just need the PVR Expander. No extra $ needed.

Nice!! That's what I thought.. I shouldn't of cheaped out when I bought the hd box n just got PVR o well. I heard the standard pvr box space is pretty easy to fill how much space do you think is sufficient? 500G or 1tb?
Posted via RS Mobile

1TB is the expander size... Takes a while to fill. It's quite a lot of space actually. 500GB may not be sufficient if like me, you love to tape Discovery Channel HD stuff. :p

500 mb = 300 hr of SD or 60 hr HD

i've never surpassed 40% of my 500mb......yet. i clear it out every so often

no way 500 MB is 60 hours of hd

He means GB I'm sure.
Posted via RS Mobile

how is each portal connected?
is it wireless signal?

just asking because my sister always complains that she has no cable in her room, and this would solve the problem because I don't want to get a long ass fucking wire through the living room.

the portal is connected via coaxial cable