O Canada! → Canadian → Canadian Broadband > VMedia - Real-World experiences?

Re: VMedia - Real-World experiences?

My issue is not the bill, I don't want to pay for CTV/CityTV/Global et al, when all they do (news aside) is broadcast American shows.

Screw basic cable, skinny basic, or any other stupid ideas the CRTC comes up with, give me ala carte period.

Then we can add in there are so many other networks that we can't even dream of getting up here (let alone getting one of the above networks to pay for the Canadian IP rights for the shows the air).

TV in Canada is serious messed up in a big way.

/rant
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No, I didn't. Honest... I ran out of gas. I... I had a flat tire. I didn't have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn't come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake.......

Something to note to help with your decision. In London, Rogers runs all cable so your Internet would be over their lines. It helps to know there is at least some stability depending on how Rogers service is for you in a particular area.
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Weeeeeee

Ya for sure. Since they worked out the back to school kinks it has been solid as always again so not too worried there.

I just ripped down to Canada Computers over lunch and took a look, played around with the v2 box a bit etc. I think I am sold, just need to get in touch with Rogers. The associate at the store did mention install times are out about 3 weeks but I have to give Rogers 30 days notice any ways so it should all work out.

I'll probably opt for buying the box/modem instead of renting, pickup an Apple router and call it a day. Even on the slowest DSL connection it was keeping up with resolution better that I would have expected.

Anyone know if there's a Vmedia display at CC in Kanata or any of the other Ottawa stores? I'm interested but would like to check it out myself. Also, anyone using this service on 25/10 VDSL? I see a lot of negativity but that seems to be on the cable front.
Thanks,
Mike

Thanks for the link, that store isn't too far. I'll head over there to check it out.

I'm still looking for feedback on Vmedia's 25/10 or even 50/10 VDSL internet.

If you end up making the jump before I do, please stop by here and let us know how it all went There are few London users from what I can see and would love to hear your experience with the switch!
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Weeeeeee

Will make sure to do that. I am pretty set on doing it, my likely cancellation date with Rogers would be November 1 so they get their 30 days notice. I see no reason not to give it a try, especially with no contract. If I'm not happy I can always get out of it and look elsewhere but always willing to give something a shot .

Hi Mike, we are set up at the Merivale store at Roydon Place. Have a look if it's convenient.

I'll check it out.

I'm pretty sure there's one in Kanata in the same shopping area as the Walmart/Chapters/Loblaws

Hi I think you are right but we don't have a kiosk set up there to demo.

I picked the box up after work and will be calling rogers tonight after confirming some things with vmedia tech support/sales today.

What is involved with the installation dates? I might not be around and if i need to send someone to my house dovthey need any tech experience or would this be all at the box because i have rogers already?

First of all thank you very much for joining VMedia, very happy to have you aboard. We facilitate the install process as much as we can but the ultimate date for install is set by the underlying Telco, in this case Rogers. Normally they send a confirmation sufficiently in advance to make sure you can arrange for someone to be home, but not always, but we will let you know as soon as possible.I don't think any tech experience is needed for the set up, just plug the coax into the modem where applicable, and then the VBox into the modem(or router).The set up is detailed in VBox container, and on your screen once you are plugged in(we have a brief set up wizard). I think you'll be fine. Thanks again!

Quick question George: If I transfer internet from Distributel(renting the internet cable modem from them currently):
»www.vmedia.ca/internet/cable-a.aspx
Do I still have to pay the install fee of $64.95? Yes/No?
I would prefer renting the modem from you guys as well, I have no qualms about/with the deposit. Cheers! Thanks in advance! :P! !
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»tinyurl.com/83jhmnc ---> Please comment! Switch from Rogers Prepaid to Wind Mobile?

»tinyurl.com/6pfywwp ---> Please comment! Rogers/Distributel Nightmare!

Anyone on 25/10 or 50/10 VDSL with Vmedia? I'm interested in hearing your thoughts. I'm on 25/10 with Teksavvy at the moment and would hate to switch to something less reliable.

I made a special trip to Canada Computers in Mississauga to check out the VMedia kiosk and see the VBox in action. Unfortunately their internet was a bit wonky, so all I could see was the channel guide and v1 box on display, as well as grab a brochure. They certainly had VMedia advertised well all over the store though!

You do, it's in the tarriff, i got nailed for it too.

Heh, that's lame! I'll just wait it out then....I am a very patient person > We might be switching from Rogers analog cable to Vmedia for tv though(if I can keep Distributel for Cable internet & go with vmedia for tv?). Apparently we are paying $40/month for Rogers basic(analog) cable...Yeesh!

Hi I am afraid we can't avoid charging the install fee. The only way to reduce the cost of switching is if you go from Rogers to VMedia. I wish we could help, believe me. It is just another obstacle to the ability for independent ISPs to compete on a level playing field. The good news is you recoup your investment in savings pretty quickly. Thanks very much for considering us.

Hi I hope they made it clear that the internet was in fact wonky. We are working with them to supply more reliable internet.

Hi I hate to be a party pooper-whatever that is-but you can only get VMedia TV service if you get internet from us or one of our ISP partners. On the other hand if you are patient, switch to Rogers from Distributel, and then switch from Rogers to VMedia. You will reduce your install costs to $19.95.That is what Rogers charges when you switch from them to us.

Ok George, thank you for the quick replies, it is very much appreciated! Totally not your fault at all. I will vainly hope the CRTC gets their act together & changes some of these restrictions I hope eventually/down to the road. Keep fighting the good fight! Cheers! Thanks again! :P! !

George, did you ever check out the setup in Waterloo to see why the quality looked so poor? Also, can the Vmedia box be used as a stand-alone media player, ie. for Youtube, Netflix, XBMC, etc., without subscribing to cable tv? I asked this before but nobody answered.

Hi Squidge, can't answer you on the Waterloo question yet, I am heading out there this week to check it out.As for the VBox as a media player, not for now, we are keeping it closed to ensure control over apps that get added, so we add the apps our customers request ourselves. We are considering providing a capability through an upgrade that might allow it to operate through the client side, but we are not there yet.

Anyone able to relate experiences in the Midland, ON area for Rogers Cable to Vmedia switches? A dozen or so of us at work are very tempted by vmedia but no one is willing to make the jump until we hear a yay or nay.

I have also heard that Rogers is caving easily and giving large discounts to those threatening to leave. I even heard of a case where someone was behind in their bill who had threatened to leave and when they made a payment they were told that if they caught up all but the current by the end of the month that they would be credited the current month since they were a long-time customer. So they paid another $80 to get a $150 credit. I think this proves VMedia has Rogers running scared.

If anyone is interested I'm using a Vmedia login and these are my results which are exactly as they should be. This is on VDSL.

»www.speedtest.net/my-result/3005701895