ThatGuyThere
join:2005-01-13
Winnipeg, MB
|  TV Over Phonelines
I know a number of you guys have digital TV over DSL lines from companies like MTS and SaskTel... what do you guys think of it? Is it clearer? A good deal? All that standard stuff... I'm kinda skeptical to believe every last thing said in the ads.
I'm currently debating it, and I'm really not sure if I should switch over or not. I do apologize if this is in the wrong forum. |
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MacGyver
Bell Sucks
Premium,ExMod 2003-05
join:2001-10-14
Orleans, ON | This would be the right forum.
Although it's not in your territory, here's an experience from a Bell Canada customer to wet your appetite: »finally! vdsl is here... |
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Derfel
join:2004-06-06
Winnipeg, MB
 ·MTS
| reply to ThatGuyThere
So far, my two months with MTS has been decent for VDSL. Only once have I had an outage; it lasted about 8 minutes, and my internet was out of commission too.
I find that with very very complex video on a few of the channels, you get a bit of video distortion (blocky-looking video, etc... seems worst during fiery explosions?) but other than that the sound and picture is clear. I also love having the 60+ radio stations as well.
All of that costs me less than regular cable per month. Go figure. |
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lawrence171
Evilly Yours - Evilness
join:2001-12-24
Canada
| reply to ThatGuyThere
Um... that happens with a lot of digital services as well. I believe its either due to insufficient processing power or bandwidth/briate.
Happens, sometimes, with satellite as well.
I'm quite sure that its pretty rare.
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What I used to be I no longer am... God, why can't you freeze time for my sake? |
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Tikker_LoS
join:2004-04-29
Regina, SK
·SaskTel Saskatchewan
| reply to ThatGuyThere
I've had TV over DSL (max) for pushing a year now.
Money wise, it's a better deal to have phone/internet/tv all from one company, but that may be different depending on where you live
If you put 2 identical TV's side by side, 1 with MAX, 1 with Cable and compared you'd notice these things:
1 Picture is identical
2 MAX is slower to change channels (think satellite)
3 MAX has a much better channel guide (again, like Satellite)
4 Can check email and surf from the TV (never do it, but i could if i was desperate)
5 Did I mention the channel guide?
It's really not that different of a service from satellite, or cable. If bundling your services can save you money, I'd recommend making the change
If it would cost you more money, then I don't think it's worth it. After a while, you won't even remember it's NOT cable |
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wilburyan
join:2002-08-01
2 edits | The thread is a little old but I figure i'll throw in my 2 cents as I work for jump.ca as a technician and know a little bit about the service.
For Value, it tramples Shaw. Shaw cable and internet will run about $70. A comparable Max package would be $50.
As for the problem mentioned of little blocks on the screen, this is called pixelation, it was most likely caused by not enough bandwidth... if it happens again call Sasktel at 1-800-773-2121 and explain the problem.
They will likely send out a technician and try to squeese out a little more bandwidth.
For those of you who are interested in bandwidth... each set-top box uses roughly 3mbits of downstream and it can effect your internet speed (dispite what they say) The internet is supposed to be 1.5mbit (usually tests at 1.43) but i'v seen max bring it down to 800kbps (Speed test done using a Sasktel Speed test server... non public)
Also, even though the max boxes use cat5e, in a pinch a Sasktel tech can use some converters to utilize existing coaxial cable instead of running new cat5e. They would do this when a house is finished and the customer doesn't want to drill any holes.
The coaxial is only used in a pinch because it reduces the bandwidth available to the set-top box significantly, it depends on the quality of the coaxial cable... often the coaxial can't be used at all because of too much loss.
Another bad thing about max is you can only have 2 tvs currently, there isn't enough bandwidth to support more at the moment (2tvs = just over 6mbit of bandwidth)
Edit: Upon reflection I forgot to mention that you could split the tv-out coming out of the settop box. This would allow you to have more than 2 tvs but force you to watch the same thing on both tvs.
Sasktel also has something called "Max Plus". This is just like regular Max except that the internet is 4mbit instead of 1.5
But in order to get enough bandwidth for 2 tvs and the 4mbit internet they actually use 2 phone lines and 2 modems. One dedicated to the tvs, one for the PC.
Another bad thing i'v noticed about max is that some Linksys Routers don't like it AT ALL. I was unable to access the router config webpage while the router was connected to the sasktel installed switch... the moment i disconnected from that switch it worked fine. A firmware upgrade on the router fixed the problem.
Well I hope this is informational for everyone... if you have any questions feel free to post. |
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72245156
TSWB.org
Premium,ExMod 2000-04
join:2000-07-11
Winnipeg, MB
| reply to ThatGuyThere
Anyone that I have talked to who used MTS TV loves it, both for cost and for programming options. I'd get it myslef if it weren't for the fact that Shaw cable TV is included in my rent here. MTS TV does have enough bandwidth to support 3 TV's at the same time, as well as your internet up to 3 mbps.
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Tikker_LoS
join:2004-04-29
Regina, SK
·SaskTel Saskatchewan
| reply to wilburyan
said by wilburyan  :For those of you who are interested in bandwidth... each set-top box uses roughly 3mbits of downstream and it can effect your internet speed (dispite what they say) The internet is supposed to be 1.5mbit (usually tests at 1.43) but i'v seen max bring it down to 800kbps (Speed test done using a Sasktel Speed test server... non public) It's definately possible while both boxes are on for it to rob you of some download bandwidth. Easy solution is just to get in the habit of turning the STB's off when you turn the TV off. |
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wilburyan
join:2002-08-01
1 edit | I was talking to a Sasktel installer... apparantly there is some far off plans to go high definition... this would require 25mbps per settop box 
Plans of having fibre to the home have also been mentioned (you would probably NEED fibre to support that kinda speed) although none of this is officially public and no timeline has been mentioned, i guess a couple years will tell. |
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72245156
TSWB.org
Premium,ExMod 2000-04
join:2000-07-11
Winnipeg, MB
| reply to ThatGuyThere
Lot of details on how MTS TV works in this thread: »VDSL: What a change! - MTS TV/DSL Service
It's different than what SaskTel offers.
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Tikker_LoS
join:2004-04-29
Regina, SK | reply to wilburyan
They're not far off plans, I would expect some sort of official statement launching it by fall of 2005
And i don't just mean announcing that it's a plan, but rather that it will start being offered |
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gogetter
join:2005-03-14 | reply to wilburyan
HD is far off, they don't have the BW for it yet, and their loops are not even close for high def. right now. It won't happen for a while. If you want HDTV get Star choice or Bell. |
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gogetter
join:2005-03-14 | Also, forgot to mention, you can go with MAX and High Speed Extreme. It is a second modem on a second line. This baby runs at 6.8 megs and a very nice upload.
TV doesnt bring it down, because it is its own deal. It really is lightning. |
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wilburyan
join:2002-08-01 | something to add... When getting Max Plus they also use 2 modems and 2 lines. |
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Madwand
join:2002-12-03
Toronto, ON
·Acanac
·Bell Sympatico
| reply to ThatGuyThere
I've had Bell ExpressVu vDSL for about a week now.
I'm certainly sold. Much better than Rogers anyday!
One settop box and coax to the other TVs. They provide 3 remotes for three independent television channels. Note if you have more than 3 tv's then you can watch all three feeds elsewhere, but you won't be able to have your own seperate 4th feed.
NO PIXELIZATION. None yet. Much better than Rogers anyday! Even cheeper too!
Bell is offering 3 months free right now to new subscribers, plus digital bundle benefits if you combine your billing.
I just hope that I don't move now. Even my internet is a bit faster (i.e. they have fibre in my building now.) |
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