Expressvu/Star Choice

[bstark]

All of the comments here regarding Express-vu are ditto for me. I have bundled everything (2 land lines, cel-phone, Express-vu & Sympatico internet) with Bell and while convenient for billing, they sure behave like they're the only game in town.

Myself and another Canuck parked behind me both set our sat dishes up the same day in a park in Yuma last winter and soon realized we were only receiving stations from one transponder or something because we could only get about half of the usual channels.

Their attitude just begs for us to do whatever we have to, to get "pirated" signals!

[brad03ca]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Posted July 31, 2006 12:30 AM Hide Post
I have Bell in operation at home....and I have a star choice and direct tv in the garage..(inoperative)...If I renew my star choice subscription I will be able to set it up when I do get to the RGV??( are they picky about crossing borders and using the system) or would I be better to get the direct system going again? ( I suppose I would need a proper US address to do this) ?? thanks </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
So what is best for home use Skip298....going to put one or other in...just not sure whats the best????...Help!!

[Gary N.]

This has been an interesting topic. I bought my MH last winter and it has a MotoSat dish already installed. Of course the salesman said it would work with any receiver and of course he was wrong. I have Star Choice at home and it will not work. Until I read this thread I was planning on switching to Bell but now I am having second thoughts. I was wondering if we couldn't get one of the US services once we are set up in a park for an extended stay? They must have a system for making payments with a credit card but I suppose when the credit card address doesn't match the park address that could be a problem. There's lots of pirate systems available but I don't want the hassle of the system going down and having to get a card re-programmed every other day. I was also wondering about "free to air" systems. Some of those require the use of a 14 year old computer wizard to keep running too. I may still give Bell a try and take a chance.

[Novi]

Gary, I don't know that using your credit card to pay for your sat. should be a problem. I used my credit card all last winter in Florida to pay for our wireless for the computer. Didn't have any problems at all.

[Gary N.]

I don't think they can sell US Sat. systems unless you have a US address for billing purposes. Even though I would have the park address the credit card would have my home address in Canada. I could be wrong, maybe someone has more experience with this.

[brad03ca]

Just a little off topic here, but ironically I was checking into Star Choice tonight for Home use. I don't know anyone that uses this system Gary, so can you give your opinion about your system? Thanks... Brad

[Gary N.]

Brad, I've had Star Choice now for about 5 years and have had no complaints with the service other than the seems like annual price increases. I started out paying around $48 plus tax for the gold package (basic plus 5 bundles) and now it's up to $62 plus tax. I live close to Detroit and we were use to watching the US networks broadcast from there and Star Choice uses the Detroit station signals for the east so that was part of the reason I went with them. Also we are on a private phone system here so I have no allegiance to Bell.

[brad03ca]

OK Thanks Gary ...Apparently ExpressVu requires a two yr. contract. Not into that! Star Choice seems better price wise,...Essentials plus three bundles for $46 and change. Again...Thanks

[Novi]

Morning Gary, I see now what you meant re: buying a US sat. service and you are probably right about the address part. I have heard that Star Choice operates well for RVers travelling south, but have no personal experience.

[Gary N.]

I would love to be able to use my Star Choice receiver but I'd have to buy a different dish for the MH. A Company in Quebec makes them to the tune of about $2500. I'd just as soon keep the MotoSat and get a different receiver.

[gerdathome]

Up until a few month ago Star choice would supply you with a free dish and 100' of cable if you phoned and mentioned it was for your RV. I phoned just a week ago about this but they have discontinued the free service and will ship you a dish and cable for $ 50.00 Can. providing you fax them a copy of your Motor Home registration or Insurance certificate..They know that you are a regular Star choice customer and provide this service to prevent you from disconnecting the service while in Southern warm country for the winter month.The fellow made no mention about not being able to cross the 49th.
I have found another dish but it is only 60 cm. and will have to find out if it would work south of the border. Have heard that a 75 cm. dish is recommended to be good for almost all of North America.
Gerry
1998 DS DP 1998 Tracker Toad
Kamloops BC.

[Groveite]

My 60 cm dish is working fine for Bell (Sat 91) down here in Zephyrhills and the only time I had any trouble was in the RGV where I lost a couple of transponders...CH Hamilton etc would not come through, however I have the most basic pkg available (about $25/ mo)and can't tell you how well the movies etc would come in.
Ian

[JCM]

If you are starting new - go StarChoice re their better coverage and good attitude.
Some of us are working on a modification to the crank up Wynguard dish for StarChoice. I have seen one of the automatic StarChoice dishes work --- great. The problem is there are thousands of the crank up roof modes out there right now that will only operate with Bell - for now.