I was told yesterday here in Ottawa by the Sympatico retail rep (also does Denon and Energy) that by August, Bell Sympatico will be doing a heavy marketing blitz for their new hard-disk recorder device, built into their satellite receiver. They expect it to retail at $799.

I'm glad to see these devices finally get into Canada, but at what cost? That's ludicrous, and the only way it'g going to help push Replay-type box is by maiking the average Joe push manufacturers for a reasonably-priced model.

I you pick up a Sympatico HD box and recorder, you will pay $1500 Cdn. Yikes. Not me... ... Mike

Sympatico is an Internet provider not Satelite. You must mean Bell EspessVu which handles Satelite.

Since Bell (Canada) is only in Canada I would assume the 800$ must be Canadian and not US.

that is correct or $24.50 us:)

Geez, between Rogers and Bell, there is no one else in communications it seems, here in Canada. It's like saying "Do you have Adobe on your system?"...

Sorry, folks, you're right: Bell ExpressVu.

It is Canada, and it is $800 Cdn, which does translate into $24.50 U.S. ... Mike

Try www.starchoice.com

In my opinion, the superior of the 2 Canadian Sat providers.

Swag: check my ohter post on starchoice in this Forum for enlightenment...

I read your Post Mike and I find it unfortunate that your experience was so unpleasant, but, like you, I speak from my own personal experience as well as what I've read from other SAT owners on the kusat.com message board. I've had my system for 3 years now including an HDTV decoder and it blows cable away in picture quality as well as channel selection. With Starchoice's new bird in the sky, F1, I can now recieve perfect picture quality in the most foul weather, never have I lost the signal! The DD5.1 on movies is amazing compared to the outdated prologic 2.0. If you feel like taking another shot at it check out kusat as I understand they are quite reputable.

Thanks, Swag. I actually wasn't complaining about StarChoice itself, or the quality of the service. I would still prefer to have the sound and HD-quality sources for viewing. And from what I can gather, StarChoice appears to have a leg up in the Canadian bird market.

But until it becomes plug and play, with a little dish that I can stick in a flower pot to receive signals, I think I'll wait. ... Mike

I was lucky Mike, mine fit nicely on my apartment balcony and I was able to do a self install:)