The Citizen, 1997-10-29, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29,1997.
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New satellite dishes offer option to rural viewers
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
After years of research, technological
advances and patience as the Canadian Radio
and Telecommunications Commission handed
down approval, a new option for viewing
Canadian television program is finally
available for the mainstream consumers.
Though the large satellite dishes have been
a familiar site on the landscape for several
years, the programming available with the old
style was basically American. There was
realistically no Canadian programming
alternative.
Now, with CRTC approval, both
StarChoice and ExpressVU, have small
satellite dishes on the market with a very
good selection of programming which
combines standards from the Canadian
industry such as CTV, City-TV, public
broadcasting and movie and sports channels
along with the American networks and
specialty programming.
“Last year, the American systems were
going like crazy,” said Jim Oldfield of
Oldfield Pro Hardware and Radio Shack, in
Brussels. “Particularly for the country people,
they just wanted to be able to get something.”
The unavailability of cable to rural
to $1,000, said Oldfield.
With the new small dishes, which can be
attached to the side of the house or old tower,
there is a minimum programming package of
approximately 15 stations, for a base cost of
$15 per month. The purchase of the
equipment ranges from $599 for the basic
model to $749 for a deluxe system. Some
dealers also offer a third, higher priced option.
Once basic programming is purchased,
additional packages, such as sports stations or
family viewing can be added. Individual
channels for movies can also be selected as
can a music package with 30 commercial-
free, DJ- free stations.
A very good cross-section of viewing
options can be purchased for a price similar to
that paid by cable users.
Oldfield says the interest in dishes is there
because people lead busy lives and when they
have the time to sit and relax, they want to
find something good to watch. “There is good
Canadian programming.”
StarChoice has been up and running since
April though the demand did not pick up until
September, says Oldfield. “I can’t keep them
in the store now.”
Since the arrival of Canadian options on the
market, Oldfield says he has seen the demand
for American systems disappear. “There have
which is prone to snowy, blurry pictures,
satellite dishes provide astounding picture and
sound quality.
“It is all digital,” says Oldfield.
Another advantage for households with
children of all ages is the on-line parental
control system which allows parents to lock
out programs with particular ratings or
violence and language content.
The parent is given several options on
which criteria to lock out and those simply
will not come through, says Oldfield. An
example would be for the adult to lock out all
but G and PG rated programs. Those could
also be further guarded by language, violence
and sexual content.
Similar to cable viewing, a television guide
can be viewed on-screen, though the satellite
system displays three days worth of
programming.
Satellite programming can also be
purchased by the month. If winter vacations
to the south are planned, the feed can be shut
down for those months and no charges are
incurred.
Also coming soon to the Canadian system
is pay-per-view, where individual movies or
sporting events may be purchased.
Though customers have a choice between
StarChoice and ExpressVu, Oldfield says
there is very little difference in the systems,
though the programming packages do vary.
The Bronze package for StarChoice
includes ATV-Halifax, CBC-Halifax, SRC-
Montreal, CTV News 1, ABC, CBS, NBC,
PBS, Fox, The Shopping Channel, City-TV,
Vision, CPAC, ASN, TFO, TVO and
Newsworld. Just a. few of the more popular
channels available through additional
packages include Family Channel, YTV,
TSN, WTBS, TNN, A&E, CNN, Life, CMT,
Bravo, Much Music, The comedy Network
and a full slate of movie channels.
The Starter from ExpressVu includes CBC,
Global, TFO, TVO, Newsworld, ON TV,
CTV, CBC Radio, SRC galaxie and RDI, for
$7.95. A large selection of small packages
may then be added to provide the customer
with a customized choice.
The larger number of small packages from
ExpressVu may offer greater flexibility in the
programming ordered, though comparable
choices from either provider would result in
consistent pricing.
ExpressVu options include packages such
as Sports Bar, Network Platter, Kids Size,
Brain food, film Feast and Fine Dining.
There is something for every taste in
viewing pleasure and now offers a viable
alternative for rural television watchers.
been no requests for the
system.”
For those accustomed
customers has been a problem for sometime.
For country-dwellers in some areas to get six
or seven channels, it required a tower, rotor,
to over-the-air viewing
Mounting the dish
aerial head and booster which could cost up
I HU
Small enough to go just about anywhere, Oldfield
recommends mounting it high if there are children or
pets,such as dogs, in the family. Otherwise, the satellite
dishes can be mounted approximatley four or five feet
off the ground.
We've got just what you've
been waiting for...
2 Canadian Dish Networks ~ ExpressVu
and Star Choice
offering super sharp digital pictures, pure crisp sound,
compact, unobtrusive dishes, remote control for easy
selection...TV worth watching.
Program selection and variety
Imagine over 75 channels at the click of a remote.
All the cutting edge channels you've been missing.
Sports, movies, and special events not available
on cable. News, educational programming for
kids, interactive home shopping, Pay-Per-
View events...and that's just the beginning.STAI&CHOICE
Elevate Your Expectations
ExpressVu
entertaining
13 packages to choose from so you can
decide which package best suits your
family's needs.
OTNN c Discovery
^AcHANNEL
IXFLORf YOUR WORLD
HeadneMEWS
Now available at your authorized dealer
OLDFIELD RadioShack.
Pro Hardware & RadioShack®
Brussels (519)887-6851 Fax (519) 887-9426