This post is a review with Shaw and Telus. These two companies represent the main providers for internet and television in the Greater Victoria area. I have based this review on service, installation , and quality.
Shaw Cable:
I have used shaw in the past and was impressed with its fast stable internet. I recently moved to my new home and without hesitant, i chose shaw.
Hardware:
Internet - SMC8014WN Modem/ Router. This is a 4 port wireless router/ modem. The interface is the same as all SMC's from the last decade and setting it up was quite easy. Shaw really cheeped out on this modem, offering only 10/100 wired ports on the router. I purchased an additional Gigabit switch to utilize modern Ethernet speed. When i ran speed test, i have never achieved near the advertised 25mbps, but usually under 20mbps. I also had to reboot this router on average once a week for it would just freeze.
Television - Shaw DC758D HD receiver with external Western Digital 500 Gig HDD. This unit was long and bulky, but had lots of functions. It was connected via coaxial from the source and to hdmi to the panel. The interface was easy to navigate and as a PVR, it worked pretty well. Once in a while, the audio would just disappear. I would need to reboot the receiver to regain audio. Believe it or not, the time function on the lcd front display is something i miss the most from this unit.
Installation - It was rather not so great. One technician came out but I ran the cable, I pulled the cables from my crawl space while the Shaw technician just fed wire to me. I had to re-pull it twice for the technician cannot account how long the cable run was going to be and he kept looking for shortcuts to make the job quicker. He did not know how to operate the router and does not comprehend its capabilities. Example, i wanted to know the login password for the router and whether or not it is a gigabit lan: and he told me to call technical support. I read through the SMC manual and the default values did not work. The information was in fact embeded on the router itself. After I ran the cable, he made the ends for connections. The technician did not clean up after his mess and only hooked up one TV. He replaced all my wall connector plate with nothing. So when the installation was done, i had a hole and a wire from the wall. The technician also tried to sell me Shaw Extreme, but it was something that was ordered so it threw me off.
Service - I told Shaw what happened and they would not finish the installation. They indicated to me it would cost them too much to send someone to install a wall connector plate and told me to go source it myself. To be honest, i did not really care how much it cost them, the installation was incomplete. They also confirmed Shaw Extreme is what i have. I literally moved one block away, and from my previous shaw experiance, i was constantly achieving speeds above 20mbps. When indicated to support, as long as my speed is above 7.5mbps, it is merely content. Eventhough i used their supplied speed testing software from shaw's website.
I discontinued shaw after a few months for the product was delivering to my expectations. I was not paying too much either since i had a few more months of promotion pricing.
-wired internet frequently freeezing. (i do not even use the wireless function available)
-no audio from PVR was getting annoying
-even though the value of the wall plate was less than $5, i never got around to filling it up. Every time i look at the wall, it gave me displeasure.
In conclusion, As a consumer, shaw no longer delivers the price, service, and products that meet my needs.
Telus:
I have not dealt with Telus since the BC tel days. I had to place my order online and took advantage of an Xbox 360 250gig promotion if i signed for 1year.
Internet - Actiontec V100H Modem/ Router. I have utilized telus's new OPTIK internet service which was advertised at 15mbps. I ran speed test right away and it is indeed correct. The modem looked much more modern than the SMC. It offers a 5 port Gigabit Lan and as a router, it has more options than the SMC. The speed is a bit slower than shaw extreme, but the price reflects it as well.
Television - Telus CIS430 HD receiver w/ 320gigs. The physical unit is much smaller than the shaw, and it does not require any expansion for hard drive space. The interface seems light years ahead from Shaw's mono blue/ white menus and the previews are really useful to find out what channels are available. The receiver is fed with a cat5e via hdmi to the panel. I have not experienced any problems with the receiver for it is still fairly new.
Installation -Two technicians came. They analyzed the house and checked everything thoroughly before doing any work. They noticed I had no phone lines but the work order indicated phone hook up, and if this is an error, i should call telus. They replaced old service cables with new ones to insure quality of service for my components. One of the cables was located up a 30ft pole from the power lines to the house while the other cables were mostly phone cables. They tested and toned all my jacks and replaced all old jacks with new ones. My home was already pre-runned with cat5e and only one jack was available near the TV, they supplied a switch for multiple connections to the designated area which is great! I can now connect more stuff in. Overall, the installation was great and provided follow ups after the installation. The installation is clean and I can tell they took the effort to ensure it was done right.
Service - I do not know what is going on with my Xbox 360. During order, there was indication it will be brought during installation. The technicians indicated it will be mailed. I called customer service to cancel my phone and to follow up on my Xbox. The phone cancellation was fine, but they seem confused about the Xbox. In the end, they told me to wait 4 weeks and will be arriving via Canada post. I hope they don't give me an outdated model.
In conclusion, the installation was above expectation and the products offered seem promising.
EDIT: August 18th, 2011. Service manager called me regarding my Xbox, he was polite and provided me his direct line. He indicated something was indeed wrong with my account and it was all cleared up. It will be shipped purloater in 4 weeks. Will update this thread when it comes. Thanks Telus
EDIT: August 25th, 2011. Xbox received. Thanks TELUS
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I have used shaw in the past and was impressed with its fast stable internet. I recently moved to my new home and without hesitant, i chose shaw. 
I have not dealt with Telus since the BC tel days. I had to place my order online and took advantage of an Xbox 360 250gig promotion if i signed for 1year. 
Television - Telus CIS430 HD receiver w/ 320gigs. The physical unit is much smaller than the shaw, and it does not require any expansion for hard drive space. The interface seems light years ahead from Shaw's mono blue/ white menus and the previews are really useful to find out what channels are available. The receiver is fed with a cat5e via hdmi to the panel. I have not experienced any problems with the receiver for it is still fairly new. 
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