Bell Reception in the USA discussion

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I know there have been several threads on this subject but a lot are very old (2007,2008) and with new/better technology (newer LNBs, larger/cheaper antennas,etc), I would like to to ask this community for some information:

To begin, I'm a Canadian living most of the year in Dallas,TX and still own a residence in Canada. I also happen to be a current and disgruntled Shaw Direct subscriber (because of their crappy equipment).

I gave up on Bell when I upgraded to HD 3 years ago and switched over to Shaw (*C at the time). Recently, I stumbled on a post by OnlineLC stating clear reception of the 82 bird in Nashville,TN with a 1.2meter antenna. This information is reviving my dream of getting Bell back!!!!

So is there anyone out there:
1) in or South of the Dallas/FortWorth area receiving HD channels?
2) If YES,
a) what size antenna are you using?
b) do you have a sigal on RDSHD, SRCHD, TVAHD and VHD? (Yes all french channels)

Thanks in advance
 
Thing is... being French Canadian, I'm sure there are a lot of Quebec Channels I woulcn't get right? or is there a way?
 
I doubt you'll get much signal in Dallas.
The footprint of 82w has been narrowed down a huge amount to only hit Canada and the northern states. Even with a huge dish, i doubt you could get a viewable signal.

On the other hand 91w will probably give you around 70-80%.

Other than that, I suggest subbing to DirecTV or Dish Network. They have a MUCH better selection of HD channels. A lot of people would love to be in your situation and have the availability to sub to a US provider.

Hope that helps.
 
I have had US satellite service in the past. While the channel selection is great, the problem is not getting channels like TSN and Canadian News coverage. In this case, the OP is looking for french channels.

While the Canadian News coverage could be done OTA, you just will not be able to get your sports and french channels in the US.

As far as I am concerned, as long as you are paying for the service, I do not see an issue doing this. I know that BTV is not suppose to supply equipment south of the border. What about Shaw Direct? They do it knowingly.
 
Thanks ohmagic,

I'm a proud subscriber of DishNetwork but I'm also a French Canadian and love my french channels (I could not survive very long without RDSHD)...and CBC,TSN,etc.., something DishNetwork can't help me with... Shaw Direct has all the channels I need but I hate their hardware, thus the inquiry about Bell.

Nashville isn't that far north of Dallas.... so I'm still hoping someone out there has some success...
 
If you look at the 82W footprint below, you will note that I am just outside the reception area. Dallas is considerably further South than Nashville and the footprint is also nowhere near Texas at all.

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I'm surprised that portions of Northern Ontario have weaker signal stregnth than most other areas of "Souther" Canada.
 
That's 82's footprint. It could have something to do with the location of the satellite being almost due south of that area.
 
As mentioned in several previous threads, although it is illegal to subscribe to US satellite in Canada, it is not illegal to subscribe to Canadian Sat in the US, although, as mentioned earlier, BTV will stop your subscription if they find you're in the US since they don't have rights there. That's why these threads are allowed to stand, based on Moderator and Admin decisions on previous similar threads.
 
Hello there!

First time on this Forum.

I may be moving to Detroit in a few weeks. I d like to know how I could get a Bell Expressvu (Bell TV) system installed there?

I'm currently in Toronto with Cogeco.

what's the best way? how do I get it installed? can I use a US address?

thanks!
 
You can use a credit card to pay each month

You can contact Bell from USA directly thru 416-383-6688 (I call all the time and they either don't know what number your calling from or they do not care)

You can use some random address (sign up for paperless billing) or use a friends address.

Make sure you don't connect your receiver to phone line (you can order PPV online)
 
To my knowledge bell is not allowed to install in the U.S. You may be able to get a box number in Windsor and use that , but you would have to install the system yourself. Again I don't believe this is legal, but i'm sure there must be a way. Depending what you want to watch you may be better off going OTA to pick up windsor, and pay for a US service.
 
US address is a definate no-no. You will have to set up an account with a mailing address in Canada. DO NOT tell them you are in the US or connect a phone line to the receiver as they will cut off your service.

You will have to take the equipment to the US and hire a US satellite installer to hook it up for you.
 
It will be better to stick with a single receiver. That will prevent calls for receiver "validation." A dual tuner HD PVR might be best. Bell will let you "self install" with a receiver purchase. That also reduces the contract obligation. As to billing, I would keep a Canadian bank account and sign up for electronic billing. A lot of things can be done on the Bell web site, like checking the account balance and changing the channel lineup. You could also get a friend or relative to accept the mailed bills and arrange payments from there. Their phone number and address would also need to be on the account. You could also make some sort of reciprocal financial agreement to make billing easier.
 
Ok, I think I know what my options would be when it comes to BTV. IT will be a matter of getting a US installator to set ip up for me.

Interesting point one of the reply said was about other alternatives

Shaw allows it though (or tolerate it) ?

They do have all the channels I need,

Should I post something on the shaw section??? anyone has more info on there? it would be nice to have more than 1 receiver so maybe Shaw is the answer
 
Just use the address of a friend or relative in Canada. That works both ways if you know someone who is so inclined. Also, don't forget that there is lots of OTA stations in the Detroit area. It's the densest broadcasting market in North America.
 
Wow my thread got highjacked in a matter of days... Oh well, still looking for a Bell subscriber south of Nashville with HD reception on the 82'. Refer to post #1 for context...
 
The answer to your #1 question is no. The reason no one has said yes I get Bell HD in GA, FL or TX is because there is no beam to pick up. Headed to the Soutwest as you are the best I have heard is a 1.2 meter dish in Denver. So forget about your dream in receiving Bell's 82W signal anywhere south of Denver.

The footprint in post #4 is pretty close to being correct and that should have been enough for you to see that your dream is impossible.
 
You will need a Canadian address. Use a friends if you have one. Do not connect it to a phone line. Do not call to activate your receiver(s). Bell may know you are out of the country or use a cellphone. Use their selfhelp on their website. I have hooked up other receivers this way as opposed to calling. It takes less time. Use a hotmail, gmail, etc account to receive your e-bill. No paper work. You can cancel your paper bill. Don't use an email address that makes it look like you are with an american internet provider. eg. for bell it's @bell.net or @sympatico.ca. With hotmail or gmail you can be in any country. As for paying your bill that may be harder. My bill comes out of my bank account. You can't do that in the US. Bell will know your aren't in Canada. You may be able to use a credit card (you need to find out). Or you can go to Windsor and open a bank account and have the payment taken from there.
 
Back to Detroit, if you have time have Bell do an install at your Cdn residence before you go to the States. Hook up to the phone line in Canada for as long as possible. Then take the receiver(s) and maybe the dish to Detroit. Install it yourself, it's easy, but if you can't you will have no problem having an independent installer do it for you for a cash price after work. :) Do not hook up the phone line in the States. There won't be a problem, but if there is you can always take the receiver back to Canada when you come back for a holiday. Connect the phone line once back in Canada, this will make Bell's computer happy, and all will be well when you return once more to the USA. As others have said, try to do it all online with Cdn credit card.
 
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