Monthly Archives: December 2012

Equipment

ReadyNet Powerline Bridge

If you’ve been curious about Shaw Direct On Demand, but aren’t able to connect your receiver to the Internet because it’s too far away from your router, we’re excited to let you know about the ReadyNet Powerline Bridge!

16_readynetThe ReadyNet Powerline Bridge allows you to convert any electrical outlet in your home into an Internet connection. Each kit comes with two adapters, two Ethernet cables, and an installation CD. Simply connect one adapter to your home router and a power outlet, and then connect the other adapter to your 600-series receiver and a nearby power outlet. As soon as this is completed, you can explore the vast Shaw Direct On Demand library and enjoy your favourite titles!

Once the first bridge is installed, the router connection will be established; if you need more than one additional Internet connection, you can just get a second ReadyNet kit for another two connections. The ReadyNet Powerline bridge sells for $49.99 (taxes extra), and as an added bonus, you get a coupon for eight free regular Shaw Direct On Demand titles just for connecting your receiver to Shaw Direct On Demand (to a maximum value of $7.99 each).

The bridge creates an Internet signal that will pass through your home’s circuit breaker without any issues, can support a bandwidth of up to 200 Mbps, and offers 128-bit AES encryption to ensure the security of your data.

If you’re interested in ordering a ReadyNet Powerline Bridge, you can find them in our online store. If you have any questions for us, please ask in the comments below!

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Equipment

LNBF

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Shaw Direct’s quad LNBF is on the left, and the xKu LNBF is on the right.

When your dish receives signal from the satellites in orbit, the signal must be converted
into something your receiver can unscramble. The device that is used to accomplish this is called a “low noise block-amplifier feedhorn,” or LNBF. This is positioned at the end of the dish support arm. There are a few different types of LNBFs available, but there are two main ones we currently use: a quad LNBF, or xKu LNBF.

The LNBF receives the raw signal directly from our satellites – Anik F1R, Anik F2, and soon Anik G1 – and amplifies the signals. It then changes the frequency before the signals make it to your receiver. It will split the signal up into different polarization and frequency.

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This is an example of how the waves travel from the satellite to your dish.

Shaw Direct uses two polarities for our service – horizontal and vertical, which both require a different electric voltage to activate (10.5 to 14.2 volts for vertical, and 15.2 to 21.0 volts for horizontal). Each polarity has a different range of electromagnetic wave frequencies that all of the channels are transmitted over. Channels are “stored” on areas of the satellite called “transponders,” each of which has a unique frequency.

As we currently have two satellites in orbit, a quad LNBF will allow for the four polarities to be received (namely the horizontal and vertical on Anik F1R, and the horizontal and vertical on Anik F2). When our third satellite is launched, we’ll need to use the new xKu LNBFs to receive the extra two polarities from Anik G1.

While “quad” refers to the number of polarities that can be received, “xKu” refers to the extended Ku-band that Anik G1 will use. The normal Ku-band that Anik F1R and F2 use is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in the microwave range of frequencies. The extended Ku-band just uses a slightly larger spectrum than Ku.

If you’re ever wondering if your LNBF is working correctly, there are a few simple things you can do to find out. We always want to make sure that you’re able to receive channels from both of our current satellites, and each polarity, so you can check out the following channels:

Satellite Polarity Classic Channel Number Advanced Channel Number
Anik F1R Vertical 299 299
Anik F1R Horizontal 300 058
Anik F2 Vertical 350 070
Anik F2 Horizontal 700 700

You might not be subscribed to all of those channels, but the front panel of your receiver will tell you what you need to know. If you have one of our 6XX-series receivers, look for a little red light; if it’s on, your receiver isn’t getting signal for that channel. If you have any of our other receivers, look for a light shaped like a tiny satellite dish; if it’s red, you have no usable signal.

Once you’ve checked, you can use your results to help figure out the issue. If you’re missing both channels from Anik F1R or F2, both vertical channels, or both horizontal channels, it’s possible that you may need a replacement LNBF. If this is the case, give us a shout and we will be happy to help you!

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How-To

Shaw Direct ‘My Account’ Walkthrough

 

Have you ever wanted to change your programming but didn’t have the time to wait on the phone? Have you been in a pinch to pay your bill and wanted to get it done as quickly as possible? Have you had a technical issue that you wanted to look more in-depth into on your own? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then don’t worry; our online Self Serve option gives you the ability to do all this and so much more! We’ll have you covered so that you can both understand what the My Account has to offer, and feel comfortable using it.

 

To access My Account, visit our website. You’ll notice different options in a row:

01

 

As indicated you’ll need to click on “My account” to bring you to the log in page. When there, you’ll notice two different sections:

  • Not registered yet?

OR

  • Ready to go?

We’ll start by showing you how to sign up for the first time. If this is the case you’ll need to click on “Register your account.” In doing so, it will take you to a page asking you to fill out a few pieces of information.

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Once you enter in all the required information, press “continue.”  There will be a confirmation email sent to the address you typed in previously. The email will not hold a temporary password or any information relevant to signing in for the first time; it is just to let you know that the submission has gone through successfully. After entering the information, return back to the main log-in page for the Self Serve. From there the only information required to log-in will be your account number and password that you selected.

All right! Now you will be logged in and are able to experience the world of Self Serve and all it has to offer! When you first log-in, you’re going to see a screen that looks like the one below:

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Most things are pretty self-explanatory. On the right-hand side, there’s a quick reference box that will update you on some key information pertaining to your account with us. It will show your account number, the current account balance, and whether you’re signed up for Pre-Authorized Payments or Paper-Free Billing. To the left of this, you can manage your programming, make payments, adjust your Self Serve account by updating email address or password, and much more. One of our favourites is the “restore missing channels or Pay Per View orders” link; if your receiver loses authorisation, you can use this to send a “refresh” to all receivers active on your account!

On the far left, you’ll notice quick links to choose from so you can easily navigate from any section:

 

04The first option is “[Log out],” which is what you’ll want to select when you’re done with everything.

The “Refer-a-Friend” link will take you to a page with information about our program of the same name.

“View your bill” will allow you to view the past six months of your Shaw Direct bills in either PDF format, or as a simple webpage.

“Paper-Free billing” will take you to a page where you can add, remove, or change your email address for receiving an emailed billing notification each month.

“Payment Card payment” allows you to make a one-time payment to your account with a credit card or Visa debit.

The link for “Pre-authorized payments” will let you add, remove, or update your pre-authorized payment information for your monthly billing.

“Change password” allows you to update your My Account password, as well as update the email address associated with the online account.

Lastly, you will see Receiver Refresh, which is the same as the “restore missing channels or Pay Per View orders” link mentioned previously.

Now that you’re aware of all that Shaw Direct’s My Account feature has to offer, we encourage you to explore it and fully enjoy our services that are now at your fingertips! Check out and try My Account today, and as always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave us a message below!

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