Telus Optik TV Review - Optik TV Review Part 1 - Vancouver BC

I've been using Optik TV for the past four months now. I have a good overview at this point and a good understanding of what Telus Optik TV is all about. I'm not sure if I should keep you in suspense or just spill the beans right now. You are dying to know how good or bad Telus Optik TV is and I understand that. If you are looking to save money, I would say Telus vs. Shaw is a wash. You could get them to bid for you and you will likely get a matching deal from either provider.

If you are a typical Canadian you're doing your homework. Take my review and see what else you dig up. There are always going to be complaints about various products and services. There will be the horror stories and the tales of mistakes and issues. Telus Optik TV is no different. Be careful what you read. The loudest voices out there complaining don't accurately tell the story because most people are just watching Telus Optik TV instead of raving about it on the internet.

I'm going to write this Telus Optik review in a way that's simple and easy to understand. First, so you know my perspective before you read further. I've had Shaw forever, or at least up until digital TV took over. I switched to Telus TV which is essentially Telus TV version 1.0 and had been using that for the past couple of years. I just recently went for the Telus Optik TV upgrade in the past few months.

So I don't know the Shaw digital experience well. Perhaps you do. I do not have a lot of experience with the various Satellite TV providers but I have used the Telus Satellite TV. Perhaps you have more experience. So please take my Telus Optik TV review with that understanding. It's through my eyes and my experiences. What impresses me may not impress you because you've had those features in the past. With that said, let me get on with it.

Should you get Telus Optik TV?

Before you get your hopes up, I recommend that you first check with the official Telus website to see if you can get Telus Optik TV at your home.

This is the most important part of reading a review obviously is whether the product or service is worth paying for. The question is, do I recommend Telus Optik TV or not? I have to say it depends.

I'm pretty irretated to be honest about information I've discovered regarding what Optik TV is now that the original Telus TV ceases to exist. I thought it was a brand which is a premium Telus TV service. I was unaware that the original Telus TV is now branded as Telus Optik TV. I was under the impression that with Optik TV you could watch and record two different HD channels at the same time. PERIOD.

Were you under that impression also? If so you better pay attention to what I'm about to say here. I don't want to sound overly dramatic about this. It's quite possible it's no big deal, but I want everyone reading this to know the information first. You don't want regrets! And also it's important for me to mention that Telus is constantly updating or upgrading their system so if you're not able to get about 19 MB into your home, it still could happen a bit later on.

First if you are under the impression that Telus Optik TV is the same experience for me as it will be for you, I say that's not accurate. What you need to establish with Telus before moving ahead with Optik TV is which of the 3 profiles your home will use. Most importantly you first should determine how many HD televisions you have or will be having in the near future.

So what is a Telus Optik TV profile? This is the speed, or the bandwith your home can receive. So think of this as like water pressure. The more water pressure (the more bandwith) the better the experience. Here are the profiles:

Profile 1 is for those of you who get the minimum 15MB speed. If you get stuck with profile 1, then you need to weigh the pros and cons. The bottom line is with profile 1 you can only utilize one HD live feed at a time. So either 1 live HD show or 1 live HD recording. You can however use 2 SD at the same time for what it's worth. So with profile 1 you can use 1 HD and 2 SD live feeds all at the same time.

You have to ask yourself a few questions. Take these questions seriously or you may have regrets later.

• Will Telus be upgrading your area or home so that you can get profile 2 or profile 3 in the near future? That's a question they may or may not be able to give you but at least ask.
• Do you have more than 1 HD TV in your home?
• Do you plan on getting 2 HD TV's in your home in the near future?
• Are you going to be the only one watching TV and scheduling shows to record? In other words do you have a family or do you live alone? Will more than one person be doing the scheduled recordings?

What's the big deal about only using 1 HD live feed at a time? It means watch and record on a different channel does not apply. If you're with a TV service that currently allows that usage, profile 1 will be a shock to your system.

To me. Even though I get the ability to watch and record different HD channels at the same time, I've still had situations when a HD program was scheduled to record at the same time I was in the living room on TV 1 watching HD hockey and my wife was in the bedroom watching her HD show on TV 2. Guess what happens? One person gets a black screen and is cut from their show and the text "all your HD tv resources are in use". Just imagine if you can only have 1 HD feed at a time. How easy would it be to accidentially have a scheduled HD recording start while you're watching an HD show? I bet you would be pretty pissed off about it especially if you signed up for Optik TV without realizing how limiting profile 1 really is.

Obviously if you're not with a HD TV and do not plan on going with an HD TV anytime soon then this is less of an issue. The reality is that most people, once viewing HD will not bother and can't really stand the sight of SD TV. If you do have or are getting a HD TV and can only get profile 1, then you need to at least be fully aware of what you're getting into. Yes you can be and need to be careful with your scheduled recordings. If you're not careful and you get your ass kicked from your live show becuase of a HD recording, you're going to likely swear or throw something at your tv. Just my opinion, but it will certainly be a source of anger depending on the situation. How about missing an OT goal? Not likely, but how about the final moments of a show at the top of the hour? More likely to happen that way.

My point is that profile 1 in a HD home will not be as natural. There will be that extra thought involved when setting up your sheduled recordings. And no, you won't be bothering recording SD because that takes away the bumping issue. Really, you would record SD if you could get the same content in HD? I highly doubt that. I personally would not consider recording SD after having the HD channels.

So read my Telus Optik TV review knowing the glaring issue with profile 1. So the key to remember is? You cannot record and watch different HD channels at the same time. If you do, you get kicked from your live HD show and will get a black screen. You will need to cancel the recording immediately in order to free up resources to go back to your live HD show.

Profile 2 is for those of you who get 19.2 MB speed. This is the profile that I'm under. I can honestly say Telus Optik for me is simply an incredible experience. Worth every penny. Your internet speed takes a hit if you have 2 HD feed going at the same time, but for most people it's really a non issue.

Profile 3 is for those of you who get 25MB. Enjoy the best television experience possible!

So to clarify, if you're only able to get profile 1, then take some time to think it over. If you're getting profile 2 or profile 3, then I recommend Telus Optik TV.

Run, don't walk! Seriously, this is to me, television on steroids. It's television 2.0. It's the evolution of TV. I can't say it any other way. It's brilliant and worth every penny that it costs. Can Shaw compete with Telus Optik? I don't see how. I really don't. I can educate myself more on what Shaw offers but I simply can't see any other television company in Vancouver or other areas that can give you what Telus Optik gives you. Maybe close, but that's about it. I have a growing list of reasons why I think Telus Optik TV is the best thing ever. If you've been using Telus TV and not Telus Optik TV, you don't know what you're missing.

If you're coming from Shaw TV or other TV service you need to also need to consider whether you're going to have Telus internet service also. I'm not sure if Telus Optik TV can be installed unless you also get the Telus Optik internet service. Read my Telus Optik TV cons page for more details about how internet speed is or isn't affected by what you're watching on Telus Optik TV.

The only disappointing news is that you need to call Telus Optik and see what profile is available at your location. I don't know details, but I just know that not all areas can get Telus Optik TV profiles 2 or 3 just yet. I don't know if at some point soon most areas will have access. Just make the call and hope for the best.

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