How does satellite TV work?

Star Choice has a number of transmitters across the country. Old-fashioned cables or high tech satellite dishes at these sites collect signals from TV stations across North America. We compress all the signals into a digital feed, then transmit it to our two satellites.

The satellites, Anik F1 and Anik F2, are in a stationary orbit 23,000 miles above the earth. Anik F1 carries the bulk of the English-language programming. Anik F2 carries mostly French and ethnic programming, as well as our High Definition channels. Once the satellites receive the signal, it is switched to a different frequency and sent back to earth.

That signal is picked up by the satellite dish on your house or apartment and sent to your TV through your receiver. You do not need to insert special access cards into the receiver, like you do with some other providers. All you do is turn on your TV and receiver to enjoy the Best Television Experience in Canada.

What if I have more than one TV?

The ideal way to set up your house is to get a receiver for every TV in your home. You can get anything from entry-level to home theatre or even HD receivers. Check out our Store section to find the receiver that's right for you. You can also talk to one of our friendly customer service representative at 1 866 STAR-WEB (7827-932) or visit your local authorized Star Choice retailer.

You can easily run up to four lines from your Star Choice satellite dish. If you need more lines, we can also accommodate your needs, but extra charges may apply for a Multi-Switch. We charge a $4.99 per month Multi-Receiver Fee if you have two or more receivers. But, if you subscribe to certain English, French or Bilingual packages, the Multi-Receiver Fee is waived.

How long do I have to wait before I get my dish installed?

If you purchase your system from retail, you can start enjoying Star Choice within three to 10 days. If you ordered equipment online or via our call centre, it can take seven to 10 days to ship the equipment then up to seven days for an installer to arrive. Sometimes it takes longer depending on the weather or if you live in a remote region where we may not have as many installers.

If an installer is not available in your area, self-install kits are available, complete with all the equipment and step-by-step instructions. Of course, our helpful Technical Service Reps are only a phone call away. To get a self-install kit, check out our Accessories section.

Do I have to be home when the installer comes?

Yes, an authorized person above the age of 18 needs to be there to authorize on any work that needs to be done.

Can I book a specific time for my installation appointment? Are evening appointments available?

All appointments are booked from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Your installer will narrow down a more specific time and if you have provided a phone number where you can be reached, we'll make every effort to call you in advance to notify you of the approximate time your installer will arrive.

Is installation included in the price?

Professional basic installation is included in the price, which includes the following:

• Dish mount installed to the residential structure
• Dish alignment to receive Star Choice satellite signals from both Anik F1R and Anik F2
• Placement and connection of hardware from Dish/LNB to subscriber's receiver and one TV

• RG6 coax Cable run (up to 150 ft per line) from dish (up to two receivers installed with current new consumer offer only), this includes all necessary connecting materials such as:

  • Connectors
  • Wall plates
  • Ground block(s) and ground wire
  • Sealing of all entry holes
  • Testing of full functionality of system/signal
  • Activation of receiver(s) installed
  • Customer orientation on new receiver/system

Additional charges that can apply to a customer include, but are not limited to the following:

• Excessive cable runs beyond 150 ft per line (up to two receivers installed with current new consumer offer only)
• Requests for fishing cable through interior walls
• Home theatre connections
• Additional mileage charges may apply for round trips over 100 km (can vary by region)
• Non-standard mounts (i.e., non-penetrating roof mounts posts, tripods, 24" stand off brackets, multi-switches and associated securing equipment such as protective foam, cinder blocks.).
• Ferry trips
• Ladder rentals (applies to 40 foot+ ladders)

You should discuss any questions you have with your installer to clarify details before the installation begins.

Will the installer hook-up my home theatre system?

Our installers will only install Star Choice equipment. There are a lot of customers, just like you, who made the smart choice to sign up with Star Choice. By installing only Star Choice equipment, we can get more people hooked up every single day.

Does Star Choice have Internet?

Star Choice offers you a choice of Internet packages through our partner, Netscape. Better yet, you'll receive exclusive pricing as a Star Choice customer! Go to starchoice.com/netscape to find the Internet solution that suits your needs.

Can anyone get satellite TV?

Almost anyone can get satellite TV. You'll need a clear line-of-site (where the Star Choice dish from your house is aimed at the satellite in space). If you live in a high-rise with other buildings in your way, it's sometimes difficult to get that clear line-of-site.

If you live in a condo or apartment building, you'll need to check with your own building regulations or by-laws to see if they allow satellite dishes on your balcony.

Otherwise, it's a perfect alternative for those who live in rural areas where cable isn't an option. Why not get it installed at the cottage? Or get Star Choice for your RV? You can "rough it" with all the comforts of home.

How much is a receiver?

It really depends on what type of receiver you need. It's actually more affordable than you think. New customers receive programming credits and free Pay Per View movies, so although you pay an upfront cost, you are credited on your first bill, so the net cost is quite reasonable. In the long run, it works out to be much less expensive than renting a receiver. Check out our Store section to find the receiver that's right for you.

What is time-shifting?

This is definitely one of the top benefits of satellite TV. Star Choice broadcasts several networks from all time zones across Canada including CBC, CTV and Global. That means you can choose which time zone you want to watch your favourite show.

Do I have to sign a contract?

You don't need to sign a contract like you do with other satellite or cell phone providers. Our programming options are flexible at Star Choice. This ensures that our customers get the programming that they truly enjoy. It is one of the reasons why we're Canada's best television experience.

If you do cancel your service with Star Choice before one year, a receiver non-return fee of $200 may apply. If you simply return your receiver(s) to Star Choice in good working condition, we'll waive that fee.

What is the monthly cost?

The monthly cost for programming will vary depending on which package you choose. We have programming starting as low as $35.99 per month. Our most popular package is Digital Favourites with around 300 channels for under $50 per month. It includes all the Canadian and U.S. networks plus a great variety of the digital channels our customers love like Sportsnet, HGTV, TLC, A&E, CNN and so much more. You can also customize your programming with our Pick 'n' pay channels and bundles.

The programming options are as unique as you are. We suggest you check out our Programming Guide to find out which channels are the most important to you. Then you simply choose a package that meets your needs.

Of course, if you need help along the way, our friendly Customer Service Representatives can make suggestions. You can call us at 1 866 STAR-WEB (7827-932).

What is HD?

HD stands for High Definition and it's fast becoming the standard format for all televisions and television programs. Simply put, HD makes your TV picture quality up to six-times clearer and sharper than standard definition (according to the Advanced Television Systems Committee).

Your TV picture is made up of thousands and thousands of tiny little dots called pixels. With high definition, there are more dots per inch (DPI) than with standard definition. High Definition has up to 1,920 x 1,080 pixels compared to standard definition at 720x480 pixels.

HD is also shot in widescreen format. You might see the numbers 16:9 when referencing HDTV. This is the aspect ratio, or the width-to-height ratio. In standard definition, it is typically only 4:3. Why does this matter? Ask any sports fan who can catch more of the plays because of the widescreen format and most movies are also specifically shot in this format. It just looks better on your TV.

HD is digital. That means purer colours, greater clarity and better sound. In order to truly experience HD in all its glory, you'll need an HD receiver to go with your HDTV. Without it, your TV is showing a Standard Definition picture.

With Star Choice, you don't need a different dish to enjoy our HD programming. We have 38 HD channels to choose from plus we have the most HD channels at no extra cost! Check out our selection of HD receivers in our Store and our selection of HD channels in our Programming Guide.

You can learn more about high definition by visiting our HDTV section.

Do you have sports programming?

Absolutely! We have The Score, TSN, The Fight Network, all four feeds of Sportsnet and two great bundles to choose from: Sports and More Sports. These include OLN, The Score, NFL Network, Speed Channel, ESPN Classic, NHL Network, X-treme Sports and Fox Sports World. Plus we have NFL Sunday Ticket, Leafs TV, Raptors TV, Pay Per View NHL hockey and WWE and UFC Pay Per View events. And that doesn't include the sports programming you can catch on the regular networks. Check out our Programming Guide to get in the game with Star Choice!

Do you have movies?

We have more than 2,000 movies every month. We have the Movies West and Movies East Package (depending where you live in Canada). The Movies West Package includes four channels of unedited commercial-free movies and the best of HBO programs on Movie Central plus 7 other movie channels. The Movies East Package includes 5 channels from The Movie Network plus 7 other movie channels. The best part is, if you subscribe to either of these packages, you get Movie Central HD or The Movie Network HD at no extra cost. We also have More Movies and More Movies II bundles and great movie channels like IFC, American Movie Classics, Turner Classic Movies, Encore Avenue, Drive In Classics and more.

Let's not forget our Pay Per View Movies. It's like having a video store right in your living room and the best part is, with Instant Pay Per View, you can order them using your remote. There's a great selection every single month.

With all these choices, you just might turn into a couch potato! Check out our Programming Guide to find out more.

What is Pay Per View?

Pay Per View is a service we offer where you can order a variety of movies and events in the comfort of your own home. No need to go to the video store. PPV movies are only $5.99 plus tax (plus applicable ordering fees). Different prices apply to PPV events, NHL Hockey and adult movies.

You can order PPV three different ways:

• Sign up for Instant Pay Per View by hooking up your receiver to a phone line and call 1 866 STAR PPV to activate. There are no ordering fees when you use Instant PPV (cost of the movie or event still applies).
• Call 1 866 STAR PPV and use the automated instructions to order (ordering fees apply).
• Call 1 866 STAR PPV and talk to one of our friendly customer service representatives (ordering fees apply).

Do you have music stations?

Yes. We have 40 commercial free digital music stations through Max Trax and Galaxie. With everything from classical to rock and country to pop, it's a great way to entertain! Plus we have 71 radio stations from across Canada (including some talkshow radio stations) so you can catch up on what's hot or newsworthy in different areas of Canada. We haven't forgotten those music video fans. Much Music, Much More Music, Razer, MTV and CMT will surely fill that video void. Much more music info can be found on our Programming Guide.

Do you have children's programming?

If you have little ones in the house, they'll love our Fun Stuff bundle. It has family-friendly programs like Teletoon, Treehouse TV, YTV, Game Show Network, Family Channel plus The Comedy Network and Turner Classic Movies. We also offer Animal Planet, BBC Kids and Discovery Kids.

What is an on-screen guide or an Interactive Programming Guide (IPG)?

This is another great benefit of Star Choice and 100% digital TV. It's like having the paper version of the television guide right on your television screen.

Simply press the "Guide" button on your remote control. You will see a menu appear on your screen that shows the television schedule for all of the channels Star Choice offers. Scroll up or down to find the program of your choice. You can even scroll several days in advance so you can plan your day around your favourite programming! Sure beats those slow, scrolling TV listings you get with basic cable!

There are other amazing options with your IPG and your remote control. Hit "Info" to learn more about the program you'd like to watch. It's like the summary you see in the printed version of the television guide.

You can also set a timer to have your TV switch to a channel at a particular time. You can set parental locks so your kids don't see the channels you don't want them to see. You can program your favourite channels so when you scroll or channel surf, you're only checking out the ones on your list.

Check out our Remote Controls section for more info. You'll wonder how you ever managed without it!

Does Star Choice offer the NHL® Centre Ice™ package?

Yes. You can see up to up 1000 out of market NHL games every season, with extensive coverage in High Definition all for $24.99 per month. NHL Centre Ice coverage lasts for the entire season, plus the first two round of the NHL playoffs! NHL® Centre Ice™ customers are required to subscribe for the balance of the season and two playoff rounds. No cancellations or refunds permitted. Blackout restrictions may apply.