Appreciate all the feedback guys. It sounds like some of the early issues have been addressed.
The gateway is an excellent product, though I don't own it myself I know quite a few people who do and they love it. The catch is the price. At $600 for 3 TVs, it's certainly not a bargain. But if the price doesn't put you off, there's no way you won't like it, I don't think.
I really want it but am waiting for the price to fall. Right now I only have 1 PVR in my theatre room... if I had the ability to play recordings in the other rooms, I'd get to them a lot quicker. Definitely on my wish list.
Yep it is pricey but currently I have 5 tvs at home and am planning finishing the basement which will make 6, I subscribe to the Shaw HD package but currently only have a HD pvr on 1 tv and just digital boxes on the others. Just to have the benefit of HD on all the tvs I could be spending the equivalent of what the gateway system costs anyway.
With the added benefits of Gateway it seems like a no brainer provided the reliability is there.
Switched to Telus from Shaw because Telus' guide, channel packages, HD quality and (I never thought I'd say this because I'm no fan of Telus) their customer service destroys Shaw IMO but the Gateway is a fine system... if you can get over the archaic guide (and remote) like others here have mentioned.
I still don't know why Shaw can't get into the 21st century in that regard.
...tbh I have never experienced any problems in regard to Customer service with Shaw, any problems have been dealt with extremely efficiently.
I recently moved to Shaw and internet has been flawless, literally. Destroys Telus and it isn't even close.
For TV, the Gateway system is decent. I'm never going to need to record 6 HD programs simultaneously but that's just me. The new guide is improved from what I heard it used to be but it's still flawed. Their channel packages aren't as good as Telus and it's more expensive too but I figure for most, internet is primary and TV is secondary these days and in that case - go with Shaw. If you haggle with them when signing up they'll throw in a theme pack or something for free for the first six months. Bell TV is my personal favorite, going away, but unless you're a TV nut - just keep it simple and do Shaw TV + Internet. (and home phone, they'll try their damndest to get you to sign up for a landline too)
The guide and remote seem to be the negatives with the Gateway system, when you compare it to Telus Optik TV but I think I can live with that if it means retaining Shaw Internet which is outstanding. I use that for Gamecenter live and NCAA football and the kids do the online gaming thing so the last thing I want to do is downgrade on Internet package.
The main concern I had with Shaw Gateway was the reported reliability issues, which now seems to be less of an issue than I thought. Thanks.
