I installed BeVU in Boston, not activated yet. Need help!

[bios10h]

Hi!

I went to Canada last week-end and picked up a receiver and a dish from a Bell Store. I came back to Boston, MA and installed the whole thing without too much trouble but it wasn't totally easy -- probably because I'm not used to doing wiring and stuff like that. I have a signal strength of 100% which I think is pretty good

I'm stating that it worked for me for the record because I browsed this forum a lot before buying the equipment so I thought I would share my experience up to now.

Two questions I have... hopefully you guys can help me!

1- My dish is NOT grounded. Do you think that's really a problem or not?

2- Activation! My installation is done, my signal is strength is awesome, the software downloaded properly, the "interactive content" downloaded, etc. I don't wanna screw up the whole thing by doing the wrong thing. There are so many contradictory statements on the forum about that. Some say it's ok, just call *67-416-383-6688 and it should be all good. Others say it's a bad idea and you should go to Canada to activate it. I want to activate it ASAP and I'm not planning on going to Canada anytime soon and I don't know anyone with a dish over there... What's the way to go?

As a note: I didn't get a smartcard with my package, anyone knows why? A factory problem or what?!?!

Any help appreciated, thank you!

 

[rkrenicki]

Do you have a Canadian address to use (such as a relative or friend)? If not, then your best bet is to get a broker, they will handle the activation. If so, have them call it in, three way the call so you can read off the numbers and whatnot.

I could be wrong (I use Starchoice myself, so I cannot verify this), but it probably does not require a card, the new Dish Network recievers (which Bell uses) are cardless.

Check out the sticky threads regarding brokers, they will have some more information about this.

As for grounding.. I highly recommend grounding the dish properly... it will work without it, however you are really asking for trouble come an electrical storm...

 

[miguelaqui]

Which receiver model do you have? It's true that the newer models have internal cards.

 

[bios10h]

I have the 4120 Satellite System. There is a slot for a smartcard on the system so I am confused. I signed up already using a friend's address and phone number in Montreal so I don't need a broker.

The part I'm the most nervous about is the activation: the only thing left I think. Anyway I can make this a safe thing or there's a risk I get busted and loose my connection?!

 

[miguelaqui]

yes...It has an internal card. You will be able to get the smartcard number info from the sytem info screen.

I have heard read in several places that people have called with no problem and got their account connected from the US.

Can't you just get your friend in Canada to call, just to be on the safe side?

 

[stone phillips420]

call the *67 vancouver # it works fine, whenever i have a problem thats the number i call

 

[Derwin0]

I'd have the friend call it in. When I setup my system, I just called it in from when I was in Canada.

also, when yoy're first bill shows up, have your buddy send you the account number. With that, you can sign up for online access to your account and paperless billing.

 

[bios10h]

Thanks all! I'm going to call the vancouver # tonight and get it activated.

 

[techdood]

Let us know how it went, please? I too have purchased a Xvu system but I already established programming for it. The only thing is under that activation, the 82 bird wasn't recognized as an option during my programming initialization. So I'm able to get some HD channels, which opened up because I got the networks package. But some of them wont come in because I cannot upgrade to the HD pack without stating that I do get the bird at 82. I'm going to need to call that number too. Hopefully you'll get what you want. I want additional networks going.

 

[HDTVFanAtic]

Just an fyi, *67 does not always block the caller's identification number. It depends on the equipment on the receivers end. For example, if they have a T-1 in (which most major companies would) they can show numbers.

A local radio personality who always uses *67 prior to phone calls from the studio found this out the hard way when calling a local TV station.

It's up to the equipment on the receive end to decide what to do with it. If you lease lines from the Baby Bells, it will get blocked. However if you have a smaller private firm that delivers to you on a T-1 or other high capacity line, it's not unusual for the call to show up.

 

[AGENT_44]

Here is a real easy way for usa residents to activate there receivers on there own, i have done it for a few customers, First just pick a fishing holiday area that has the same timezone as yours (so you get the right time) then in the location that you choose find an address and matching postal code from the phone book and then just make up a new address on the same street with the same postal code and write it on paper for future phone calls. Now phone *67-1-416-383-6688 and tell them you just bought the property and its a new address and it has a cabin only with no phone, also tell express-vu that you are a dual canadian and usa resident and to mail the bill to your usa address or choose to pre-authorize your credit card for payments.

And honestly there is no need for a broker at all because they activate 4 receivers on the same account and get payment 4 times when you can activate 3 or 4 yourself.

 

[Derwin0]

Thanks all! I'm going to call the vancouver # tonight and get it activated.

Minor note, area code 416 is Toronto, not Vancouver. At least that's what my Vonage Toronto number is.

 

[Derwin0]

Here is a real easy way for usa residents to activate there receivers on there own, i have done it for a few customers, First just pick a fishing holiday area that has the same timezone as yours (so you get the right time) then in the location that you choose find an address and matching postal code from the phone book and then just make up a new address on the same street with the same postal code and write it on paper for future phone calls. Now phone *67-1-416-383-6688 and tell them you just bought the property and its a new address and it has a cabin only with no phone, also tell express-vu that you are a dual canadian and usa resident and to mail the bill to your usa address or choose to pre-authorize your credit card for payments.

And honestly there is no need for a broker at all because they activate 4 receivers on the same account and get payment 4 times when you can activate 3 or 4 yourself.

Several flaws in that. The second part of a postal code is tied to a specific address, like the US +4 zip. No two houses have the same postal code.
You would have to make up an address that is a valid canada post address (ie, empty parcel between 2 houses), then use the canadapost.ca postal code finder to find the correct postal code for that address.
Also, when Bell sends mail (the monthly magazine) to that address and it's returned as "undelieverable", they will kill the account.
Bell will want a phone number for the account, whether it's a cell or whatnot. If no number, it's very unlikely they'll allow more than 1 receiver if any.
Bell doesn't mind using American credit cards as many americans have property in canada and vice versa, but they will want a valid address and will send materials to that address.

Star Choice on the other hand is more lenient in their policies.

 

[stone phillips420]

Minor note, area code 416 is Toronto, not Vancouver. At least that's what my Vonage Toronto number is.

ah i think yourre right vancouver is 614 correct?

 

[Derwin0]

nope, Vancouver is 604 (with an overlay of 778)

 

[CoachGibbs]

Kinda a related question. I'm already activated through a broker but don't have any account info for Bell. Will my broker give me this if I ask or will they balk knowing they want the money for programming changes?

I see no reason to pay them for that if I can just dial the Vancouver number.

 

[Derwin0]

more than likely not, for the reasons you mentioned

 

[Jaspear]

more than likely not, for the reasons you mentioned

If a broker wants to stay in business, they won't!

I use a broker, and *do* have my account number, but keep the broker for the CDN address.

 

[Digital Dude]

614 is Columbus, home of the Buckeyes.

 

[peano]

Several flaws in that. The second part of a postal code is tied to a specific address, like the US +4 zip. No two houses have the same postal code.
You would have to make up an address that is a valid canada post address (ie, empty parcel between 2 houses), then use the canadapost.ca postal code finder to find the correct postal code for that address.

Not true. A postal code can be the same for whole streets or more.

As for the phone number tied to the account, use VOIP.