Getting dark early is a problem in Ontario. This week I've out doing stuff every night because we're at the time of year when it starts becoming difficult to do things outside in the evening.

We looked at that receiver but figured that we would never need to record anything with the TV being so poor. Also, like you say it is expensive and the TV is just not worth it.

We have been without TV for nearly a week now and haven't missed it one bit. Like others say, there is more to life than TV.

We tend to get the odd film from Blockbusters to watch now and again as we prefer to watch a good film, rather than normal TV. Films are the only reason we got such a big TV and all the surround speakers etc that hubby chose - it certainly wasn't for normal TV!

Perhaps in the long dark cold winters we will watch it a little more, but I doubt it!

Jane

Don't say that all the offerings are poor, PBS(HD) has some very beautiful nature films, such as National Parks around the world - Canada, USA, Africa, etc. I'm assuming that you have an HDTV since you have the 505 receiver. "Hotels of the Canadian Rockies" is another beautiful documentary on PBS.

You're right! There is some excellent stuff, but you have to look out for it! Sad, but true that it's expensive - we have Bell Expressvu here (satellite), and pay about $100 per month for an almost inclusive package (excepting 'individual' subscription channels). For that we get BBC Canada which I love for the comedy (can't beat British Humour IMO), and Eastenders. It also provides a number of ADVERT FREE movie channels. When you consider the cost of taking a family to the movies is about $60 before adding luxuries like food and snacks, then it's not such a bad deal. We can buy 'pay per view' (also commercial free) recently released movies for $5.00 (or about $7 or $8 for the HD version - which ticks me off, 'cos we already pay extra per month for the HD receiver hook-up )

What amuses me about the long ad breaks here that they haven't twigged yet - is that they're actually long enough to do something constructive; like make tea, and take a 'pee' break As a result I rarely sit through the commercials! Dingbats! What's more - with the new "PVR" receivers, you don't have to miss anything anyway!

Ok, so I live in Canada - and I can tell you that when School starts the TV is great! There are SO many good shows that start in Sept/Oct. You don't need Digital Cable or Sat. like some people say! I have full cable right now which gives you so many awesome channels. Even Basic cable is great - you get all the major american networks, the Canadian networks, and a few others. Even without Cable you can get good tv in CTV, and Global, and in some cities A Channel....

Obviously you're always going to like what you're used too...which is why I'm SO scared of loosing my television shows when I move to UK next year but I don't know if you have seen these, but they are starting in the fall and they are awesome (I think you're about a season behind there)
Grey's Anatomy - ABC
Lost - ABC
House - FOX
Prison Break - FOX
CSI - CBS
Las Vegas - NBC
Gilmore Girls - CTV

The summer tv is really poor, but during the fall/winter/spring there is definitly something for every night of the week....trust me!

That's the great thing about commercials!!! You can watch two shows at once!!