NHL Centre Ice. Is it worth it?

[blny]

My local cable company - Eastlink - is now offering NHL Centre Ice to digital cable subscribers. The early bird cost is $179. Is it worth it? Will I get to see the Habs 82 times?

I'd seen a post, by whom I don't remember, mentioning some negatives. I'd appreciate input as I'm considering taking the plunge.

[habs4life]

a little over 2 dollars per game isn't bad at all if you do in fact get the 82 games. Do they include playoffs as well??

[Boston_Habs]

Definitely worth it if you have the time to watch the games. I bought it last year and I don't remember a time when the Habs weren't on - the package includes 10 games per night so it's rare that the Habs are not one of the choices. Isn't RDS part of the standard cable package?

[Gogie]

blny said:

My local cable company - Eastlink - is now offering NHL Centre Ice to digital cable subscribers. The early bird cost is $179. Is it worth it? Will I get to see the Habs 82 times?

I'd seen a post, by whom I don't remember, mentioning some negatives. I'd appreciate input as I'm considering taking the plunge.

If all you're interested in are Habs games (and I can't imagine wanting to watch any other games) than subscribe to Eastlink's "Sports Plus" package, which includes RDS. RDS shows all of the Habs games. It's a great way to brush up on your French.

[blny]

Hehe ... I might have to do that Gogie, but I do occassionally watch other games. I don't know about the playoffs h4l.

[CentreHice]

My only beef with the CentreIce package is that it has an agreement with Leafs' TV....

I'll explain. If Montreal is playing Toronto (non-Hockey Night In Canada game)...the CentreIce package will not show it. Leafs TV will get it (and its package is at least another $5/month)....a blatant cash grab for all Leafs' fans. My question is: Where's my rebate? I'm paying for a service and not getting it. Even worse is when the game is in HD, which I'm also paying for. That's two services I'm not getting. It happens with a lot of Leafs' games...and the only reason I care is when it's in HD...what a fantastic format that is. I've called them 4 times on it...and they always say the same thing, "We have no control over which games are blacked out (Sure you don't. :...the NHL determines that. (Sure they do. : But we can add Leafs TV to your programming."

"Oh, I KNOW you can," is my usual retort.

(I understand that in the fine print, it likely says "some games will be blacked out". But it's usually Toronto and it's always to sell the Leafs' TV.)



Anyway, I also got the RDS package to get any Habs' games not shown on Centre Ice. I saw almost all of the games last year. More than what was good for my heart and blood pressure.

Playoffs...they show the first two rounds for sure. No Final. I'm not sure about the Semi-Finals. (Had the Habs made it that far, I would have remembered.)

It's a great package....don't like one game...flip to the next.....late games on the West Coast....you can watch hockey til 1 am EST.

If it's in the budget...do it. Just don't black out when the blackouts come up.

[HabSolute]

centrehice said:

My only beef with the CentreIce package is that it has an agreement with Leafs' TV....

I'll explain. If Montreal is playing Toronto (non-Hockey Night In Canada game)...the CentreIce package will not show it. Leafs TV will get it (and its package is at least another $5/month)....a blatant cash grab for all Leafs' fans. My question is: Where's my rebate? I'm paying for a service and not getting it. Even worse is when the game is in HD, which I'm also paying for. That's two services I'm not getting. It happens with a lot of Leafs' games...and the only reason I care is when it's in HD...what a fantastic format that is. I've called them 4 times on it...and they always say the same thing, "We have no control over which games are blacked out (Sure you don't. :...the NHL determines that. (Sure they do. : But we can add Leafs TV to your programming."

"Oh, I KNOW you can," is my usual retort.

(I understand that in the fine print, it likely says "some games will be blacked out". But it's usually Toronto and it's always to sell the Leafs' TV.)



Anyway, I also got the RDS package to get any Habs' games not shown on Centre Ice. I saw almost all of the games last year. More than what was good for my heart and blood pressure.

Playoffs...I believe they show right up til the Semi-Finals or Finals. They didn't show the Finals for sure. The first couple of rounds were definitely on.

It's a great package....don't like one game...flip to the next.....late games on the West Coast....you can watch hockey til 1 am EST.

If it's in the budget...do it. Just don't black out when the blackouts come up.

Is Centre Ice in HD ?

[CentreHice]

habsolute said:

centrehice said:

My only beef with the CentreIce package is that it has an agreement with Leafs' TV....

I'll explain. If Montreal is playing Toronto (non-Hockey Night In Canada game)...the CentreIce package will not show it. Leafs TV will get it (and its package is at least another $5/month)....a blatant cash grab for all Leafs' fans. My question is: Where's my rebate? I'm paying for a service and not getting it. Even worse is when the game is in HD, which I'm also paying for. That's two services I'm not getting. It happens with a lot of Leafs' games...and the only reason I care is when it's in HD...what a fantastic format that is. I've called them 4 times on it...and they always say the same thing, "We have no control over which games are blacked out (Sure you don't. :...the NHL determines that. (Sure they do. : But we can add Leafs TV to your programming."

"Oh, I KNOW you can," is my usual retort.

(I understand that in the fine print, it likely says "some games will be blacked out". But it's usually Toronto and it's always to sell the Leafs' TV.)



Anyway, I also got the RDS package to get any Habs' games not shown on Centre Ice. I saw almost all of the games last year. More than what was good for my heart and blood pressure.

Playoffs...I believe they show right up til the Semi-Finals or Finals. They didn't show the Finals for sure. The first couple of rounds were definitely on.

It's a great package....don't like one game...flip to the next.....late games on the West Coast....you can watch hockey til 1 am EST.

If it's in the budget...do it. Just don't black out when the blackouts come up.

Is Centre Ice in HD ?

Some, not all, of the the CentreIce games are in HD...and it's advertised that way on the menu. It'll say HD beside the teams.

In order to get HD (sorry if I'm telling you something you already know)....you need:

1. An HD receiver from the satellite company or other supplier. (You can rent or buy it outright.)
2. The "HD programming package" from ExpressVu. A premium they charge monthly to send you the signal. You also get the 800-series channels (of which most, if not all, broadcast in HD).
3. An HD-ready television.
4. Special cables to get the best reception. i.e. you might want an optical cable for the best sound. And the red, blue, green video cable (3 wires fused together with the three- coloured RCA inputs). If your TV is HD ready you'll have that connection. I believe it's called "composite".

[HabSolute]

centrehice said:

habsolute said:

Is Centre Ice in HD ?

Some, not all, of the the CentreIce games are in HD...and it's advertised that way on the menu. It'll say HD beside the teams.

In order to get HD (sorry if I'm telling you something you already know)....you need:

1. An HD receiver from the satellite company or other supplier.
2. The "HD programming package" from ExpressVu. Just a premium they charge monthy to send you the signal. You also get the 800-series channels (of which most broadcast in HD).
3. An HD-ready television.
4. Special cables to get the best reception. i.e. you might want an optical cable for the best sound. And the red, blue, green video cable (3 wires fused together with the three- coloured RCA inputs). If your TV is HD ready you'll have that connection. I believe it's called "composite".

I am already set-up for HD,


But if some of the Habs games are in HD, where do they get the feed for home games from since RDS doesn't have HD? If most of the Habs game were in HD, I would subscribe even if I already have RDS (live in TO). The RDS analogue feed is just horrible.

HD Hockey rules.....

[FREEHAB]

I have NHL Center Ice on Bell Expressvu.

I had all the same questions you did before I got Center Ice last year. I live in Southern Ontario and only got to see the Habs play on HNIC or on the French CBC feeds.

Before I got Center Ice, I asked Bell about the 2005-2006 program schedule and noticed that the only Habs games not on Center Ice were the ones on TSN/RDS, which I already had access too.

In the end I bought it and was incredibly happy I did. The only way I could have missed a game was if I forgot to watch. I think that 1 or 2 of the games did not get picked up by Center Ice or TSN, but that was it. RDS carried both of those. 98% of the games in english (sorry not french) is worth the money to me.

I've allowed Bell to automatically sign me up again this year. I can't wait.

If you are a fan of an Ontario team (Laffs and Sens) and live in Ontario, Center Ice is a waste. Most of the games can be found on local stations. For a Habs fan in Ontario Center Ice is sweeeeeet.

The only downside so far this year, has been the lack of pre-season action. I didn't have Center Ice during the 2005-2006 pre-season, so I don't know if the obvious lack of games (all teams included) is normal.

Just my two cents.

[jerry_dog]

centrehice said:

habsolute said:

Is Centre Ice in HD ?

Some, not all, of the the CentreIce games are in HD...and it's advertised that way on the menu. It'll say HD beside the teams.

In order to get HD (sorry if I'm telling you something you already know)....you need:

1. An HD receiver from the satellite company or other supplier. (You can rent or buy it outright.)
2. The "HD programming package" from ExpressVu. A premium they charge monthly to send you the signal. You also get the 800-series channels (of which most, if not all, broadcast in HD).
3. An HD-ready television.
4. Special cables to get the best reception. i.e. you might want an optical cable for the best sound. And the red, blue, green video cable (3 wires fused together with the three- coloured RCA inputs). If your TV is HD ready you'll have that connection. I believe it's called "composite".

ok a little wordy but here goes - most of what's said here is correct; let me adjust / add the following: if cable is in your area and the provider has HD programming available, you may as another alternative, rent or buy an HD cable box. I have found, in the BC market anyway, that satellite is a better deal (less up front cost by a few hundred $$), more channels in HD (let's remember the reason the local cable company has all those dishes on their roof is because they get their signals mostly from satellite feeds), the signal, if installed properly with a clear view, is a bit better and more consistently so.
As an example, HD satellite system usually has programming credits which almost equal the purchase price of the system and you have to pay for the programming anyway. An HD cable box (in BC) costs around $450 with little or no incentives.
The red / green / blue output connectors on the back of the box (or dvd player for that matter) are 'component' video outputs, the single yellow is 'composite' video. These are analog, hence the best and simplest signal path enabling you to get the best result from your HD ready or full HD television is to use the multi pin output labelled ' HDMI'on the 'box'. This way you run a pure digital output to a straight digital input (also labelled HDMI) on your tv. If the HDMI cable is not provided with the HD box (satellite or cable) then go buy one; and not the fancy gold plated one - it won't make a difference with the digital signal.

re RDS - one would think they would at least piggyback TSN's HD feed when available and I do not believe it happened last year.

[blny]

Thanks for the input so far folks. Just to be clear, Freehab, you've purchased CenterIce and the RDS package?

[Skilly]

I have RDS, CenterIce, and the SuperSportsPak from Rogers with a Sony HD TV.

My problem with CenterIce is if it is shown on any other channel than CenterIce blacks it out. You'll also have to find out what NHL programming region you are in. Two years ago, Newfoundland was in Toronto's programming region and we always had the Habs games blacked out. Last year, they switched Newfoundland to the Ottawa region and we got a great percentage of the Habs games but not all. I think this year we might actually be apart of the Montreal region and games then will only be blacked out if the Bell Centre doesn't sell out (Fat chance on that happening!!).

Havent seen hockey on HD yet, and to tell the truth I havent noticed a great deal of differnece when watching the HD channels in the 500's .... (I started to think I had it hooked up wrong ... but then i watched football and WOW! ... crystal clear.) I must say that the new TSNHD Sportscenter is good too.

All in all , if you like hockey than CenterIce is worth it .... but there will be blackouts .... so don't be upset if you miss a scatter Habs game in english .... it is just as well to watch RDS sometimes because those American announcers are 10 times more "homers" than HNIC!!

[Toronthab]

My French ain't womderful, but I love watching the RDS broadcast and find myself picking up a lot of the conversations. Demers is enjoyable even if you don't understand him!

[blny]

I used to watch the games on TQS, so it's not out of the questions. Truth be told, I'd rather listen the french play by play then mute it. I find I almost miss the play calling when I go to a live game.

How does one determine the zone they're in for CI? Is it on their site, or would I have to contact my provider?

[Disgruntled70sHab]

blny said:

I used to watch the games on TQS, so it's not out of the questions. Truth be told, I'd rather listen the french play by play then mute it. I find I almost miss the play calling when I go to a live game.

I think there's a certain authenticity listening to Habs games in French. For me it adds to the mood of the game. I find the French announcers much more passionate about the game.

In the 70's I would even listen to French radio broadcasts if it meant tuning into a Habs game. And I really had to "listen" to get the gist of the game.

In the 90's I had friends over to watch the game and if it was only on SRC that was fine by us. If someone didn't like it, well, I wasn't going to the Leaf or Sens game on CBC. Though I could during commercials. When I was in Ottawa I got the Sens on CBOT, Ottawa, the Leafs on the CBC national game and the Habs on SRC; all on the same night.

As for whether NHL CI is worth it, I'm considering it now if only for the duration of the season. Bell Express Vu changed the bundles on us earlier this year and I lost it. I think it's another 7 bucks a month or something like that.

Cheers.

[Gogie]

Growing up in Saint John, NB during the 60's and 70's I didn't have much access to a lot of Habs games on TV. The one source for consistent coverage was the French CBC radio station out of Moncton, so I grew up listening to hockey in French. I spent many an evening with my ear glued to a transistor radio and learned to follow the play, but there were times when I would get frustrated - I could tell from the tone of the announcers that something exciting was going on but I couldn't quite figure out what. I'd have to wait for the next day's newspaper to read about it (and even that was iffy, given the lack of depth in sports coverage offered by the Irving newspaper empire in NB).

Things are sure better these days! I have a son who doesn't realize how good he has it as far as following his beloved Habs (yes, I've raised him well!). Oh, how I miss the good old days....NOT (except I sure do miss the glory years of the 60's and 70's).

[CentreHice]

jerrydog said:

The red / green / blue output connectors on the back of the box (or dvd player for that matter) are 'component' video outputs,
re RDS - one would think they would at least piggyback TSN's HD feed when available and I do not believe it happened last year.

Yep, "component"....I didn't turn my receiver around....too many wires back there.

Also, the satellite company told me (cause I was buying the HD along with the satellite dish) I needed the dish with the double-arm out front. HD works best in that scenario...you have to pick up two satellites...hence the two arms out front.

If your existing dish has the single-arm...I don't know what happens then.

And you're correct about RDS not showing any HD games last year.

[clear observer]

gogie said:

Growing up in Saint John, NB during the 60's and 70's I didn't have much access to a lot of Habs games on TV. The one source for consistent coverage was the French CBC radio station out of Moncton, so I grew up listening to hockey in French. I spent many an evening with my ear glued to a transistor radio and learned to follow the play, but there were times when I would get frustrated - I could tell from the tone of the announcers that something exciting was going on but I couldn't quite figure out what. I'd have to wait for the next day's newspaper to read about it (and even that was iffy, given the lack of depth in sports coverage offered by the Irving newspaper empire in NB).

Things are sure better these days! I have a son who doesn't realize how good he has it as far as following his beloved Habs (yes, I've raised him well!). Oh, how I miss the good old days....NOT (except I sure do miss the glory years of the 60's and 70's).

Ditto.

For me, it was CBLFT, canal 25, Toronto.

Seems like yesterday.

CO

[FREEHAB]

blny said:

Thanks for the input so far folks. Just to be clear, Freehab, you've purchased CenterIce and the RDS package?

Yes I have Center Ice. I am on Expressvu. The programing package we got when we went to the dish, already included RDS. I've been hearing that shortly after we went to the dish 2 years ago, Bell changed the programing packages to exclude TSN/RDS. They have never changed our programing, and we have always gotten TSN/RDS even before I bought the Center Ice package last year.

Sounds like I am getting the best of both worlds.

I still highly recommend it. Don't have a HD TV yet, so I can't comment on Center Ice in HD. I just know that it probives me with a lot of hockey.....and at least 98% of the Habs games played.

It's better than sitting at my computer listening to the on-line feed from CJAD in Montreal every night.

[franko]

CBWFT Winnipeg . . . too many years ago to admit to.

[Skilly]

Can't recall the radio station .... but it was all the way to the right on the tuning dial. ;D I'd go for walks with my walkman on and get all kinds of stares as I yelled "yes" or "sh*t" and don't get me started on screaming out "et la but!!" (which I still do!).

My mother swears I only took french classes to understand those weekday games on the radio!!

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

Definately worth it to me. I remember watching the games in french with the sound turned down and the radio on in english. Also beats waiting for 8:30 and joining the games half way through the first period after "Sea Hunt."

[MC Habber]

This question comes up every year: does anyone know if the Saturday games will be shown on SRC outside of Quebec? This Saturday's game will not be, according to the tv guide.

[Toronthab]

skilly said:

Can't recall the radio station .... but it was all the way to the right on the tuning dial. ;D I'd go for walks with my walkman on and get all kinds of stares as I yelled "yes" or "sh*t" and don't get me started on screaming out "et la but!!" (which I still do!).

My mother swears I only took french classes to understand those weekday games on the radio!!

Hahahahahahha. Good for you.

[Toronthab]

freehab said:

blny said:

Thanks for the input so far folks. Just to be clear, Freehab, you've purchased CenterIce and the RDS package?

Yes I have Center Ice. I am on Expressvu. The programing package we got when we went to the dish, already included RDS. I've been hearing that shortly after we went to the dish 2 years ago, Bell changed the programing packages to exclude TSN/RDS. They have never changed our programing, and we have always gotten TSN/RDS even before I bought the Center Ice package last year.

Sounds like I am getting the best of both worlds.

I still highly recommend it. Don't have a HD TV yet, so I can't comment on Center Ice in HD. I just know that it probives me with a lot of hockey.....and at least 98% of the Habs games played.

It's better than sitting at my computer listening to the on-line feed from CJAD in Montreal every night.

Oh ya. Thank God for RDS! Unbelievable that the CBC lost the coverage, but I must say, that if they hadn't lost it, I would have never switched to RDS where I now get ALL THE GAMES!!! Merci le bon Dieu. A blessing in disguy's hockey. Yeah RDS, and like Skilly my francais improves happily. And Demers and the guys are such a treat.

[blny]

Due to financial constraints, I'm gonna go with the RDS addition. I'll at least catch the TSN broadcasts, and the odd CBC game in english. That will suffice.

[habmeister]

even though i don't speak french, i do know most of the hockey related words, i still watch it in french if the alternative is listening to neale and cole. if it's in hd i'll watch in english, but i like the atmosphere and passion in the french announcers.

[blny]

"Et la but!" is all that matters.

I can comprehend enough to get the jist of things.

[insomnius]

Undeniably the French broadcast is superior. And as I was born into a bilingual household I appreciate all the more the very literate way in which the French actually describe the game. I find the English broadcast very pedestrian in comparison.