rds24a
Teach Your Children
Premium
join:2000-12-13
Springboro, OH
clubs:
 ·RoadRunner Cable
| Mo Money, Mo Money, Mo Money
Issue 1: The DVR doesn't sweeten the deal here with TimeWarner. It costs extra.
Issue 2: Channels 2-75 are still analog to be backward-compatible with normal televisions.
Issue 3: TimeWarner advertises that digital is only a few bucks more than regular cable, but only in the fine print do they mention the extra charge for each converter box.
Issue 4: I have to use a converter box at all...that's annoying.
Issue 5: 250 of the 500 channels are pay-per-view. Plus, how many home shopping networks do I really need?
Issue 6: With my broadband internet connection, who has time for television?
--
»www.brittanyrescue.org |
|
Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02 | Yes, I agree...the fact that channels 2-75 are analog with TWC stinks. Having to switch your receiver when you hit the higher channels is lame.... |
|
Nightfall
My Goal Is To Deny Yours
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI
 ·AT&T Midwest
 ·Site5.com
·Comcast
| reply to rds24a
said by rds24a  :
Issue 1: The DVR doesn't sweeten the deal here with TimeWarner. It costs extra.
Same with satellite providers. Their PVR isn't free. However, from people that I talk to, the PVR changes the way you watch TV. Sure, it costs a little more, but if you get your moneys worth out of it, then you are happy.
quote:
Issue 2: Channels 2-75 are still analog to be backward-compatible with normal televisions.
It would be nice if those lower channels were digital. However, that would kill analog cable. It will take time to get it to all digital.
quote:
Issue 3: TimeWarner advertises that digital is only a few bucks more than regular cable, but only in the fine print do they mention the extra charge for each converter box.
Satellite providers advertise $39.99 a month for 150 channels, but only in the fine print do they mention you have to buy all the equipment up front.
quote:
Issue 4: I have to use a converter box at all...that's annoying.
Same with satellite
quote:
Issue 5: 250 of the 500 channels are pay-per-view. Plus, how many home shopping networks do I really need?
Same with satellite
quote:
Issue 6: With my broadband internet connection, who has time for television?
I agree. I don't watch much TV to begin with. 
I wasn't going through each arguement to point out fallacies. Merely the point that Satellite and Cable TV have got similar issues. To have cable go all digital would really upset a lot of people who just want analog service. However, that is the direction this is all going. All digital format will eliminate cable theft from illegal converter boxes that descramble analog signals (at least till the next descrambler comes out).
It is definetly a difficult situation.
--
My Domain
Nightfall's Hockey and Life Journal
[text was edited by author 2003-06-17 11:32:33] |
|
Hall
Premium,MVM
join:2000-04-28
Dayton, OH
·EarthLink
·AT&T Midwest
·Earthlink Cable Mo..
| reply to Karl Bode
said by Karl Bode :
Yes, I agree...the fact that channels 2-75 are analog with TWC stinks. Having to switch your receiver when you hit the higher channels is lame....
I don't understand exactly what you mean, but if you get channels above "75", using your example, you must already have a "box". So you're already using that box to view channels "2-75", right ??
What TW doesn't say is that customers who get their "Basic Plus" package, basically channels 2-75, is that it's not really digital. But ask 'em and they'll tell you it is. They spew "digital, digital, digital" all the time. Then again, that just goes back to the clueless people that work for them (not all of them, mind you).
Also, they raised the cost of ALL packages "because of the network upgrade to digital", but their two lowest tiers did NOT change, so why raise the cost ?? One, 'cause they can and two, 'cause they've mislead people.
--
-= Mindspring MaxDSL via Covad 1536/384 TeleSurfer Pro =-
[text was edited by author 2003-06-17 11:42:38] |
|
puritan
@63.99.x.x
| reply to Nightfall
You must have only shopped DirecTV. With Dish network, you do not purchase the equipment. You lease it, also like cable. That includes the PVR, and there is no monthly fee for the PVR like TIVO. There is a one time $50 payment for the PVR. Not a big deal.
I do however agree that I do not need 40 sports channels, and I do not need the shopping channels.
My only real complaint about satellite is that I cannot customize the box. I want to set up a short list of channels for my kids to watch, and eliminate the rest. That isn't available yet.
puritan |
|
puritan
@63.99.x.x | Oh yeah, and there is no monthly activation fee for each box like DirecTV. DirecTV makes you buy the equipment and then charges you $5 per box to hook them up. With DISH, you just pay the $5 a month and they give you the equipment.
puritan |
|
vic102482
Premium
join:2002-04-30
Upper Marlboro, MD
| reply to Nightfall
Not true.:) Satellite has alot more channels than most typical cable systems. You buy equipment but you get a full rebate or its free off of the top. The quality is excellent compared to that of digital cable. I had both at the same time, and we talked about this in the satellite/cable forum. Cable companies have to use alot moer compression because alot more data (VOIP, Internet, Analog etc.etc.) fact still remains that most time Digital Cable wont stand up to most (I say most not all) Satellite Systems.
I know you like cable, but there is no way you can sugarcoat my 59.99 dollar bill that is missing half the channels. 32.99 is the actual basic for the dish, 39.99 is 2nd teir. Cable is too expensive, no fault of the cable company (on second thought....;)) but its difficult to roll out and maintain, and they have analog and digital which puts them at a disadvantage to satellite.
I dont like either, I miss my "special";) analog cable.
--
I tie a rope around my penis and jump from a tree, don't you wanna grow up to be just like me!!!!
[text was edited by author 2003-06-17 12:29:02] |
|
vic102482
Premium
join:2002-04-30
Upper Marlboro, MD
| reply to puritan
said by puritan:
Oh yeah, and there is no monthly activation fee for each box like DirecTV. DirecTV makes you buy the equipment and then charges you $5 per box to hook them up. With DISH, you just pay the $5 a month and they give you the equipment.
puritan
The dish sucks for that one. Thats where they are taking a "little off the top" how hard is it to include a CAM ID in a satellite downstream? 5 bucks is a rip, but still cheap.
--
I tie a rope around my penis and jump from a tree, don't you wanna grow up to be just like me!!!! |
|
phxmark
What Country Are We Living In?
join:2000-12-27
Glendale, AZ
| reply to puritan
said by puritan:
My only real complaint about satellite is that I cannot customize the box. I want to set up a short list of channels for my kids to watch, and eliminate the rest. That isn't available yet.
puritan
On my Hughes DirecTV Receiver, I can set up four different Favorite lists. You just have to set one of the Favorites lists as Childrens and just add the channels you want them to see to it. Then on top of that, I can lock down a good portion of the system.
--
Still living on Dial-Up. |
|
Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02
Host:
Road Runner
PC gaming GAMES
PC gaming Tech
| reply to Hall
Talking about audio. The higher tier digital channels broadcast in 5.1....the lower tiers in stereo....
Yet the way the Scientific Atlanta Explorer is configured, it doesn't intelligently alert your receiver of the difference....
SO you need to manually switch the audio if say you WERE watching local news, and say switch to Starz to watch a film in 5.1.
Not a big deal, but combined with what I like to call "Sun F$#@" distortion, the quality leaves a little to be desired. |
|
2farfromCO7
join:2000-10-14
Farmington, MI
| reply to Nightfall
said by Nightfall :
said by rds24a :
Issue 1: The DVR doesn't sweeten the deal here with TimeWarner. It costs extra.
Same with satellite providers. Their PVR isn't free. However, from people that I talk to, the PVR changes the way you watch TV. Sure, it costs a little more, but if you get your moneys worth out of it, then you are happy.
Satellite providers advertise $39.99 a month for 150 channels, but only in the fine print do they mention you have to buy all the equipment up front.
THAT'S NOT TRUE!!! Don't spew lies and cable FUD. With DISH, there are NO PVR MONTHLY FEES!!! Buy what equipment up front? Right now with DISH you get a 2 receiver system installed for free + 3 months free AT100+HBO+Cinemax, plus I'll give my customers an additional $70. |
|
sabersaw
Premium
join:2001-08-21
Dayton, OH | reply to Karl Bode
get a pioneer av tuner... it knows to select analog when digital is not available, then back to digital when channel 101 or higher is selected. Took me about 6 months to figure this out. |
|
Hall
Premium,MVM
join:2000-04-28
Dayton, OH
·EarthLink
·AT&T Midwest
·Earthlink Cable Mo..
| reply to puritan
said by puritan:
My only real complaint about satellite is that I cannot customize the box. I want to set up a short list of channels for my kids to watch, and eliminate the rest. That isn't available yet.
Someone's already posted the same, but I've also got a Hughes receiver and it has 4 or 5 "Favorites". I have one tagged "Kids" (kid-friendly channels) and I've played with a couple others, but don't use 'em. It's either on "Kids" or "All".
No one's mentioned this either, but the equipment isn't "free" with DirecTV *unless* you also sign up for a one-year contract. With cable, there's no committment. I'm not sure about Dish Network.
--
-= Mindspring MaxDSL via Covad 1536/384 TeleSurfer Pro =- |
|
Speedy8
Premium
join:2002-08-22
Alliance, OH
clubs: | reply to sabersaw
Then you still have worse picture quality on the analog channels is the other problem. I got rid of my cable anyway, I'm much happier with directv and DSL. |
|
KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
·AT&T Yahoo
·AT&T DSL Service
·Cox HSI
·AT&T Southwest
| reply to Nightfall
said by Nightfall :
said by rds24a :
Issue 1: The DVR doesn't sweeten the deal here with TimeWarner. It costs extra.
Same with satellite providers. Their PVR isn't free.
Dish Network has PVR's in some receivers that have no monthly fees. DirecTIVO's have no fees if you have a premium package etc (I think). Personally, I bought a ReplayTV and lifetime sub. DBS smokes cable! quote:
Satellite providers advertise $39.99 a month for 150 channels, but only in the fine print do they mention you have to buy all the equipment up front.
There's almost always a special running where when you commit to a year's service agreement you get all the equipment upfront and installed free. When I started with DISH Network I bought my equipment online. I paid $200 for it. *Included Free* was one year of America's Top 50 package and music channels. It was a no brainer--- that was more channels then cable even offered at the time in my area, for the equivalent price of $16.65 a month... and the hardware was mine. Cable was around $45 per month at the time...
Point being you don't shell out hundreds of dollars upfront in equipment before you even can get service. In many cases, you can actually get a DBS system up and running and have paid less then a Cable Install and beginning service costs.
--
"Regulatory capitalism is when companies invest in lawyers, lobbyists, and politicians, instead of plant, people, and customer service." - former FCC Chairman William Kennard (A real FCC Chairman, unlike the current Corporate Spokesperson in the job!) |
|
KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
·AT&T Yahoo
·AT&T DSL Service
·Cox HSI
·AT&T Southwest
| reply to puritan
said by puritan:
You must have only shopped DirecTV. With Dish network, you do not purchase the equipment.
??? Most people purchase it. I haven't heard about a lease deal, but I'll take your word for it. So you can either buy it or lease, you choose. quote:
My only real complaint about satellite is that I cannot customize the box. I want to set up a short list of channels for my kids to watch, and eliminate the rest. That isn't available yet.
You sure about that? My receiver (older model, now) had the ability to password channels and delete channels from the guide so they didn't display, too.... However... I think you could still manually "dial" them if you knew their channel #'s. So you'd have to manually password out and hide each one. UNG, that would take awhile....
--
"Regulatory capitalism is when companies invest in lawyers, lobbyists, and politicians, instead of plant, people, and customer service." - former FCC Chairman William Kennard (A real FCC Chairman, unlike the current Corporate Spokesperson in the job!) |
|
Nightfall
My Goal Is To Deny Yours
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI
·AT&T Midwest
·Site5.com
·Comcast
| reply to 2farfromCO7
quote:
THAT'S NOT TRUE!!! Don't spew lies and cable FUD. With DISH, there are NO PVR MONTHLY FEES!!! Buy what equipment up front? Right now with DISH you get a 2 receiver system installed for free + 3 months free AT100+HBO+Cinemax, plus I'll give my customers an additional $70.
Spewing lies?
The PVR isn't free. I never said anything about monthly fees at all for satellite PVR. I merely said the PVR isn't free and I am right.
As for buying equipment up front, you are right. The best deal on dish networks site is 12 $17 credits to make your system free. So you are paying for the system, but just not out of pocket. That is a nice deal you are offering.
--
My Domain
Nightfall's Hockey and Life Journal |
|
aztecnology
O Rly?
Premium
join:2003-02-12
Murrieta, CA
 ·Verizon FIOS
|  reply to puritan
said by puritan:
My only real complaint about satellite is that I cannot customize the box. I want to set up a short list of channels for my kids to watch, and eliminate the rest. That isn't available yet.
Dish allows 4 favorite lists per receiver, I have one with just the channels I prefer, the wife and kids each have their own.
--
.:|:. Starband 360 ~ W2KAS ~ DLINK DI-714P+ ~ XPro ~ XPro |
|
mglunt
join:2001-09-10
Fredericksburg, VA
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to Nightfall
said by Nightfall :
Satellite providers advertise $39.99 a month for 150 channels, but only in the fine print do they mention you have to buy all the equipment up front.
LMAO - Watching too many Comcast/Cable TV commercials? I recently moved to an apt that can't get DTV.. I signed up for Comcrap "Digital" Cable. Let me tell you - there is NO comparison. Even the digital channels look like crap compared to DTV.
As for the equipment? You can get a FREE 2 room install if you are a new customer.. you just have to agree to keep service for a year - service that is about $15-$20 cheaper than "Digital" Cable TV... and a lot better, better sound, more channels.
Even if you buy the equipment, it's only about $50-$80 and comes with free installation. If you are switching from "Digital" cable, that pays for itself in only a few months.
No comparison - which is why companies like Comcast began punishing HSI customers who switch TV service to dish/dtv by hitting them with a $15 fee. Comcast knows they can't compete in quality/price... so they use their monopoly (in many areas) to try to keep customers.
Comcast would be better off going all digital, or dropping their rates to something reasonable. Analog is $43 where I live! |
|
sabersaw
Premium
join:2001-08-21
Dayton, OH | don't forget more money for local channels, and around here the local stations have extra cable stations that are not available on sat. Plus, I am probably one of the few people that see some value in cable access channels. |
|
