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RE: Cable or Satellite - What to Do?!!!!!! - 6/11/2008 10:00:03 AM
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Rufas2000
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quote:
So, the question I have is I already have issues w/ just the clouds moving affecting antenna pick up. Should I just always make sure that when bad weather is expected, I could just turn on the DVR & that will take care of preserving the shows so I won't have to miss them?
If I understand the question correctly the answer is that won't work. If the storm comes through at 8 PM, knocking out your reception for a brief period and you want to watch a show that airs at 8 PM the DVR is not going to be able to record it. It will record whatever is coming through. If nothing is coming through (because of no reception) then nothing will be recorded.
If you meant can I watch something on the DVR I already recorded when the reception goes out I am almost sure the answer is yes. The show is recorded onto a hard drive inside the device. Once it is recorded its there, its not dependent on being able to receive a satellite signal. The only reason I'm not 100% sure is that I never tried it.
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I think it's extremely unfair to put ESPN on basic expanded when everyone in my area needs ESPN during football season.
I agree but I was under the impression that ESPN would not allow any of their core networks to be placed on an expanded tier (at least ESPN & ESPN 2, maybe ESPN NEws and ESPN Classic also). They charge the cable & satellite providers a flat fee per subscriber for each channel, the provider decides which tier it goes on. Unless the cable station demands the cable or satellite provider place it on a certain tier. ESPN doesn't make any additional money from being placed on an expanded tier and they want everyone to be able to get it because then they can charge advertisers more.
This is one reason why the NFL Network is still not available on many cable providers. Some cable providers want to place the NFL Network on an expanded sports tier to offset the cost of having to pay the per subscriber fee but the NFL Network will not allow its channel to be placed on an expanded tier.
The point is that I'm pretty sure that ESPN will not be on an expanded tier in most places. If you live in the rare area where it is (perhaps due to the contract between the cable provider and ESPN was agreed to a long time ago before ESPN had as much negotiating "muscle") then it stinks to be you. That would be another reason to consider satellite.
One caveat, cable companies offer packages that include just the local channels, the public access channels and maybe a couple of shopping channels for a very low price. This may be whats being referred to as basic. Its unfair to slam the cable companies for this. They are forced to by law have a package with just the local channels for a very low price. The traditional definition of basic is the cheapest package that includes many of the cable networks. I'm taking basic expanded to mean that you pay more to get added channels (but not the movie channels like HBO).
quote:
I don't need all those movie channels, etc. I just want clearer viewing of local stations & Fox & not to be taken advantage of come February.
THe HD converter and antenna will come in handy here as I've heard from a friend and in on line reviews of HD antennas that the reception improves significantly from the standard antenna. So that is an option. No need to rush though (unless you gotta have your games then you got 2 months), the deals will get better as we get closer to Feburary when all TVs will have to convert. Usually the tricky deals tend to dissapate as consumers catch on to them. Look how many "unlimited" or "no contract" plans are available now for cell phone service.
< Message edited by Rufas2000 -- 6/11/2008 10:12:20 AM >
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RE: Cable or Satellite - What to Do?!!!!!! - 6/11/2008 10:06:02 AM
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Rufas2000
Posts: 1031
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quote:
I have Bright House too and used to have Dish network and like I posted before 'had no problem at all with satellite. One thing that cable have also that satellite don't are the local community programs. There was a time when our school district was going through a change and they had it on the local cable channel but since we had satellite-- we did not have it and had to wait for hard copies through the mail on what went on. It also had local school programs that they air and it's a hoot watching some of the kids we know singing or acting in the school's performances.
Thats a very good point. Also, the local commercials can be a hoot, or incredibly lame. But lame is funny too, in its own way.
If it just came down to programming it would be a very close call for me. Basically DirecTV with Boomerang, NFL Network and full VH-1 (instead of the split) verses Bright House with the local news channel Bay News 9, American Life TV and the other local stuff. But the features on the program guide and DVR receiver make the decision much easier. Those are far better than Bright House's current offerings.
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RE: Cable or Satellite - What to Do?!!!!!! - 6/11/2008 1:13:24 PM
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stateofgrace
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quote:
ORIGINAL: wareaglekd
I guess what I want is something that is not going to screw me over in the long run.
A package with a set cost for one or two years may be a good choice, since you will know that the price will remain stable.
quote:
I can't really afford to put this luxury back into my pathetic pay check, but I guess I have no choice w/ the changes happening next February, so I want to make the best affordable choice possible just to satisfy only a few basic needs & buying these huge packages aren't what I need. I don't need all those movie channels, etc. I just want clearer viewing of local stations & Fox & not to be taken advantage of come February. kd
You do have a choice. There are coupons available online for the digital converter boxes. Your net cost will be like $10. Why not try one and if you aren't happy with the results, you'll only have spent $10. Unlike locking yourself into a cable or satellite package.
---
What is this business with "full VH-1"? Our FIOS system has like 3 VH-1 channels. One of them might even play music most of the time (LOL!). There are also like 4-5 MTV channels, but out of all those, MTV-Hits and MTV-U are basically the only ones that play music most of the time. I was surprised to discover that I liked a lot of the music on MTV-U.
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RE: Cable or Satellite - What to Do?!!!!!! - 6/11/2008 1:57:34 PM
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Rufas2000
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quote:
What is this business with "full VH-1"?
My Mom's cable company has a split channel. It plays VH-1 during the night and C-Span 2 during the day. Even when you go up a tier you do not get those channels all day. Each area (like say Tampa) in our general region (West Central Florida) seems to have one or two but they are different ones. In one area E! is on a split channel. Its quite annoying unless you have zero interest in the channel.
I have no idea why they do this. I assume its to save money somehow (maybe the per subscriber fee the cable company has to pay the channel is reduced).
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RE: Cable or Satellite - What to Do?!!!!!! - 6/11/2008 4:50:05 PM
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wareaglekd
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So am I to assume that there will be deals prior to February due to the change? I would almost think it would be the other way since everyone will need to make some kind of change. Also, I still don't have it quite clear. I have a cable ready TV (bought it in 2000). So, I'm able to just hook up cable or satellite & be okay for February, correct?
There is no competition for cable in my area. Charter has fiber optics county wide & has made it a stipulation that no one else can come in unless they do the same. So, no one can afford it.
I don't have a clue about why ESPN is on expanded, but that is certainly disappointing if the standard is it should be on basic. I doubt I can fight that. We've had political problems w/ cable for years where I live & nothing has changed.
If I got the converter box only, would I still be able to pick up the channels like I pick up w/ just the antenna like FOX & Trinity? If that is possible, I'll just go for the converter box & just have to figure out something to do about the games just like I always have. Gee, I can sit on my front porch & hear the noise, at least, from the stadium. I work for Auburn, but just don't make enough money to go to the games. It's outrageous!
The reason why I don't have the converter box yet is because the people sending the coupons require a street address. I made a special request to get it via P.O. box & I haven't heard back yet & probably won't. I did have problems w/ getting mail at my street address, but it's changed since I made the request. I think there was a deadline on the request so I may be too late. kd
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RE: Cable or Satellite - What to Do?!!!!!! - 6/11/2008 5:50:55 PM
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Rufas2000
Posts: 1031
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quote:
So am I to assume that there will be deals prior to February due to the change? I would almost think it would be the other way since everyone will need to make some kind of change.
True but DirecTV and DISH are available almost anywhere. They compete with each other and your local cable company. They are also competing with the idea of getting the converter box and being done with it. I'm sure they're telling stockholders that subscribers (and therefore future dividends) will be up and so they will want a rush of new subscribers. Hence they'll all try to offer their best deal in order to secure your business. On the down side I suspect they will try to lock people in long term (like 24 months).
This is just my reading of the market and may not be accurate but it does make perfect sense. Its the same logic that Christmas shopping operates under. People need presents but there are many sales as stores compete to get you to buy your presents from them. The deals will start before the end of the year. If the market is soft (not going well) the deals will get better as February draws near, if there is really heavy demand they might start offering a take it or leave it deal.
quote:
If I got the converter box only, would I still be able to pick up the channels like I pick up w/ just the antenna like FOX & Trinity?
I am almost sure you will be able to pick up everything you have before. I'm assuming Trinity uses a local channel to broadcast on.
quote:
I have a cable ready TV (bought it in 2000). So, I'm able to just hook up cable or satellite & be okay for February, correct?
Cable ready only means that you do not need a cable converter box (as opposed to the one that will allow you to continue to watch over the air TV on your set). However, satellite providers require receivers (another term for the old cable converter box) anyway as does most cable service. Chances are it will be irrelevant, especially if you want DVR. Professional installation is usually free though. They hook up the TV to the signal source (the cabling or satellite dish which they also provide) and hook your TV to the cable converter box / receiver (the box that controls the cable or satellite programming). Other than missing a morning or afternoon of work it shouldn't be a problem.
quote:
I did have problems w/ getting mail at my street address, but it's changed since I made the request. I think there was a deadline on the request so I may be too late.
There is a deadline but I don't think you're too late.
Edit: I originally said something about alternate feeds which is true if you have an HD antenna and an HD TV set but I'm not sure if it works with the converter box.
< Message edited by Rufas2000 -- 6/11/2008 6:11:15 PM >
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RE: Cable or Satellite - What to Do?!!!!!! - 6/12/2008 9:09:50 AM
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wareaglekd
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My sister has Dish & she told me that she is charged an equipment fee every month (same when she was w/ Direct TV). Then when she cancelled her service w/ Direct TV, they never came out to pick up the equipment. I had the same problem w/ cable (still have cable pole & cable line under my deck as well as cord in my living room floor). I don't remember paying an equipment fee w/ cable. Is that true?
Am I to assume that only satellite is giving the DVR equipment, etc? I haven't seen that w/ Charter (unless I'm just not looking in the right place). kd
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RE: Cable or Satellite - What to Do?!!!!!! - 6/12/2008 9:35:10 AM
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jodavi
Posts: 1860
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From: the mitten
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quote:
ORIGINAL: wareaglekd
My sister has Dish & she told me that she is charged an equipment fee every month (same when she was w/ Direct TV). Then when she cancelled her service w/ Direct TV, they never came out to pick up the equipment. I had the same problem w/ cable (still have cable pole & cable line under my deck as well as cord in my living room floor). I don't remember paying an equipment fee w/ cable. Is that true?
Am I to assume that only satellite is giving the DVR equipment, etc? I haven't seen that w/ Charter (unless I'm just not looking in the right place). kd
When we went from Dish to Bright House (cable)-- Bright House took the box and the 'eye' from the dish with the remote control. We called up Dish to cancel and Dish sent us a box. We brought the box to Bright House and they took care of shipping the equipment to Dish. However the satellite itself is still on the roof and we were told that Dish don't really want it back, only the 'eye' from it. We could either take it out or just leave it there.
Bright House (our cable provider) have the DVR equipment and we're just loving it.
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RE: Cable or Satellite - What to Do?!!!!!! - 6/12/2008 4:04:56 PM
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wareaglekd
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I've never heard of Bright House. Must not be in the SE. kd
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RE: Cable or Satellite - What to Do?!!!!!! - 6/12/2008 4:21:38 PM
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stateofgrace
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Bright House is in Florida, Alabama, California, Indiana, and Michigan (bear in mind that they are likely not in all markets in those states). And they do offer digital cable, onDemand, and DVRs, at least in some markets.
As well as package offers...
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RE: Cable or Satellite - What to Do?!!!!!! - 6/12/2008 8:29:41 PM
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Miss Giggles
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From: MI
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I had direct tv, the receiver was free at the time and I paid 25.00 for the dish.
I canceled it a while later, just threw the stuff out
I have a plan through dish and my apartment so I rent the equipment for 5.00 a month and will give it back when I move. I liked direct tv better.
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RE: Cable or Satellite - What to Do?!!!!!! - 6/13/2008 9:15:03 AM
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wareaglekd
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I checked the Bright House web site & unfortunately it's not close enough to me.
Well, the joke was on me. I was looking up some info yesterday on Charter & thought I found some great deals for my area including ESPN not being on expanded. Turned out.....it was Auburn, California not Auburn, Alabama. Should I be surprised! kd
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Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
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RE: Cable or Satellite - What to Do?!!!!!! - 6/13/2008 1:46:04 PM
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amybreit
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quote:
If I got the converter box only, would I still be able to pick up the channels like I pick up w/ just the antenna like FOX & Trinity? If that is possible, I'll just go for the converter box & just have to figure out something to do about the games just like I always have. Yes - you can still get the same channels you get with your rabbit ears - in fact, you'll still need an antenna (not sure if the one you have will work - I think it needs to be a specific antenna for digital). Anyway, you will likely get MORE stations than you do now w/ the converter box, because there will be multiple channels under one number (i.e. instead of just channel 4 we get channels 4-1 & 4-2. 4 is our NBC station & the 4-2 is NBC weather). We also get CBS, 2 PBS stations, 5 TBN stations, Fox, UPN, CW, a local station with -1 & -2 and 4 stations under the I network. Unfortunately for us, the digital ABC station doesn't come in strong enough for us to pick up. We are hoping they will boost their signal before Feb. If you don't have the money for cable or sattelite, this could be a good option for you. Even if you have to pay the full price for the converter box (which is still 1/2 what we paid for ours several years ago!), it would still be cheaper than a year's worth of paid TV subscription.
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RE: Cable or Satellite - What to Do?!!!!!! - 6/16/2008 9:20:58 AM
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wareaglekd
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I think I got my answer over the weekend from my sister. Isn't it true you need a landline phone? I went totally cellular about 4 years ago. 90% of college students here are all cellular. Again, another poor decision on cable's part to make ESPN expanded.
I would rather go converter box in the end, but for the sake of not having to burn precious fuel on Saturday to go somewhere else to watch the game, I will probably have to make the sacrifice. Unless, I find a sugar daddy by opening game & he can take me to all the games!!!! kd
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Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
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RE: Cable or Satellite - What to Do?!!!!!! - 6/17/2008 4:47:36 PM
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stateofgrace
Posts: 1929
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A landlilne phone for what?
You don't need a landline phone for a digital (over the air) converter box.
You don't need a landline phone for digital cable.
You will need a landline phone if you get a 3 service package (telephone/internet/tv) from some provider.
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RE: Cable or Satellite - What to Do?!!!!!! - 6/18/2008 1:29:22 AM
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DenimDiva
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When I was living in Indiana we had satellite. It would go out in bad weather, mainly weather where you needed to have the weather reports on! Oh, well we just took a radio down to the basement during that time. Now I'm back in CA. I think that the cable goes out here more than our satellite did in Indiana!
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RE: Cable or Satellite - What to Do?!!!!!! - 6/18/2008 9:32:08 AM
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wareaglekd
Posts: 598
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She said I needed a land line for satellite TV. kd
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Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
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RE: Cable or Satellite - What to Do?!!!!!! - 6/18/2008 9:34:13 AM
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DenimDiva
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yuppers- we had DishNetwork and it was awesome! If you have Caller ID, when your phone rings, the Caller ID shows up on your TV screen.
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RE: Cable or Satellite - What to Do?!!!!!! - 6/18/2008 2:27:08 PM
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wareaglekd
Posts: 598
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Oh yeah! That sounds familiar now. I remember seeing that on my sister's TV. k
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Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
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RE: Cable or Satellite - What to Do?!!!!!! - 6/18/2008 3:34:38 PM
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stateofgrace
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My in-laws have DirectTV, and it's not connected to their phone line.
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RE: Cable or Satellite - What to Do?!!!!!! - 6/18/2008 4:33:23 PM
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wareaglekd
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I need to look into that. k
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