Shopping for new TV/phone/internet provider.

Author
57Gregy
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 14404
  • Joined: 2004/05/31 17:04:17
  • Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
  • Status: offline
2013/08/01 22:58:06 (permalink)

Shopping for new TV/phone/internet provider.

TWC has finally ticked me off enough to start looking for a new service.
Choices in this area besides TWC:
AT&T
DirecTV
Dish Network.
I had DirecTV at the old house, but I don't think I can get a signal due to the number of tall trees around here. Same with Dish. I belive they can check that for me.
Has anyone used AT&T for all their entertainment needs?

Greg 
I am selling my MIM Fender Stratocaster HSS, red and black. PM for more details.

Music Creator 2003, MC Pro 24, SONAR Home Studio 6 XL, SONAR  X3e, CbB, Focusrite Saffire, not enough space.
Everything is better with pie. 

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=609446
http://www.reverbnation.com/#!/gregfields 
#1

10 Replies Related Threads

    craigb
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 41704
    • Joined: 2009/01/28 23:13:04
    • Location: The Pacific Northwestshire
    • Status: offline
    Re: Shopping for new TV/phone/internet provider. 2013/08/01 23:49:18 (permalink)
    Have you considered just finding a decent internet provider and going with something like Netflix (or similar)?

     
    Time for all of you to head over to Beyond My DAW!
    #2
    sharke
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 13933
    • Joined: 2012/08/03 00:13:00
    • Location: NYC
    • Status: offline
    Re: Shopping for new TV/phone/internet provider. 2013/08/02 02:01:26 (permalink)
    I cannot wait for Google to swoop in on TWC in New York with their mega wassname fiber optic connection. I hate TWC so much. Apparently Starbucks is ditching AT&T for Google for their free Wifi too. Nice to see these communication dinosaur ripoff merchants get their proverbial backsides handed to them. 

    James
    Windows 10, Sonar SPlat (64-bit), Intel i7-4930K, 32GB RAM, RME Babyface, AKAI MPK Mini, Roland A-800 Pro, Focusrite VRM Box, Komplete 10 Ultimate, 2012 American Telecaster!
    #3
    Mesh
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 27360
    • Joined: 2009/11/27 14:08:08
    • Location: Online right here!
    • Status: offline
    Re: Shopping for new TV/phone/internet provider. 2013/08/02 09:17:50 (permalink)
    craigb
    Have you considered just finding a decent internet provider and going with something like Netflix (or similar)?



    +1 to what Craig said. Netflix is great.
     
    I also had Direct TV and Dish for sometime, but out of the 300+ channels, I realized we only watched about 10-15.....others were mostly junk. So I bought a Roku internet streaming box and no more monthly cable tv bills. I believe there's a new version of Roku(3) that's out which has got some good reviews (especially speed-wise and program content).
     
    Once Costco gets it into their stores, I'll probably upgrade to that. You can get a lot of free content online (no more commercials:)), but check and see if you fav. shows/programs are available before jumping in. 
     
    We did away with a phone line at home and got an unlimited plan with our cell phone provider, so this also cut down a lot of useless monthly bills......now, we only have to pay monthly for our high speed internet + netflix. 

    Platinum Gaming DAW: AsRock Z77 Overclock Formula
    I7 3770k @ 4.5GHz : 16GB RAM G.Skill Ripjaws X
    250GB OS SSD : 3TB HDD : 1TB Sample HDD
    Win 10 Pro x 64 : NH-D14 CPU Cooler 
    HIS IceQ  2GB HD 7870
    Focusrite Scarlett 2i4
    The_Forum_Monkeys
    #4
    timidi
    Max Output Level: -21 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 5449
    • Joined: 2006/04/11 12:55:15
    • Location: SE Florida
    • Status: offline
    Re: Shopping for new TV/phone/internet provider. 2013/08/02 20:49:26 (permalink)
    Mesh
    craigb
    Have you considered just finding a decent internet provider and going with something like Netflix (or similar)?



    .now, we only have to pay monthly for our high speed internet + netflix. 




    Can you please explain how to do this like you're talking to a 5 year old?
     

    ASUS P8P67, i7-2600K, CORSAIR 16GB, HIS 5450, 3 Samsung SSD 850, Win7 64, RME AIO.
     
    https://timbowman.bandcamp.com/releases
     
    #5
    craigb
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 41704
    • Joined: 2009/01/28 23:13:04
    • Location: The Pacific Northwestshire
    • Status: offline
    Re: Shopping for new TV/phone/internet provider. 2013/08/03 01:25:19 (permalink)
    timidi
    Mesh
    craigb
    Have you considered just finding a decent internet provider and going with something like Netflix (or similar)?



    .now, we only have to pay monthly for our high speed internet + netflix. 




    Can you please explain how to do this like you're talking to a 5 year old?
     


    Sure.
     
    Does the big boy like TV?  That's a good boy!  Can you say cartoons?  Very good!
     
    (Though I'm really not sure how that helps.  )
     
    Netflix and others (like Hulu) stream TV series', sitcoms and movies over the internet for a monthly fee (but without those damned commercials).  However, you'll want a decent internet connection.  (Did that help more?  )

     
    Time for all of you to head over to Beyond My DAW!
    #6
    RobertB
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 11256
    • Joined: 2005/11/19 23:40:50
    • Location: Fort Worth, Texas
    • Status: offline
    Re: Shopping for new TV/phone/internet provider. 2013/08/03 02:12:52 (permalink)
    Tim, basically if you have a good internet connection, services like Netflix will stream well.
    If you have an old two wire system in your area, ATT or Verizon will probably be pretty weak.
    If they have optical cable in place, they may be viable.
    Internet is where cable is really strong. It has to do with the physical attributes of the system delivering the signal to your home.
    Greg, verify that ATT has optical fiber in your area. If yes, it's viable. If they only have two wire, forget it. You'll pay the same bill, but get crap service.
    Satellite systems are ok for TV, but they can't do internet. So they farm that out, if they offer it, to a separate provider, usually ATT. So you are back to two wire, at best , very modest speed and bandwidth.
    I tend to side with Mesh here(If I understand him correctly).
    Go with cable internet. Assuming the coax cable and connectors in your home are healthy, Roku, Netflix, etc will perform well.
    As you know, I work for Charter, but TWC is comparable.
    If you have more questions, ask away. I'll help you as much as I can.

    My Soundclick Page
    SONAR Professional, X3eStudio,W7 64bit, AMD Athlon IIx4 2.8Ghz, 4GB RAM, 64bit, AKAI EIE Pro, Nektar Impact LX61,Alesis DM6,Alesis ControlPad,Yamaha MG10/2,Alesis M1Mk2 monitors,Samson Servo300,assorted guitars,Lava Lamp

    Shimozu-Kushiari or Bob
    #7
    maximumpower
    Max Output Level: -76 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 731
    • Joined: 2011/05/13 19:14:34
    • Location: Ohio
    • Status: offline
    Re: Shopping for new TV/phone/internet provider. 2013/08/03 07:45:01 (permalink)
    craigb
    Have you considered just finding a decent internet provider and going with something like Netflix (or similar)?


    FWIW that is what I did. Dropped $104/month in cable tv/DVR/home phone fees. That is $1080 per year (after paying Netflix and Hulu plus fees) in savings. I can almost buy a new Carvin L3 w/2x12 or a new Carvin Guitar every year. Or wait two years and try out an AxeFx.
     
    I kinda of miss cable but I'd rather have the $1080 in my pocket. OK, actually... it doesn't go in my pocket. The kids get it. :-)
     
    The best entertainment channel of all is Cakewalk CH anyway! :-)

    Win 10 (64 bit), i7-2600k 3.4GHz , 8 GB RAM, SATA III (500GB SSD - System, 2TB WD Black - Data), Sonar Platinum x64, m-audio Profire 610

    #8
    timidi
    Max Output Level: -21 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 5449
    • Joined: 2006/04/11 12:55:15
    • Location: SE Florida
    • Status: offline
    Re: Shopping for new TV/phone/internet provider. 2013/08/03 08:31:12 (permalink)
    I have Comcast cable. I think it is 25 doohickies per second or millisecond or something.
    If I cancel the TV part, they are going to want $70 just for internet which is pretty preposterous I think.
     
    Anyway, Will a Roku box work wirelessly with a very old analogue TV? 
    Is it clear and instant?
    I like the idea of the remote with the earbud jack. Nice.. I won't have to listen to 'Housewives of' anymore:)
     
    I guess I should try the Netflix trial.
    Do they have all the TV shows? I browsed the offerings and not much came up. Actually, nothing I recognized came up.
     
    Is the Netflix really $7.99? Or, is it +++++++++++++++++++++++++ ?
     
    What about local channels? And, stuff like CNN, CNBC, weather channel etc. I guess that's live TV.
    post edited by timidi - 2013/08/03 08:40:09

    ASUS P8P67, i7-2600K, CORSAIR 16GB, HIS 5450, 3 Samsung SSD 850, Win7 64, RME AIO.
     
    https://timbowman.bandcamp.com/releases
     
    #9
    57Gregy
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 14404
    • Joined: 2004/05/31 17:04:17
    • Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
    • Status: offline
    Re: Shopping for new TV/phone/internet provider. 2013/08/03 10:05:06 (permalink)
    Thanks, Bob.
    There were a couple of nice AT&T guys here a few days ago trying to get customers. They are fiber optic here. If I had opened my TWC bill before they came instead of after, I would have signed up on the spot.
    They claimed to have faster internet than TWC and are cheaper (for now).
    I have an internet TV and I like the idea of Netflix and other streaming services, but unless I can get all the channels or programs we already get with TWC, it's a no-go.
    Plus, I have a house mate who isn't technically proficient.  Just watching her try to change the settings so she can watch a DVD or listen to a CD is frustrating.

    Greg 
    I am selling my MIM Fender Stratocaster HSS, red and black. PM for more details.

    Music Creator 2003, MC Pro 24, SONAR Home Studio 6 XL, SONAR  X3e, CbB, Focusrite Saffire, not enough space.
    Everything is better with pie. 

    http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=609446
    http://www.reverbnation.com/#!/gregfields 
    #10
    Moshkiae
    Max Output Level: -14 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 6111
    • Joined: 2009/04/27 10:26:25
    • Status: offline
    Re: Shopping for new TV/phone/internet provider. 2013/08/03 13:46:01 (permalink)
    57Gregy
    TWC has finally ticked me off enough to start looking for a new service.
    ...


    Find the website for your state, that has the Consumer Protection Agency forms and file a complaint.
     
    Comcast here would not fix the issues, and I knew they had bad wires, and I got tired of 5 calls and everyone selling me phone 4 times each call when I asked them not to do so ... so I fired off a complaint ... and had 3 techs at my door next morning at 8AM ... and they removed wiring that was 25 years old, brittle, broken, that was causing the bad connections! No more issues since!
     
    There is, at the City Council, one of the members that is in charge of the Cable Contract ... and that person, usually, LOVES, the complaints against the company ... so go after them! They make too much money, NOT to take care of their customers, and that City Council person will make sure that things get fixed.
     
    Oh, by the way ... the "price" is off the table ... so don't discuss pricing!

    As a wise Guy once stated from his holy chapala ... none of the hits, none of the time ... prevents you from becoming just another turkey in the middle of all the other turkeys! 
      
    #11
    Jump to:
    © 2025 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1