Pay TV quandry

AdamZ

AdamZ

Touchdown! Greaser!
Joined
Feb 24, 2005
Messages
14,869
Location
Montgomery County PA
Display Name
Display name:
Adam Zucker
I have been cable free for 14-15 years meaning I have gotten my TV for free over the great airwaves of this free nation via that 1980s era aluminum antena on my chimney. With the converstion to Digital TV forced upon us I have found myself with more channels but many with spotty reception. Usually the three big networks are ok but the former UHF stuff like Fox Ch 29 that has great movies and the World Series this year starts off fine and then gets all pixelated and freezes up which forced me to listen to the series on radio ( not such a bad thing). But in short my assessment of digital TV broad casts is that it STINKS, yes I have the converter boxes.

So I'm thinking it may be time to switch to pay TV as much as it pains me. If between Verizon FIOS or Comcast I would proably go with Verizon becuase I hear its better but what about the DISH network or Direct TV. I think they may be less expensive. Any thoughts?
 
First off, if you like to tinker, google 'DIY HDTV antenna' and do some reading. When I got an HDTV included as part of the new monitor for the kid's computer, I was able to put some coat hangers, aluminum foil and $5 worth of hardware together in the attic. I get very reliable signals from the DC stations, about 50 miles from the broadcast antenna.

Secondly, it seems YMMV applies for any pay service, but as a first time customer, you WILL get a good deal from them, but likely a two year commitment. Again, listen to responses here, and google for "Fios best deal Forum" or some such thing. Personally, we have DISH and it suits the needs of the kids, so that they can watch "The Suite Life of Hannah Montana on Waverly Place" to their hearts content. I watch maybe five channels regularly.

And a DVR is both the death of the current advertising model for media and the greatest thing ever made. Worth the extra money, IMHO.
 
AdamZ said:
So I'm thinking it may be time to switch to pay TV as much as it pains me. If between Verizon FIOS or Comcast I would proably go with Verizon becuase I hear its better but what about the DISH network or Direct TV. I think they may be less expensive. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Have you tried a new antenna designed for digital delivery? If you're happy with the local channels, I'd try that before anything else.

We've had DirecTV for a couple of years. It's mostly OK, but craps out in heavy rain. If you get snow, make sure you can get to the dish to clean the snow off it, or you'll lose reception. HD quality is inferior to HD over the air. Can get expensive if you rent a bunch of boxes or go with super deluxe programming packages. Their contract installers are cretins. DVR is a handy thing to have.


Trapper John
 
I have had Dish and am currently on DirectTV but perhaps about to switch to ATT uVerse (similiar to Verizon FIOS).

I have been happy without cable. I had far too many customer service issues with Comcast to ever go back. I went to Dish at first because I got the better deal. But they started having fights with Comcast over one of the channels they carry and so I switched to DirectTV to get that channel. Now DirectTV is fighting with Comcast about that very same channel again.

uVerse from ATT will offer me service at about the same price. Plus I can bundle Internet, wireless, and landline service on it and come out ahead. They carry the channel I want but also offer a back up to another channel that will carry that information should Comcast start messing with them too.

Did you notice that Comcast seems to be the bane of my existence?

As for you situation with you antenna, you may need to update the aluminum on your house. An antenna that old may not be giving you the performance it once did due to corrosion and other factors such as old feedline. Not too mention that the band that the antenna is optimized for may not be what you need to receive these days. DTV has moved up into the UHF band while your 1980's antenna was probably optimized more for the old analog VHF band channels. YMMV on what you antenna set up was. Generally the UHF part of old style TV antenna was not all that great as most of the channels that people wanted to receive were in the VHF band.

Here is a web site that may help you http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx
 
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We used to have Cox cable, but recently switched to Verizon FIOS. We're not sure how we survived until now. YMMV.
 
Z-Man:

First off, if you are working from an old, long-installed antenna, and the sole reason you are looking at changing is the poor signal, you might seriously consider an antenna tune-up and upgrade. Right off the bat, in my experience, I bet every connection between the TVs and the antenna is old and oxidized. Secondly, you really need to have an amplified antenna; the difference is dramatic.

Between Comcast and Fios, I'd probably go with Fios, but see who's got the channels you want and the best deal. They make all kinds of monster deals, but yyou have to drive the bargain.

YMMV, but for me, with umpty-million channels on AT&T's U-Verse (like Fios only not quite so groovy), I watch (1) whatever Celia is watching, which usually means lots of women-oriented stuff, as well as naughty vampire shows), (2) Guns & Gear on Versus TV (highly-recommended, produced and hosted by pilot and noted broadcast journalist Tom Gresham).

I would not go satellite unless it was lots cheaper. Still, it may be...
 
Or you could learn to live without having the local stations. I've never gotten good reception here in the boonies, and my TV just has a DVD player attached to it. However you know how much time I spend at my house, and I won't pay for something that would get used so minimally.

I'd agree that you should consider a new antenna first, that may help your problems and allow you to stay cable free.
 
Thanks for the suggestion guys. I'll check out new antenas as well as the DIY route. If that does not fit the bill seems like Fios may be it. I already have Verizon internet and land line at home. Cell is Verizon too but through my firm.

Funny thing is that I used to get about 3 sometimes 4 local UHF stations just fine until it all went digital. I also just got a killer 47" flat screen 1080 LCD so I wanna do the right thing and make sure its not just a paper weight.
 
I had DISH for 5 yrs and was mostly pretty happy with it (only watched movies, still do), but, VZ kept sending me mail about getting "triple play" for 99 bucks (internet/phone/TV). I already had internet and phone and adding TV only added 20 bucks (well 36 with the DVR) per month...

I initially decided not to get movie channels (I had THE WORKS on DISH) but then got mail telling me I could get them all for 30 bucks more.. long and short, I'm now saving about 20-30 bucks over having VZ for two things and DISH for the other. Not a huge savings but it's still less. If I got rid of the movies it would be another 30 plus tax etc.

FIOS is great, by the way. Quite happy with it and no worries about the weather taking out satellite. When you think about it, if you are going to be stuck at home due to a winter storm and CANNOT get satellite reception, wouldn't that suck?
 
AdamZ said:
I have been cable free for 14-15 years meaning I have gotten my TV for free over the great airwaves of this free nation via that 1980s era aluminum antena on my chimney. With the converstion to Digital TV forced upon us I have found myself with more channels but many with spotty reception. Usually the three big networks are ok[snip]

So I'm thinking it may be time to switch to pay TV as much as it pains me. If between Verizon FIOS or Comcast I would proably go with Verizon becuase I hear its better but what about the DISH network or Direct TV. I think they may be less expensive. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Around here the cable providers don't talk much about analog signals
over cable, but you might ask which ones have service that doesn't
require a converter box. For example, Comcast has a basic cable
service which is about 26 channels of analog signal. This is the local
broadcast channels and some of those stupid home shopping channels.
The beauty of it is no converter box.
 
AdamZ said:
Thanks for the suggestion guys. I'll check out new antenas as well as the DIY route. If that does not fit the bill seems like Fios may be it. I already have Verizon internet and land line at home. Cell is Verizon too but through my firm.

Funny thing is that I used to get about 3 sometimes 4 local UHF stations just fine until it all went digital. I also just got a killer 47" flat screen 1080 LCD so I wanna do the right thing and make sure its not just a paper weight.
Click to expand...

I know the feeling, I just got a 46" Sharp today and I'm loving it. Now I've gotta get a TiVo HD and probably find more HD channels (which means satellite since cable here suuuuuuuuuuuuucks).
 
AdamZ said:
Funny thing is that I used to get about 3 sometimes 4 local UHF stations just fine until it all went digital. I also just got a killer 47" flat screen 1080 LCD so I wanna do the right thing and make sure its not just a paper weight.
Click to expand...

Know exactly what you mean. When the switch to digital occured, the old rabbit ears didn't work very well. The homemade fractal antenna

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNRZEM9wJz0

http://www.instructables.com/id/How_to_make_a_fractal_antenna_for_HDTV_DTV_plus_/

was a huge improvement, but was pretty sensitive to orientation and had to be on the roof. The antenna was faily easy to build, Nicole and I had fun with it. Guess I should have saved it. Now have FIOS, 1395 channels of junk, maybe 50 of decent stuff and maybe 20 I watch with some regularity. Can't complain about the sound or picture quality - it's excellent. The DVR makes life much easier and is pretty simple to operate. Did bundle phone, internet and TV, it is worth it for the cost over each separately.

The FIOS people were willing to deal a bit since they wanted to do a bunch of installations in the neighborhood all at one time. The installer was very good, understood the equipment, set-up and had a great idea to minimize the runs of cable. A one-year committment, so that's not too bad.

Gary
 
Completely drop TV!
I get more news and entertainment from the puter than I need!
Do something else with your time, and put the 100bucks a month plus hardware into avgas!

(TV free for 2 years and much healthier, happier because of it)
 
Let'sgoflying! said:
Completely drop TV!
(TV free for 2 years and much healthier, happier because of it)
Click to expand...

+1000000000000000

I got rid of my TV, along with most of my possessions that owned me, over 3 years ago and haven't missed any of it in the least. Healthier, happier, stress is gone, more hours in a day. All positives, no negatives.
 
Bob Noel said:
Around here the cable providers don't talk much about analog signals
over cable, but you might ask which ones have service that doesn't
require a converter box. For example, Comcast has a basic cable
service which is about 26 channels of analog signal. This is the local
broadcast channels and some of those stupid home shopping channels.
The beauty of it is no converter box.
Click to expand...

Comcast provides up to 2 converter boxes for their network free of charge. I got a third as we have 3 sets not connected to cable boxes with DVRs built in. So you could still get digital channels on your analog TV for no extra cost.

My only problem with Comcast is that they keep calling trying to get me to switch to their VOIP offering. Not going to happen. We always ask what happens when the power goes out. Answer - we can give you battery backup. How long does that last? 8 hours. Great, last time the power was out, it was out for 5 days. My landline still worked. And we've seen the power out for 10 days. And the landline still worked. Not switching. They don't get the message, they keep trying. Otherwise, no significant problems with Comcast.
 
fgcason said:
+1000000000000000

I got rid of my TV, along with most of my possessions that owned me, over 3 years ago and haven't missed any of it in the least. Healthier, happier, stress is gone, more hours in a day. All positives, no negatives.
Click to expand...

We are cable and broadcast free in our house, and have been for well over 3 years (I think 4 years as of this September...)

We do watch DVD's, however. But cutting cable out has been a boon to our existence, plus (as Dave mentions) a cool extra $100 in the bank every month.

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
I tried Direct TV, the picture was awful. They sent a technician to my house and he agreed, so they let me off the hook (out of the contract).

Make sure you get a trial period if you go to using a dish set up. Direct TV was great about letting me out of the contract, but there are many companies that are not so great.

I turn on the evening news now and then when I get home from work, but more for background noise while I feed my animals and settle in. I stopped watching broadcast shows about the same time reality TV started, I guess it's been six or seven years now.

The plots on all of them are formula based and designed to hold the attention of, well, I"m not quite sure. Let me put it this way. you know how the show will play out, and you know how it will end, before you turn it on.

I have lots of DVDs and books to spend my evenings with, oh, and the computer.

I have the cheapest cable package I could purchase, so that in the event of something newsworthy happening, I can tune into it. I have a huge flat screen, home theater set up, I just figured I should be able to turn on the T.V. if I wanted.

John
 
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AdamZ said:
Dave and Frank one question. Either of you have a 13-14 year old daughter?
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You got us there, Adam. We know who really runs the world!

About TV... I really did find myself coming home to higher blood pressure and anxiety with that box bouncing off the stand each night. I like absolute quiet for much of the evening and the absolute $%!# that was coming out of it was wearing me down. "Breathe. Smile. No TV. Relax."
 
AdamZ said:
Dave and Frank one question. Either of you have a 13-14 year old daughter?
Click to expand...

This house has never seen broadcast TV. In any form. Spouses son (now 22) survived just fine. :smile:
 
I have Dish Network, otherwise I would have no TV at all since the reception is non-existent out here and there is no cable. I pay $44.95/month for the minimum service called "Bronze 100" or something, which includes local channels plus a box. I don't watch TV that often but I don't think I want to do without the capability entirely.
 
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Let'sgoflying! said:
Completely drop TV!
I get more news and entertainment from the puter than I need!
Do something else with your time, and put the 100bucks a month plus hardware into avgas!

(TV free for 2 years and much healthier, happier because of it)
Click to expand...

You must be single.
 
kgruber said:
You must be single.
Click to expand...

nuh-uh!

I encourage all of you reading this thread but not sure if you could survive, to give it a go for 3 months. Your life will improve markedly and you will be seeking this thread later to thank us!
 
Let'sgoflying! said:
nuh-uh!

I encourage all of you reading this thread but not sure if you could survive, to give it a go for 3 months. Your life will improve markedly and you will be seeking this thread later to thank us!
Click to expand...

Actually I've done that. It is very refreshing, I get to read a lot of good stuff. I do admit to liking to watch sports on TV and am kind of a Documentary Junkie
 
I only miss sports. But there is a sports bar 15 miles away ;) (actually that's a stretch, it is a bar that shows sports.)
 
Dave's right about giving up TV. Just make sure you actually do something other than sit around to fill the time.

I won't say I've given it up entirely, just mostly since I don't have it at my house.
 
Unless you live in a remote cabin and never travel I don't think anyone has "given it up" completely.

When I'm in a hotel room for example: I am still liable to turn on the tube and flip channels :redface:

We still watch DVD's on the computer once or twice a week, a la Netflix. But we try to watch quality DVD's - docudramas and foreign films only :rofl:
 
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