Who uses FIOS TV? or Netflix

woodstock

woodstock

Final Approach
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Hi

DISH Network has once again raised their rates and it doesn't help that I get their super-duper premium everything channel package and all movie channels and Sirius and all that. I don't even watch TV - just movies for the most part. I'm pretty irritated because it is now 112 bucks a month and I can literally go days - all week - without even turning the TV on. I'm just not much of a TV-gazer.

So. Verizon/FIOS has a dealio where I can add FIOS TV to my current phone and internet package for no extra cost for a year (probably no movie channels) - i.e. free FIOS TV for one year. I'd give up the numerous movies I have tivoed though, bummer. FIOS would be sure to raise their rates after the first year so who knows if I'd be back to where I started or not.

My other alternative is to keep DISH, get rid of all the movie packages and just get netflix. At least then I'd have my Tivo movies, no hassle of switching, and netflix for real movies.

Who uses either and how do you like them?
 
Debbie has been a Netflix junkie for a couple/few years and loves the services offered. As far as I recall, you can go onto the website, pick x number of videos and they will auto ship the next once the previous one is returned. We have found about a 72-96 hour turn around from placing the old in the mail and receiving the new. Of course, YMMV.
 
Switch to FIOS! No bout a doubt it. It's MUCH better, and with Verizon YOU CAN USE A TIVO!

They offer CableCARD.

You'll finally see what you should have had in DVR.

Pick up a TiVo HD at Costco for $279, $599 for a 1TB which can store more.

It'll be worth it for the 1TB. The point is even if you watch occasionally you'[ll always have something GOOD waiting for you to watch.

Combine with NetFlix and you can rip the DVDs to your computer, keep them, and watch them on the TiVo.
 
Hi Mike

I didn't think of that - moving over entirely with both. HMMMM.

Actually my "TIVO" is a DVR by DISH. I guess that won't translate over and I had no idea you could watch DVD movies on a TiVO. How do you burn them?
 
woodstock said:
Hi

DISH Network has once again raised their rates and it doesn't help that I get their super-duper premium everything channel package and all movie channels and Sirius and all that. I don't even watch TV - just movies for the most part. I'm pretty irritated because it is now 112 bucks a month and I can literally go days - all week - without even turning the TV on. I'm just not much of a TV-gazer.

So. Verizon/FIOS has a dealio where I can add FIOS TV to my current phone and internet package for no extra cost for a year (probably no movie channels) - i.e. free FIOS TV for one year. I'd give up the numerous movies I have tivoed though, bummer. FIOS would be sure to raise their rates after the first year so who knows if I'd be back to where I started or not.

My other alternative is to keep DISH, get rid of all the movie packages and just get netflix. At least then I'd have my Tivo movies, no hassle of switching, and netflix for real movies.

Who uses either and how do you like them?
Click to expand...

Do you have fiber to your home now or is Verizon willing to install it? If so, it's probably worth looking at.

In reality, the TV part is pretty much regular cable TV modulated onto fiber, then demodulated back onto coax, so it's not really revolutionary. The real benefit is the blazingly high bandwidth potential of the fiber.

Most of the people that I know that use Netflix like it. We use the same service from Blockbuster - the bonus to the Blockbuster service is if the DVD that comes in the mail is a stinker, you can trade it out for free at one of their stores.


Trapper John
 
I already use FIOS for the internet, and the phone is FIOS too. This would be the three-fer and it would be free for the first year.

Kinda sounds like a no-brainer, huh?
 
woodstock said:
Hi Mike

I didn't think of that - moving over entirely with both. HMMMM.

Actually my "TIVO" is a DVR by DISH. I guess that won't translate over and I had no idea you could watch DVD movies on a TiVO. How do you burn them?
Click to expand...

You take the movie off the DVD (ripping it - This is shady. My buddy calls it voluntarily offering to back up Netflix. :rolleyes:) and store it on your PC's hard drive. You can view any video, downloaded, podcasts, ,etc.

With some free versions of what Tivo calls "HMO - Home Media Option" you can enjoy video, pictures, and audio from your PC on the TiVo. http://www.tivo.com/whatistivo/yourmusicandphotos/music_photos.html Btw, with "Tivo 2 Go" you can copy most video TO your PC and put it on your iPod Touch.

BTW, among the other things a Tivo can do, you now can STREAM NetFlix movies if you're a NetFlix subscriber.

You can buy and rent Amazon video and audio for as little as 99 cents.

A Tivo to your Dish DVR is like a Lexus to to a Yugo.
 
woodstock said:
Hi

DISH Network has once again raised their rates and it doesn't help that I get their super-duper premium everything channel package and all movie channels and Sirius and all that. I don't even watch TV - just movies for the most part. I'm pretty irritated because it is now 112 bucks a month and I can literally go days - all week - without even turning the TV on. I'm just not much of a TV-gazer.

So. Verizon/FIOS has a dealio where I can add FIOS TV to my current phone and internet package for no extra cost for a year (probably no movie channels) - i.e. free FIOS TV for one year. I'd give up the numerous movies I have tivoed though, bummer. FIOS would be sure to raise their rates after the first year so who knows if I'd be back to where I started or not.

My other alternative is to keep DISH, get rid of all the movie packages and just get netflix. At least then I'd have my Tivo movies, no hassle of switching, and netflix for real movies.

Who uses either and how do you like them?
Click to expand...

Here in fairfax county, VA, I have FIOS for everything, and I LOVE it. Works as promised, and on the rare occasions I've had questions, I've gotten a real human being, who speaks english, and knows what he is doing. That's ahead of every ISP/TV provider I've ever had.
 
I "killed" my television a while ago so maybe this isn't a fair comparison, but I like Netflix for movies that we watch on our computer. Even in rural Alaska it is a pretty fast turnaround. Also, with Netflix, if you have sufficient bandwidth they have a steadily increasing portion of their inventory that is available for on demand viewing on your computer at no additional charge. With my puny 256k DSL connection I can't take advantage of that feature but perhaps you can.

Also, there is iTunes, but only if you don't mind watching things on computer all the time and letting your TV languish in the basement closet (where it belongs IMHO.) Or you can port your computer video output to your television but maybe we are getting a little outlandish.
 
I've been happy with Dish-HD.

It's significantly cheaper than Cox or Fios (though Fios is NOT in the neighborhood). I'm still really torqued at Verizon and have no interest in sending them money. And, no, I really don't want them for internet connection as they control your router....

Having said all that, I don't take the full Dish packages - no movie channels, etc.

If you want to blame someone for the high prices, blame the content suppliers who have jacked up the rates they charge. Best way to send a message to them is to cut the services you don't use. TWC has been having a real battle with NFL over the cost of the NFL network.
 
What do I know? I let the telco do tel, and the cableco do cable. Ne'r the twain shall meet.
 
mikea said:
Switch to FIOS! No bout a doubt it. It's MUCH better, and with Verizon YOU CAN USE A TIVO!

They offer CableCARD.

You'll finally see what you should have had in DVR.

Pick up a TiVo HD at Costco for $279, $599 for a 1TB which can store more.

It'll be worth it for the 1TB. The point is even if you watch occasionally you'[ll always have something GOOD waiting for you to watch.

Combine with NetFlix and you can rip the DVDs to your computer, keep them, and watch them on the TiVo.
Click to expand...

Could you get the $279 model and upgrade the hard drive? a 1TB drive is probably less than $320.

BTW, with some of the latest Blue Ray players you can download Netflix over the internet.
 
alaskaflyer said:
Also, there is iTunes, but only if you don't mind watching things on computer all the time and letting your TV languish in the basement closet (where it belongs IMHO.) Or you can port your computer video output to your television but maybe we are getting a little outlandish.
Click to expand...

Or, you can get an Apple TV (not a TV, but a TV set-top box): http://www.apple.com/appletv/

That will play High-Def movies and TV shows purchased on iTunes (you can purchase content right from the TV as well), and give you access to your entire music and photo libraries off your computer on your TV, put YouTube on your TV, etc.

And I bet since you aren't watching that much in the way of movies and TV that you'll spend WAY less than $112/month! Movie rentals on iTunes are $4.99 or less ($4.99 is for a new release in HD) and purchases start at $9.99. TV shows are generally $1.99 per episode or you can buy a "season pass" for less.
 
Thanks everyone, great comments!

I think (think) VZ will give me a TIVO with this, or maybe just their DVR. I bet it comes with a rental each month. If I get my own (which I should) will I still have to pay them a fee for even having it?

I am pretty sure DISH makes you use their own and I pay XX dollars per month just to have it. (probably as much as the small netflix membership).
 
smigaldi said:
All that new tech is overrated IMHO. Stick with rabbit ears! ;)
Click to expand...

RCA_Indian_Head_test_pattern.JPG




Trapper John
 
Trapper John said:
RCA_Indian_Head_test_pattern.JPG




Trapper John
Click to expand...
Exactly, it at least works.

Remember the days of taking something out of the box, turning it on and using it? I preach device self configuration to a lot engineers but they don't get it. They will put thousands of user settings onto something and then wonder why their moms and grandmas don't buy and use the device.
 
smigaldi said:
Exactly, it at least works.

Remember the days of taking something out of the box, turning it on and using it? I preach device self configuration to a lot engineers but they don't get it. They will put thousands of user settings onto something and then wonder why their moms and grandmas don't buy and use the device.
Click to expand...

There seems to be a lot of the, "Why make it simple when you can make it complicated?" going on. I'm not sure why that is...


Trapper John
 
Trapper John said:
There seems to be a lot of the, "Why make it simple when you can make it complicated?" going on. I'm not sure why that is...


Trapper John
Click to expand...
A lot of it is the rush to market. In development you want access to lots of controls. This is for the engineer to be able to measure and try different combination of parameters. But once development is done one would hope to lock down the stuff you do not want users playing with as most users are not tech savy enough. But at the time schedules are such that marketing wants the product on the shelves and no one gets a chance to start making things more usable.
 
Well, at least I called DISH this AM.

Basically for me to keep the "Everything Pack" but get rid of the movies would mean maybe 90 bucks a month (save 22 bucks ish).

To move down one level from there (everything, minus 50 channels) would work out to 65ish a month.

You know, if I do turn on the TV it's to either watch a movie, Daily Show occasionally (and I don't even get around to watching what I've taped, either) and maybe BBCA or travel related programs.

TV is quite a racket these days isn't it!
 
wsuffa said:
...If you want to blame someone for the high prices, blame the content suppliers who have jacked up the rates they charge. Best way to send a message to them is to cut the services you don't use. TWC has been having a real battle with NFL over the cost of the NFL network.
Click to expand...

The NFL is suing to force TV providers to PAY the NFL and make NFL network part of basic, because you know, every patriotic American has a God-given need and right and requirement to enjoy pro football. :no:

You can also blame the high rates on the greed and leverage deals the providers got into. DirecTV, for example, was bought and ruined by Rupert Murdoch, and then made independent. Both moves required lotsa cash for exec bonuses and investment bank commissions.

When these guys had to grow revenues to please the stockholders they just squeeze teh golden goose that is rate payers, knowing full well the frog almost never jumps out of the water as it heats to a boil.
 
woodstock said:
Well, at least I called DISH this AM.

Basically for me to keep the "Everything Pack" but get rid of the movies would mean maybe 90 bucks a month (save 22 bucks ish).

To move down one level from there (everything, minus 50 channels) would work out to 65ish a month.

You know, if I do turn on the TV it's to either watch a movie, Daily Show occasionally (and I don't even get around to watching what I've taped, either) and maybe BBCA or travel related programs.

TV is quite a racket these days isn't it!
Click to expand...

It's about the same range for me with Comcast, although I have HD and I own the (TiVo) equipment. I'm paying $106 a month with the various taxes and franchise fees (which BTW you usually don't pay with a dish) with highly discounted HBO and Showtime packages. (The regular rate is $16.99 a month for each. :yikes:)

It is WAY too much for the value of the product. I'll be cancelling the premium channels as the deals expire if not before.
 
mikea said:
I'll be cancelling the premium channels as the deals expire if not before.
Click to expand...

Or play the customer retention game and threaten to cancel altogether and make them cut a deal for you, which is a big PITA, but usually pays off.


Trapper John
 
smigaldi said:
Exactly, it at least works.

Remember the days of taking something out of the box, turning it on and using it? I preach device self configuration to a lot engineers but they don't get it. They will put thousands of user settings onto something and then wonder why their moms and grandmas don't buy and use the device.
Click to expand...

smigaldi said:
A lot of it is the rush to market. In development you want access to lots of controls. This is for the engineer to be able to measure and try different combination of parameters. But once development is done one would hope to lock down the stuff you do not want users playing with as most users are not tech savy enough. But at the time schedules are such that marketing wants the product on the shelves and no one gets a chance to start making things more usable.
Click to expand...

You should know. The dog-slow aggravation called the 6412 DVR is the absolute WORST thing I've ever laid my button pushing hands on. :mad: It makes giving up TV entirely a viable option.

I understand where it comes from because I noticed long ago I designed a user menu based on the command I had to assemble behind the scenes rather than how a mere mortal would look at what they wanted to do.

"Of course it's in separate place on the menu. The tuner part comes from Techco while the recording part came from Companyco."
 
woodstock said:
Thanks everyone, great comments!

I think (think) VZ will give me a TIVO with this, or maybe just their DVR. I bet it comes with a rental each month. If I get my own (which I should) will I still have to pay them a fee for even having it?

I am pretty sure DISH makes you use their own and I pay XX dollars per month just to have it. (probably as much as the small netflix membership).
Click to expand...

No, no! You don't want Verizon's DVR. Just order CableCARD service from Verizon FIOS and buy a HD Tivo.

See: http://tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=379852&highlight=verizon+fios+cablecard

But don't be scared by all of that technical talk. It's not that complicated.

I KNOW you'll love the TiVo. The GF loved mine enough she bought a new one and she is by no means a techie.

I'll help you with setting it up if you need.
 
mikea said:
The NFL is suing to force TV providers to PAY the NFL and make NFL network part of basic, because you know, every patriotic American has a God-given need and right and requirement to enjoy pro football. :no:

You can also blame the high rates on the greed and leverage deals the providers got into. DirecTV, for example, was bought and ruined by Rupert Murdoch, and then made independent. Both moves required lotsa cash for exec bonuses and investment bank commissions.

When these guys had to grow revenues to please the stockholders they just squeeze teh golden goose that is rate payers, knowing full well the frog almost never jumps out of the water as it heats to a boil.
Click to expand...

The leverage isn't the real issue, Mike. COntent costs - particularly the sports and other stuff that goes into basic tiers has increased at multiples of the rate of inflation. Golden egg, goose, and all that. It accelerated when the "must carry" rules expired and local TV stations started charging local cable for "carry rights".

Many of the carry-agreements specify that the programming must be carried in the basic tier or in a certain price-tier. As a result, the cable companies have to sell packages containing programming that some folks don't watch. And it's part of the reason the FCC has been trying to force ala-carte program offerings (which would come at increased cost).

From the content-provider's perspective, a MUCH higher advertising price can be garnered for stuff in a basic tier than stuff in a premium tier - ergo, they demand placement in certain tiers. Yep, the content providers get money from both sides.

ESPN gets something like $3 per cable subscriber each month. Low-end channels get something like $0.10 per month, and the average is about $0.55/month. If you get 50 channels, figure that something like $27.50 is going to the content providers each month. The cost of debt service and technical improvements pales by comparison.
 
wsuffa said:
The leverage isn't the real issue, Mike. COntent costs - particularly the sports and other stuff that goes into basic tiers has increased at multiples of the rate of inflation. Golden egg, goose, and all that. It accelerated when the "must carry" rules expired and local TV stations started charging local cable for "carry rights".
Click to expand...

The must carry rules are still specific to each city's agreement. Some cities still have them (Albuquerque, for example).

But as the must carry rules expire, you'll notice that Comcast is not suddenly giving people the ability to drop the foreign language channels...that was always their defense on it.

Many of the carry-agreements specify that the programming must be carried in the basic tier or in a certain price-tier. As a result, the cable companies have to sell packages containing programming that some folks don't watch. And it's part of the reason the FCC has been trying to force ala-carte program offerings (which would come at increased cost).

From the content-provider's perspective, a MUCH higher advertising price can be garnered for stuff in a basic tier than stuff in a premium tier - ergo, they demand placement in certain tiers. Yep, the content providers get money from both sides.

ESPN gets something like $3 per cable subscriber each month. Low-end channels get something like $0.10 per month, and the average is about $0.55/month. If you get 50 channels, figure that something like $27.50 is going to the content providers each month. The cost of debt service and technical improvements pales by comparison.
Click to expand...

So true, and unfortunately, the reason why tv is so expensive these days. Most people hold the wrong company culpable. Not many people freak out on the fact that ESPN is gouging DirecTV and Comcast and Dish, instead, they freak out on the high prices of each.

Now, I left Comcast because they screwed up my bill every month for the last year. Final straw was when they turned their cancellation department to 9-5, M-F while the other departments were there 24 hours.
 
SkyHog said:
The must carry rules are still specific to each city's agreement. Some cities still have them (Albuquerque, for example).

But as the must carry rules expire, you'll notice that Comcast is not suddenly giving people the ability to drop the foreign language channels...that was always their defense on it.
Click to expand...

The Federal Must-Carry went away a few years ago. You're speaking of the contractual arrangements in the Franchise Agreements (which are not law, but are enforcable as a civil matter). I'm sure cities would love to have more in the way of revenue these days, as opposed to must-carry benefits for their citizens. Can't dole out the pork if you ain't got the cash.:D
 
mikea said:
No, no! You don't want Verizon's DVR. Just order CableCARD service from Verizon FIOS and buy a HD Tivo.

See: http://tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=379852&highlight=verizon+fios+cablecard

But don't be scared by all of that technical talk. It's not that complicated.

I KNOW you'll love the TiVo. The GF loved mine enough she bought a new one and she is by no means a techie.

I'll help you with setting it up if you need.
Click to expand...

OK, I ordered FIOS - install March 13. Guess I better get around to watching all the movies on my DISH DVR, huh? And Daily show...

They threw in the free HD box for the entire term. Not a DVR. I think I confused him a little with what you mentioned above (cablecard). I'm going to buy a TIVO and call the tech guys and ask them to bring along whatever little doohickey is needed to hook it up.

Thanks everyone! Next up - Netflix.
 
woodstock said:
OK, I ordered FIOS - install March 13. Guess I better get around to watching all the movies on my DISH DVR, huh? And Daily show...

They threw in the free HD box for the entire term. Not a DVR. I think I confused him a little with what you mentioned above (cablecard). I'm going to buy a TIVO and call the tech guys and ask them to bring along whatever little doohickey is needed to hook it up.

Thanks everyone! Next up - Netflix.
Click to expand...

YES! She scores!

Just say you need a CABLECARD. If the rep doesn't know what you're talking about tell the rep to ask someone who does. You do need to change your order before the tech shows up. He/she won't have a CableCARD unless you order one. You don't need the HD set top box at all, unless you want to put it on a second TV, assuming you have the TiVo when the installer arrives.

Now, one complication is you can get by with one card if it's an "M" (Multichannel) card, else you need two "S" cards. I'll do some quick Googling to see what Verizon is installing these days. The odds are 90% they are installing M cards.

Also you'll need to be ready to put the TiVo on your home network. The deal that Costco and others have includes the WiFi wireless adapter. Otherwise - and better - just have an Ethernet jack you can run a cable to reach.

Again, PM me and call me to walk you through the install and setup.
 
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mikea said:
YES! She scores!

Just say you need a CABLECARD. If the rep doesn't know what you're talking about tell the rep to ask someone who does. You do need to change your order before the tech shows up. He/she won't have a CableCARD unless you order one. You don't need the HD set top box at all, unless you want to put it on a second TV, assuming you have the TiVo when the installer arrives.

Now, one complication is you can get by with one card if it's an "M" (Multichannel) card, else you need two "S" cards. I'll do some quick Googling to see what Verizon is installing these days. The odds are 90% they are installing M cards.

Also you'll need to be ready to put the TiVo on your home network. The deal that Costco and others have includes the WiFi wireless adapter. Other wise - and better - just have an Ethernet jack you can run a cable to reach.

Again, PM me and call me to walk you through the install and setup.
Click to expand...

and if you get fed up - PM me and I can come over and between Mike and I we'll get you up and going. You really will like it.
 
TMetzinger said:
and if you get fed up - PM me and I can come over and between Mike and I we'll get you up and going. You really will like it.
Click to expand...

We forgot to mention she'll be able to order Domino's right from the TiVo. (Being from Chicago, I hesitate to call it pizza. :rolleyes:)
 
mikea said:
We forgot to mention she'll be able to order Domino's right from the TiVo. (Being from Chicago, I hesitate to call it pizza. :rolleyes:)
Click to expand...
Really? Well..Hell that's a useful feature. Where do I sign for my $1500 TV, $1500 cable bill, $500 tivo, $400 Slingbox, $500 bluray player, $1500 stereo??

Ordering pizza from your remote makes it totally worth it!
 
jesse said:
Really? Well..Hell that's a useful feature. Where do I sign for my $1500 TV, $1500 cable bill, $500 tivo, $400 Slingbox, $500 bluray player, $1500 stereo??

Ordering pizza from your remote makes it totally worth it!
Click to expand...

Not exactly.

You also have to have your $1500 computer to create your customer account and set your preferences for favorite toppings on the Domino's web site first.

http://www.tivo.com/abouttivo/pressroom/pressreleases/2008/pr2008-11-17.html
http://tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=416298&highlight=dominos
 
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mikea said:
We forgot to mention she'll be able to order Domino's right from the TiVo. (Being from Chicago, I hesitate to call it pizza. :rolleyes:)
Click to expand...

Being from NYC and having enjoyed pizza in Sicily, I hesitate to call it pizza too.
 
As much as I hate to say it, I'm liking Amazon Video on Demand.

Amazon (on the web) just suggested "Burn After Reading" to me. I "rented" it for $3.99 and the light came on the TiVo a minute later later as the download began.

What I don't like is like all on demand stuff thanks to the MPAA, a 24 hour rental means it gets erased 24 hours after you start watching it, and it gets erased in 30 days even if you never watch it.

In my case, because I won't watch that many movies in a month, this may be a better deal than paying Netflix.
 
Cap'n Jack said:
Being from NYC and having enjoyed pizza in Sicily, I hesitate to call it pizza too.
Click to expand...
Well you really should try good pizza. First NYC?? CRAP! Sicily?? double Crap!! Good pizaa comes form Chicago, like hot dogs Chicago knows what is best. For real Italian pizza, Naples! That is where pizza was invented.

The only thing the Sicilians invented was the mafia




:D:D:D
 
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