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Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Looking for wisdom, knowledge, experience on TV and internet access. Verizon is getting really ridiculous on cost for a range of TV channels, many of which we have no interest in.
Anyone have experience with going off the Cable TV grid? We have two TV's, really only one is in use. We do have an Amazon Fire Stick and Amazon Prime, which seems to provide some programming. We are in a semi major metropolitan area where "on air" is available for local network stations, and streaming from other sources seems readily available.
We don't need HBO, we do have some shows that we DVR for later watching, and I really like having access to a library of movies and TV shows. I am also very willing to get DVD's from the library. We need access to local channels and some entertainment for our granddaughters when they stay with us.
I do have a local expertise base to help with this (our daughter, who has been off cable for a few years) , I just want some info before I talk to her so I look less stupid than I really am.
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
Dans Club
October 17, 2008
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I'm in the same boat, tired of cable fees,thinking about doing the same as you, just need more info to feel comfortable about cutting the cable
February 16, 2016
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My buddy got rid of his cable for similar reasons and went with Amazon Prime Roku .. he swears by it.
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DWF Supporters
June 11, 2016
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You can get a DVR called TIVO which runs 15.00 per month and you get some programming and Apps. The TIVO itself runs about 130.00. I connected a paper thin HD antenna about the size of a 8X11 piece of paper and get HD local channels about 29 channels in Wisconsin it is call Mohu Leaf which cost me 30.00. Where cable has got you is they have the fastest internet and that runs me 50.00 per month in Wisconsin. So my out of pocket tp set-up was 160.00 for TIVO and antenna, and then monthly fee's of 65.00 for TIVO and internet.
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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I have a buddy who runs TIVO as well, with the HD antennae. He also has a mobile hotspot and unlimited ATT plan for home Wi-Fi using his cell plan.
Me, I have the super premium screw you from Direct TV....
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Please keep the ideas, thoughts, experience coming. I just scrolled through the Channel Guide that I get with xFinity. Big Ten Network and MLB are there, I just need to pony up more $ than the close to $200 we currently pay does not allow me to see.
Worst case is we jump to another provider who will us give stuff for a couple of years at a lower rate, then jack up the rates, then we move back to the other one for a couple of years.
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
August 2, 2017
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I have not had cable or satellite for over 10 years now, and am really happy about that.
I had satellite for many years, but cut the cord one year after yet another price increase that was mostly fueled by the need to keep paying mega-million $ payouts to athletes. I have saved several thousand dollars since then, which I’ve put to good use buying things of the type that we discuss here.
Since cutting the cord, I have been happy with broadcast TV that I get free with an antenna plus a basic Netflix subscription for under $10/month that I get with a Roku device that cost $35 at the time.
I’d rather be outdoors doing stuff like shooting than watching TV in any case, but I like a little variety, thus I am satisfied with what I described.
February 20, 2008
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I moved to FLA 24 years ago from the Wash D.C. area. I turned on the news ONCE and that was it. Horrible journalism and content delivery news. We don't turn on the TV until after dinner, and when we do, it is for Amazon Prime - just saw Justified again after a one year rest period.
I am a prisoner to Xfinity. We need the high speed connection for work - graphic files, photos and such. It is the fastest we have experienced.
We have the phone through Comcast also. We are a home based office and can not project a professional business posture suing cell phones.
We have the security system, bundled in the package. We were in the Fort Lauderdale ares prior to moving a system was paramount. When we moved to a town of 20K I felt I still needed it.
We hardly watch anything on the Comcast cable. They have me by the short hairs at $120 a month. If I nixed the security, I was told it would only go down $31 a month.
So, there you have it from our standpoint.
If you're going to drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Thanks for the input from everyone, we are working our way through options. I just can't wrap my head around getting services for three years that I would probably pay more for, but not at a 100+% increase.
Comcast: What we paid was OK with you for three years. I understand that is was an introductory offer, I don't expect the same service at that rate, but you are already wired into our house. Make an offer that makes sense, no BIG increase for me and no loss of a customer in good standing for you. How hard is this to understand?
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
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DWF Supporters
June 11, 2016
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Did you try the retention department for your cable company? I have contacted our cable company Spectrum when they were raising ours and told them I could not afford what they were asking and would be forced to move to another company and they kept our rate the same. It ended up taking tow phone calls to them the first representative was not helpful but the second one was.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Good to know, I am working toward having a fallback position for the time I need to play hardball.
I want to know what my options are, and that may well include the other local cable provider, Frontier.
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
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Dans Club
DWF Supporters
February 4, 2017
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Personally, I will never have DirectTV in my home again. I experienced their price-jacking for a few years and called it quits.
If you live in an area of the country with good access to local broadcast stations without the need of cable connections I have a recommendation.
In my area DishTV offers a minimalist selection they call Flex Pack for $35. It is the only cable package I could find that does not include local access. You can add/subtract various cable features at your leisure...I currently pay an extra $10 monthly to access college sports networks and another $10 for cable sports networks like ESPN and MSNBC. When the football championships become history so will these charges.
You can also bundle DishTV with other communication services like the internet if you desire.
"LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO SPEND IT WITH AN UGLY GUN!" - John Taffin
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Internet access is a must, largely because I expect that we will be going the Sling/HULU/streaming route, and I think I'm most comfortable with wired access. But still learning, thanks for the info.
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
February 20, 2008
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I forgot that I am an anomaly. With the exception of NHL, and Olympics, we do not watch ANY sports.
I also have not watched ANY FLA broadcast news since I moved to FLA in 1993. Piss poor content, delivery, and mu=ost unprofessional.
If you're going to drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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DA....64 said
Did you try the retention department for your cable company? I have contacted our cable company Spectrum when they were raising ours and told them I could not afford what they were asking and would be forced to move to another company and they kept our rate the same. It ended up taking tow phone calls to them the first representative was not helpful but the second one was.
Final decision, switching providers to Frontier, with pretty much the same (actually more) content for half the cost. I know in two years we will face the same BS, but then Comcast will offer the Earth, Moon, and Stars to get us back.
The reality of this process is understanding that these companies are sort of like pimps or drug dealers. They provide what you like, and expect you to keep paying for it. Once you look around, you find a new place (new pimp/dealer?) to get stuff you like.
I'm still going to look at streaming content online from Amazon, NetFlix...)
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
Supporter
DWF Supporters
June 11, 2016
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Congrats! Glad you found a deal.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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As a final comment, there some interesting upsides to this change, including:
1) Almost twice as many channels, and much more older TV and Movie content
2) Download speeds are easily 20-30% faster
3) I can set my personal "channel surfing" directory. "Steves Channels" can be stored so I can cruise whatever I normally watch , and not roll through the other 80% of the crap I would likely never watch.
So Comcast can "Fork Off", and in two years, when Frontier jacks up the rates, Comcast will have some great deals for us to jump to.
Next project-Flip my Nissan Sentra lease (my wife and I are on our 4th?5th? lease with the local Nissan dealer) and get into an ultra low mileage lease. Round trip to work is less than 4 miles a day, my miscellaneous driving around (mostly gun shops) would likely add 20 miles per week. Or maybe just buy this one out?
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
February 20, 2008
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My wife had a lease and low milage after three years, they offered the same payment for another three years. See if you company will do the same. or just buy it since you know how it was maintained.
If you're going to drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
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