Time Warner Alternative (San Antonio, Anton: neighborhood, FIOS, installation) - Texas (TX) - Page 10 - City-Data Forum

xsa210tx · 06-13-2010, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtticMonkey

Call Time Warner and complain about the hike. They will reduce your bill. Mine went up $20 a couple months ago and all I did is call them and ask them to get it back to where it was. They ended up getting it $5 cheaper then before. When you look at other providers with TV+Internet TW prices really aren't that bad.

Yeah I did that too earlier this year when I received a letter in the mail from Time Warner saying they were going to go up on my 24.99 Internet promotional-special. I called and they said since I wasn't on a contract that it might still go up but they weren't sure.

After some conversation explaining to them that I was a new customer (really was) and that I was dissapointed that they might raise it just after I signed up for their 24.99 promo...they went ahead and did something to my account so I would pay 24.99 for A WHOLE YEAR no extra fees or taxes, or surcharges.

As for cable TV, I'm very fortunate that I get basic cable for free (not digital). If I ever moved, I'd probably go with DirectTV or Dish depending on the "deal" that I find.

xsa210tx · 06-13-2010, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outafocus

I had WAY more outages with Time Warner than DirecTv. If a storm is VERY severe, and right above your house will the signal be lost. I have never seen the signal lost for more than 30 minutes.

That's what initially worried me about Directv and Dish. My Dad wanted to go that route but I convinced him to go with Time Warner digital cable. He likes it.

xsa210tx · 06-13-2010, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SabresFanInSA

Been with Directv since 2001. [...]. I also like the ability to add an external hard drive to quadruple recording capacity.

What? No way! Wow, never knew that. That means the amount of space is endless!

Does it hook up to a USB port on the Directv cable box or how else?

I wonder if Dish offers this as well or only Directv.

ged_782 · 06-13-2010, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsa210tx

What? No way! Wow, never knew that. That means the amount of space is endless!

Does it hook up to a USB port on the Directv cable box or how else?

I wonder if Dish offers this as well or only Directv.

Although I don't currently have their service, I know Dish also offers a USB hard drive option. In fact, for a one time $40 activation fee, you can buy an off-the-shelf USB hard drive and turn some of their non-DVR receivers into a DVR with no monthly DVR fee.

Now that Dish is offering free HD (the HD versions of the SD channels included in a subscribed package) for life to new and existing customers who sign up for AutoPay (and I think DirecTV has responded with something similar for NEW customers) the Satellite option is looking even better.

texasboy1022 · 06-13-2010, 07:41 PM

I finally switched to DirecTV this week after 9 years with TWC. All I can say is WOW, it is night and day, black and white difference! I am angry that I waited so long to switch. TWC signal is so compressed, even the HD channels are not very clear. Especially ABC and ESPN. DirecTV's picture is crystal clear perfect, I really can't believe the difference. It is nearly Blu Ray quality, it would be hard to compare which is which if you had a Blue Ray and D* side by side. Menus, settings, remote scheduling of DVRs, etc...you cannot compare it to TWC. Check out their website, it is great, gives you tons of info so you can see what I am talking about. Companies constantly say their product is better than somebody else's, part of the retail game. But DirecTV delivers.

Watching the NBA Finals right now with a perfect picture. No pixelation or audio issues like I was constantly getting with TWC. Amazing.

skeet09 · 06-13-2010, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiccaTX

I've got twc..have had no problems..price package for what I wanted is fine by me. I've never had a problem with the service but customer service is a phone call away and not just during banking hours. There are offices all over the place.

I think...you can get bad things happening no matter where you go.

I guess I've been one of the lucky ones...

Me too! I just have internet and I've only had one issue with somebody (not sure who?) disconnecting our cable at the main box in our building in the four years I've lived in my complex. Technician came out at said time and was gone in 10 minutes. $45/month for internet that has been reliable for our household is good.

Don't need any other services.

SabresFanInSA · 06-13-2010, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsa210tx

What? No way! Wow, never knew that. That means the amount of space is endless!

Does it hook up to a USB port on the Directv cable box or how else?

I wonder if Dish offers this as well or only Directv.

It hooks up via an eSATA connection on the back of the receiver. Most "DVR Extender" type external hardrives are eSATA and come with the cable. As it stands today the largest drive you can connect is 2.5TB but it is expected that the cap will come off and any size will be supported.

Also the only time weather affects it is if you get those really black clouds. The usual thunderstorm wont knock it out.

outafocus · 06-13-2010, 08:27 PM

I had Dish Network for one year because I signed a one year contract. I had more weather related signal loss, and flaky deals. I am absolutely delighted with DirecTV, and I hate to quote their commercials, but when you compare apples to apples, DirecTV wins EVERY TIME, in every way.

The "great" deals you see Dish Network advertise excludes many good popular networks.

SabresFanInSA · 06-13-2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ged_782

Although I don't currently have their service, I know Dish also offers a USB hard drive option. In fact, for a one time $40 activation fee, you can buy an off-the-shelf USB hard drive and turn some of their non-DVR receivers into a DVR with no monthly DVR fee.

Now that Dish is offering free HD (the HD versions of the SD channels included in a subscribed package) for life to new and existing customers who sign up for AutoPay (and I think DirecTV has responded with something similar for NEW customers) the Satellite option is looking even better.

One minor correction. Directv is offering free HD service for NEW customers as you said. For existing customers you get 2yrs free. The expectation based on the Directv insiders I talk to is that you will never see the end of that 2yrs free because Directv is going to do away with the charge all together.

SabresFanInSA · 06-13-2010, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texasboy1022

I finally switched to DirecTV this week after 9 years with TWC. All I can say is WOW, it is night and day, black and white difference! I am angry that I waited so long to switch. TWC signal is so compressed, even the HD channels are not very clear. Especially ABC and ESPN. DirecTV's picture is crystal clear perfect, I really can't believe the difference. It is nearly Blu Ray quality, it would be hard to compare which is which if you had a Blue Ray and D* side by side. Menus, settings, remote scheduling of DVRs, etc...you cannot compare it to TWC. Check out their website, it is great, gives you tons of info so you can see what I am talking about. Companies constantly say their product is better than somebody else's, part of the retail game. But DirecTV delivers.

Watching the NBA Finals right now with a perfect picture. No pixelation or audio issues like I was constantly getting with TWC. Amazing.

If your receiver is networked (connected to the internet) you'll get blu-ray quality on VOD (video on demand) because it is available in 1080p, of course if your tv supports it.