KCHT Enthusiasts

ND23 · Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 11:26 pm Post subject:

Yes, I know I'm reviving a very old thread...

I'm at that crossroads - which service to go with for TV/Internet/Phone. Should close on the new house this Friday, and want to get a good deal, and more importantly, the best solution for my needs.

Due to higher-than-anticipated costs of building this new home, there are no funds left over for an HDTV this year. Probably next Black Friday. So, we're only going to have our 10-year-old Sony VAIO 36" CRT non-high-def TV as our only TV. I still have the HD HomeRun available for my HTPC; I have gotten very used to watching TV on my computer over the last four months.

AT&T UVerse is giving a $400 prepaid Visa card when you order their U200 TV package plus their lowest level Internet speed plus their unlimited use home phone package. This would be fine for our needs - we don't need a super-duper fast Internet connection, and the U200 package has the right channels for us. It's $124 per month (before taxes), and again, we get a $400 prepaid Visa card. Once we get an HDTV, it's another $10/month for that. No contract required. Can't really use the HD HomeRun tuner with U-Verse.

Comcast is the other option I would consider. I believe I can get similar functions for $99/month for the first year. And until Comcast implements their new thing where they require a set-top box for almost all channels, I can use the HD HomeRun tuner to watch and record TV on the HTPC.

Any specific suggestions for my situation?

chirpie · Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 1:57 pm Post subject:

We're getting phone/internet/tv plus one HD-DVR for about $90 bucks a month for a year from Comcast, and so far we're happy with it. I wasn't specifically looking forward to the faster internet connection, but man, now that I have it, it'll be really hard to settle for anything less. Software updates are just so fast now...

Of course, a $400 card in hand would be pretty swanky too...

EDIT ADD ON - I will say though, the best DVR software and remote in my experience has been DISH. Comcasts' isn't bad, I just miss little things like the button that skips 30 second intervals of recorded TV.

Chris · Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:00 am Post subject:

Somedays I wish I could get uverse, but I just can't justify spending another $50 a month on the same service we get from TWC.

ND23 · Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 11:43 am Post subject:

I think I'm going to try U-Verse, and get my $400 VISA card, and then decide if I like it enough to pay $124/month + tax.

ND23 · Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 7:52 pm Post subject: Plan B

Well, AT&T attempted the U-Verse install today - they thought I would be in range, but after everything was hooked up, we couldn't get the signal. So, until they implement some enhancements to boost the range of their services, I can't get U-Verse. Rats!

So, I'm going to get phone & DSL via AT&T, and cable via Comcast.

Thank goodness one of the neighbors has an unsecured wireless network I can temporarily borrow from!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Chris · Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 7:20 pm Post subject:

I've been using U-verse for awhile now, and I'm fairly happy with it. We went ahead and sprung an extra $15 a month or so above TWC, just to try it out. A lot of the DVR features are real nice, and it seems to be a well thought out GUI.

However HD quality isn't nearly as good as TWC, and that isn't saying much! I think I might get OTA HD for the theater, because I get some BAD motion blur when anything goes from one side of the screen to the other at even a moderate pace. I even notice it on my 42" LCD.

Can't win them all, I guess.

Maybe when Google pumps 1gig to our houses we can get uncompressed HD. I'm not holding my breath for that one though.

ND23 · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:29 am Post subject:

Chris, how far are you from the nearest U-Verse station/hub in your neighborhood? Are you close enough to get the two-HD-streams-at-once profile?

We just had AT&T phone and DSL restored after being dark since Friday. Mad

Not sure what caused it.

Comcast has been fine for cable so far, but the On Demand stuff is pretty frustrating at times - shows will just skip around randomly sometimes.

I will soon be able to speak to the quality of Comcast HD - we finally bought our very first HDTV! I have only had it hooked up to the attic antenna so far, and I'm very pleased. After I get it mounted above the fireplace late this week, and run the necessary cables, I'm going to upgrade my Comcast service to include HD.

But we're looking for a way to drop paid TV altogether, and perhaps get Netflix and a streaming device. More on that later (after my 6 months of discounted Comcast service expires).

Chris · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:48 am Post subject:

rynmackz · Private HT Enthusiast Joined: 26 Jun 2010 Posts: 1

The internet/phone/tv service all-in-one package we are enjoying now is a real breakthrough in technology. It would really be difficult and heavy on the budget if we pay providers separately. When it comes to satisfaction in terms of speed, amount and services, sometimes it also depends on our location.
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73shark · Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 2:13 pm Post subject:

For those unhappy w/ their current service, whether sat or cable or phone-line, I can recommend SureWest (formerly Everest). Have had them since they came to neighborhood five or six years ago. So much better than TWC that I suffered w/ for years. When you call them, I've never had to wait on hold for more than a couple of minutes and usually much shorter. Also you don't lose phone service if power goes out. Obviously you need a corded phone.

Just my two cents.
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