Crimson Red Sports

I am moving and I have to change everything. Moving to Moody (temporarily). What do you think is better & why:

Charter Cable
Direct TV
Dish Network

If I want a bundle for tv, telephone, internet, & maybe wireless, what would you recommend? Just wondering & I appreciate your input.


 :-*

I have Charter for internet and it is fantastic.  I have the 100M plan and I get every bit of what I am paying for.  I've never had a single problem that was their fault.  I had a bad piece of equipment on my end once that it took me a little while to track down, but that wasn't their responsibility.  I would highly recommend them.

I have DirecTV for TV.  I'm pretty indifferent about them.  I'm actually a little annoyed with both them and Dish.  They will both bend over backwards to get you to switch, but then once they get you as a customer they don't really care any more.  Perfect example:  right now DirecTV is advertising NFL Sunday Ticket for free for new customers.  How about showing your loyal customers some appreciation?  When they come out with a new fancy receiver, they will give it to new customers for free, but they expect their existing customers to pay for it.  Dish is the same way.  I was on Dish for about 5 years because they carried my local channels before DirecTV had them.  Then one day my receiver went out.  This was a receiver they provided and they owned.  If I left the service I had to send it back to them.  They would not send me a replacement, they wanted me to pay $200 to have it replaced.  So I switched back to DirecTV, and got their latest and greatest receiver for free.  I'm not really impressed with either of those guys, but I do like having a satellite.

I don't even have a home telephone, and haven't had one in 6 years.  My wife and I both have cell phones and we never use all of our minutes, so no need to pay extra for a home phone.

If I were moving, I would look seriously at a TV/internet bundle with Charter.  I can't say anything about their TV service because I've never had it, but I would certainly look into it if I had to move and redo everything.

Just my 2 cents.

Here is the results of a speed test I just ran on my internet connection.  I am paying for 100M down and 5M up, and as you can see they have it pegged right on there.  This indicates they have plenty of capacity and are actually throttling my connection to keep me from getting more than what I am paying for.

(http://www.speedtest.net/result/2948157136.png)

Now, you might get different results in a different neighborhood.  All of your neighbors will be on the same "line", so it will have to be fast enough to give everybody in the neighborhood what they are paying for.  I've never had a problem getting full speed, but you might get different results.  It might be a good idea to have one of your new neighbors run a speed test and see if they are getting full speed for the plan they are on.

We have the phone, tv, and internet bundle with Charter and I can't say enough good things about them. We have had some equipment problems at times and they were very prompt in getting service restored. Their cost is as good or better than any of the others as well.

I have the Charter bundle with HD TV, wireless internet and phone. The service is great. I have been with Charter for about 20 years starting with TV only and adding as technology changed.

The only problem I have ever had with Charter is their price structure. You will get a good promotional price for a year and then the price goes up anywhere from $30-$60. I have to call and complain and they find me another deal that is the same price. It is just a hassel but I have been doing it for 20 years so it must not be too bad.

Direct TV and Dish require a two year commitment, so you probably don't want them for a temporary gig.  Direct TV's product is great, but like SC says, once they get you in they are indifferent to customer service.  I don't have any experience with Charter.  People in the forum seem to like them -- for a time they were ranked pretty low in customer satisfaction but I haven't looked at the numbers lately.  Knology is cheap if it is in your area (probably not Moody), but their technology is more primitive than some of the other services.  Comcast has the best "on demand" service, but they are a bit more pricey.  I've had Direct TV for 18 months and am mostly satisfied with the service, because it gives you more channels than cable.  If we have a storm during a Bama game, though, I'll be hating it if the signal goes out.

I have had Charter for about 18 years for internet and TV and they are great. Several years ago there were lots of reliability problems but not in the last 5-6 years. I like the idea of no contract but I never switch anyway.

I have to tell you MD, if you can get Charter Cable. It has the local news and weather where the others don't. They have always been good to us and when they sold out our package over here I was devastated. So good luck with your choices. RTR!

I've forgotten the name of our local cable service.  We had it for 10 years.  Over time the stations got fuzzier and fuzzier, especially the local networks.  I called the cable-service folks, and they came out several times.  I explained that the reception was so bad on weekends that the Alabama game went black/white for a while.

The repairman checked the pole, power to my house, then told me: "You have a strong signal to your house.  The problem is the cables in your house.  You'll have to route new cables.  Call us when that's done."

I asked him to run a new cable from the pole, through my front door, to the TV.  He did.  The stations were still fuzzy.

I stood and said, "Get the cable out of my house."

We got Direct TV that week.  I miss not having one of the local stations, but otherwise it's beautiful.  My neighbors also switched after that, because their reception also sucked.

OH my, sorry to hear that Chechem. Out here in the sticks they usually did us right. Now on the other hand making an Alabama game go black and white you should be able to sue for big money. RTR!

:lol2:  True.

The point is, if they come to your house, ask them to run a direct line to check the cable signal.  Reading the signal strength doesn't work adequately.

Same thing applies to internet connections.  The whole "it's good up to your house" line is what they say when they don't know what the problem is.  I had a similar experience with my DSL connection several years ago at another house.  "Well it must be your network router."  Fine, lets plug directly into my laptop.  Still doesn't work.  "Well it must be your wiring."  Fine, lets grab an extension cord and go outside and plug everything in right before it comes into the house.  Still doesn't work.  "Hmmm... well it must be something wrong on our end.  I'll call my boss and see what he wants me to do."

:lol:

DirecTV must have heard me.  They just sent me an e-mail saying that I get free HBO this weekend.  :lol:

It remains to be seen if there is going to be anything on there fit to watch.

Who could possibly want HBO this weekend?  Where were they before the football season?   They're just driving a wedge between husband and wife! 
:facepalm:

A new season of Boardwalk Empire starts this weekend.  They're probably trying to get you hooked.

Cowboys & Aliens comes on tonight.  YES!!!

:lol:

Just kidding, never heard of it.

Yeah, that was mentioned in the e-mail.

Glad you mentioned it.  I don't get emails, just DTV messages, which I usually don't check.  We get HBO and Cinemax free this weekend.

I guess I'm not as special to them as I thought.   :'(

Just a little tip about movie channels on DirecTV; record all free movies you want to see during "free weekends". If you're like me, you'll never run out of movies until the next "free weekend". That way you'll never need to pay for those channels. (Yes, I'm a cheap bastid)

I thought about that.  I scanned the guide for tonight but didn't see anything I wanted.

I already do that too.  The pay channels show the same movies for at least a month, often longer.  I have plenty of movies on DVR to watch.

Argo is on Saturday night.  I've seen it but the wife hasn't.

Other than that, you're right, it is the same movies I already recorded from the last free weekend, or maybe Encore which is part of my package.  (I'll pay $6 for Encore but not $16 for the others).

I have Encore, as well.

I did see Argo on the list, but I rented that on PPV several months ago.

But this time it's FREE!  (I saw it on Redbox).

I also have the SportsPak channels this month.  Lots of exciting games on there tomorrow: Eastern Michigan v. Penn State, South Carolina State v. Clemson, Miami of Ohio v. Kentucky, Buffalo v. Baylor, Alcorn State v. Mississippi State, New Mexico v. UTEP, Syracuse v. Northwestern, Stephen Austin v. Texas Tech, Austin Peay v. Vandy, Arkansas State v. Auburn.

We'll see if they black out the Auburn game tomorrow -- it might be worth it if I can get the Bama games without PPV.

 

I made the mistake of ordering the ESPN Gameplan a few of years ago, when I was in SC and wanted to make sure I could get all the Bama games possible. It served it's purpose that year, but DirecTV took the liberty of assuming that I wanted it every year after, as well. I had to go through the tedium of calling them and going through 3 people before I could reach someone to cancel it.

You only have to go to one person to cancel these days... after first going through three computers.

 :lol2:

That is another thing I don't like about DirecTV.  I have the SportsPak right now too.  I turned it on to catch a basketball game.  It is really easy to add it to your account through the web site, but when you want to take it off you have to call them.  Last year I called and had it turned off, but this year I haven't bothered so I still pay for it every month even though I've only watched 1 basketball game on it.  That adds up to probably $100 for that 1 game.  >:(

The Bama games will be blocked if they are on PPV.

Yep, that is what I was talking about with the SportsPak.  Pretty sleazy on their part.  They know a certain percentage of people won't bother to cancel it if they make it difficult.

Definitely.  If you can add a service with one click, why can't you remove it the same way?

I usually tell the computer I want to cancel my service, and that gets me to a person pretty quickly.

Is the Auburn game on PPV tomorrow?

I'm not sure.

Ed Zachary! I like the many channels they offer and all of them in HD, but you have to watch them like a hawk. They will definitely try to take advantage of you, every chance they get. I'm constantly on them about what a loyal customer I am and how I deserve a discount since I have 2 accounts, with the original one since 2005. They always oblige, but it gets tougher every year.

It looks like the PPV games are different than the SportsPak games:  Samford v. Arkansas, Sam Houston v. TA&M, SE Missouri State v. Ole Miss.  All SEC games.

Unfortunately, Bama games not on mainstream TV probably will be PPV.

Some of the ESPN Gameplan games are the same as SportsPak games, including the Auburn game.  I'll see if it gets blocked.

Thanks for the heads up about free HBO and cinemax this weekend. I really like Directv. Plus when I go to the races, I take a spare dish, a receiver from the house and boom, all my channels while I sit outside my camper at the track. Most campers do this, but you'd be surprised the friends you make when you have the Bama game on in the campground.

One more good thing about Charter internet... it works with ESPN3.  I just fired up Western Kentucky vs. Tennessee.

That is the early SEC TV game. It is on Fox (Huntsville area).

Not at my house.  Right now we are watching the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vs. a big ugly crab thing.  I thought I would let them finish watching it before I take over the TV for the day.

:-[

I feel your pain.  :-[


Wait a minute! Hallelujah, the kid is off the TV! Where's the remote?

I'm making up for lost time.  I have UF/Miami on the TV and the other game is still on ESPN3.

Yep, I went right to UF/Miami.

I wish somebody would buy out our area cause these people are not worth a TOOT. When Charter had this area it was great. RTR!

Coach - Call Directv. I call them every 2 -3 months. I complain and threaten to cancel my account if they can't get my bill down to $100 or under. They do and then in 2-3 months, it sneaks back up so I repeat the process. However, this past week when I called (ANGRY I might add) and asked to speak to the termination department, I got great results. I got my bill reduced PLUS he gave me the NFL package for free. The deal is free for a 1 year commitment. I had already committed to 2 years last year to get a $20 a month discount and still have a year left so it was a no brainer for me to take that one :)  If you've been a customer for years, they WANT to satisfy you. Ask for any and ALL discounts and if they say they don't have any, ask for the termination department. :)

We always take our Directv with us when we camp. (Plus 2 tv's). I am not a "roughing it" camper. I like AC and TV LOL

:lol: :lol:
No kidding.  Next trip to Yellowstone, I'm camping next to y'all.  :toast4:

I'm serious! He gets the camper parked and leveled. I go inside to start straightening things. He gets the DVR boxes, the satellite dish and starts working on it. Sometimes it's easy and sometimes it takes him hours. I usually cook in the microwave if it takes too long. :) Air Conditioner is on Arctic. I have to use blankets and sweaters but he likes cold air. Although, he sits OUTSIDE in front of the tv and DVR watching golf, football, baseball or the females walking by! roflol

Wow.  Here's a pic of my campsite in Yellowstone (while on a fishing trip this summer):

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg201/Chechem_2008/y25_zps2df79e64.jpg)
Night vs Day, eh?

I'm very familiar with this procedure. When I call, I'm referred to as "Mr. You Again".

and THIS is one of our last trips! Of course it was raining but our flags were out anyway :)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee95/braves4me1/campingresized_zps65996c14.jpg) (http://s228.photobucket.com/user/braves4me1/media/campingresized_zps65996c14.jpg.html)

#+ #+
I didn't take a pic the day my tent was frozen with sleet and snow.  Tents don't work well in such, but it's all about being near the fishing holes.  None of the cabins at Yellowstone are near the good fishing or pretty places.

Terrie, is that a Nebraska flag I see? No kidding here, what is the story on that?

<sigh>, yes it is! My husband is a die hard Nebraska fan. He will say now that he is a fan "OF" Alabama but he's not an Alabama fan. I tell him I don't care because we are doing fine without him :)  I have to say that deep inside, when NE loses, I kinda smile! LOL When the games are on at the same time, I get the big tv and he goes to his man room to watch his game.

Just remember, it can always be worse. He could have been a UT fan.  :lol2:

LOL No he could not have been. I DO have standards you know! :)

 :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: #+ #+

Why that is one luxurious setup you have.  Tent and hammock.  A firepit and a folding chair.  Running water and a picnic table.

That looks like when I'm camping in style.  :)


Probably the most I've "roughed it" was in Colorado, at around 10K feet, where we had to stop at night because the dirt "road" was snowed under.  We pitched the tent on top of the snow, no heat or fire, no restroom or running water.  Definitely no hammock or picnic table.  That might have been the coldest night of my life.

But I'm too old for that these days.  Comfort is priority one.  We go with a cabin.

I'm probably older than you, CP.  But when the fish call, I'm doing what it takes.  Double sleeping bags for comfort, hammock for daytime naps, folding chair for sitting by the fire with coffee (see the pot of water?), and it all fits in a RAV4 easily to go anywhere on a whim.  I usually stay in comfort too, when it's available, but Yellowstone requires roughing it if you want to be close to the fish and enjoy the wilds.  :toast4:

Man that is one camp site any naive woodsman would love. If Smokey Bear came in there he would sit by the first and chat with you with his coffee. RTR!

Roll Tide, Preacher.   :lol2:

Sounds awesome.  I hear you.  I'd be there too, but for young kids (I started late.) 

"It's all about the fishing." 

I would wake well before dawn and haul my canoe (later boat) to Lake Nicole or Lake Harris in Tuscaloosa County every weekend.  (Once I got the fishing boat, it was Holt Lake 4 days a week, some afternoons after work.) 

There were these two guys (one of them might have been you) I frequently encountered in a fishing boat.  One morning I caught them with a screwdriver and flashlight jimmying the timer lock to the Lake Nicole gate.  It must have been before 5 a.m.  They got nervous when I drove up, but realizing it was me, went right back to work.

We had only a few conversations, they were guarded about their fishing.  The most important advice they ever gave me was, "There are no fish on Lake Harris.  If anyone asks, there are no fish."    :toast4:

Well, wasn't me.  But I like your story.   #+

I've never fished there, despite living in Tuscaloosa from 1969-1973.  I spent some time on picnic blankets at the lakes, but never fished.   :unsure:

Now I enjoy trying distant and exotic fishing holes.

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg201/Chechem_2008/IMG_7337.jpg)
Queen Snapper (900' depths)

I never fished in Tuscaloosa when I was a student, but as a Faculty/Staff Member for four years, with ample holidays and time off, I did year-round fishing.  It's actually a very good fishing area, much better if you know what you're doing.  Lake Nicole, Lake Harris, Holt Lake, the Black Warrior River, and Lake Tuscaloosa were all within 15 minutes from my house.  (Lake Tuscaloosa is probably the hardest of these to fish).