Our cable company has just pissed us off for the last time. I'm actually looking forward to calling them on Tuesday to tell them we're firing their sorry ass!
So we are now shopping for a cable alternative. Anyone using satellite or U-verse? Thumbs up or thumbs down?
What's left
38 minutes ago
28 comments:
My family used DirecTV most of the time growing up. I actually don't have television at my house, but if I were going to do such a thing, I would probably go with satellite.
I'm looking for a good alternative, too. So I'll be watching this thread with interesting (not only because I don't want to write).
Look into DSL.
You are very brave! Lots of my friends have cut the cord entirely and just watch tv online... on network sites and hulu.com I couldn't do it, but it has worked out for them.
We watch all our tv online, or my husband has some sites he uses to download shows.
Hm, that was me, Jennie who posted that last comment I'm not use to this choosing a profile option
Hm, that was me, Jennie who posted that last comment I'm not use to this choosing a profile option
Ah, silly me ;) When you said "cable," I immediately thought internet ;) What else does one need?
Academic--Thanks! We'll check that out.
Amanda--As always, I'm happy to provide a procrastination aid! :-) I'll let you know how it goes if we decide on one of the alternatives.
ScienceGirl--I did wonder if you were referring to internet when I saw your first comment. Actually, I agree...given a choice between TV or internet, I'd definitely go with internet!
UR, Anon and Jennie--I'm afraid we are not quite brave enough to go to all online watching. Not to mention the fact that we are absolutely addicted to the DVR functions. Probably we'll end up with DirecTV or Dish, or something like that.
We had DirectTV for three years, and it was the worst possible choice of all time. They subcontract out all of their service, so there is never any continuity in the servicemen, they feel no obligation to do a good job since it's not their company, etc. Also, if you move with DirectTV, you could really get fucked. When we moved to our new house 6 months ago, we can't get DirectTV anymore and they want to charge us $300. It's unbelievable. Anyway, I just wanted to strongly recommend against them.
NetFlix, Hulu, and channel websites where they show programs the night after airing. Cable? Who needs it?
direct tv works so much better than comcast where I am in the south. Much faster.... only problem is when it rains heavily and thunderstorms but I can live with that... comcast was very slow and expensive.....
Umm, we switched to internet only quite a while ago. You tube and the respective channel websites have all we need. The nice side effect is tha we don't zap anylonger and do something productive instead. Depends if you want that, really.
netflix and hulu etc. provide all we need...try it for a while. tho maybe it doesn't work if you have a dwelling with more than 2 rooms.... :|
CE--That really sucks! I assume it's because they say you're breaking your contract? Thanks for the heads-up.
Chall--Hmm...I hadn't thought about geography-specific differences in quality of service. I think I will also poll my labmates and local friends. :-)
TJ and Fia--We don't actually watch that much regular TV, so internet probably would work well for that. Not so sure it'll work for NFL games once the season starts, though....
Anonymous--I must admit I'm completely baffled by your comment about a dwelling with more than 2 rooms. Help?
Neuros OSD Media CenterHook it up to an old WiFi enabled hard drive running FileZilla Server or a Unix server app and stream shows from your computer directly to your TV and store them on the Neuros. You could even set up automated feeds of shows from your computer.
The problem with going entirely internet is if you are into watching sports. There are ways to catch some games online, but I find it hard to watch on my laptop and it can get expensive if you watch a lot of different sports. Honestly, we have found Verizon to be good in our area.
Not so sure it'll work for NFL games once the season starts, though....
That's what the local sports bar is for!
Toaster Sunshine--I've never heard of that before. Will definitely go check it out. Thanks for the link!
PLS--Yes, that's what I'm concerned about. And actually we've considered going with satellite before just so we can get NFL Sunday Ticket! I didn't know Verizon offered TV service...will go look into that for our area.
Tom--No, thank you! Too much smoke, too much testosterone, and too high risk of getting beaten up for not supporting the local team. :-) Plus, I like our "working Sundays" where both March Hare and I work on our respective computers while keeping an eye on the games. Not convinced that'll work at a sports bar....
MH> yes, compare with local people.
(we) have the Sunday ticket. I wasn't too much of a fan, prior to having it ;) but the idea of having the NHL channels ...woohoo!!! :D
Apart from the sports addiction and a slight craving for Law and Order I think I'd be fine with internet. Sports bar, one suggested. Sure, but here in the south hockey is out in the bar so if I want my ice fix it has to be on satellite (or Verizon).
Good luck with deciding! And welcome to "way too much NFL games on Sunday but boy it is nice to relax" ;)
Chall--Oh, I'm so jealous you have Sunday Ticket! I wasn't a fan either before I met March Hare. In my home country, we play the kind of football where one actually uses one's foot to kick the ball! :-) But American football eventually grew on me and now I'm an absolute fanatic.
MH: it is so much more fun after the rules and tactics are revealed :) and yes... someone special had a lot to do with it *sheepish smile*
... and too high risk of getting beaten up for not supporting the local team.
Bah, that has NEVER stopped me before. True fans would support their team in the local sports bar, even if the rest of the people there hated the team you were rooting for. :P
This is the same anonymous as above "two room dwelling".
When you have a small apartment, you have your TV, work computer, couch, bookshelves, dining table, whatever, all in the same place. Running a cable from the PC to the TV is no problem because the distance is 2 meters. Thus getting Netflix, Hulu or whatever signal on your TV is no problem.
This set up is not practical in many homes where desktops are in offices. And unless you shell out big money for a screaming-fast decked out laptop, I don't think that is an option.
I am very glad to hear that you have converted to American football. Maybe there is hope for my wife after all.
Chall--Yes, the strategy (and the special someone) makes all the difference! Of course, this is also March Hare's argument for why I should watch more baseball, which I find very tedious. He thinks if I watch it more, I'll understand it better and then I'll learn to love it. So far I'm digging my heels in on that one! :-)
Tom--You're telling me you're one of those "wear a Jets jersey to a sports bar in Miami" kind of dudes? Hey, more power to you! :-)
Anon--Ah...gotcha. Thanks for the explanation. BTW, the trick to converting someone to football (at least, this is what worked on me) is to find them a team to root for. Helps if the team is good, cause it's much more fun as a n00b fan if your team wins. Once they're invested in a team, they'll start branching out to divisional and/or rivalry games to cheer their team on. Then, get them signed up for a football pool to get the competitive spirit going and before you know it, you'll have created a watch-every-game, yell-at-the-TV kind of football fanatic. :-)
You could always hook up a good'ol antenna and get HD over the air for free. Assuming you have an HDTV with an ATSC tuner card.
Jbob--We do have an HDTV. Not sure about the ATSC tuner card, but it's not a bad idea. I know at least one network that broadcasts in HD, but the HD feed is not carried by our cable company because of a pricing dispute.
MH. I draw the line at baseball. no way. (but my boss wanted me to sign up for a virtual league.... I couldn't say no but so far, it hasn't started). Seriously, it's no contact... if it ain't hockey or American football... or rugby... well, I'm failing to see the fun ;) (no, golf will do work either. nor tennis. cross country skiing is a different thing though :) )
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