by blondie 11 Replies latest jw friends
Should we go with Charter's bundles?
ATT
or get ATT computer-telephone bundle and get Dish locally.
I need to be able to record a show on one TV as I am watching another up to 2 perhaps 3 shows in one hour slot. Is that possible and what and how much will it cost?
This is so confusing.
Blondie
I need to be able to record a show on one TV as I am watching another up to 2 perhaps 3 shows in one hour slot. Is that possible and what and how much will it cost?
If you have cable or satellite tv you can upgrade to the digital package and get a DVR (Digital
Video Recorder) and can record multiple programs at the same time to play back later. You would have to check with your provider for rates you will also get HD channels with the digital package the best way to go if you have an HD tv.
I have my internet homephone and cell phone bundled with ATT and it offers the best value... If ATT offers TV also in your area you can probably have it all bundled together...
Blondie, AT&T is not offering DirecTV bundled with DSL and telephone? Most telecom companies are partnering with satellite to effectively compete with the cable companies.
Blondie, AT&T offers a bundle that includes DirectTV. The DirectTV will be billed by Direct TV but will carry a $5 monthly discount since it is in partnership with AT&T. You do not have to have a VCR or DVR to be able to record one program while watching another. Additional receiving boxes can be leased for $5 monthly (this is what I have done). each box is connected to different TVs and/or VCRs or DVRs. Also the boxes are independent of one another as far as what channel they are tuned to, I often record programs via one box and watch TV on the box connected to the bedroom TV. Direct TV cost? With HBO about $64 a month.
We use MediaCom. Unlimited Phone service in US and Canada. High speed internet. Cable programming, including video on demand features.
I love it - one bill covers it all. Of course now that we have left the jdubs - who the hell needs a phone? hehe
Jeff
Another thing to consider is 911. The big telco's have dedicated 911 administration staff to maintain databases for customers. This ensures that if a subscriber calls 911 they can be routed to the correct county or Publc Service Answering Point for emergency services. There has been issues with cable/VoIP 911 services, I have to research how cable is currently handling 911 routing.
Also, telco's have dedicated battery power at their central offices to be used in the event of a power outage. Cable uses a battery in the modem they provide for your home which may have a battery life of 4-6 hours.
Most of the pricing plans I've seen for voice/data/dvr services are competitive. Given that option, I would lean toward the telecom bundle (if offered in your area) for the safety and assurance that 911 will route correctly and will work during a power outage.
Of course, my opinion is slightly biased, I work for the telephone company.
Good evening Blondie!
Verizon has the bundle w/DirectTV. I don't know the cost of it. I have Charter and it's a pain in the arse. I just got the phone working w/o dropping calls. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr............ very maddening. And my town seems to be in the area that they don't like to service either.
Juni
You do not have to have a VCR or DVR to be able to record one program while watching another. Additional receiving boxes can be leased for $5 monthly (this is what I have done). each box is connected to different TVs and/or VCRs or DVRs.
You can do that but the advantage of a DVR is a) the cable or satellite provider will include it for a small fee and b) you can record more than one program in the same time slot. If you have a HD TV it is even more advantageous in that with the digital package you also get the HD channels and I guarentee once you view HD you will never watch anything else. More and more channels are going over to HD. Just a personal preference...
Another advantage to a DVR is you can be watching a program and have to leave the house you can then pause the live broadcast and return later to resume that same program...
You can also program your DVR to record a program series. Say you want to watch every new eposide of a tv show. You can program it once and every week it will automatically record it with out you having to program it every week. Lots of advantages of a DVR...
blondie:
I have the AT&T Bundle of high speed DSL, DishNetwork (satellite) and AT&T local and toll telephone package. I have a promotion code for AT&T if you want it, PM me.
as for recording 2 shows, I got a dual receiver for DISH...if your tv has 2 or more video outputs, you can watch 1 show on one channel and record another show on anothe channel using the onscreen tv guide/timer set up...once you get the hang of it, it is very simple. DVRs are great, but you cant tape/record to save for later if you get rid of the DVR later...and the DVR has a limit of how much can be recorded....VCR (and now DVD recorders) have unlimited recording because you can swap out discs.
Should we go with Charter's bundles?
you have a PM...but the short answer is NO..TRUST ME ON THIS.see this link: http://www.stlouis.bbb.org/news20070416.html and the reprint below
SnakesInTheTower (of the "hates Charter" Sheep Class)
For Immediate Release
Contact: Michelle Corey [email protected]
Scott Thomas [email protected]
Phone: 314-645-3300Customers Doubt Charter’s Commitment to Service
St. Louis, Mo., April 16, 2007 - While the firm’s Web site states, ". . . as we have grown, so has our commitment to our customers," thousands of customers have called this assertion into question. Customers have complained that the firm missed appointments, often numerous times, sent them to collection agencies in error, provided improper billing, refused to let them speak with a supervisor or kept them on hold for long periods of time.
Charter Communications, Inc. provides communications and entertainment technology services to consumers throughout the country and is one of the nation’s largest cable service providers.
In the past 36 months, the BBB has received more than 2,000 complaints and reports against Charter, over 1,300 of which were received since Jan. 1, 2006. The BBB also has received more than 8,700 inquiries in the past 36 months. The firm has numerous offices nationwide, but is headquartered at 12405 Powerscourt Dr., St. Louis.
A Kirkwood, Mo., woman said that due to poor service, she went to Charter’s office to cancel service and return her equipment. She said she was told her balance was $ .30, but not to worry about it, because she was told, "I don’t think Charter bills anyone for under $1." However, three weeks later she received a bill for $127.20, marked "seriously past due." She said Charter told her it would resolve the matter. Two weeks later she said she received a bill for $144.16 from a collection agency. Charter has since corrected her bill, she said.
A Manchester, Mo., consumer said she went to a Charter office to cancel cable and Internet service and return her equipment and was told her service would be disconnected the next day. No one showed for four appointments. The consumer said that she received a bill for service and was told that she would continue to receive bills until Charter disconnected her service. The consumer said she told Charter that unless service was disconnected, she "would rip out the connection and place it by the pole." Soon after, service was disconnected and a refund provided, she said.
A Hazelwood, Mo., woman said she signed up for Charter’s Triple Play high-speed Internet, phone service and digital cable and was told that upon installation, she would owe $162.99. She said her first bill included additional fees and an installation charge. When she complained, Charter said that they do not offer a Triple Play package, but when she offered to forward an e-mail to the contrary, the rep hung up, she said. She later was told the charges had been removed, but they weren’t. After she filed a complaint with the BBB, Charter admitted that there had been a billing error and agreed to provide a refund.
An East St. Louis, Ill., woman said she called Charter to reconnect her Internet, telephone and cable services, and was told there would be no installation fee due to a credit on her account. She said that she "received a rude call . . ." and was told that since no one answered her door, she would have to reschedule. She later was told that someone did open the door, but since they did not have the fee, no installation occurred. She said she explained she had a credit on her account and there should be no fee, but was told "it ain’t noted, and if it ain’t noted, there is nothing I can do." The consumer said that she became so frustrated with Charter that she cancelled her service and asked for her credit back.
A St. Charles, Mo., woman said she had Charter install Internet and phone service and upgrade her cable to digital; however, her Internet did not work on her desktop, her phone was so scratchy that it was of little use and the DVR box overheated within five days. She said that the first week, she and her husband were on the phone with Charter for over three hours with no resolution, and when she mentioned the DVR box, Charter said they would charge her for a service call, even though the box only worked for fivefive days. She cancelled all services but basic cable and was told any other charge would be waived; however, she said she received a bill for $602 for breaking her contract with Charter. She said she has since switched telephone and Internet providers.
Paul G. Allen is chairman of the board, and Neil Smit is president and chief executive officer of Charter Communications, Inc., according to the firm’s Web site.
The BBB suggests that consumers interested in cable, Internet or phone services consider the following general information tips:
- Get everything in writing. If you are offered a special promotional price, make sure you have documents that show what services you are to receive, what the promotional price is, and how long this price lasts. Don’t just take the word of the person attempting to sell you the package.
- If a problem occurs, be sure to document every step you take trying to rectify the matter. Should it become necessary to file a complaint, this information will be of great importance.
- Ask about cancellation of service, any associated fees and the firm’s obligations to remove its equipment.
- If you have a choice of service providers, be sure to contact the BBB at (314) 645-3300 or www.contactbbb.org for a customer experience report.
(Please contact Scott Thomas, BBB, for information regarding complainants who are available for media interviews.)
So right snakes about Charter!
A neighbor of mine changed to Verizon and was supposed to keep her same phone # Blondie, but Charter gave her a real hard time about it. Finally they gave up. The next time I have dropped phone calls, I'm changing.
Juni
