Some cable companies are better than others, but few places in the US have a choice, so Comcast probably is the only one to consider. The only choices -- AFAIK -- for satellite are DirecTV and Dish. Depending on where you are, you might be able to get Verizon's FIOS or AT&T's UVerse.
Not all channels are available on all systems. so look at the channels each offers, and the price (both the initial price and the price after the promotional period).
We have DirecTV, but our Internet connection is via Charter's cable service.
Very occasionally we have lost our satellite signal because of a storm, but our cable connection has gone out from time to time too, when somebody has dug up a cable or for some other reason.
Somebody complained about having to buy a whole "bundle" of channels and wanted to be able to pay for individual channels. CableVision in NY had (has?) that option for some channels, but two cost about as much as the bundle of five. It's like the newspaper: they don't give me the option of a reduced-price edition without the sports and gardening sections.
re: "CableVision in NY had (has?) that option for some channels, but two cost about as much as the bundle of five."
That's because they want to sell bundles. It's easier and more cost effective for them so if they can discourage the "one offs" by charging more, they will - as long as the "regulators" let them.
As a waitress in NYC once explained to me:
"Look, we crank out hundreds of burger platters with fries every lunch hour. They're lined up in the kitchen as we speak just waiting for me to pick 'em up and bring 'em out. If you want to mess up the flow by ordering your burger on a whole wheat bun and substitute onion rings for the fries, well, that's gonna cost you. It ain't the price of the food that matters, it's the work flow in the kitchen."
If you need internet access, Comcast is blazingly fast, the satellite companies all partner with the local telco and provide DSL.
If it were not for the excellent Internet access I get, I would probably opt for satellite, but I need a real fast Internet and I added phone to get the triple play bundle.
Comcast recently went all digital with all channels except those you can get locally with an antenna, what that means is you can use your CATV tuners to get local channels with no converter box. All other channels require some kind of Comcast converter box (2 are free, the rest you rent).
No matter who you get, it will be a love/hate relationship.
I get 12 to 15 routinely with Comcast, and it will burst to over 18.
They switched me to business class Internet after I complained about their recent digital conversion, trouble getting activated, billing for premium channels, etc. You get mad enough and Comcast will make deals to ameliorate you.
It's not set up right then. If you have a business class SDSL, with QoS enabled in the router there should be no reason it wouldn't work. Assuming the calculations were done right.
It may be a "supplier problem", but VOIP is tried and true. It's here to stay.
I hate companies that rope you in at a good deal, then crank up the rate after so many months. I hate Comcast. Satellite will get you more unusual channels. Comcast charges extra for high resolution and you can pick that up with an antenna. Best deal is a one time charge of $20 for an antenna unless you like paying $50 a month. I bought 4 antennas, picked the one with the best reception and returned three to the store. The most expensive antenna was the worst, but I'm not surprised.
Why can't you use a DVR like TIVO with the cable box? TIVO uses an IR transmitter to change the channel on the cable box, so it works just fine. TIVO is the best I've seen and far superior to the crappy recorder that Cablevision offers. I'm wondering if TIVO has some patents that prevent others from implementing a similar interface, channel guide and capability? Otherwise, yoo would think the other companies would have fixed their crap by now.
I got a library just so I could remotely access the online databases. I can find about 80% of the medical journal articles I need in addition to about 30 others.
I didn't ask for EVERY book, I only asked for common reference works.
The library in Berkely doesn't RENT tools, they LOAN them - like books. If there were a similar situation in Arkansas - and I lived in Arkansas - I WOULD borrow the tool from them because there wouldn't be any tool rental places left in business!
My objection centers around a government entity in competition with private business. The tool-loaning endeavor by the city of Berkely (by whatever spelling) could be the death of party-supply rentals (need 200 folding chairs for a garden wedding? just borrow them from the city - and by the way, you can borrow a tux too). How about car rentals? Trailers/trucks? (Goodbye U-Haul) Small aircraft? get a city-owned Cessna for the week-end. Gas prices too high? Just fill up at the city-owned, non-profit pumps! Want an ice-cream cone? just visit the city's Two Flavors On A Stick stand. And so on.
I dropped cable TV last year. I got my ATSC converter boxes and tested them. I tested them again after the June cutover, and I haven't turned them on since. That's what I recommend you do as well.
There is a whole world of better stuff to do with your time than site lifeless and watch scam ad after scam ad. Go out for a walk, do yard work, get a hobby actually doing something. No only will you save the cable / sat. $50/mo, you'll also save some electricity as well as your health.
I used Time Warner (Comcast?) and I got sick of the bill increasing for mysterious reasons on what seemed like a monthly bases. When I'd call, or go down there, I always got vague answers. (Taxes, regulations...I don't think they knew)
Finally, I switched back to Dish. God forbid you should ever have a problem (receiver crash) but the bill stays the same low price they offered in the beginning. The DVR works well and can record 2 shows at the same time.
Here's what I hate - although I understand why they do it...
Customer Service Rep: Hi, this is Todd. How may I provide exceptional service today?
Me: I'm having trouble with my remote control.
CSR: I see. I understand that you are having trouble with your remote control. I am sorry to hear that. I am sure that we can help you with the trouble you are having with your remote control. In order for me to help you with the trouble you are having with your remote control, can you please tell me what trouble you are having with your remote control?
Me: The volume control button sticks.
CSR: I'm sorry to hear that the trouble you are having with your remote control is that the volume control button on your remote control is sticking. Before I transfer you to a technical support specialist, is there anything else I can help you with besides the trouble you are having with your remote control which is that the volume control button is sticking on your remote control?
Me: No. Thank you.
CSR: You're welcome. I hope you have are satified with the help I have given you regarding the trouble you are having with your remote control which is that the volume control button is sticking on your remote control. I'll transfer you now.
... Music and commercials for products and services are heard...
Tech Support: Hi, this is Lori, how may I provide exceptional service today?
Me: I'm having trouble with my remote control.
Tech: I see. I understand that you are having trouble with your remote control. I am sorry to hear that. I am sure that we can help you with the trouble you are having with your remote control. In order for me to help you with the trouble you are having with your remote control, can you please tell me what trouble you are having with your remote control?
Me: The volume control button sticks.
Tech: I'm sorry to hear that the trouble you are having with your remote control is that the volume control button on your remote control is sticking. I think the best way to help you with trouble you are having with your remote control which is that the volume control button is sticking on your remote control is to send you a new remote control. Will that be a satisfactory way to eliminate the trouble you are having with your remote control which is that the volume control button on your remote control is sticking?
Me: Yes, that will be fine. Thank you.
Tech: You're welcome. I hope you have are satisfied with the help I have given you regarding the trouble you are having with your remote control which is that the volume control button is sticking on your remote control. Is there anything else I can help you with besides shipping out a replacement remote control which will hopefully eliminate the trouble you are having with your remote control which is that the volume control button on your remote control is sticking.
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