New Metrocast Setup

[searay220]

As a seasonal customer of Metrocast I recently turned my service off for the winter. They informed me that there new policy is that I would need to "Park" my service for the winter for a $1.95 monthly fee. Or they will completely disconnect my service and then charge me $40 in the spring to have it hooked up. In the past it would be just a $5 charge to have it turned on.They also require 2 week notification before turning it back on. In the past if I went up for the weekend snowmobiling I would call on the ride up and have it turned on while I was on the phone.
It's not a huge deal for me however my being impressed with them and there customer service is GONE.

[trfour]

If you don't let them know with you're feet, they will try to charge YOU, for their Own headaches!! http://money.msn.com/
I guess that 'The Good O'll Days Are Gone!' ... You know, good quality customer service and, for a fair price. Gouge City is trying to take over Dodge, so to speak.

Good Luck, everyone!

Terry
___________________________

[RLW]

Originally Posted by trfour

If you don't let them know with you're feet, they will try to charge YOU, for their Own headaches!! http://money.msn.com/
I guess that 'The Good O'll Days Are Gone!' ... You know, good quality customer service and, for a fair price. Gouge City is trying to take over Dodge, so to speak.

Good Luck, everyone!

Terry
___________________________

Are you talking about the days that we only had radio and TV wasn't around????

[Jeanzb1]

I agree. We, too, are seasonal customers and were told about the new monthly charge to keep our service during the winter months. Good customer service it's NOT. I wish we had a choice of cable companies.

[MaidenCove07]

Originally Posted by Jeanzb1

I wish we had a choice of cable companies.

The only way to force that issue is to be a "qualified" voter, which many of us seasonal residents are not, and insist that your town deregulate cable.

Most towns will not because then the campaign contributions pouring in from the offended utility will stop....

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by MaidenCove07

The only way to force that issue is to be a "qualified" voter, which many of us seasonal residents are not, and insist that your town deregulate cable.

Most towns will not because then the campaign contributions pouring in from the offended utility will stop....

This isn't really true. First off, these MSO's are hardly ever making any kind of campaign contributions, especially in smaller communities.

The single buggest impediment to getting competition from another MSO is the size of the market. Only the most highly populated areas have enough subscribers to justify a system overbuild.

In the lakes region there is barely enough subscriber density to support Metrocast alone, there is no way you'd get another MSO to come in, build out a system and then fight to try to get a fraction of the current subscriber base.

[Steveo]

Originally Posted by searay220

As a seasonal customer of Metrocast I recently turned my service off for the winter. They informed me that there new policy is that I would need to "Park" my service for the winter for a $1.95 monthly fee.

Better look at your "park" bill. I have all 3 components - Cable, Phone and Internet. It will cost me $21.90 per month to park!

[BroadHopper]

I found out thru Googling that you don't need a Hidef box. If your TV has a QAM and digital tuner, you can get all the HD and SD channels as well as analog. I have basic service, using the QAM guide that you can print out below the channel lineup in the website, I have access to all the basic HD channels!

Customer service tries to tell me I need an HD box to get HD channels!

[sa meredith]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

I found out thru Googling that you don't need a Hidef box. If your TV has a QAM and digital tuner, you can get all the HD and SD channels as well as analog. I have basic service, using the QAM guide that you can print out below the channel lineup in the website, I have access to all the basic HD channels!

Customer service tries to tell me I need an HD box to get HD channels!

Yes, you are correct. However, if you want "expanded service" you need the box. And I need Verus for NHL playoffs in the spring, and MLB network, as I watch it everyday. Along with a bunch of other channels that come in handy on rainy or hangover days.

[SteveA]

As of today we have lost all service from metrocast.

SA Meredith What they didn't tell people in the mailings or phone messages is this, you had to have gone to their website to see this:



We have two DRV's @ $16.95 per month, both TV's are "black screen" I finally got thru on the phone to them is .... OOPS... you may be out of service for 2 or 3 days!

The only option is to disconnect the DVR's and run the cable directly into the TV. Problem with that is, the same thing will happen when you try to hook it back up.

They did say you can tune to channel 99 and watch free movies! Of course there will be no credit on the bill for the rental of the DVR's or the days service missed.

We will have no TV service for up to 2 days.

[sa meredith]

Originally Posted by SteveA

As of today we have lost all service from metrocast.

SA Meredith What they didn't tell people in the mailings or phone messages is this, you had to have gone to their website to see this:

Attachment 5552

We have two DRV's @ $16.95 per month, both TV's are "black screen" I finally got thru on the phone to them is .... OOPS... you may be out of service for 2 or 3 days!

The only option is to disconnect the DVR's and run the cable directly into the TV. Problem with that is, the same thing will happen when you try to hook it back up.

They did say you can tune to channel 99 and watch free movies! Of course there will be no credit on the bill for the rental of the DVR's or the days service missed.

We will have no TV service for up to 2 days.

Steve..it did say it on the mailer I received...and this message was highlighted.
Now, truth be told, I would have disregarded it as junk mail, but open it as I thought it was info regarding cancelling my service.
No TV stinks though.
I guess the only reason I can't "pile on" here, is that on two occasions that I really needed them to come thru for me this summer, they did.
I'll share one of them...I had a chance to escape up to Meredith on a Thursday, late summer, alone...no wife, company, nieces/nephews, family members (have camps next door)...just me, and watch Sox/Yanks in peace, out by the fire. Got there early afternoon...NO CABLE. I called, and after being told I could get a service call, tomorrow, I explained I needed cable THAT evening, and the woman actually listened ot my story. She said, OK, hang up, and wait for a call at 5ish, and a tech would call me and come by. Sure enough, 4:45, phones rings, guys shows up, TV ready by 6. So...even though I agree with many of the gripes posted here, I owe them one. So with today's kind words, we're square.

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by sa meredith

Steve..it did say it on the mailer I received...and this message was highlighted.
Now, truth be told, I would have disregarded it as junk mail, but open it as I thought it was info regarding cancelling my service.
No TV stinks though.
I guess the only reason I can't "pile on" here, is that on two occasions that I really needed them to come thru for me this summer, they did.
I'll share one of them...I had a chance to escape up to Meredith on a Thursday, late summer, alone...no wife, company, nieces/nephews, family members (have camps next door)...just me, and watch Sox/Yanks in peace, out by the fire. Got there early afternoon...NO CABLE. I called, and after being told I could get a service call, tomorrow, I explained I needed cable THAT evening, and the woman actually listened ot my story. She said, OK, hang up, and wait for a call at 5ish, and a tech would call me and come by. Sure enough, 4:45, phones rings, guys shows up, TV ready by 6. So...even though I agree with many of the gripes posted here, I owe them one. So with today's kind words, we're square.

So, in other words you're impressed that they prioritized repairing their equipment to deliver the service you were paying for?

It doesn't take much to impress you, does it?

[RLW]

I did not receive any letters, except for the bill when it is due and I didn't have any problems whatsoever. Could it be because I do not have all the fancy stuff and just have the extended basic????

[sa meredith]

Originally Posted by brk-lnt

So, in other words you're impressed that they prioritized repairing their equipment to deliver the service you were paying for?

It doesn't take much to impress you, does it?

It's a freakin' cable company...with guys in vans that are no more than sub-contractors. Some take their job seriously, some do as little as possible, and are drinking Bud by 4:50 everyday.
I called at 3ish...knowing the blue collar world pretty much shuts down at 5 these days. And, who knows, the workers may indeed be union, and are forbidden from lifting a finger after 5. When I called at 3, if someone had been out the next morning by 9, THAT would have impressed me. The fact that she got a tech to call my cell, and come out after his final scheduled service call of the day was complete...and I was up and running by 6 (after calling at 3) was pretty good, I thought. Was I impressed? Well, I certainly appreciated the effort. And the tech earned himself a 10 spot for the trouble.
Let's face it...losing cable is not an emergency...like heat, electricity, or hot water. It's TV, after all. A problem called in at 3, and dealt with the next morning, would have to be considered adequate by any reasonable customer. I felt like she went above and beyond so I could watch a stupid baseball game.

[martbri7]

We got our cable back and have been "training" how to use the guide, my question....We saved a hour show and now it says the DVR is 42% filled...thats just with one show taped, anyone else notice this or have a remedy? Thanks

[SteveA]

Originally Posted by martbri7

We got our cable back and have been "training" how to use the guide, my question....We saved a hour show and now it says the DVR is 42% filled...thats just with one show taped, anyone else notice this or have a remedy? Thanks

We had the exact same issue. We called Metrocast Tech Support (524-4425) and they were able to "reset" the memory back to zero. Seems to work OK now.

I did have to wait on hold for a very long time.

You can also find answers in this "online guide" from Metrocast website.

http://www.metrocast.com/guides/iGui...rRefManual.pdf

You know it's going to be confusing when the manual for the "IGuide" manual needs to be 63 pages long!

[LakerMike]

Did anyone notice with the new i-Guide you can only go back 21 minutes instead of the 60 before??? The buffer only holds 21 and 24 minutes of each channel on the DVR. Tech support just discovered this... If they don't fix it I will switch to DirectTV for sure! From what everyone says DirectTV and Dish is so much better than cable! The PPV is way too expensive also, I can get a DVD from Redbox for $1.

[patman]

Originally Posted by LakerMike

also, I can get a DVD from Redbox for $1.

Not anymore you can't!

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/st...ces/50970590/1

Internet + Roku + Netflix/Amazon = more video than I should really be watching

[dragonfly03246]

It's my understanding from Metrocast that the memory used includes the programs you have set to record which I think is a pretty good idea because then you know how much more you can record before you start to lose memory.

As far as searching by keyword or program name, you can still do that. There are a ton of different options available for searching.

I also found that you can change the color of the guide which is pretty neat. I agree that the ads definitely need to go though! We pay a ton already to have cable and I don't feel that we need to see ads everytime we use the guide.

The other feature that we found that I don't like is that when you record you can't choose new and that specific time only, so when you choose "new and repeats" you get ALL! That kind sucks because some of the TLC, History, Discovery shows show the new later on at night which is great becuase we can record at that time and there's no conflict with the broadcast channels which only show their programs once.

[Lakepilot]

This was kind of the last straw for us. We currently have Internet, Phone and Cable from Metrocast and with all the boxes etc. pay about $230/month. It really aggravates me to have to view an ad every time I use their guide, when I'm paying that kind of money.

Here's the current plan and issues that have to be addressed.

1. TV. Long term is to go to DirecTV, which we have in our motorhome and it works great. But in the house I'd need a good installer near Wolfeboro that could set us up.
Short term, cancel the expensive Metrocast package and go with their basic package and then add a few ROKU boxes. Since we get HBO with our DirecTV account on the motorhome, we can use it in the house with HBO GO and the ROKU.

2. Internet. Looks like Metrocast is the same price as Fairpoint so I guess we'll stick with Metrocast. We do have MIFI cards that we use when traveling and are grandfathered into the unlimited plan, but the bandwidth is quite their for streaming and I hate to push the unlimited.

3. Phone. Our phone now costs in the vicinity of $46/month through Metrocast. We can add another cell phone line for $5/month. I've looked at cell phone gateways like Xtreme, Siemens, Panasonic etc. and they look interesting. Pay one fixed amount for the box (around $90) and then pay the $5/mo and that replaces the Metrocast $46/mo bill. The only problem appears to be our alarm system. At least one of the systems (Verizon home link) says they will not work with security systems.

Anyway, my questions are

1. Will any cell phone gateway work with our alarm system? If so which is the best gateway that would work?
2. Anybody know a good DirecTV reseller/installer?
3. A previous poster said that if we keep the Metrocast internet and cancel the cable and phone with them that we would still have the basic channels. Is this true?

[brk-lnt]

You might find it cheaper overall to replace your alarm panel with a cellular-capable unit if you have problems finding a compatible system there.

It shouldn't be THAT hard to find someone to handle the directv setup, it's mostly just a matter of running the coax from the dish down into the house, it's really not a 'specialist' kind of job. There are a couple of home theater shops in the area, have you tried contacting any of them?

[Lakepilot]

Originally Posted by brk-lnt

You might find it cheaper overall to replace your alarm panel with a cellular-capable unit if you have problems finding a compatible system there.

It shouldn't be THAT hard to find someone to handle the directv setup, it's mostly just a matter of running the coax from the dish down into the house, it's really not a 'specialist' kind of job. There are a couple of home theater shops in the area, have you tried contacting any of them?

Unfortunately our alarm system is also a home automation system hence is very expensive.

The issues I have with DirecTV relates to the number of independent boxes we can have versus lnb's etc.

[patman]

Originally Posted by Lakepilot

The issues I have with DirecTV relates to the number of independent boxes we can have versus lnb's etc.

It's been a while, but I seem to remember that the LNB->box issue is solveable. I believe they switch the polarization filter on every other channel (horizontal on even channels, vertical on odd ones) and it's not so much that you have to have a separate LNB for each box, but that you can only share an LNB between boxes that is on the same polarization mode. (ie...box1 and box2 can share LNB1 and view different channels if they're both on an odd-numbered channel) If you have 2 LNBs, and a smart LNB multiplexer, it'll work with any number of boxes. The multiplexer just fixes one to horizontal and the other to vertical, then routes the request from the boxes to the LNB with the correct filter.

I think...like I said, it's been a while.

[P-3 Guy]

Originally Posted by Lakepilot

Unfortunately our alarm system is also a home automation system hence is very expensive.

The issues I have with DirecTV relates to the number of independent boxes we can have versus lnb's etc.

DirecTV now uses better technology that will allow you to have up to 16 tuners working off of one dish. If you want a DVR at each TV that's up to eight DVRs as each DVR has two tuners. Also, they now have something called SWiM (Single Wire Multiswitch) that allows two-tuner DVRs to be served with just one RG-6 coaxial cable. Finally, my favorite recent DirecTV innovation is MRV, or multi-room viewing. I have three DVRs that are all networked together, so that I can watch anything recorded on one DVR on either of the other two.

Sorry to sound like a shill for DirecTV, but I'm very impressed with their service. Getting the same level of service (programming and equipment) from my local cable provider would probably cost me twice as much each month.

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by Lakepilot

Unfortunately our alarm system is also a home automation system hence is very expensive.

Is it HAI by any chance?

[SteveA]

Originally Posted by sa meredith

I called, and after being told I could get a service call, tomorrow, I explained I needed cable THAT evening, and the woman actually listened ot my story. She said, OK, hang up, and wait for a call at 5ish, and a tech would call me and come by. Sure enough, 4:45, phones rings, guys shows up, TV ready by 6. So...even though I agree with many of the gripes posted here, I owe them one. So with today's kind words, we're square.

I have found, that very often, if you are persistent enough, AND REMAIN POLITE, the "worker bees" in most service industries will try to find a way to be helpful. The problem really gets to be that too many companies have really cut down on the number of "worker bees".

I did stay on hold with Metrocast tonight for more than an hour, I ended up with a very nice, lady that helped get my DVR's up and running. She told me they were buried with phone calls. She explained that they have to reprogram each DVR and Set Top Box, one at a time, and each one "can" take up to 20 minuets to clear the old settings and install the updated new settings and software.