TW Cable vs DirectV

Chaselady · 09-30-2012, 08:27 PM

I realize the problems with TW cable have been discussed. We have been in Melvin Village for a couple of years, but now full time customers. We are very reluctant to continue with cable...their programming is difficult and we are not happy receiving Maine stations instead of Boston. We are considering switching to DirectV, but are finding that in our zip code we will not be able to receive Boston channels on satellite. Does anyone have any ideas about this?
Thanks...

wifi · 10-01-2012, 03:33 AM

As discussed before, Carroll county is in the Portland marketing area and Belknap county is in the Boston area. This is determined by the FCC and the providers whether cable or satellite have no decision making in this area and are following the law.

There may be tricks you can play, such as having a billing address in the marketing area you want, but that is up to you.

Belmont Resident · 10-01-2012, 05:08 AM

Not sure about TW but we switched from Metrocast to Direct and are very happy. It is cheaper, more programs but as with anything that rely on satellite there are times where you will loose it but very rarely.

phoenix · 10-01-2012, 05:02 PM

Do you also want Internet ? I had Direct TV and had no issues but couldn't get internet so switched to TW but too early to tell as to how I will like it. We do get channel 7 out of Boston at times but at times it is black out

Chaselady · 10-01-2012, 08:23 PM

We have TW Internet, but we definitely need a higher speed. We can upgrade but we are trying to see what we will do with the TV.

songkrai · 10-01-2012, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wifi

There may be tricks you can play, such as having a billing address in the marketing area you want, but that is up to you.

There are many forums dedicated to satellite TV.
As stated above you have the option to bend the rules.

The satellite receivers are "dumb". The receivers do not know where they are.

If you have satellite TV at another residence you can just take/bring that receiver with you to your summer home if you are seasonal.

If you are a beginner to satellite TV note that they mostly require an initial 2 year contract.

And if you require high speed internet - most go to cable company for that. Some use the phone company for DHL or whatever it is called now.

Chaselady · 10-01-2012, 09:01 PM

Thanks for the feedback. Do you think the receiver is dumb enough to know our install address is different from our billing address? Can we install in NH but bill to Ma?

Belmont Resident · 10-01-2012, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phoenix

Do you also want Internet ? I had Direct TV and had no issues but couldn't get internet so switched to TW but too early to tell as to how I will like it. We do get channel 7 out of Boston at times but at times it is black out

We had Metrocast for everything. When we changed and got the separate rate it was still cheaper then with Metrocast. The whole bundle thing isn't always cheaper then individual plans especially after the promo ends and the real price begins.

P-3 Guy · 10-01-2012, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by songkrai

There are many forums dedicated to satellite TV.
As stated above you have the option to bend the rules.

The satellite receivers are "dumb". The receivers do not know where they are.

If you have satellite TV at another residence you can just take/bring that receiver with you to your summer home if you are seasonal.

Moving receivers temporarily to a different location may be a violation of the provider's terms of service. Also, local channels and many regional sports networks are on a "spot beam" and they may be lost if the receiver is moved too far away from its authorized service address.

P-3 Guy · 10-01-2012, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaselady

Thanks for the feedback. Do you think the receiver is dumb enough to know our install address is different from our billing address? Can we install in NH but bill to Ma?

There shouldn't be any problem having separate service and billing addresses, so yes, you can install in NH and use a MA billing address. But, the provider will expect that the receivers stay at the NH address, and you will get programming based on the NH zip code.

Lots of good information here:

http://www.dbstalk.com/index.php

songkrai · 10-01-2012, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaselady

Thanks for the feedback. Do you think the receiver is dumb enough to know our install address is different from our billing address? Can we install in NH but bill to Ma?

I have my Direct TV receiver here in NH and I take to another home out of state. I contact Direct TV at each move.
My billing address stays the same. When I contact Direct TV I give them the address that I am at currently - over the phone to get local channels. One account.

The receiver is completely dumb. The receiver does not know where it is. A receiver in Maine will work in California. Not sure if you would get the Maine local channels in California as local channels for different parts of the country may use different satellites up in the sky.

Many snowbirds carry their satellite receiver with them from north to south and back. One account. You do need a dish at each location.

The receiver is completely dumb and does not know where it is until you actually telephone the satellite company and tell them.

My billing address is a PO Box. Hope that answers your question.

09-30-2012, 08:27 PM	#1
Chaselady Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Melvin Village Posts: 309 Thanks: 150 Thanked 105 Times in 73 Posts	TW Cable vs DirectV I realize the problems with TW cable have been discussed. We have been in Melvin Village for a couple of years, but now full time customers. We are very reluctant to continue with cable...their programming is difficult and we are not happy receiving Maine stations instead of Boston. We are considering switching to DirectV, but are finding that in our zip code we will not be able to receive Boston channels on satellite. Does anyone have any ideas about this? Thanks...

10-01-2012, 05:08 AM	#3
Belmont Resident Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belmont NH but prefer Jackman Maine Posts: 1,857 Thanks: 491 Thanked 410 Times in 251 Posts	TW to Direct Not sure about TW but we switched from Metrocast to Direct and are very happy. It is cheaper, more programs but as with anything that rely on satellite there are times where you will loose it but very rarely. __________________ "better to have a short life that is full of what you like doing, then a long life spent in a miserable way.."

10-01-2012, 05:02 PM	#4
phoenix Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: phoenix and moultonboro Posts: 1,562 Thanks: 63 Thanked 276 Times in 194 Posts	Do you also want Internet ? I had Direct TV and had no issues but couldn't get internet so switched to TW but too early to tell as to how I will like it. We do get channel 7 out of Boston at times but at times it is black out __________________ it's tough to make predictions specially about the future

10-01-2012, 03:33 AM	#2
wifi Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 1,321 Thanks: 282 Thanked 287 Times in 169 Posts	As discussed before, Carroll county is in the Portland marketing area and Belknap county is in the Boston area. This is determined by the FCC and the providers whether cable or satellite have no decision making in this area and are following the law. There may be tricks you can play, such as having a billing address in the marketing area you want, but that is up to you.

10-01-2012, 08:23 PM	#5
Chaselady Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Melvin Village Posts: 309 Thanks: 150 Thanked 105 Times in 73 Posts	We have TW Internet, but we definitely need a higher speed. We can upgrade but we are trying to see what we will do with the TV.

10-01-2012, 09:01 PM	#7
Chaselady Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Melvin Village Posts: 309 Thanks: 150 Thanked 105 Times in 73 Posts	Thanks for the feedback. Do you think the receiver is dumb enough to know our install address is different from our billing address? Can we install in NH but bill to Ma?

The Following User Says Thank You to songkrai For This Useful Post:
Chaselady (10-02-2012)