Direct TV? CANNOT take Metrocast any longer...

[bclaker]

We have 4 digital TV's and 1 old TV along with Internet, telephone, rental of 5 adapters and monthly service charge. The bill comes to $190.99/month. We don't have cell phones. Is there a better solution for less money.

[bruinsfan]

Originally Posted by bclaker

We have 4 digital TV's and 1 old TV along with Internet, telephone, rental of 5 adapters and monthly service charge. The bill comes to $190.99/month. We don't have cell phones. Is there a better solution for less money.

I agree. We've had Metrocast for many years now; 3 HD TV's, Internet with WiFi, and a phone line. We pay about $190 or so a month as well.

We love it and have 160+ channels and the popular ones (including local) are HD.

Our service may go out once in a while, but not anymore than DirecTv does.

Acutally, we switched from DirecTv because of the weather/clouds/rain/snow causing service interruptions.

...to each their own

[bigdog]

Just another suggestion as an option, as I don't believe anyone mentioned 'Sling TV' !

Sling TV, takes the location where you have a subscription service (MetroCast, Comcast, Charter, etc), and 'slings' the signal to your second location using the Internet.

All you have to purchase is the 'Sling TV' device. About $100 on Amazon for M2 player model.

Watch and control 100% of the TV you already pay for on a tablet, phone, PC, or Mac with unlimited free apps

Also watch on a second TV anywhere via Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, or Roku.

[BroadHopper]

I live in an association. In the beginning satellites and antennas were not allowed. The FCC made it illegal for associations to ban satellites so we are allowed one satellite disk per unit out of sight from the main road. Unfortunately, my unit is facing South and the receiver can only be on the other side of the unit. #2, there are trees and I was told the receiver should have a clear sight of the satellites.
An antenna in the attic space was great until the waves went digital, now I have no reception. According to an FCC website, I will be required to have a 60 feet antennae just to get one channel! So this is out of the question!
Since the analog to digital, I was force to cable, Metrocast. At first it was great and when they started adding digital frequencies, they had to rewire the unit to a better coax, add a new junction box at the end of the street, etc. But this only happens after multiple calls to customer service. Now there is a 'war' going on that the coax cable buried in the association area has to be replaced and the association is responsible. Association believes Metrocast is responsible. The end result is no service after a severe rain storm or snow melt and not getting the advertised mbps on internet speed. I also experience buffering when I do 'heavy' streaming.
Today I rely on my Roku stick for cable, but the buffering gets me.
My daughter allow me to 'sling' her Comcast account for local news.
When internet is down I used my cell phone account for email and text access.
I was told by Fairpoint that they will 'soon' be having high speed internet in the association if there is enough 'demand' for it.
Fairpoint will soon be bought out by an internet company. I understand the new company will be concentrating on high speed internet.
I'm not going to hold my breath.

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by bigdog

Just another suggestion as an option, as I don't believe anyone mentioned 'Sling TV' !

Sling TV, takes the location where you have a subscription service (MetroCast, Comcast, Charter, etc), and 'slings' the signal to your second location using the Internet.

All you have to purchase is the 'Sling TV' device. About $100 on Amazon for M2 player model.

I think you're suggesting a Slingbox, not Sling TV. Sling TV is a service that gives you a package of cable channels through the internet for a monthly fee. A Slingbox lets you send your home cable service to other devices on the internet for free.

[bigdog]

Originally Posted by webmaster

I think you're suggesting a Slingbox, not Sling TV. Sling TV is a service that gives you a package of cable channels through the internet for a monthly fee. A Slingbox lets you send your home cable service to other devices on the internet for free.

You are correct Sir, thanks for for providing the accurate description !

[Biggd]

I have internet only thru Metrocast at $60 per month. Get a Smart TV or just hook up your lap top and you can stream just about anything.

[Lakeboater]

Originally Posted by Biggd

I have internet only thru Metrocast at $60 per month. Get a Smart TV or just hook up your lap top and you can stream just about anything.

Does the $60 include all taxes and fees? Just the minimal basic cable is now almost $50 with all the taxes and fees.
Edit: I just checked and it's $47.59 a month

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by Lakeboater

Does the $60 include all taxes and fees? Just the minimal basic cable is now almost $50 with all the taxes and fees.
Edit: I just checked and it's $47.59 a month

That's my total bill. It's my vacation home but even if I lived there year round there is still plenty to watch by just streaming. The only issue is it takes a little bit of searching. I have an Amazone Firestick which basically turns your regular TV into a smart TV. If you are an Amazon Prime member you have free access to Amazone TV. My son has Net Flicks and I log onto his account also.

[Jos]

I live on Cow. I don't really want TV, but it would be nice to have internet. Any advice for me?

[Orion]

Originally Posted by Jos

I live on Cow. I don't really want TV, but it would be nice to have internet. Any advice for me?

This topic has been covered several times in these forums. Lots of advice if you do a quick search. But on Cow, you'll really need to contact Fairpoint for their DSL service. It ain't much 2.5 to 10 Mbps depending on where you are on the island, but it's something.

[Jos]

Thanks very much

[wifi]

Originally Posted by Orion

...It ain't much 2.5 to 10 Mbps depending on where you are on the island, but it's something.

Mi gaud, on an island? People would have given their right arm 10 years ago, up here for that. Not mocking you, just taking advantage of the comment. It is the more, more, more generation. The faculty expense to supply that to a remote location, vastly overruns the cost to the utility..... just saying.

So, do you land lubbers want to subsidize growth to other out of the way areas ? Just remember, not to complain about the cost of your bill

[IslandRadio]

Originally Posted by Orion

This topic has been covered several times in these forums. Lots of advice if you do a quick search. But on Cow, you'll really need to contact Fairpoint for their DSL service. It ain't much 2.5 to 10 Mbps depending on where you are on the island, but it's something.

2.5 to 10 megabits is fantastic for DSL ! That's not too bad actually.

[Orion]

It really is great for DSL (I remember 300Kbps DSL days), but 2.5 is marginal for video streaming which is what you need if you don't want to have to buy Dish/Direct yet want some TV on the island. Yes, once upon a time I was thrilled with 75 Kbps acoustic-coupled dialup teletype, but Internet demands keep ramping up the threshold and if you're gonna have teenage "guests" you're gonna hear some whining.

[laketrout]

Originally Posted by Biggd

I have internet only thru Metrocast at $60 per month. Get a Smart TV or just hook up your lap top and you can stream just about anything.

Good idea but even Metro-sux Internet is slow where I live and they are ok people to deal with they are just working for the large out of state Metro cast company but Metro cast has to be the worst Cable company I have had to deal with in years /decades. Selections stink and the prices are high!

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by laketrout

Good idea but even Metro-sux Internet is slow where I live and they are ok people to deal with they are just working for the large out of state Metro cast company but Metro cast has to be the worst Cable company I have had to deal with in years /decades. Selections stink and the prices are high!

I've had no problems with internet only and it needs to be fast enough for streaming which it mine is. Maybe you need to upgrade your speeds.

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by Biggd

I've had no problems with internet only and it needs to be fast enough for streaming which it mine is. Maybe you need to upgrade your speeds.

If you look at the terms and agreements Metrocast has the right to slow down internet speed depending on demand of internet usage on the system. They will also apply less speed as you get closer to your monthly allotment of usage. In my case 350 GB a month. If you use the Roku stick and have a family networking games and movies, the limit comes up fairly quickly.