F... Comcast
 

And other large monopolies.

Comcast has the worst customer service ever. Already tried Direct TV and they tried to stick my grandmother with an extra $200 charge, and we were stuck with a dish on the top of our house for awhile since no one would come take it down.

Now there's an issue with the DVRs, someone has to come out and there's a service charge for them to come out to check their equipment.

In this area there's really no other options for Cable TV.

Lame.

Re: F... Comcast
 

Verizon FiOS? I have yet to have an issue with them.

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=Ruhskins;988625]Verizon FiOS? I have yet to have an issue with them.[/quote]

Not available in my area.

I guess my area is still a little too low-income.

Re: F... Comcast
 

i hate them all, too. burn in hell.

i don't have cable tv right now, but i have verizon internet for $25/month, no complaints there.
they don't have comcast out here, the other big dog is time warner cable.

[QUOTE=Ruhskins;988625]Verizon FiOS? I have yet to have an issue with them.[/QUOTE]

X2 but i had a small problem once and it was literally the worst customer service i ever received. They basically said we are not coming out to fix your problem but we be happy to come take out the whole system if you like and cancel your subscription. I just said whatever; they know no one wants to go back to Comcast.

The issue is if you watch on demand and stop it it doesn't restart where you stopped it. Drives me crazy.

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=los panda;988635] but i have verizon internet for $25/month, [/quote]

I cant tell you how jealous that makes me.

Directv ****ed me over a little but I stick with them because I have to have the ticket

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=Ruhskins;988625]Verizon FiOS? I have yet to have an issue with them.[/quote]Honestly, I housesitted (is that even a word?) for my sister last month and she has FiOS - it seriously made me appreciate my Comcast even more. FiOS OnDemand is a joke and it would cost me a ton more to get the same service in my apartment compared to what Comcast charges.

Having said that, they're all a huge rip off.

Re: F... Comcast
 

DynamiteRave, I have had soo many problems in the past with Comcast it was getting ridiculous. I went onto twitter where there was a support guy (Comcast Bill? or Comcast Tim? something like that) and tweeted him my problem. Surprisingly enough he saw my frustration and had a worker from an office (not telemarket or service center) call me and I retold them the problem and how I found Bill/Tim (whatever it is) to see if he could fix my problems. She not only got rid of my problem, but she gave me a discount and free channels. I suggest you go towards twitter with your comcast problems.

Re: F... Comcast
 

Time Warner blows.

I've had good luck with DirecTV though since switching years ago. No major complaints from me.

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=DynamiteRave;988623]Already tried Direct TV and they tried to stick my grandmother with an extra $200 charge, and we were stuck with a dish on the top of our house for awhile since no one would come take it down.[/quote]

Satellite uses a different business model. You own the stuff. That Dish on the roof is yours...DirecTV doesn't give a damn about it. I've had really good luck with them. The only one that I have ever not had any issues with.

Re: F... Comcast
 

Hey question for Direct TV users, do yall have the internet service with them?

I like to bundle my service to save, I have Comcast with both the internet and cable...is it worth my time to look into Direct TV for both services?

Thanks

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;988669]Honestly, I housesitted (is that even a word?) for my sister last month and she has FiOS - it seriously made me appreciate my Comcast even more. FiOS OnDemand is a joke and it would cost me a ton more to get the same service in my apartment compared to what Comcast charges.

Having said that, they're all a huge rip off.[/quote]

I've had the exact opposite reaction. FiOS has a clearer picture (less compression), an on demand menu from the 2000s rather than the clunky 1980s interface Comcast has, found the internet to be significantly more reliable and quicker. I really hate Comcast with a passion.

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=Mattyk;988708]Time Warner blows.

I've had good luck with DirecTV though since switching years ago. No major complaints from me.[/quote]

I have had all the major players; Fios, Comcast and D-TV.

I have to say if you have a clear signal D-TV is the best. Best picture, best interactive channel guide, and best channel selection.

FIOS is basically the same as Comcast internet wise and TV wise the only difference for me is FIOS actually stays on and works where Comcast was out at least 2 or 3 times a month.

The only reason I have FIOS over DTV is that in my current home has a poor reception for the dish. when I lived in NOVA it never went out or very rarely. I swear they send a more powerful signal to higher population areas.

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=Chico23231;988715]Hey question for Direct TV users, do yall have the internet service with them?

I like to bundle my service to save, I have Comcast with both the internet and cable...is it worth my time to look into Direct TV for both services?

Thanks[/quote]

I use Time Warner for my phone/internet.

At the time when DirecTV hooked me up they didn't have internet service in my area, and I heard it sucks anyway.

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=Daseal;988723]I've had the exact opposite reaction. FiOS has a clearer picture (less compression), an on demand menu from the 2000s rather than the clunky 1980s interface Comcast has, found the internet to be significantly more reliable and quicker. I really hate Comcast with a passion.[/quote]

Yeah I have to say if I had to choose one thing FIOS does better then Comcast it is On Demand.

Comcast on demand is crap complete crap from the menu, too the selection, too never actually working, too like the longest wait times ever. How anyone could be happy with that service I have no idea.

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=mlmpetert;988666]I cant tell you how jealous that makes me.[/quote]well, top speed is 1 mbps, don't get too jealous

Re: F... Comcast
 

Oh. Also. Comcast has commercials in their guide. In their freaking guide. I understand that tv companies get their revenue from advertisements. Comcast gets their money, monthly, from me. I'd rather you display another channel or two at a time.

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=los panda;988767]well, top speed is 1 mbps, don't get too jealous[/quote]


I looked it up last night and i actually think i can get that deal for 19.95 in Richmond!!! But yeah 1mbps isnt gonna cut it for me.

About 2 months ago i woke up one day and said F it and called up and cancelled my Fios internet. I called back an hour later and tried to get it back and they said it was too late and i would have to sign up for another year and it would be $10 more. F impulse decisions.

The main point of canceling Fios was because i didnt like the spot where they installed the box and thought the wire coming into the house looked like shit. They have yet to remove the box, modem or overhead wire. During the same day i called Comcast cable and tried to get them to remove an old wire coming into the house that also looks like shit. They too havent removed it. I also called AT&T non-digital telephone service to remove the 3rd ugly ass wire coming into the house, they removed it within a couple days, although i had to spend about 30 minutes with a guy in India guessing what the first 6 digits of what the phone number used to be for the house.

So F fios and Comcast. At&t landline is cool, i guess.


D-Rave, have you considered cutting the cord? Currently, i only have rabit ears, but before that I was going internet only. Buy a digital tv antenna ($15), a Roku ($75) and youre straight. All you got to pay for is internet, Netflix, and maybe Hulu if you watch a lot of TV. You might even find a friend thats willing to trade you their HBO Go login for a 12 pack. Or, if you have a xbox you can even get ESPN 1, 2 and 3 in addition to the basics like Netflix and Hulu. It takes about a month or two to get used to, but youll realize you spent wayyyyyy too much time watching nothing before.

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=mlmpetert;988796]I looked it up last night and i actually think i can get that deal for 19.95 in Richmond!!! But yeah 1mbps isnt gonna cut it for me.

About 2 months ago i woke up one day and said F it and called up and cancelled my Fios internet. I called back an hour later and tried to get it back and they said it was too late and i would have to sign up for another year and it would be $10 more. F impulse decisions.

The main point of canceling Fios was because i didnt like the spot where they installed the box and thought the wire coming into the house looked like shit. They have yet to remove the box, modem or overhead wire. During the same day i called Comcast cable and tried to get them to remove an old wire coming into the house that also looks like shit. They too havent removed it. I also called AT&T non-digital telephone service to remove the 3rd ugly ass wire coming into the house, they removed it within a couple days, although i had to spend about 30 minutes with a guy in India guessing what the first 6 digits of what the phone number used to be for the house.

So F fios and Comcast. At&t landline is cool, i guess.


D-Rave, have you considered cutting the cord? Currently, i only have rabit ears, but before that I was going internet only. Buy a digital tv antenna ($15), a [B]Roku[/B] ($75) and youre straight. All you got to pay for is internet, Netflix, and maybe Hulu if you watch a lot of TV. You might even find a friend thats willing to trade you their HBO Go login for a 12 pack. Or, if you have a xbox you can even get ESPN 1, 2 and 3 in addition to the basics like Netflix and Hulu. It takes about a month or two to get used to, but youll realize you spent wayyyyyy too much time watching nothing before.[/quote]i'm trying to read up on this, what does it do that a laptop can't?

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=Daseal;988795]Oh. Also. Comcast has commercials in their guide. In their freaking guide. I understand that tv companies get their revenue from advertisements. Comcast gets their money, monthly, from me. I'd rather you display another channel or two at a time.[/quote]The ads I can handle, what I can't stand are the 30 second lag times between screens after I push Enter on the FiOs remote.
I thought maybe the problem was just at my sisters' house, because she said every single time she's ever ordered a movie OnDemand through Fios she's had issues, but it's the same thing at my parents' house. You try to change channels or go OnDemand and the menu always seems to freeze. That crap drives me nuts!

I'm not saying there aren't issues with Comcast, because there DEFINITELY are, but I just think for the price, at least in my area, Comcast is a better value for comparable service.

Re: F... Comcast
 

I had a laptop initally, but got the Roku because of covienence. A Roku has a real clean interface with a lot of channels/apps.

Keeping your laptop hooked up to your tv is a little cumbersome and kind of a bitch. My laptop broke a few months ago (also part of the decision to cancel fios) and in the process of looking for a new one i found out some of the new laptops have Widi (or a variation of it) that lets you stream near-HD content wirelessly, although i dont think the technology is completely there yet. This will make things easier, but i think a direct connection with something like a Roku, is still a must have.

My biggest thing in getting rid of cable was the lack of easy access to cable news and cable sports. Also going from DVR life to no DVR is a big change. If you have a xbox and xbox gold (ithink its called that) you can get ESPN and a lot of other stuff..... depending on internet provider, its confusing. Depending on location and internet provider some stuff is free other requriers login credentials from a legit cable subscriber. You can do a bootleg DVR though Roku now too. I think there are a couple other ways to get DVR, probably all not optimal.

I feel like more and more people are doing this and the technology is really going fast and service providers are starting to change a little bit. But a Roku is still simple and cheap enough that i wouldnt worry about it being obsolete in a year.

There are rumers of the next xbox being much more than just a gaming system. Maybe a complete entertainment system. Apperently a very high likelihood of a DVR, perhaps even cloud based??? In other countries xboxes are already used as cable boxes, im hoping thats what theyre gonna try and do here. And think about it, graphics dont really have to be that much better and you can get a Kinect, so what's gonna encourage the masses to buy a new xbox?

Check this out:

[url=http://www.businessinsider.com/intel-cable-2013-1]Intel Is Reportedly Going To Destroy The Cable Model By Offering People The Ability To Subscribe To Individual Channels - Business Insider[/url]

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;988807]The ads I can handle, what I can't stand are the 30 second lag times between screens after I push Enter on the FiOs remote.
I thought maybe the problem was just at my sisters' house, because she said every single time she's ever ordered a movie OnDemand through Fios she's had issues, but it's the same thing at my parents' house. You try to change channels or go OnDemand and the menu always seems to freeze. That crap drives me nuts!

I'm not saying there aren't issues with Comcast, because there DEFINITELY are, but I just think for the price, at least in my area, Comcast is a better value for comparable service.[/quote]

Dude something is wrong with your sister's and moms on demand. Burned in my mind's eye is Comcast please Wait....when ever i order anything on On Demand from Comcast.

My FIOS on-demand is as instant as changing the channel.

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=mlmpetert;988815]I had a laptop initally, but got the Roku because of covienence. A Roku has a real clean interface with a lot of channels/apps.

Keeping your laptop hooked up to your tv is a little cumbersome and kind of a bitch. My laptop broke a few months ago (also part of the decision to cancel fios) and in the process of looking for a new one i found out some of the new laptops have Widi (or a variation of it) that lets you stream near-HD content wirelessly, although i dont think the technology is completely there yet. This will make things easier, but i think a direct connection with something like a Roku, is still a must have.

My biggest thing in getting rid of cable was the lack of easy access to cable news and cable sports. Also going from DVR life to no DVR is a big change. If you have a xbox and xbox gold (ithink its called that) you can get ESPN and a lot of other stuff..... depending on internet provider, its confusing. Depending on location and internet provider some stuff is free other requriers login credentials from a legit cable subscriber. You can do a bootleg DVR though Roku now too. I think there are a couple other ways to get DVR, probably all not optimal.

I feel like more and more people are doing this and the technology is really going fast and service providers are starting to change a little bit. But a Roku is still simple and cheap enough that i wouldnt worry about it being obsolete in a year.

[B]There are rumers of the next xbox being much more than just a gaming system. Maybe a complete entertainment system. Apperently a very high likelihood of a DVR, perhaps even cloud based??? In other countries xboxes are already used as cable boxes, im hoping thats what theyre gonna try and do here. And think about it, graphics dont really have to be that much better and you can get a Kinect, so what's gonna encourage the masses to buy a new xbox? [/B]

Check this out:

[URL="http://www.businessinsider.com/intel-cable-2013-1"]Intel Is Reportedly Going To Destroy The Cable Model By Offering People The Ability To Subscribe To Individual Channels - Business Insider[/URL][/quote]


Well for one if they stop making games for 360 and only make new games for 720. That might be a selling strategy, I dunno.

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=mredskins;988823]Dude something is wrong with your sister's and moms on demand. Burned in my mind's eye is Comcast please Wait....when ever i order anything on On Demand from Comcast.

My FIOS on-demand is as instant as changing the channel.[/quote]

I agree. It's been about 2 years since I had FIOS unfortunately, but everything was instant. Comcast takes a long time for me. Interesting. In this day and age, it's amazing how frustrating a slow channel change or scroll can be!

Re: F... Comcast
 

AMD- Does your sister and mom have the old Motorola boxes or the new Cisco boxes? Maybe that is the issue.

I can't imagine anyone defending Comcast; mind blowing.

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=mredskins;988829]AMD- Does your sister and mom have the old Motorola boxes or the new Cisco boxes? Maybe that is the issue.

I can't imagine anyone defending Comcast; mind blowing.[/quote]I'm not sure what they have, but I know my parents' recently had fios redo their whole system. But its the same way at my [I]other [/I]sister's current house, and it was that way at her old house. They've all had issues with the ondemand and remotes lagging and I find it really annoying.
I know most people defend fios tooth and nail, but I've just never had good experiences with it; and when I priced it out I found it to be a good bit more expensive than comcast.

Re: F... Comcast
 

try hosing the equipment down, if that doesn't solve these issues, go at the box w a screwdriver

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=mredskins;988825]Well for one if they stop making games for 360 and only make new games for 720. That might be a selling strategy, I dunno.[/quote]


Haha, very true.


But if people are slow to adopt the new xbox or they dont sell many units, i doubt video game makers will immediately invest in making tons of new video games exclusively for the Xbox4^2+1 (my name). And while appealing to kids and adult childen isnt a bad business model, it really only fills a niche (probably a growing niche). After Wii, making a system for gamers and novelty family entertainment is just the status quo, so hopefully well get more.

Re: F... Comcast
 

Developers eventually move on to the newer systems and stop making games for the old ones. I would bet they probably have to per a deal with the console makers.

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=mredskins;988829]AMD- Does your sister and mom have the old Motorola boxes or the new Cisco boxes? Maybe that is the issue.

[B]I can't imagine anyone defending Comcast; mind blowing[/B].[/quote]

Never.

My HD-DVR box is the Motorola one and I'm pretty okay with those. I like it. BUT... It lags horribly sometimes. I'll hit numbers on the remote and there'll be a legit 5 second lag before the numbers show up on the box.

I tend to fall asleep with the TV on and sometimes I'll wake up and the box will have frozen on my screen, meaning I have to unplug the box for a minute and plug it back in.

Really tedious stuff.


The 2 DVR boxes though are a mess, which is why Comcast is coming out in the first place. I think the modems in them fried which is why I can't get On Demand. It works in my bedroom (where the HD-DVR box is) but not in the living room or the kitchen. Explainable for the living room because the TV and box aren't on a surge protector (long story) but the one in the kitchen is.

But who knows, its Comcast.

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=los panda;988840]try hosing the equipment down, if that doesn't solve these issues, go at the box w a screwdriver[/quote]

That strategy always works for me.

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=Mattyk;988854]Developers eventually move on to the newer systems and stop making games for the old ones. I would bet they probably have to per a deal with the console makers.[/quote]

Most definitely. I think 360 and PS3 have had the longest life span of any console.

There was a point were it was all about the graphics but now a days the graphics are good enough people are really focused on the game play. Add in the ability to update the consoles with the internet and you see why the 360 and PS3 have lasted so long.

there is though no feeling like getting the newest console out there. Have not felt that in a long time.

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=DynamiteRave;988859]Never.

My HD-DVR box is the Motorola one and I'm pretty okay with those. I like it. BUT... It lags horribly sometimes. I'll hit numbers on the remote and there'll be a legit 5 second lag before the numbers show up on the box.

I tend to fall asleep with the TV on and sometimes I'll wake up and the box will have frozen on my screen, meaning I have to unplug the box for a minute and plug it back in.

Really tedious stuff.


The 2 DVR boxes though are a mess, which is why Comcast is coming out in the first place. I think the modems in them fried which is why I can't get On Demand. It works in my bedroom (where the HD-DVR box is) but not in the living room or the kitchen. Explainable for the living room because the TV and box aren't on a surge protector (long story) but the one in the kitchen is.

But who knows, its Comcast.[/quote]

DVR has little to nothing to do with your on-demand. Actually your modem plays a larger role.

Re: F... Comcast
 

Well Comcast called and said it was a "coding error" and they fixed it from their offices, so the guy isn't coming out tomorrow.

A coding error? This was an OLD error too, On Demand service hasn't worked for at least 4 months now. Just been too busy to take care of it. How the hell does a coding error happen?

I'm glad it's fixed, but geez. And I was in touch with customer service and they troubleshooted this TWICE. It wasn't until the 3rd time I talked to them they said they had to send someone out. So you're saying the two times I talked to customer service previously, they didn't check to make sure the codes were legit?

:doh:

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=DynamiteRave;988882]Well Comcast called and said it was a "coding error" and they fixed it from their offices, so the guy isn't coming out tomorrow.

A coding error? This was an OLD error too, On Demand service hasn't worked for at least 4 months now. Just been too busy to take care of it. How the hell does a coding error happen?

I'm glad it's fixed, but geez. And I was in touch with customer service and they troubleshooted this TWICE. It wasn't until the 3rd time I talked to them they said they had to send someone out. So you're saying the two times I talked to customer service previously, they didn't check to make sure the codes were legit?

:doh:[/quote]

My favorite with them was when CS would say well On Demand is a free service so we don't need to rush to fis it. I would say really so if I cancel Comcast I will still receive On Demand right? The answer was always crickets.

I use to spend a good 4 hours a month on the phone with them; don't miss those days!

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=Lotus;988860]That strategy always works for me.[/quote]only once did it not work for me. problem solved after i gave it a good 20 minutes in the oven at 375°

Re: F... Comcast
 

@ matty and mredskins

Well, maybe im just dreaming. I just feel like microsoft is in good position to create something much better than just a video game console.

Imagine if you had one box with a really nice, remotely accessable interface that fucntioned as your cable/streaming settop and dvr, brought the full internet to your tv, and could play blue rays while also accessing media, from music to photos, off of the cloud and your hard drive, while making video calling/skyping effortless, all the while communcating with your computer, tablet, smart phone and Zune through your home network. Make it play games too. I feel like a xbox doesnt need much tweeking to do all that and a lot of it fits with many of Microsoft's existing competencies and future growth target markets.

Re: F... Comcast
 

[quote=mlmpetert;988896]@ matty and mredskins

Well, maybe im just dreaming. I just feel like microsoft is in good position to create something much better than just a video game console.

Imagine if you had one box with a really nice, remotely accessable interface that fucntioned as your cable/streaming settop and dvr, brought the full internet to your tv, and could play blue rays while also accessing media, from music to photos, off of the cloud and your hard drive, while making video calling/skyping effortless, all the while communcating with your computer, tablet, smart phone and Zune through your home network. Make it play games too. I feel like a xbox doesnt need much tweeking to do all that and a lot of it fits with many of Microsoft's existing competencies and future growth target markets.[/quote]

The 360 as it is already is more than just a game console. I'm sure MS is already way ahead of you with their next one. What you're dreaming of isn't that crazy.

Regarding graphics, there still needs to be a marked improvement. There are plenty of graphics whores out there that would be very disappointed if the next system failed to impress in that area.

[QUOTE=Mattyk;988904]The 360 as it is already is more than just a game console. I'm sure MS is already way ahead of you with their next one. What you're dreaming of isn't that crazy.

Regarding graphics, there still needs to be a marked improvement. There are plenty of graphics whores out there that would be very disappointed if the next system failed to impress in that area.[/QUOTE]

It actual sounds like a PS3 that he is dreaming of.