Cable & satellite

[Venus Pax]

Mars and I have never subscribed to cable or satellite service for the t.v. in the nearly 12 years that we have been married. We have always assumed it to be an unnecessary expense since we're fine with free t.v. and aren't home much anyway.

However, our world is destined for digital in February, and we can't help but notice that our digital t.v. doesn't get the best reception of the digital channels with our current antennae. Mars no longer has the ability to play around with wires and an antennae in the attic, and I haven't the expertise.

Comcast is the cable provider in my area, and hear they have a monopoly. The two ladies that I carpool with tell me that the service is horrible. The picture is usually not good, the sound even waves in and out, and comcast isn't motivated to fix the problem. I'd rather do without than pay for something like that.

I don't know much about satellite service. I do know that it is affected by trees, and I have about 20-25 trees on my 1/4 acre lot, and am sandwiched on two sides by a thick greenbelt. My neighbors have lots of trees as well. The trees aren't going anywhere.

I'm hoping for feedback from a satellite subscriber that lives in a similar setting to mine (somewhat wooded). How good is your signal? Do you lose your signal a lot? How much can I expect to pay for satellite service, and which companies are the best?

[casingpoint]

DirecTV satellite service is more than satisfactory. Occasional rain fade and general loss of signal, but no big deal. Good picture quality. They have to be good, because Dish Network is coming right up their back alley with excellent service.

[LedJedi]

I can tell ya we've had Direct TV and I will never ever use them again. We had to cancel our service a while back for a reason unrelated to them and go with local cable. When we originally signed up with them they made you buy the equipment outright from them. Our contract with them clearly states this. Leasing and rental wasn't an option. Buying outright is usually the cheaper way to go anyway in the long term so I was fine with that. We paid the $200 or whatever it was for their receiver with tivo.

When we canceled the service we were out of contract with them. I called and squared everything away and made sure there were not fees involved, etc. About a week later I get a call from them asking for $200 to pay for the equipment. I explained their records must be faulty and that we had already paid and I would be happy to pull up my bank records to show the payment when we started service with them. They weren't trying to hear it. They didn't even want me to show them my payment records. As far as they were concerned it made no difference because their records showed we didn't own our stuff so we had to pay for it. I told em where to stick it.

Over the next 1-2 years we dealt with their own internal collections, explaining the situation to each person that called. Nobody wanted to listen to reason. At one point they even told us they would "write off" their claim if we just sent the equipment (that we paid for) back to them. I honestly considered it, but on general principle decided that was not the right thing to do.

They eventually sold our debt to an outside collection agency. I wrote them a response letter and included a copy of my bank statement. They called and talked to the wife who explained the situation again. They apologized for the misunderstanding and said they wouldn't call back again. About six months later our "debt" had apparently been sold to yet another collection agency and we went through the same song and dance with them. They recognized the validity of our claim and stopped collection action.

Fast fwd to about 2 weeks ago. We get a call from Direct TV. It was an automated message that said, "Our records show that you were a previous customer and that you own your equipment. We would like to extend a special offer to reconnect service..."

The wife and I both had a great laugh at that. We'll never use their service again though after that experience. It's funny that the collection agencies agreed with us and acknowledged our proof of payment where DirectTV completely refused to even look at our documentation.

[WildBill]

Venus -

I had an experience with Time Warner, similar to LedJedi so I refuse to use cable.

Don't give up on an antenna. I have a Channel Master CM 4228-8 Bay in my attic. [It is a great antenna, if you can still find one.] If you already have one in your attic you can just replace it with one like the Channel Master. If not you can get a mast from Radio Shack. [Do not buy the antenna from Radio Shack.]

I get the major networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS, CW, as well as a dozen other religious and Spanish channels. The picture quality and sound is as good as cable. All for the price of two months of cable or satellite.

I would reccomend a flat anntenna such as the CM 4228-8 Bay or
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=AD-DB8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I don't know exactly where you live, but antenna.org is a great resource. Put in your zip code and it will list all of the TV stations and tells you how far they are from your house and where to point your antenna. Since most of the Houston stations are transmitted from Missouri City, mine stays pointed at 270 degrees.

If Mars or you can't get into the attic you could find a handyman would would do it pretty cheap. I was a bit leary of the claims of picture quality from CM 4228-8 Bay, because I wanted to install my attenna in the attic [for aesthetics and hurrican purposes] and was told it would not work very well if it was mounted inside the house. I have a single story house that is surrounded by two story houses and trees, but the signal is still excellent. Don't be talked into getting an amplified antenna. It's a waste of money and you don't need it.

[sivart-dod]

I dont have cable anymore, I got tired of paying for it when there was nothing on I wanted to watch. I found a website that has almost every tv show and movie out there and you want watch them for free online. Its http://www.ovguide.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. You dont have to subscribe to anything, just click and watch. If you have a newer computer it would be easy enough to get a couple of attachments to run the video and audio to the tv. So you are watching tv through the net on your tv for free.

just a thought

[Mike1951]

So, Wildbill, in February, when your antenna becomes worthless, you're going to use one of the converter boxes?

[John]

We've got DishNet and it is ok, but to be honest, we only watch a handfull of channels. If you want to keep your regular TV, you'll need to buy one of those digital converters after january. See: https://www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx Uncle Sam will send you a 50 dollar gift card to purchase the new digital box. Your old TV will not function next year without one of those boxes.

I can say... My satellite TV worked with a generator after IKE... I do not believe cable was up and running the area for a few days.

One thing to consider, If you get satellite, HD Satellites are very low in the horizon (as compared to non-HD). I have both HD and regular dishes. If one gets blocked by clouds, the other still works. This is for DishNet though, not sure about Direct TV.

If you upgrade, go get yourself a good LCD TV... You'll be amazed at HD quality.

[WildBill]

So, Wildbill, in February, when your antenna becomes worthless, you're going to use one of the converter boxes?

Why would my antenna become worthless?

Sorry I wasn't clear, but I already have a digital TV, so I don't need a convertor box. Right now I watch digital and HDTV broadcasts from over-the-air signals. All of the channels that I mentioned in my OP are digital broadcasts. In fact, I don't watch any analog channels because the picture quality is usually poor. I also get the 5.1 surround sound, when available on the particular show I am watching.

Digital TV is broadcast on the same UHF frequencies as analog channels and both can be received with a UHF antenna. I did a lot of research on the internet and that is why I recommended the Channel Master, rather than the regular type of VHF antenna. It had some of the best reviews and I have been extremely happy with it. My antenna works with my digital TV and that will not change in February. Actually, I am looking forward to February because I will have more channels that I can watch. Contrary to what many people believe, there is so such thing as an HD or Digital antenna for broadcast TV.

BTW, as soon as the electricity came back on after hurricane Ike, I was watching digital TV. My neighbors, who have Comcast, couldn't watch television for a couple of weeks.

Because there is no monthy fee, it is very cheap compared to cable or dish. The total cost for me was less than $150 for the antenna [including shipping], the mast and clamp, and coax.

[Right2Carry]

I have dish network and the picture is fantastic. Every single channel comes in crystal clear and with satellite you won't need one of those converter boxes since the signal is already digital. Best signal and picture I have ever had. My cable company was horrible, come channels were better than others. With satellite every channel is the same picture perfect quality including my local channels. The DVR is the best thing since sliced bread. Pausing live TV, rewinding live TV is great. Programming your recorded programs is a snap.

IMHO the best all around deal for the money. You have a host of packages to choose from and they have deals right now for free installation up to 4 rooms.

We only lose signal in really heavy rainstorms, no big deal.

[Venus Pax]

Wildbill, have you had any issues with lightning hitting too close to your house? Did you do anything to protect your home and electronics when you installed this antenna? Mars talked to someone at RadioShak after we moved in this house. The sales person said that we could install a huge antenna in our attic, but that it would be a lightning magnet. I want to try to avoid hazards as much as possible.
Your set-up looks like something that might work for us, if I can figure out how to set it up myself. It looks fairly simple, but things that look simple seldom are. Did you set-up come with good instructions, or did you check out a library book or go to a website?
The cost for that antenna isn't bad at all, considering that it would save on monthly fees. We don't watch t.v. much anyway, and we only have one t.v. in our house. (It does happen to be a newer HD, which was purchased last year when our old brick with rabbit ears gave up the ghost.)
I looked on antenna.org, but I got a bunch of advertisements; nothing regarding where to position an antenna or a place to plug in a zip code.

I appreciate everyone's feedback on this. It sounds like subscription to a service is a costly headache; if Wildbill's system can't or won't work for me, I may end up going one of these routes. I like to be armed with knowledge before putting my money out there.

[WildBill]

Wildbill, have you had any issues with lightning hitting too close to your house? Did you do anything to protect your home and electronics when you installed this antenna? Mars talked to someone at RadioShak after we moved in this house. The sales person said that we could install a huge antenna in our attic, but that it would be a lightning magnet. I want to try to avoid hazards as much as possible.
Your set-up looks like something that might work for us, if I can figure out how to set it up myself. It looks fairly simple, but things that look simple seldom are. Did you set-up come with good instructions, or did you check out a library book or go to a website?
The cost for that antenna isn't bad at all, considering that it would save on monthly fees. We don't watch t.v. much anyway, and we only have one t.v. in our house. (It does happen to be a newer HD, which was purchased last year when our old brick with rabbit ears gave up the ghost.)
I looked on antenna.org, but I got a bunch of advertisements; nothing regarding where to position an antenna or a place to plug in a zip code.

I appreciate everyone's feedback on this. It sounds like subscription to a service is a costly headache; if Wildbill's system can't or won't work for me, I may end up going one of these routes. I like to be armed with knowledge before putting my money out there.

Try this link. Just enter your zip code, not other information http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Radio Shack guy doesn't know what he's talking about, i.e. "lightning magnet". He/She was ignorant or was lying so they could sell you dish TV. It would be more likely to get hit by lightning if it were on the roof. I do have surge protectors for my computer and TV electronics. A friend at work had all of his electronics fried by a lightning strike at his home, but he didn't even have a TV antenna. He was on cable.

An antenna in the attic will last longer than one outdoors, because it won't get damaged or get blown off by high winds and it won't corrode from the rain. It is also easier to install since you don't need guy wires. Some homeowner's associations don't like antennas on the roof. Your neighbors won't even seen an attic antenna.

I was concerned that I wouldn't get reception because of the ducting in the attic and the houses and trees surrounding the house, but it worked out great for me. Since the Houston area is so flat, I don't think it's as much as an issue as it is for areas with hills or mountains.

The antenna comes with instructions to put together. It comes in two pieces so UPS can ship it in one thin box and you don't have to pay shipping for an oversize parcel. As I recall you only need pliers, a screw driver, and maybe a Cresent wrench. It takes about 15 minutes. The installation isn't something that you need a book to do. It's just bolting the two panels together. Buy a length of coax cable from Home Depot [cheaper than Radio Shack]. Hook one end to the antenna and the other to your TV. That's it.

The only thing that takes some time is if you have to run cable to get from the antenna to the TV. If you already have cable in the house you can just use it. Do you have an antenna other than the rabbit ears? Is your house wired for cable? Do you have a cable plug connection near your TV?

Send me a PM if you have any questions.

[anygunanywhere]

Venus,

We dumped Time Warner and now have DirecTV satellite. We had Dish Network in California,

We really like DirecTV. Barely faded during IKE.

Fairly good selection of programming but Mrs. Anygun and I often cannot reach a consensus on what to watch. You know, the old Venus vs Mars thing. The music channels rock. XM radio.

It is cheaper here than cable too especially if you do not purchase the movie channels. Unfortunately Mrs. Anygun digs old westerns and in order to gedt the Westarn Channel we had to buy ALL of the movie channels.

Anygunanywhere

[flb_78]

I have a set of rabbit ears and a converter box hooked up to my old tube style TV. I get PBS, NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX. Couple shopping channels and some Spanish stuff as well.

[casingpoint]

One thing about cable, it's supposed to have very fast internet access.

Which brings up a sore point. The local cable company piggybacks the electrical cooperative poles where I live. Cable service is within about 800 feet of my house, but the cable company says it doesn't pay to run the line any further to three potential customers. I've been wondering, as the member of the electrical coop, could I force the cable company's hand in the matter?

[jimlongley]

One thing about cable, it's supposed to have very fast internet access.

Which brings up a sore point. The local cable company piggybacks the electrical cooperative poles where I live. Cable service is within about 800 feet of my house, but the cable company says it doesn't pay to run the line any further to three potential customers. I've been wondering, as the member of the electrical coop, could I force the cable company's hand in the matter?

Unfortunately most cable companies are not covered by the Communications Act of 1934, they can't be forced to provide service where they don't want to.

There is no difference between antennas used for reception of analog signals and those used for digital, they are in the same frequency bands, the only thing necessary is the converter box.

Generally the guy at Radio Shack is wrong, but only generally. First of all lightning does what it wants to, I have seen a perfectly good lightning arrestor system totally ignored by a lightning bolt which traveled down a roof valley, jumped to a gutter, jumped to a kitchen faucet as the ultimate ground and left it leaking.

The tv signal at the indoor antenna is attenuated by the roof and other things around it, 3dB or more, it would be much better for it to be outside. The difference in lightning potential is minimal. The best thing that you could do for lightning is to install a properly grounded and bonded lightning arrestor, whether the antenna is indoor or out.

There are a whole lot of things involved in setting up a proper tv antenna system correctly and usually Radio Shack advice and homeowner ineptness often lead to a less than satisfactory result.