What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
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Zoomer30 @ 8th Sep 04:14PM:
What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
I just got a new TV (FINALLY!). Upon doing the auto scan it found a ton of digital channels just on the basic cable I have. It would be nice to have MORE HDTV chans however.
What options (besides spending major $$$$ on digital cable) do I have to get more HDTV?
As I now I get all the local channels (3.1, 3.2 and a lot of PBS, even ESPN Radio and about 10 music chans)
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Zoomer30 @ 8th Sep 05:20PM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
The reason I ask is once you see an HD channel you almost get sick looking at an SD channel :) Most of the HD I get is in 720p, one (oddly enough) is 1080i, thinks its the KCCT.
It would also be nice to get a guide, they have chans all over the place :)
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Anonymous @ 8th Sep 09:16PM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
A HD DCT is $10/mo. With that you get 10-20 additional HD channels (depending on the market). Or if you have a cable card ready TV you can get that for $1.99/mo. But if your TV is new, don't even bother with this option.
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implode @ 9th Sep 10:45AM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
The above poster is correct 10-20 new channels with the HD box. For me the addition of ESPN I/II and Foxsports are great. I feel sports is where HD shines. Also TNT HD for NBA games when they come back on. Then my two favorite channels History and Discovery also appear to benefit a lot. But it probably depends on your viewing habits. For me $10 was a deal, based on the fact I watch a majority of the STL Cardinal broadcasts.
It all boils down to you paying $1000, $1500, or more for a top of the line TV, so do you really want to cheap out when it comes to how you use it? You could have bought a bargain TV in the first place if you had no intention of using HD in the first place.
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Bierboy @ 13th Sep 05:38PM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
said by Zoomer30 :
...What options (besides spending major $$$$ on digital cable) do I have to get more HDTV?...
One word.....ANTENNA.
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BlakePaulson @ 13th Sep 11:04PM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
said by Bierboy :said by Zoomer30 :
...What options (besides spending major $$$$ on digital cable) do I have to get more HDTV?...
One word.....ANTENNA.
a better one word... Directv
I've had mediacom in the past and know of a lot of people in my hometown who have mediacom. The HD doesn't look bad but the HD channels aren't in large quantities and having to pay $10 just for an HD reciever is retarded (no idea what a dvr costs but I know it's more and that's a ripoff. It's $5 a month per HD dvr for directv (first one is free and additional ones are $199 or cheaper online) and there are a lot of deals right now with $100 referral credit.
Anyways enough of my schpeel I just like letting other people know about the deals, better equipment, and great prices, not to mention no waiting for HD equipment.
If you're content with mediacom get an HD receiver and that will get you the HD channels mediacom has available.
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Anonymous @ 14th Sep 07:48AM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
said by BlakePaulson :said by Bierboy :said by Zoomer30 :
...What options (besides spending major $$$$ on digital cable) do I have to get more HDTV?...
One word.....ANTENNA.
a better one word... Directv
I've had mediacom in the past and know of a lot of people in my hometown who have mediacom. The HD doesn't look bad but the HD channels aren't in large quantities and having to pay $10 just for an HD reciever is retarded (no idea what a dvr costs but I know it's more and that's a ripoff. It's $5 a month per HD dvr for directv (first one is free and additional ones are $199 or cheaper online) and there are a lot of deals right now with $100 referral credit.
Anyways enough of my schpeel I just like letting other people know about the deals, better equipment, and great prices, not to mention no waiting for HD equipment.
If you're content with mediacom get an HD receiver and that will get you the HD channels mediacom has available.
Do you work for DirecTV or what?
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firetalyn @ 14th Sep 12:14PM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
I would go the Receiver route. I've never had a problem getting a box (I am in the Des Moines area), and I get TNT, TBS, WGN, SyFy, USA, FX, ESPN 1/2, FSNMW, FNC, LIFETIME, HGTV, DISC, HIST, ANML PLNT, BIG10, HDTHEATRE, and I am certain I am forgetting some, plus the locals and any movie channels you pay for you will get at least one HD channel of as well. I think 10 bucks for that w/ an on screen guide isn't too bad. I don't know if you have internet through Mediacom as well or not, but if you haven't ever had VIP service you may consider going to that- it includes phone as well as a digital box, and it is cheaper than family cable w/ internet typically. Just a thought.
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BlakePaulson @ 14th Sep 01:44PM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
I own my own business (»www.ifixipodsfast.com) however I can't believe what people put up with when it comes to cable companies.
I've been on three seperate cable systems in 6 years (Mediacom in Granite Falls MN before going to college, Mediacom in Hutchinson MN while going to college, Mediacom in Granite Falls MN for a year after college while getting my business started, and charter in Alexandria MN where I currently live now.)
While Mediacom's internet was great and I think still is in comparison to embarq or DSL/wireless providers the TV aspect still has a long ways to go. I've watched at how many people complain on here about not being able to get a DVR and then seeing how much you have to pay per month just to have one. To get 2 HD Receivers on Mediacom would be $20 a month and I have 3 HD DVR's and pay $15 a month for all three... not each.
My dad has DirecTV as well because in Granite Falls MN they don't really know what they're doing in terms of TV. They actually have HD boxes there however you don't get that many HD channels for what you pay for.
My Grandma pays $60 a month for extended basic cable... she has one TV and doesn't have any boxes or the internet... if that isn't a ripoff I don't know what is.
So therefore I simply make it aware to people who might not know... I sure as hell don't work for DirecTV but I sure as hell enjoy their service and price point.
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Anonymous @ 14th Sep 02:03PM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
So you were able to get 3 HD DVRs for no upfront cost at all? OK. Great for you. I've heard so many stories about people being upset because they were told they have to return their HD receivers even though they paid $100 for them (it was in the fine print, but who reads that?).
Exp basic is almost $70. Is it expensive? I think so. The best value is to bundle all 3 services. Once the promo is up, call and try to get a deal.
I can't blame people for trying to save money. I would do the same thing. In my opinion both cable and satellite service are way overpriced for the content they provide. And this is mainly due to content providers. Cable cos have way bigger overhead costs and that's why they usually cost more.
I never had satellite and I hope I never have to deal with them. It's not a bad product but I just don't like the idea of 2 year contracts where the price is not guaranteed.
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thedragonmas @ 14th Sep 02:34PM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
said by Anonymous :
So you were able to get 3 HD DVRs for no upfront cost at all? OK. Great for you. I've heard so many stories about people being upset because they were told they have to return their HD receivers even though they paid $100 for them (it was in the fine print, but who reads that?).
Exp basic is almost $70. Is it expensive? I think so. The best value is to bundle all 3 services. Once the promo is up, call and try to get a deal.
I can't blame people for trying to save money. I would do the same thing. In my opinion both cable and satellite service are way overpriced for the content they provide. And this is mainly due to content providers. Cable cos have way bigger overhead costs and that's why they usually cost more.
I never had satellite and I hope I never have to deal with them. It's not a bad product but I just don't like the idea of 2 year contracts where the price is not guaranteed.
only $100 for the box's? lucky. when i called bellsouth once they where bunding with satilite, offered me hd box's at no charge.. till they ran a credit check. i admit i had bad credit at the time so i dont blame them for wanting a "deposit" but thats not what it was, they told me id have to BUY the box's up front at $500 each!
not to mention i rent. so if i had to move to a location where i couldnt get sat id be stuck paying for service i couldnt get. i know some one that went thru that. so no way will i ever go with sat or frankly any tv service that i may not be able to get if i move in a contract. nope no way. cable, if i move, cant get it. i cancel. simple as that. sat? no thank you.
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BlakePaulson @ 14th Sep 10:04PM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
Anonymous... I had to pay $199.99 up front for two additional receivers and got one free. If I take service off of one of the boxes they take the box back because just like cable no one owns the box.
Content is expensive (something like $6 just for espn for small cable providers) however knowing how much money is being spent and what you get is highly subjective and everyone has different needs. I'm sure mediacom will get there as their tv service is much better than it used to be however directv suits me better. If it makes you feel any better I think charter is the worst provider I've ever had to use.
As for the 2 year commitment... Yes there is a commitment but if you buy a cell phone you're stuck in a commitment. Directv gives away a lot of deals for the first year and it doesn't take much for them to cave into simple requests. They will let you out of the contract if you move and can't get directv without an ETF. You'd be very stupid to get satellite if you weren't sure you were going to stay in one place for a period of time. I just bought a home so I'll be here for a while.
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thedragonmas @ 15th Sep 03:30AM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
said by BlakePaulson :
As for the 2 year commitment... Yes there is a commitment but if you buy a cell phone you're stuck in a commitment. Directv gives away a lot of deals for the first year and it doesn't take much for them to cave into simple requests. They will let you out of the contract if you move and can't get directv without an ETF. You'd be very stupid to get satellite if you weren't sure you were going to stay in one place for a period of time. I just bought a home so I'll be here for a while.
actually if you buy the cellphone you can get it with out a contract.. its only if you do the "get this phone free" that you have the contract because said phone is not free, its subsidized your just paying it back over time. the ETF staying the same for the entire contract is a majore gripe of mine..
as for being stupid if i wasnt sure i was going to be in a place for a period of time.. stuff happens. rent goes up beyond what one can afford on ssi. fires happen. floods even happen. if i could own my own home you bet id do it. but thats not gonna happen. so dont put that one off on me or any one else that rents.
as for getting out of the contract if you move and cant get the service.. clarify that one for me. is it you cant get it at all theyl let you out. or is it you can get it, its a crappy signale so will let you go. as well or do they make you keep it if the box can get a signale even if its marginal and goes out 20 times a day?
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BlakePaulson @ 15th Sep 12:42PM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
Alright:
#1... just like cell phones that you can get "without a contract" you can also do the same with DirecTV (if you want to buy your own Dish, pay for installation, and buy out the receivers... however doing that costs more than the two year ETF fee regardless.)
#2... wasn't calling you stupid I was just saying that just like all of the reasons you gave it's not a great idea to get a dish if you're in a position to need to move anytime relatively soon. I rented for 5 years before finally buying my own home so I know what it's like to rent.
#3... if you're not able to get a marginal signal (over 70 signal range) then they'll let you out of the contract. Aside from being bombarded with trees most people are able to get DirecTV or Dish wherever they're at (I know of a few people who couldn't get it in my hometown.)
For me DirecTV kicks cable's ass plain and simple and I'm more than happy with my service however not everyone is a TV nut and not everyone has more than one HDTV and needs more than one box. For the people who don't bother with tv much cable seems like a perfectly fine choice however if you want more HD, on demand (which works incredibly well and helps me get my money's use out of the internet connection I pay for anyways) and DVR's that are amazing compared to cable's DVR (pretty close to TiVo and getting better.)
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Bierboy @ 15th Sep 09:23PM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
I repeat...ONE WORD -- ANTENNA
Every other option here costs money and lots of it. Go OTA all the way.
Plus, the video quality is MUCH better...no compression like the sats use....
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crucify @ 15th Sep 10:02PM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
A antenna is going to pull a signal from 60 miles away?
Not everyone lives near a larger town, If it were not for MC I wouldn't have any TV available.
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soitgoes2 @ 15th Sep 10:43PM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
said by crucify :
A antenna is going to pull a signal from 60 miles away?
Sure.
I get reception 60 miles away with a little antenna on my deck.
You'll never know unless you try.
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postmortem @ 16th Sep 12:14AM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
yeah, if you pay over $100 for antenna, which kind of beats the purpose.
Cheap antenna will be able to pick up signal within 30 miles at best.
For example, people are really struggling to get WOI TV in Des Moines, which is where transmitter is located.
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thedragonmas @ 16th Sep 12:26AM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
said by soitgoes2 :said by crucify :
A antenna is going to pull a signal from 60 miles away?
Sure.
I get reception 60 miles away with a little antenna on my deck.
You'll never know unless you try.
congrats. i have this one »www.walmart.com/catalog/product.···11019010 and guess what i get? nothing. not one single channel. since the transition i get NOTHING. atleast before i could get my locals even if they where snowy. now, nothing. so my choices are cable, or satilite. so your lucky, and just because you can get the signale does not mean every one else can too. i live in the middle of the city for crying out loud but cant even pick up my locals.
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HDUser @ 16th Sep 02:26AM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
Same thing with me too. Before the transition, I could pick up every channel in central Iowa, and a few extras out of the viewing area. After the transition, with my expensive amplified antenna, I pick up 2, maybe 3 channels in West Des Moines (can't even pick up the extra channels, such as 8.2, 11.3, 13.2, etc.). I have reset, rescanned, repositioned my antenna; I get nothing, except 8.1 (skips all of the time), 13.1, and 17.1.
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jomama @ 16th Sep 06:21AM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
and how do those Hawks look off air? oh yeah, all the best programming isn't available off air. kinda comparing apples to oranges aren't we?
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Bierboy @ 16th Sep 10:54AM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
said by jomama :
and how do those Hawks look off air? oh yeah, all the best programming isn't available off air. kinda comparing apples to oranges aren't we?
"all the best programming"? gimme a break....to each his own....I did fine with OTA HD programming for five years before getting CableCARDS in my TiVos. Sure there's some decent cable HD programming, but OTA is fine, too.
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thedragonmas @ 16th Sep 01:47PM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
said by Bierboy :said by jomama :
and how do those Hawks look off air? oh yeah, all the best programming isn't available off air. kinda comparing apples to oranges aren't we?
"all the best programming"? gimme a break....to each his own....I did fine with OTA HD programming for five years before getting CableCARDS in my TiVos. Sure there's some decent cable HD programming, but OTA is fine, too.
unless you cant get it.........
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soitgoes2 @ 16th Sep 02:04PM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
said by thedragonmas :
nothing. not one single channel. since the transition i get NOTHING. atleast before i could get my locals even if they where snowy. now, nothing. so my choices are cable, or satilite. so your lucky, and just because you can get the signale does not mean every one else can too. i live in the middle of the city for crying out loud but cant even pick up my locals.
I didn't mean to imply that it would work for everyone. My main point was that it might work for some of them, but that you wouldn't know until you tried. In my experience, digital OTA does sometimes require a bit of experimentation with different antenna options, but it can work.
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k9iua6 @ 18th Sep 09:22AM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
From everything I've been reading (and from my own experiments), most people having problems getting OTA TV signals are having problems either with those stations still on VHF frequencies (as opposed to UHF) and/or are actually too close to the transmitters. Digital TV suffers much more so from multi-path interference, plus has a cliff-like effect with distance (signal there out to a certain distance, and then gone completely beyond that). VHF surprisingly suffers more from this than the UHF signals, although you'd expect the opposite. As you get closer to the transmitter, the multipath effect actually gets more pronounced, especially (but not limited) in urban areas. And I understand that active amplified antennas are more prone to creating problems than helping, as they amplify the noise equally to the signal, which actually worsens the problem. One thing is for sure - OTA digital TV is no longer as predictable, and the old analog solutions no longer work as well. Every new setup is an experiment, and no longer certain to work. What works for one person, may not work for your next-door neighbor or someone of equal distance away from transmitters. But I agree with others - when it does work, the OTA digital signals are nice and OTA can certainly be cost effective if the mix of programming is acceptable.
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Zoomer30 @ 5th Nov 01:48AM:
Re: What options for HDTV on Mediacom?
Seems pointless when the basic cable lineup keeps changing every few weeks. I really think they want the peps to pony up the cash for Family Cable and the HD thing. No thanks. Id go up on the roof of my apartment with an antenna before I pay them more money each month.
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