Got a call from Comcast, tell me why I should not switch

FAiello · Mar 18, 2004

I received a call from Comcast Cable today asking me if I would like to switch from Dish to Comcast. I can get the following programing for $70/mo. this will save me $2/mo and I will get more HD than I get from Dish.

Comcast Cable

Digital Cable $50
HDTV $2
HBO $18
Total $70

HDTV includes CBS-HD, ABC-HD, NBC-HD, PBS_HD, FOX-ED, INHD, INHD2, HBO-HD and ESPN-HD. I will also see my Boston Bruins and Red Sox home games in HD.

Dish Network

Americas TOP 120
Locals
HBO
Cinemax
HD Package
CBS-HD
Total $71.97

Can anyone tell me why I should not change. Is Dish coming out with any new HD soon?

Also I can use a D-VHS recorder with Cable and I can't with Dish. Who knows how long before the 921 will be bug free.

The cable box hooks up using firewire so does the D-VHS, good combination for my Mits RPTV.

To me it looks tempting to change, but can anyone tell me why I should not.

bryan92 · Mar 18, 2004

Its been over 10 years since I have had cable. I have often wondered with digital cable do you get a guide and channel info like you would with satellite? I don't have a choice in cable or satellite so this would be a question that would sway me one way or the other. I know this didn't answer your question but if this feature means as much to you as it does to me then my choice would be easy. I like having these features.

PSB · Mar 18, 2004

Go for the best deal that works for you, what about DirecTV? have you asked to see what they could give you for $70 a month?

Scott Greczkowski · Mar 18, 2004

Yes you get a guide and channel info.

Most COMCAST's use TV Guide Interactive.

You can view and try a demo of it here http://www.tvguideinteractive.tv/default.asp

FAiello · Mar 18, 2004

I use this guide alot also, digital cable does have a program guide similiar to Dish.

Mr Tony · Mar 18, 2004

Do you not want Cinemax anymore?? (You have it in your Dish comparison, but not on the Comcast one)
Is there the same amount of HBO's?
You do get HBO-HD on Dish (that wasnt on your list)

FAiello · Mar 18, 2004

I rarely watch Cinemax because it is not HD if I got Cinemax from Comcast it would be $10 more and I would get Cinemax HD. And yes I do get HBO-HD now from Dish.

bcshields · Mar 18, 2004

how about DVR? Comcast called me to switch, and I said "Yes, if you'll throw in a free DVR, and I can keep it."

After she said "What's a DVR", I hung up.

bryan92 · Mar 18, 2004

Scott Greczkowski said:
Yes you get a guide and channel info.

Most COMCAST's use TV Guide Interactive.

You can view and try a demo of it here http://www.tvguideinteractive.tv/default.asp

Thanks Scott, I have relatives with cable but none with digital. Times they have a changed. I would be interested to know if my po dunk town's cable had these features. I sure have seen a whole lot of superdishes in town now.

I just called the cable company and they do have these features. I might try to get the ma-in-law into the 21st century.

rad · Mar 18, 2004

I gave Comcast a try since they were cheaper then E* and had more channels. Everything was fine except for a few analog channels that looked horrible and Comcast, after four weeks of trying, couldn't figure out what the problem was.

As for the guide, yea they have one but it's really bad, I hated it. There's supposed to be a new 'blue' guide coming something early this year. I'd say to give them a try since it's only a few bucks for install, if you don't like them cancel.

AcuraCL · Mar 18, 2004

FAiello said:
I received a call from Comcast Cable today...
Can anyone tell me why I should not change. ...
To me it looks tempting to change, but can anyone tell me why I should not.

I can only tell you this, which is my personal experience. I had Comcast. In the summer, when there is a thunderstorm, and you "lose cable" you tend to lose it for hours ... with satellite you lose it for minutes. With Comcast, when they upgraded my neighborhood to fiber optic, suddenly my picture would intermittently get all snowy. It could last minutes or hours. I scheduled service 4 times -- they never came during the scheduled time. Thus because I was never there they always thought they had fixed the problem and could not verify that in my home since they were there 2 hours early. They dug up my yard twice to replace underground cable which still did not fix the problem. When they wanted to dig it up a third time, I told them to disconnect the cable permanently and go away.

Perhaps they have improved since then. But that experience was enough for me to decide to never use them again, for anything. Add to the above, they increase rates far too often for me.

mike123abc · Mar 18, 2004

Every local cable company is different, including the same company in different cities. If they have the programming you want at the price you want, I would try them out (if you do not still have a DBS commitment).

You do not have to disconnect and sell all the DBS equipment, just deactivate it (maybe just pay Dish the $5/month) and turn on the cable and see how it is. Give it a month, if you like it better than DBS, ebay your DBS equipment. If not turn back on the DBS equipment (and tell the cable company to disconnect).

Shichonni · Mar 18, 2004

I am tempted to switch back to Cable. Comcast has is getting better with HD channels and with cable you can add as many TVs as you want and not have a required reciever in every room, such as satellite.

I invested in the DVR and 6000, but am leasing the rest of the equipment. I am on the fence as well. With Comcast you can get TIVO, options are still available.

Money is one ascpect of the decision, quality and what is available is another piece and customer satisfaction. I have been a dish customer for about a year and HD programming is not keeping pace with cable, so I am weighing toward cable once again...I know, hard-liner of satellite are cringing, but that's view I see.

Maybe Satellite will open more broadband and get more HD channels and give everyone HD locals which cable now offers...a big PLUS!!!

--Shich

BobMurdoch · Mar 18, 2004

I feel a touch of cable envy due to more HD in my area BUT:

1. Most don't have PVRs yet.
2. Mine doesn't have any Superstations other than WTBS
3. West Coast feeds of premium channels
4. Fear of continuous 5x the rate of inflation price increases.
5. When the blackout hit the northeast last year (but power stayed on in my town), cable went dead (as did my cable modem). All the neighbors came to my place to find out what happened on my TV AND we had New York broadcast affiliates when some of their own OTA transmitters weren't even working (the fiber links were still intact and powered with backup power).
6. No more of those awful locally produced commercials for Billy Bob's Rib House and Laundrymat.

rad · Mar 18, 2004

BobMurdoch said:
I feel a touch of cable envy due to more HD in my area BUT:

1. Most don't have PVRs yet.
2. Mine doesn't have any Superstations other than WTBS
3. West Coast feeds of premium channels
4. Fear of continuous 5x the rate of inflation price increases.
5. When the blackout hit the northeast last year (but power stayed on in my town), cable went dead (as did my cable modem). All the neighbors came to my place to find out what happened on my TV AND we had New York broadcast affiliates when some of their own OTA transmitters weren't even working (the fiber links were still intact and powered with backup power).
6. No more of those awful locally produced commercials for Billy Bob's Rib House and Laundrymat.

But:

#1 - you can buy a standalone Tivo or Replay is your system doesn' t have a PVR.
#2 - Does it really matter to most folks.
#3 - My Comcast system did have more west coast feeds the E* or D*, it depends on the system
#4 - Again, depends on your system, my Comcast system has more channels for less cost then D* (AEP vs. Digital Platinum) plus don't need to pay extra for extra sets that need only analog channels.
#5 - Yep, that can happen, but I've also seen system outages on E* and D* that have taken MANY channels down for hours at a time.
#6 - Agree, but you miss the local weather channel info and local news channels that D* and E* don't carry.

Both services have their good points and bad. The key is to not assume that one or the other isn't worth taking a good look at. A coworked that's a long time E* customer just dumped them and moved to Comcast. He's getting more channels then he had on E* for less $'s and picked up broadband internet access and is happy with the PQ.

dishsystems · Mar 18, 2004

You also need to find out how many digital rcvrs.you can get in your house.Typically the price quoted to you is for one rcvr and the rest on analog cable.Real bummer to be in bed and watch the TV guide channel all night.Right now if you have a rcvr. in your room you are in control.Rumor also has it that Dish may be trying to cut a deal with voom to lease some more hd channels.(posted here I believe).Sure the price and the picture look good now but just wait a few months....that will change!

rad · Mar 18, 2004

dishsystems said:
You also need to find out how many digital rcvrs.you can get in your house.Typically the price quoted to you is for one rcvr and the rest on analog cable.QUOTE]

That's true. My Comcast system gives you one, if you want additional it's $4.95 per month, gee the same as a DBS mirroring fee (after you either purchase a STB or make a commitment for a free one). They do charge more if you want a HD STB, that's $5.00 per month, $0.05 more then a DBS mirroring fee. Again, your system might charge, some less, but that's what my Comcast system charges. And just an FYI, here's the channels that the system carries: http://www.comcast.com/Popups/ChannelLineupPrint.asp?Print=1&CLUID=82880 It would be nice if they carried DHDT and the HDNet channels but the trade off is you don't need an antenna for local HD channels.

boba · Mar 18, 2004

Here Comcast is advertising $400 off cable for switching from satellite. $25.00 off for 16 months is that reflected in the $70 price you quoted?

bcshields · Mar 18, 2004

boba said:
Here Comcast is advertising $400 off cable for switching from satellite. $25.00 off for 16 months is that reflected in the $70 price you quoted?

Damn.. is that how it works??? Doesn't seem like much of a deal to me. Charge me $85 and take 25 away.. I'd STILL be paying more with Comcast than I would with Dish.

Seanb61 · Mar 18, 2004

You want MORE HDTV?

Check out www.Voom.com

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