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Dee_Ann
Last reply · posted in The Phone & Tablet Zone
Hi,

To make a long story short, I was with a small, regional cell phone company for many years and my monthly bill was about $35 a month, total. I had a minimal local only plan with 200 minutes a month outgoing (which I NEVER went over) and unimited 24/7 incoming minutes. I would call someone and say "Hey, call me right back" and hang up, they would call me and we could talk for hours and hours on end because ALL my incoming calls were free, always. This worked great for me for years. I never, ever had a problem, never went over my minutes, never got smacked with overage fees, nothing. 10 years of smoooooooooth sailing.

THEN, AT&T came in and bought up the little regional company I was with. Uh oh...
AT&T sent me a letter promising that my contract and calling plan and prices would be honored and never changed, no worries, nothing at all would change other than I would be paying AT&T instead of Centennial Wireless. Right......

For a few months, everything was good. No problems. Just as they said, my bills remained as they had for all those years.

Then one day DOOM from the sky. The Death Star blasted me with a SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLAR phone bill.

They totally tossed out my old contract, plan, everything. The word for what they did to me starts with an F. Yeah, they did that to me, hard.

So. Now I want to switch to Verizon and get on a family plan with my folks but I want to wait until the next generation iPhone comes out, the new Verizon iPhone sucks and I don't want to get locked into a crummy phone when we all know that they WILL come out with a much improved model soon.

So until they do, I need to hang in there with AT&T then switch when the new Verizon iPhone comes out.

But to survive until then I want to stop using my cell phone unless it's a life or death emergency. I am using a hacked iPhone 3GS my son gave me, he fixed it to work on Centennial and it worked great until AT&T shut down all the old Centennial towers. We now have ONE AT&T tower in town and the service is horrible. I verified this via the FCC website.

I have never used the data option on the iPhone because the old Centennial chip in it does not support internet. So when I was away from home it was a cell phone only. When I am in my home and near my WIFI, I can do all sorts of neato internet things on it. Or in McDonalds. Or anywhere with free WIFI.

So, I installed Skype on my iPhone but it really sucks. You have to log in with your password every single time you want to call out and when you put the phone in sleep mode it kills skype so incoming calls can't come in. Useless.

I have a Belkin Skype phone but it's junk. It drops calls like crazy and there have been no firmware updates in two years. Almost useless.

I have Road Runner cable internet and it's pretty darn fast. But I do NOT want to get Road Runner telephone service. It's $100 a month for crappy cable TV that I do not want, internet and phone. Supposedly for $33 a month each. I'm sure that after a year it will double. I don't want to pay $100 a month. I don't want their crappy cable TV.

All I have is RR internet and that's all I want from them, not one thing more, not one thing less. They already slam me with a $10 a month penalty for NOT having cable TV. That's theft. Charging me for something that I do not get? Theft...


I've done Skype to Skype with people and the quality was so good it was scary. It was like they were sitting here in the room with me.

But being tethered to my pc with a stupid little headset is not an option and most people I communicate with do not have skype anyway.

I could get Skype in and Skype out so I can call land/cell lines but doing it over my iPhone is just not feasible and the Belkin phone is junk.

I do not want that scam device, "Magic Jack" for several reasons, #1 being that you are required to leave a Windows computer running 24/7. I do not use windows, I use Ubuntu Linux. I have a windows home theater pc but it is not connected to the internet and NEVER will be. I do not trust or like windows at all. Period.
I also heard that Magic Jack listens in on your calls and interrupts your calls with advertisements based on key words it picks up from your conversation. That's UNCOOL... No thanks...

And again, Windows is not an option. I refuse to use it. Period.


I need some sort of phone system that will work transparently on my Road Runner cable 10Mbps connection, that allows me to call land lines and cell phones and that allows anyone from anywhere to call me with their land line or cell phone.

I'm willing to pay up to a max of $25 a month for such a service.

I would like to be able to plug a box into my router then plug a standard cordless home phone into it so I can then make and take calls like any other old fashioned phone.
Caller ID is a must. I don't care about other features but caller ID is a must have. If I don't recognize a phone number I don't answer the phone, period. Without caller ID I would have a phone that I can't use because I wouldn't know who was calling and thus would not answer it, ever. Duh.

My house has no wiring at all in it for telephones. Not one inch of phone wire exists in my house. So I would just plug a cordless base unit into my cable router.

I've heard that Vonage is terrible. Very terrible.

Skype was decent BUT, how can I connect a normal home cordless phone into Skype? The Belkin phone is WIFI so it's a no brainer but it's a horrible phone. When it does work, it's great. But it drops calls 100x worse than AT&T..

I have heard there are Linux programs for turning a PC into a phone system but that's way above my head. I'm a simple end user, I am not a hacker. I just use Linux to browse the internet in safety, I don't do anything else with it and don't know a lot about it except that it's very trouble free. :D

If I can find some way to get phone over the internet for like maybe a year until the new Verizon iPhone comes out, that would be awesome.

I know you guys are really smart with this stuff so I figured I would ask here first.

Oh, and I don't need the ability to call outside of the US, heck I don't even know anyone outside of my little town. I might need to make a rare call to another city in state for my doctor but that would be about it. All those silly international plans are useless to me and a waste of money, I would NEVER call outside the US, ever. I've never even left the US. I rarely leave the bleeping house!


Is there any hope or am I just poop out of luck?

Thanks guys! :)
21 Replies · 3414 views
charper1
Google Voice and online softphone are fairly easy to get and use once you can get past the mental aspect of it. You can also check out Internet Phone Service & Broadband Phone Service by ViaTalk VoIP for a traditional VoIP service. They have both monthly or yearly billing. I buy it 2 years at a time for $199. Easy to setup too. I have had them for years with ho issues.
mike123abc
I use viatalk. $179 for 2 years. There is a $2.50/month 911 and tax billed every month.

Unlimited US&Canada 60 minutes international every month. Unlimited really means 5000 minutes if you read the fine print.
Dee_Ann
Well, I have had my Vonage phone a little under a week now and I am pleased to say that it seems to work really well.
I can't really find anything to complain about it.

I am however very, very aggravated by phone calls from debt collectors who are seeking the previous owner of my new phone number.
I am a day sleeper and the other day Capital One called for the 700th time (average 4-6 times a day) and I snapped when they woke me up on SATURDAY morning.

I cursed out the little dude like nothing he had ever heard before and told them if they didn't stop calling me and remove my number from their computer that I would drive up there and whup some butts. Rule #1: Do NOT make a red head angry. Capital One totally broke Rule #1.

So we shall see what happens Monday.

I guess the one thing I don't like is that they don't offer the option to blacklist individual phone numbers. You can block calls from people that try to hide their caller ID info and that's good but I wish I could block individual numbers from reaching me. That is really the only shortcoming I can see with their service.

I purchased a very nice set of cordless phones from newegg Newegg.com - AT&T CL82309 1.9 GHz Digital DECT 6.0 3X Handsets Cordless Phone Integrated Answering Machine and they work great!
They are designed not to interfere with WIFI and microwave ovens and for me that's a big plus. I also carried one across the street to my neighbors house and it worked great from I would guess, almost 100 yards away and through two houses. I put the base unit in my little home office / computer room then put chargers/extensions in the kitchen and on my headboard. The quality is really good and clear. I logged into the Vonage controller and set the audio quality (bandwidth) to the highest and gave it highest priority over everything else. The handsets also have speakerphones built into them and they work well there too. Call waiting with caller ID works just fine too.

So, essentially I now have a real home phone for the first time in over 10 years! Now my AT&T cell phone (buncha thieves!) is to be used only for life or death emergencies, on the road, etc.. But never, never used as a home phone anymore. Not after they nailed me with a $727 one month bill.
My bills had been consistantly less than $50 a month for 10 years when it was Centennial Wireless but then AT&T bought them out and changed my plan and played sneaky thief in the night games on me.

So now I'm waiting for the next generation iPhone to come out at Verizon and at that time I plan to dump AT&T forever and switch to Verizon. IF, AT&T hasn't consumed them as well.

They are about to gobble up T-Mobile so the options (here) are dropping rapidly. I refuse to use Sprint (I had them before and they suck!). If I go to Verizon later in the year I can get on the family plan with my folks and get a next gen iPhone with a basic plan, minimum data, etc.. I just need a small bit of internet when I leave the house like gas price apps or shopping apps so I can find best prices locally when I'm shopping. A good smart phone is invaluable when you are out shopping and trying to save money.

But darned if I am going to use one to play silly games or watch movies or TV or listen to music or download ringtones.

And at average $5 each to send text messages? Oh heck no... Never again.. Text messages are OUT... That's the biggest rip off I've ever seen!

Anyway, for now I am happy with the basic $9.95 a month (like $14 with tax and fees) for Vonage.

I wonder though what I have to do to ensure that it remains an unlisted number? I know with AT&T I had to pay a monthly fee to have an unlisted number on my home phone way back when. Wow. That's a rip off! I guess I need to call Vonage and ask them..

But yeah, Vonage is pretty decent so far.. I think I made a good choice... :)

Thanks guys for all your input, I am still going to look into all your suggestions and if in the future I have problems or need to upgrade to features that Vonage doesn't offer, I will for sure consider all your suggestions...

You guys rock! :)
mike123abc
That is one of the things I like about viatalk. You can blacklist numbers. You can also have numbers that are allowed to ring. You can for example say that between certain hours all calls go to voice mail except a list. You can also pattern match on the name/number. So you could route all 800/888/866 and unknowns to voicemail.

You can also set numbers to get a recording to remove from list and you do not want their calls.

You can even have numbers forced to answer questions to prove they are not a computer. For example you can have all the people on your white list go through. Anyone else has to answer a question (they say punch in a code - if they do not punch in the code they are not allowed to ring through).
riffjim4069
Google Voice and online softphone are fairly easy to get and use once you can get past the mental aspect of it. You can also check out Internet Phone Service & Broadband Phone Service by ViaTalk VoIP for a traditional VoIP service. They have both monthly or yearly billing. I buy it 2 years at a time for $199. Easy to setup too. I have had them for years with ho issues.
I have Google Voice...I just haven't figured-out why I would use it since we have mobile phones and ViaTalk. BTW, I have nothing but good things to say about ViaTalk - great service, great price.
Dee_Ann
That is one of the things I like about viatalk. You can blacklist numbers. You can also have numbers that are allowed to ring. You can for example say that between certain hours all calls go to voice mail except a list. You can also pattern match on the name/number. So you could route all 800/888/866 and unknowns to voicemail.

You can also set numbers to get a recording to remove from list and you do not want their calls.

You can even have numbers forced to answer questions to prove they are not a computer. For example you can have all the people on your white list go through. Anyone else has to answer a question (they say punch in a code - if they do not punch in the code they are not allowed to ring through).

Now that sounds really cool!

Some telemarketing robot keeps calling me every bleeping day to donate for some cause that I couldn't get a rat's rump about. It's 100% automated and there's no way to stop the darn thing from calling me that I can find out. If I ignore it the stupid thing triggers my voice mail then I have to go through the bother of erasing their idiotic messages every day..

One thing that I liked about my cell phone, NO ONE ever called me on it that I didn't want calling me with one exception. One of my ex's started calling my cell phone about 2 years ago and I installed iBlacklist to silently screen incoming calls. When he would call the phone would not ring at all, it would simply go off hook then immediately hang up on him. I never had any indication that he ever called unless I went through the blacklist logs. I love that app!

I sure wish I had that for Vonage.
Bruce
Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in DIRECTV General Forum
Thanks to Fitch Ratings ( who gives the ratings on Credit and debt, as approved by the SEC, so they have accurate numbers) we have the totals.

DIRECTV's video subscriber base is the third-largest traditional multi-channel video programming distributor (MVPD) in the U.S. with about 8.2 million subscribers at the end of 1Q26.

The last time it was reported, it was 8.8M at the end of 2Q25, so only a 600,000 loss for 3 quarters, which is a major improvement, since for many years before that, it was losing 500,000 a quarter, 2 Million a year.

It is now losing less than Dish/Sling combined, I believe the Genre Packs are helping to retain and get subscribers.

5 Replies · 343 views
raoul5788
They have one less as of May 15th. I just couldn't justify almost $150 a month any more. I went to Fubo. Edit: And I've been a Directv customer for 30 years!
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b4pjoe
They have one less as of May 15th. I just couldn't justify almost $150 a month any more. I went to Fubo.
Fubo would be a non starter for me. Missing channels:
  • NBCUniversal Channels: NBC local affiliates, USA Network, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC, E!, Syfy, Telemundo, and the Golf Channel.
  • NBC Sports: Regional sports networks like NBC Sports Bay Area, Boston, California, and Philadelphia are also off the air.
  • Warner Bros. Discovery Channels: TBS, TNT, TruTV, CNN, Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, and Animal Planet.
  • A&E Networks: A&E, History, Lifetime, and Vice.
  • AMC Networks: AMC, IFC, SundanceTV, and WE tv
Plus most of its live TV channels and sports broadcasts are currently delivered in 720p.
Jimbo
Fubo would be a non starter for me. Missing channels:
  • NBCUniversal Channels: NBC local affiliates, USA Network, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC, E!, Syfy, Telemundo, and the Golf Channel.
  • NBC Sports: Regional sports networks like NBC Sports Bay Area, Boston, California, and Philadelphia are also off the air.
  • Warner Bros. Discovery Channels: TBS, TNT, TruTV, CNN, Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, and Animal Planet.
  • A&E Networks: A&E, History, Lifetime, and Vice.
  • AMC Networks: AMC, IFC, SundanceTV, and WE tv
Plus most of its live TV channels and sports broadcasts are currently delivered in 720p.
YouTube TV
raoul5788
Fubo would be a non starter for me. Missing channels:
  • NBCUniversal Channels: NBC local affiliates, USA Network, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC, E!, Syfy, Telemundo, and the Golf Channel.
  • NBC Sports: Regional sports networks like NBC Sports Bay Area, Boston, California, and Philadelphia are also off the air.
  • Warner Bros. Discovery Channels: TBS, TNT, TruTV, CNN, Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, and Animal Planet.
  • A&E Networks: A&E, History, Lifetime, and Vice.
  • AMC Networks: AMC, IFC, SundanceTV, and WE tv
Plus most of its live TV channels and sports broadcasts are currently delivered in 720p.
Understandable. It's always a choice of price vs channels. The $60/month difference made my choice easier.
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A
YouTube TV
YTTV don't carry the Regional sports channels
S
Last reply · posted in DIRECTV General Forum
Recently came back to DirectTV Satellite service and have two boxes, Gemini and a main HR54.

DirecTV is charging me two "TV access fees" of $10 each, but can only watch TV on the one without the server. Is there anything I can do to fix this?
24 Replies · 936 views
FHSPSU67
First receiver should be free. It is for me.
b4pjoe
First receiver should be free. It is for me.
It is for me too. Back when they merged DIRECTV via Internet and DIRECTV Stream into one service they raised the TV access fee from $7.00 to $10.00 from both streaming and satellite and they eliminated the first receiver free for new customers only. Existing customers weren't affected by the new price and the elimination of the first receiver free policy.
S
It is for me too. Back when they merged DIRECTV via Internet and DIRECTV Stream into one service they raised the TV access fee from $7.00 to $10.00 from both streaming and satellite and they eliminated the first receiver free for new customers only. Existing customers weren't affected by the new price and the elimination of the first receiver free policy.
All of this makes me want to cancel satellite again! Customer service said we were getting billed for an old receiver but the call got cut off.

Will call back and try to get this resolved. As of now, only one TV can access satellite service. Would hope they can send another Gemini to be co-located w the main HR54.
S
Update: after 20 mins on phone with a non North American call center agent, they are sending a tech out. The tech support couldn't understand that the HR54 was at a different TV than the Gemini.
A
Update: after 20 mins on phone with a non North American call center agent, they are sending a tech out. The tech support couldn't understand that the HR54 was at a different TV than the Gemini.
this is why we canceled support and the csr's are garbage even the american ones. it's still under the att system!!!
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne


Get it?


An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
67110 Replies · 2662364 views
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Bobby
I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You) - B.J. Thomas
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long_time_DNC
Help Is On Its Way - Little River Band
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sdfntx
Little Band of Gold - Sonny James
RaiderPower
Band Of Gold - Freda Payne
long_time_DNC
Heart Of Gold - Neil Young
zippyfrog
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Phone & Tablet Zone
I feel like this was discussed in another thread, but I can't find it. I have T-Mobile and my last iPhone upgrade was in 2020. I want to get a new iPhone, but what is the best way to go about doing it? Should I order the iPhone from T-Mobile directly, or should I buy from the Apple Store? I feel like there are pros/cons to each option.
2 Replies · 31 views
navychop
I know of no reason to buy from a cell company.

Buying from Apple gets an unlocked phone.

PS- New models come out in Octoberish.
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Foxbat
I got a carrier-locked iPhone once, and it was a pain after they got bought by Sprint and I decided to go to T-Mobile and they dragged their feet to unlock the phone. I have been trading in my iPhones since and buying from the Apple Store since then.
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C
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
I have a Hopper with Sling. (Don't know exact model.) A couple nights ago, I went into the DVR screen, and noted that it was recording three programs. Yet I was able to view live TV (that was not one of the channels being recorded.) Did something change? In the past, it would only let me watch one of the channels being recorded, or any recording in the DVR menu. Maybe it was streaming, although there was no indication of that?

Apologies if this has been covered; I searched and didn't find anything.

Thanks.
9 Replies · 349 views
C
So I tested.

Started recording three non-network shows and tried to watch live TV, would not do it, because all three tuners were in use.

Started recording two non-network shows and one network show. Still would not let me tune live TV.

Started recording one non-network show and two network shows, then it allowed live TV.

I would assume then that previously I was recording two or three network shows when it allowed live TV; I honestly don't remember what it was doing, and I didn't think to check.

Thanks for replies, everyone.

PS - How does one know whether a program is streaming? Is there a way to force streaming?
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Bobby
So I tested.

Started recording three non-network shows and tried to watch live TV, would not do it, because all three tuners were in use.

Started recording two non-network shows and one network show. Still would not let me tune live TV.

Started recording one non-network show and two network shows, then it allowed live TV.

I would assume then that previously I was recording two or three network shows when it allowed live TV; I honestly don't remember what it was doing, and I didn't think to check.

Thanks for replies, everyone.

PS - How does one know whether a program is streaming? Is there a way to force streaming?
There is no way to force streaming. It is a satellite channel or streaming channel except for the rare occasion that the satellite signal fails. If that happens some, not all, channels will automatically change to streaming. You can tell if the channel is streaming by pressing guide on the remote. if it is a streaming channel the guide will clearly show it that way.
navychop
Cough, cough, Hopper3!
C
There is no way to force streaming. It is a satellite channel or streaming channel except for the rare occasion that the satellite signal fails. If that happens some, not all, channels will automatically change to streaming. You can tell if the channel is streaming by pressing guide on the remote. if it is a streaming channel the guide will clearly show it that way.
Thanks, Bobby.
A
chokes hopper 3 all the way... 16 tuners vs 3 tuners is a night and day difference. along with a faster processor. i would call in and see if they would upgrade me or you can buy a hopper 3 from solid signal.
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Smuuth
Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in SatelliteGuys Classifieds

WANTED  DirecTV LCC

Anyone have a DirecTV Local Channel Connector that you'd like to get rid of at a reasonable price? DirecTV is currently in a contract dispute with owner of my local ABC affiliate.
12 Replies · 297 views
b4pjoe
Anyone have a DirecTV Local Channel Connector that you'd like to get rid of at a reasonable price? DirecTV is currently in a contract dispute with owner of my local ABC affiliate.
You should ask DIRECTV for one if you are affected by the dispute. I know in the past they have given them out during a dispute. Not sure if they still do that but it is free to ask.
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Smuuth
You should ask DIRECTV for one if you are affected by the dispute. I know in the past they have given them out during a dispute. Not sure if they still do that but it is free to ask.
I already asked, but the CS agent said they wouldn't do it. They said the only thing they could do is $10/month bill credit.
Jimbo
I already asked, but the CS agent said they wouldn't do it. They said the only thing they could do is $10/month bill credit.
Take the $10 and Call Back ...
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Smuuth
Take the $10 and Call Back ...
I did that. The response was that the LCC is not available. Escalated the issue to a tech support person with the same results. 🤬
  • Wow
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Jimbo
I did that. The response was that the LCC is not available. Escalated the issue to a tech support person with the same results. 🤬
Could be out of them I guess ... I'd keep trying, every 3-4 days.

If they are not out of them as them WHY you can't get one, seeing Your in a Dispute. Thats what they are for.
I would make them give you a real answer, don't let them off the hook.


I had one, and it worked well, but I believe I gave it to another D* friend (also had a AM21), I know I gave them away ...
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Smuuth
Could be out of them I guess ... I'd keep trying, every 3-4 days.

If they are not out of them as them WHY you can't get one, seeing Your in a Dispute. Thats what they are for.
According to the tech support guy, they don't have any in stock. He said I should receive an email when and if they have them. I even told him I would accept a refurbished unit. 🙄
Jimbo
According to the tech support guy, they don't have any in stock. He said I should receive an email when and if they have them. I even told him I would accept a refurbished unit. 🙄
I'm not sure your going to find any Refurbished ones as D* doesn't ask for them back.
Smuuth
I'm not sure your going to find any Refurbished ones as D* doesn't ask for them back.
Yeah, I know. At one point, I even had 3 AM21s but gave them away when I got rid of my last HR54 and switched to the HS17.
A
Good luck they haven't made them in years. you could poke around on ebay and see if there's any on there. if not why not a tablo or a zapper box with an antenna connected to it
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Smuuth
Good luck they haven't made them in years. you could poke around on ebay and see if there's any on there. if not why not a tablo or a zapper box with an antenna connected to it
I have my OTA antenna connected to my television directly already so watching is not the issue. The reason I want the LCC is so I could record programs if I'm not at home to watch them live, especially since ABC is carrying both the NBA and NHL playoffs.
I have an active search on eBay and there is one there but he wants $180 plus shipping and I am not going to pay that.
A
I have my OTA antenna connected to my television directly already so watching is not the issue. The reason I want the LCC is so I could record programs if I'm not at home to watch them live, especially since ABC is carrying both the NBA and NHL playoffs.
I have an active search on eBay and there is one there but he wants $180 plus shipping and I am not going to pay that.
a tablo box is cheaper
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A
why invest in hardware that's going to be boat anchors in a few years?
zippyfrog
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
Did anyone have a price increase today on their equipment? I own my VIP211k's, and they have been $5.00. My bill that I received last week shows the "add-ons" as being $5.00. However, I just logged into my Dish account, and my "add-ons" are now $10.00. Did the additional receivers go up by $5.00 recently?

As I mentioned, my last bill shows $5.00 and under the notes, nothing is mentioned about a price increase.
11 Replies · 196 views
T
Does cable charge box rent?
R
Does cable charge box rent?
The cable company I was with years ago did charge $9.99 for a receiver.

RJ T.
From Illinois
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R
Did anyone have a price increase today on their equipment? I own my VIP211k's, and they have been $5.00. My bill that I received last week shows the "add-ons" as being $5.00. However, I just logged into my Dish account, and my "add-ons" are now $10.00. Did the additional receivers go up by $5.00 recently?

As I mentioned, my last bill shows $5.00 and under the notes, nothing is mentioned about a price increase.
I went to try to add the Heartland channel as dummy to see what it would do for me as I own my receiver and have DISH Outdoors and this is what mine shows. (Note however I had to take the 2nd receiver I told you I added the other day off because I was told you can only have 1 receiver when you have a one outlet on the Dish Playmaker and was having issues with the 2nd receiver and I didn't know that and that was done yesterday as well so I am back to one receiver.)

Let's upgrade your package.

Your monthly bill will increase by $6.00 per month.

Breakdown

June 11, 2026 - July 11, 2026
You are changing your programming in the middle of the bill cycle. The bill shown below is your bill for next month including prorations and credits. Your following bill will return to the fixed rate. This bill will take effect from now until July 11, 2026.
Monthly Services
$86.99

Flex Pack
$72.99
Local Channels
$14.00
Add-Ons
$68.98

National Action Pack
$12.00
Regional Action Pack
$12.00
News Pack
$10.00
Paramount+ with Showtime
$10.00
Drama and Classics Pack
$6.00
Heartland Pack
$6.00
Starz Encore Movies
$6.00
On DISH Magazine
$4.99
Starz 2 Mo ($11)
$1.99
Prorated Charges
$7.93

Heartland Pack Jun 11 - Jul 20
$7.93
Order Total
$7.93

Prorated Total
$7.93
Due Today
$7.93

Transition Bill Total
$156.10
Proposed Changes

Your monthly bill will increase by $6.00 per month
Monthly Services
$86.99
Add-Ons
$68.98
FCC Regulatory Surcharge
$0.13
Taxes & Surcharges
$0.00

Monthly Total
$156.10
Prorated Total
$7.93
Order Total
$7.93

Due Today
$7.93

Sounds like an issue with DISH Billing

RJ T.
From Illinois

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zippyfrog
I asked again, and the rep I talked to said it is a glitch and that "Access for TV" shouldn't be there - the rep pulled up my future month bills and that charge isn't on it. So I am not going to worry about it right now, but it will be interesting to see when the price changes happen later this year. Will this line item show up? The fact that it is a specific item that is different from anything makes me think it is more than a glitch. But we shall see.
R
I asked again, and the rep I talked to said it is a glitch and that "Access for TV" shouldn't be there - the rep pulled up my future month bills and that charge isn't on it. So I am not going to worry about it right now, but it will be interesting to see when the price changes happen later this year. Will this line item show up? The fact that it is a specific item that is different from anything makes me think it is more than a glitch. But we shall see.
I am hoping they don't add this down the road. Things are expensive the way it is now. Even DIRECTV allows the first receiver free. This would go against DISH and DISH is already loosing subscribers I wouldn't think they would do these kind of tricks but you never know. Always look at your bills for unknow charges. I heard horror stories of people getting charged for things they didn't know were there.

RJ T.
From Illinois
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A
Does cable charge box rent?
yes big cable charges crazy dvr fee's and box rental fee's
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T
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
Hello everyone, new guy here. I'm trying to solve problem I'm having with Dish bonus view channels. When I'm watching the bonus view channels then I switch back to regular dish channels, after few minutes the screen flips to black and after 30 seconds flips back to regular channels and continues to flip back and forth until I turn off TV. After I wait 30 minutes and turn back on , I can use regular channels again. So, its after I switch from bonus view channels to regular dish channels the problem starts. Been trying to fix this for a month, but no luck
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks
6 Replies · 99 views
HipKat
Hello everyone, new guy here. I'm trying to solve problem I'm having with Dish bonus view channels. When I'm watching the bonus view channels then I switch back to regular dish channels, after few minutes the screen flips to black and after 30 seconds flips back to regular channels and continues to flip back and forth until I turn off TV. After I wait 30 minutes and turn back on , I can use regular channels again. So, its after I switch from bonus view channels to regular dish channels the problem starts. Been trying to fix this for a month, but no luck
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks
First off, great TV. I'm torn between the 77C5 or the 77G5.
It sounds like the handshake between the Receiver and the TV is having a problem. Are you using the free cable that came with the Joey or a higher speed HDMI cable?? That's the f irst place I'd look
R
Hello everyone, new guy here. I'm trying to solve problem I'm having with Dish bonus view channels. When I'm watching the bonus view channels then I switch back to regular dish channels, after few minutes the screen flips to black and after 30 seconds flips back to regular channels and continues to flip back and forth until I turn off TV. After I wait 30 minutes and turn back on , I can use regular channels again. So, its after I switch from bonus view channels to regular dish channels the problem starts. Been trying to fix this for a month, but no luck
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks
First off, The analog to digital switch, also known as the digital television transition, is the process of converting older analog television broadcasting technology to digital broadcasting. It's used through coaxial cable for the an antenna during the mandatory switch from Analog to Digital on June 12, 2009. You either had to get a converter for your analog (Tube TV) or use a converter box that has the analog or digital tuner or an HDTV which your is and has the tuner built in. Your TV is HD and using an HDMI Cable and nothing is connected by coaxial cable so this wouldn't apply.

In my theory it probably means a new TV. I had a TV go out on my switching between the Smart Screen from the HDMI inputs before because they went faulty. Sometimes electrical surges can cause this. If you have an older home or rent an older home or apartment sometimes the electrical outlets are not grounded and these days HDTV's need a ground which can cause them to malfunction and go bad quicker. Never plug it directly in an outlet. It will damage the TV.

Hope I could be of some assistance.

RJ T.
From Illinois
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T
First off, The analog to digital switch, also known as the digital television transition, is the process of converting older analog television broadcasting technology to digital broadcasting. It's used through coaxial cable for the an antenna during the mandatory switch from Analog to Digital on June 12, 2009. You either had to get a converter for your analog (Tube TV) or use a converter box that has the analog or digital tuner or an HDTV which your is and has the tuner built in. Your TV is HD and using an HDMI Cable and nothing is connected by coaxial cable so this wouldn't apply.

In my theory it probably means a new TV. I had a TV go out on my switching between the Smart Screen from the HDMI inputs before because they went faulty. Sometimes electrical surges can cause this. If you have an older home or rent an older home or apartment sometimes the electrical outlets are not grounded and these days HDTV's need a ground which can cause them to malfunction and go bad quicker. Never plug it directly in an outlet. It will damage the TV.

Hope I could be of some assistance.

RJ T.
From Illinois
Thank you for the information. I do keep the TV plugged into a surge protector, but we have had pretty strong thunderstorms/lightning in the last month so that have contributed to my problem.The house was built in 2009 so everything seems to be grounded correctly. We have had a power surge also. Seems like no one fixes anything any more, so just get a new one or live with the problem. Thanks
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T
First off, great TV. I'm torn between the 77C5 or the 77G5.
It sounds like the handshake between the Receiver and the TV is having a problem. Are you using the free cable that came with the Joey or a higher speed HDMI cable?? That's the f irst place I'd look
I think the HDMI cable is good, i used one of my own from my 4K atmos system, i'll switch it with another just to check. Also I have a bid in at Greentoe for 77" G5. Thanks
HipKat
I think the HDMI cable is good, i used one of my own from my 4K atmos system, i'll switch it with another just to check. Also I have a bid in at Greentoe for 77" G5. Thanks
I hope that works. I'm waiting til Black Friday sales
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Darrell S
I've had this problem with my older Sony TV. It happens when I just punch in a regular channel number. The only way it works right for me is to push guide and select a regular channel from the guide screen.
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teachsac
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!
Last reply · posted in TV Shows
House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones, premieres on HBO Max on 8/21. I will be warching



View: https://youtu.be/fNwwt25mheo


S~
39 Replies · 5645 views
KAB
KAB
That was as bad as the rest of the show. Jean Smart was mostly invisible.
Jim S.
I prefer the trailer for the movie adaptation of Mario Kart. At least that had Pedro Pascal in it.
harshness
"A new line of unsullied kings" would seem impossible given the GoT definition of "unsullied". :biggrin
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osu1991