Social Feed

klen

Supporting Founder

Last reply Apr 28, 2005 · posted in Cable Television and Fiber Providers

any Comcast deals in the Chicago area?

I used to be an E* customer, but my trees grew in and blocked one of their birds, and many of their best channels. As much as I dislike cable, it looks like my choices are between Comcast and Directv here in the Chicago area, and I am not even sure if I have a good view of D*'s birds. That's why voom was great for me.

So, until I get a very tall ladder and some very large gonads to go up my 60' trees with a chainsaw, it looks like I may be stuck with Comcast.

Anyone know of any good local deals with them, and how reliable are they?

Thanks.

-k

15 Replies · 6826 views

Load Replies (15) Reply Legacy View

Sparkman

Apr 27, 2005

I do hope it works out for you. Do you also have an OTA? One thing Comcast does not have yet is WPWR ch 50 in HD. There are also rumors flying around that WCIU
launch its HD coverage soon. Also, be prepared for pretty lousy PQ on the analog channels, especially if your TV is 36" or larger. All & all, I've been pretty happ with them, but if I have to watch somthing on the analog channels, sometimes I just go away from the big screen & watch on a smaller TV, it doesn't look quite so bad.
Good Luck

klen

Apr 27, 2005

Sparkman said:
I do hope it works out for you. Do you also have an OTA? One thing Comcast does not have yet is WPWR ch 50 in HD. There are also rumors flying around that WCIU
launch its HD coverage soon. Also, be prepared for pretty lousy PQ on the analog channels, especially if your TV is 36" or larger. All & all, I've been pretty happ with them, but if I have to watch somthing on the analog channels, sometimes I just go away from the big screen & watch on a smaller TV, it doesn't look quite so bad.
Good Luck

I have a 10' Winegard OTA that Voom supplied me. I was thinking of taking it down, but I also have it hooked into my audio receiver. It helps a ton for bringing in Chicago radio stations. My tv is only 32", but I am in the market for a larger one. My entertainment center will handle up to a 42" widescreen.

At any rate, Comcast will be $29.99/month for Digital Silver package including HBO for the first 6 months, then $44.99 for months 7-9, and so on, with no commitment. I am hoping we will know what E* & D* are doing before the end of the year.

Thanks again.

-k

crspam

Apr 27, 2005

one warning for you regarding OTA. The comcast box doesn't have an integrated OTA tuner and, therefore, also doesn't have an input for OTA. If you want to use it.....you'll have to support it through a separate box.

klen

Apr 28, 2005

crspam said:
The best deal that I've heard of so far (and the one I signed up for) is the "dish buy back" deal. You get $25 off your monthly bill for 16 months. I got the digital silver package, HD dual tuner receiver for $5/month, DVR for $10/month, and a second SD receiver for another $5/month.

My total bill w/o tax is ~$63/month.

So far I'm really happy with the service. Be warned, however, for the HD Receiver there is a settings menu that can only be accessed while the receiver is powered off and then hitting the "menu" button on the remote. In this menu you can set the desired output resolution, native aspect ratio, and how the box will treat 4:3 signals (e.g. stretch it, leave it alone, or upconvert it to 480p, etc). The installer never bothered to talk about this menu to me......so when I first started watching I was thinking comcast was a sorry, sorry alternative to VOOM. Since finding and fixing this menu, however, I'm very pleased with the PQ. That, the HD-DVR function, the dual tuner, and the OnDemand features all have me pretty pleased with my new post-Voom choice.

One last question- Do you think the DVR is necessary if you have the OnDemand feature?

-k

Sparkman

Apr 28, 2005

klen said:
One last question- Do you think the DVR is necessary if you have the OnDemand feature?

-k

Most Definately, YES DVR lets you watch what you want, when you want. On Demand has programs they have selected, may or may not be what you like, & only from certain networks. In 4 months, we have watched ON Demand shows maybe 6 times, never ordered a PPV, but have recorded & watched may 100 programs. It does let you set a show to record only 1st run episodes & will record everytime. We have 3 of the DVR's, & while another thread speaks of the prolems, we haven't experienced it.

View all replies (15)

TWiT Tech Podcast Network

A moment ago · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Intelligent Machines 895

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AzBMcXCMAc

Direct YouTube Link - Intelligent Machines 895
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 0 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

dishstaller

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 20 minutes ago · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Deck screws these days are pure garbage

Now first, I'll mention that the area of FL I live in has extremely high humidity and not a lot of wind so things don't dry out very well for extended periods of time.
I'm in the process of tearing down and rebuilding a pergola with a surrounding deck that I built 9 yrs ago. 90% of the deck screws are just sheering off at the head because the screws rusted out. These are the deck screws you buy in the 25 lb box at your lumber yard. Very annoying. So I just ordered some 316L stainless steel screws to use for when I go to rebuild it.

3 Replies · 43 views

Load Replies (3) Reply Legacy View

AZ.

Today at 2:45 PM

dishstaller said:
Now first, I'll mention that the area of FL I live in has extremely high humidity and not a lot of wind so things don't dry out very well for extended periods of time.
I'm in the process of tearing down and rebuilding a pergola with a surrounding deck that I built 9 yrs ago. 90% of the deck screws are just sheering off at the head because the screws rusted out. These are the deck screws you buy in the 25 lb box at your lumber yard. Very annoying. So I just ordered some 316L stainless steel screws to use for when I go to rebuild it.

Screws are all crap, soft and useless! Sick of going through 3 to get one not to break, strip or shear! I aint that strong in my old age!

Reactions: Bobby and dishstaller

telstar_1

51 minutes ago

Well, isn't removal of screws intrinsically much tougher than drive-in, simply because over time they become more adhered to the wood, whether or not they actively rust? Possibly there could be less of that effect with stainless.

dishstaller

20 minutes ago

telstar_1 said:
Well, isn't removal of screws intrinsically much tougher than drive-in, simply because over time they become more adhered to the wood, whether or not they actively rust?

I have seen that happen that not in this case. I had also used some screws from an old box I had that I needed to use up....didn't think much of it at the time. ALL of THOSE screws came out perfectly and had virtually no rust on them. The ones that you find at your lumber yard....those with the orange snap on lids were mostly rust. The problem with the heads sheering off was that I had to get my crowbar and pry each board up one joist at the time. Took a simple job and made it 1000% harder.

As for adhering to the wood...true story. Back when hurricane Michael hit, it almost took the weather vane off of the old milk barn behind my parent's house. I climbed up on the roof and only one nail was still holding it. Grabbed my hammer and tried to pull it out...wasn't budging. Grabbed a short crowbar (all I had access to) wouldn't budge. Ended up cutting the stupid nail so I could get the weather vane. Barn was built in the late 40s, I guess the nail had become one with the pine lumber used to build the barn.

osu1991

Pub Member / Supporter

Last reply 26 minutes ago · posted in Movie Talk

The Beekeeper 2 (2027)

View: https://youtu.be/5HK3wimDxBI?si=NS6_wah3oU6MumaH

In Theaters January 2027

1 Replies · 7 views

Load Replies (1) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: dishstaller

dishstaller

26 minutes ago

Yep....looking forward to it.

TWiT Tech Podcast Network

31 minutes ago · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Apple Unveils New Touchscreen MacBook Pro

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dMHcPrYfH8E

Direct YouTube Link - Apple Unveils New Touchscreen MacBook Pro
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 2 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

ewindowman

Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 39 minutes ago · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Dish Bankruptcy - Business as Usual

Looks like dish is Bankrupt. Filling tomorrow Tuesday June 30th

443 Replies · 15135 views

Load Replies (443) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: Foxbat, FTA4PA and LQQK

nelson61

Monday at 12:22 PM

Washington Post

SpaceX has held talks with Boost's parent company EchoStar in recent months about launching its own signature wireless service through a deal with the company, according to two people familiar with the negotiations.
Musk, the SpaceX CEO, has discussed the deal personally, meeting with EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen last month, according to the people. The potential deal may result in SpaceX acquiring Boost Mobile or SpaceX gaining access to its network, which it leases from AT&T and T-Mobile US, the people said.
Access to those lease agreements would be a coup for SpaceX. The back door would allow Musk to make a play for a U.S. wireless market that equity research firm MoffettNathanson estimates is worth $235 billion. But the proposed service may need consent from those carriers for the service to actually launch, the people said.

Reactions: MikeD-C05, Foxbat, charlesrshell and 1 other person

Scott Greczkowski

Monday at 1:25 PM

nelson61 said:
Washington Post

SpaceX has held talks with Boost's parent company EchoStar in recent months about launching its own signature wireless service through a deal with the company, according to two people familiar with the negotiations.
Musk, the SpaceX CEO, has discussed the deal personally, meeting with EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen last month, according to the people. The potential deal may result in SpaceX acquiring Boost Mobile or SpaceX gaining access to its network, which it leases from AT&T and T-Mobile US, the people said.
Access to those lease agreements would be a coup for SpaceX. The back door would allow Musk to make a play for a U.S. wireless market that equity research firm MoffettNathanson estimates is worth $235 billion. But the proposed service may need consent from those carriers for the service to actually launch, the people said.

Can't remember where or who I saw predict this.

It wouldn't surprise me to see Elon soon own all of DISH / Echostar in the future.

Reactions: MikeD-C05, Foxbat and charlesrshell

MikeD-C05

Yesterday at 9:17 AM

Scott Greczkowski said:
Can't remember where or who I saw predict this.

It wouldn't surprise me to see Elon soon own all of DISH / Echostar in the future.

So Charlie is going to sell out and give it all the Elon?

Reactions: charlesrshell

Bruce

Yesterday at 10:17 AM

Scott Greczkowski said:
It wouldn't surprise me to see Elon soon own all of DISH / Echostar in the future.

Again, why would Musk want a TV Service, specially one that is losing over a million subscribers a year.

Phone service…maybe, but not TV.

Reactions: MikeD-C05 and charlesrshell

Scott Greczkowski

Yesterday at 10:21 AM

MikeD-C05 said:
So Charlie is going to sell out and give it all the Elon?

I would say yes, but he will stay on board with Elon somehow.

Reactions: MikeD-C05 and charlesrshell

Scott Greczkowski

Yesterday at 10:22 AM

Bruce said:
Again, why would Musk want a TV Service, specially one that is losing over a million subscribers a year.

Phone service…maybe, but not TV.

I know he wants TV. He wants to deliver EVERYTHING to EVERYWHERE.

Reactions: MikeD-C05, Almighty1, Foxbat and 1 other person

Bruce

Yesterday at 11:30 AM

Scott Greczkowski said:
I know he wants TV. He wants to deliver EVERYTHING to EVERYWHERE.

Again, if so, why would he want Dish/Sling of all the providers?

He could deliver anything without actually owning, for example, watching the Lions game in my Tesla Y on it's screen via the YT app, while on the way to my future in-laws on Sunday.

Reactions: MikeD-C05 and charlesrshell

rvvaquero

Yesterday at 11:31 AM

If Musk did acquire DISH, he would just convert it to use his own satellites to deliver it. Might be easier than creating a new startup. Change my dish out to one which connects to Starlink? Who knows?

Reactions: MikeD-C05, Almighty1 and charlesrshell

slow_poke_pete

39 minutes ago

Starlink Mobile: 14 MHz Deal, No Phone Plan Yet [2026]

SpaceX agreed to buy up to 14 MHz of 800 MHz spectrum for Starlink Mobile. No Musk phone plan, price or coverage map exists yet.

shattered.io

View all replies (443)

Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply Today at 2:58 PM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Song Name Game Part 3!

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....

68738 Replies · 2684334 views

Load Replies (68738) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: c-spand

dishstaller

Today at 9:31 AM

The Heart of Rock & Roll - Huey Lewis and the News

Reactions: RaiderPower and FTA4PA

harshness

Today at 10:01 AM

Closer to the Heart - Rush

Reactions: gms49ers, FTA4PA and dishstaller

sdfntx

Today at 12:27 PM

Coming from the Heart - The Searchers

Bobby

Today at 2:35 PM

The Saints Are Coming - U2

dishstaller

Today at 2:58 PM

Coming Back to Life - Pink Floyd

View all replies (68738)

teachsac

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!

Last reply Today at 2:58 PM · posted in Internet Television (IPTV) Discussion Forum

Streaming Deals

Post any of the deals you find here.

Right now HBO Max has some deals if you pay for the year. $165 for the top plan again

https://www.hbomax.com/?utm_id=sa%7C22341445177%7C177853044713%7C308971700861&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22341445177&gbraid=0AAAAApH9fnqtQuqBPGgca7BX1wgna266G&gclid=CjwKCAjw9NjRBhATEiwA_p2J8VUJaL8sxqoVpTQ0kt5UeqM-jJ27ie0gfTJghoYOXD0Xn5Of5Z4q_hoCreAQAvD_BwE

30 Replies · 1098 views

Load Replies (30) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: Howard Simmons, dishdude, dfergie and 1 other person

Bruce

Oct 12, 2026

AMC+ is on sale for $40 for the year, the no commercials plan.

For basically $3.34 a month, thought I would give it a try again.

Today is the last day for the deal.

Reactions: worstman1 and Howard Simmons

reubenray

Oct 12, 2026

Bruce said:
AMC+ is on sale for $40 for the year, the no commercials plan.

For basically $3.34 a month, thought I would give it a try again.

Today is the last day for the deal.

Thanks for spending my $$. I figured I would try it also.

navychop

Oct 12, 2026

Hmmmm.

Jimbo

Today at 2:37 PM

We should be coming into the Streaming Deals time of year

I will be looking for Yearly deals, not the 7 day trial or a 1 month deal like we had the last year or so.

Jimbo

Today at 2:58 PM

I just managed to get 30% on Paramount Plus Commercial Free Yearly ... total was $99.
I haven't gotten the 50% off deal in a few years, so when she said $99, I thought that was a pretty good deal, that includes Showtime, which I rarely watch, but its there .

View all replies (30)

TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 2:42 PM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Windows Weekly 1008

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVbYDMkb9XU

Direct YouTube Link - Windows Weekly 1008
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 12 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

comfortably_numb

Pub Member / Supporter

Last reply Today at 2:34 PM · posted in Internet Television (IPTV) Discussion Forum

Philo now offers discounted annual plan

Not sure saving $24/year is worth it unless you're a hardcore Philo user. I'll stick with monthly.

5 Replies · 132 views

Load Replies (5) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: Howard Simmons, Mr Tony and KAB

Jimbo

Today at 9:41 AM

comfortably_numb said:
Not sure saving $24/year is worth it unless you're a hardcore Philo user. I'll stick with monthly.

View attachment 195247

$24 for the Year, would be more useful.

Reactions: FTA4PA and primestar31

Howard Simmons

Today at 11:16 AM

Jimbo said:
$24 for the Year, would be more useful.

But when you cancel you still have to watch until the plan runs out. With monthly you're done at the end of the month.

Reactions: Mr Tony, comfortably_numb and dishstaller

Jimbo

Today at 2:30 PM

Howard Simmons said:
But when you cancel you still have to watch until the plan runs out. With monthly you're done at the end of the month.

Sorry, my point was the expense.

comfortably_numb

Today at 2:33 PM

Jimbo said:
$24 for the Year, would be more useful.

Philo's monthly price is reasonable, IMO, because it's still the cheapest way I'm aware of to get all the linear Discovery networks AND access to the Discovery Go apps.

Jimbo

Today at 2:34 PM

comfortably_numb said:
Philo's monthly price is reasonable, IMO, because it's still the cheapest way I'm aware of to get all the linear Discovery networks AND access to the Discovery Go apps.

I guess if it was something I used on a regular basis, I suppose.

meStevo

Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Today at 1:31 PM · posted in The Sports Section

NFL 2026-2027 Season

Schedule drops tomorrow. Mandatory mini camps in June. Hall of Fame game August 6th.

135 Replies · 2777 views

Load Replies (135) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: Jimbo and dfergie

HipKat

Yesterday at 4:27 PM

Balls
Bears. Took care of the elite Seahawks defense in a great performance.
NFC North. The entire division is 2 games above .500
Lions. Finally handed an L to that weird Minnesota team. Good vibes for Jack Campbell.
Pitt. Took the lead of the division convincingly.
Bengals vs Titans game. Fireworks game. Not sure it was a well-played game, but it sure was fun. JoeyB with 6 scores... and 4 turnovers.
Denver. They keep winning, man. Payton is a baller of a coach.
Packers. Thorough beatdown of the hard-to-read Panthers.
Jags. Demolished the hapless Colts.
Rams. The Super team finally wins back-to-back games.

Goats
Vikings. Took their first L. I know their D is insane, but their offense is setting back football to the 1950's.
Cowboys. Lost a 2-score lead vs. the Gardner Minshew-led Cards... at home. Embarrassing.
Browns. Playing for the division lead by scoring 6 points.
Bucs vs Falcons game. Setting modern football back to the ice age. Honorable mention to Tua Penix err ... Michael Tagov .... well, you know what I mean.
Bengals fans acting like Burrow just won the MVP after his performance. I get it. 6 scores is awesome. But. He also turned the ball over 4 times and required overtime to beat the 1-win Titans. So spare me the parade.
Chiefs. Not because they lost. It was a close game decided on the last play vs. a divisional rival on the road. That's always rough. But because of their whining over the CLEAR flag they got on the would-be winning play. They are used to getting the calls, and when they don't, they complain. Honorable mention to Mahomes for this quote: "I mean, at the end of the day, you have to go with whatever is called, but a lot of times in those big moments, the little stuff doesn't get called like that"... so you admit it was a penalty?? Just shut up, man.
Colts. They began the fire sale earlier in the week, and it showed. This team is cooked; Daniel Jones should go to the bench, and Steichen will be fired pretty soon.
Chargers. Wow. That's all I got.
Miami. For having the Pats sort of on the ropes and letting them go.
Eagles. Another team that should consider selling some assets. They are going nowhere.

Reactions: Howard Simmons and Mike0616

Mike0616

Yesterday at 5:59 PM

Watched the Colts wrestle defeat from the jaws of victory one more time. We need a coach. A REAL coach. Until then, thank the Lord for Sunday ticket. Imo, Jones isn't responsible for the losses, it's as group effort and he is the top QB on the roster.

Reactions: HipKat

Howard Simmons

Today at 11:24 AM

HipKat said:
Balls
Bears. Took care of the elite Seahawks defense in a great performance.
NFC North. The entire division is 2 games above .500
Lions. Finally handed an L to that weird Minnesota team. Good vibes for Jack Campbell.
Pitt. Took the lead of the division convincingly.
Bengals vs Titans game. Fireworks game. Not sure it was a well-played game, but it sure was fun. JoeyB with 6 scores... and 4 turnovers.
Denver. They keep winning, man. Payton is a baller of a coach.
Packers. Thorough beatdown of the hard-to-read Panthers.
Jags. Demolished the hapless Colts.
Rams. The Super team finally wins back-to-back games.

Goats
Vikings. Took their first L. I know their D is insane, but their offense is setting back football to the 1950's.
Cowboys. Lost a 2-score lead vs. the Gardner Minshew-led Cards... at home. Embarrassing.
Browns. Playing for the division lead by scoring 6 points.
Bucs vs Falcons game. Setting modern football back to the ice age. Honorable mention to Tua Penix err ... Michael Tagov .... well, you know what I mean.
Bengals fans acting like Burrow just won the MVP after his performance. I get it. 6 scores is awesome. But. He also turned the ball over 4 times and required overtime to beat the 1-win Titans. So spare me the parade.
Chiefs. Not because they lost. It was a close game decided on the last play vs. a divisional rival on the road. That's always rough. But because of their whining over the CLEAR flag they got on the would-be winning play. They are used to getting the calls, and when they don't, they complain. Honorable mention to Mahomes for this quote: "I mean, at the end of the day, you have to go with whatever is called, but a lot of times in those big moments, the little stuff doesn't get called like that"... so you admit it was a penalty?? Just shut up, man.
Colts. They began the fire sale earlier in the week, and it showed. This team is cooked; Daniel Jones should go to the bench, and Steichen will be fired pretty soon.
Chargers. Wow. That's all I got.
Miami. For having the Pats sort of on the ropes and letting them go.
Eagles. Another team that should consider selling some assets. They are going nowhere.

Mahomes is the biggest cry baby I have ever seen. He thinks he's privileged or something.

Reactions: gms49ers, Mike0616, reubenray and 1 other person

reubenray

Today at 11:49 AM

Howard Simmons said:
Mahomes is the biggest cry baby I have ever seen. He thinks he's privileged or something.

So is Kelce.

Reactions: gms49ers, Mr Tony and Mike0616

meStevo

Today at 12:14 PM

Just the same vilification as players like Brady experienced, a product of their success and largely overblown (just like them 'getting all the calls').

Reactions: Mike0616 and AZ.

Yespage

Today at 1:31 PM

Howard Simmons said:
Mahomes is the biggest cry baby I have ever seen. He thinks he's privileged or something.

Well you see him more because he is incredibly talented. And yes, typically players try to spin things being in their favor. This isn't cricket where sportsmanship (except in Australia) is expected.

Reactions: Mike0616

View all replies (135)

Top

Back