Spectrum "Choice" Retention Package? Anyone?

[spencer7779]

An HDHomerun Prime isn't very much comparable with a DVR. I suppose some of that has to do with how many TVs you're trying to serve but I've yet to see a TV that has a built-in client and the DVR leaves a lot to be desired in addition to requiring the assistance of a media server.

Solutions based on tuners and media servers are rarely family friendly.

What do you come here to argue with everyone? The SD Dvr works fine It's easy, but for someone like you it might be to complicated

 

[harshness]

What do you come here to argue with everyone?

As DVRs have developed, so have expectations surrounding them. Needing a separate third-party media server and player aren't among those expectations. Skipping/slipping forward and jumping back some known interval are key features that aren't supported (yet).

I present alternative views because I have them. To present only the joy-joy is a disservice to those seeking the learn the ins and outs of a product to make an informed purchasing decision.

 

[cclauset]

https://www.spectrumtvchoice.com

 

[harshness]

In my case, the included channels are the locals, Music Choice audio, CSPANs, EVINE, TBN, QVC, HSN and Jewelry TV. 49 of the 81 channels would be audio-only.

Ten cable channels doesn't leave much room -- especially the way that some of the networks like to spread their programming among their channel suites. It wasn't so bad when there was only one of everything but now there are multiples of many channels.

It would be weird indeed not having fallback channels like NASA and having DVR and on-demand access would be even more important.

 

[spencer7779]

A tip for Spectrum choice. If choose fx don't get Fxx or Fxm. If you choose CNN don't get HLN, If you ESPN don't get ESPN 2. All come free with the app

 

[spencer7779]

As DVRs have developed, so have expectations surrounding them. Needing a separate third-party media server and player aren't among those expectations. Skipping/slipping forward and jumping back some known interval are key features that aren't supported (yet).

I present alternative views because I have them. To present only the joy-joy is a disservice to those seeking the learn the ins and outs of a product to make an informed purchasing decision.

I think you are doing a disservice to people not presenting the cost savings of alternative methods. I just contacted spectrum. A single Dvr would run $22 A month. That's $530 for 2 years for one tv. A Hdhomerun prime , NAS and a fire tv would run $280 + Dvr service and cable card would be $320 total. A $200 savings. More if you add a second tv and over Time. I having no problem skipping toward or back. Having a NAS is much better than having a clunky Dvr for all tvs.

 

[harshness]

A single Dvr would run $22 A month. That's $530 for 2 years for one tv.

But it is spread out over two years rather than being an up-front investment.

A Hdhomerun prime , NAS and a fire tv would run $280 + Dvr service and cable card would be $320 total. A $200 savings.

Most of the demos I've seen have used Android TV (the NVIDIA Shield being the low-cost option) rather than a Fire Stick so you may be taking some liberties in costing your system. While not as much as a TiVo fee, the $35/year DVR Service fee does add up. CableCARD fees vary widely from 0 on up but would apply to any such device. Having more than three tuners could be beneficial for larger households and could save money on CableCARD fees.

Savings is in the eye of the beholder. If you have to spend time and energy on three separate devices versus a single box, that can be worth something.

I having no problem skipping toward or back.

Would you not agree that jumping forward and back a certain interval would be more convenient for skipping commercials than running forward and back until you see the return of the program and then correcting with a short rewind?

Having a NAS is much better than having a clunky Dvr for all tvs.

That's a pretty fantasitc claim. Are you not well acquainted with other modern DVR systems that feature a server and clients?

Am I correct in assuming that the Silicon Dust DVR doesn't support VOD? Obviously this isn't a big deal in OTA but with cable, it may be more important/desirable than DVR capability for many cable TV users.

For those who's mission is to do things on the absolute cheap, the Silicon Dust solution is no doubt a contender but it isn't without its overhead costs. For those who just want to watch TV, it is a relatively round-about path.

 

[Jimc999]

There are 2 services, both 21.99 a month. Spectrum Stream and Spectrum Choice. Spectrum stream has locals plus 20 plus channels in the package minus the music channels. Spectrum Choice gives you locals plus your choice of 10 channels. Here is an old ad with the channel list for Spectrum Stream
Charter Tests $20/Month Spectrum Stream Live TV Service For Cord Cutters | HotHardware

 

[david_jr]

Found a user review Spectrum quietly tries a la carte TV streaming, but restrictions apply.

It's dated yesterday so can't really get much more recent.

 

[spencer7779]

There are 2 services, both 21.99 a month. Spectrum Stream and Spectrum Choice. Spectrum stream has locals plus 20 plus channels in the package minus the music channels. Spectrum Choice gives you locals plus your choice of 10 channels. Here is an old ad with the channel list for Spectrum Stream
Charter Tests $20/Month Spectrum Stream Live TV Service For Cord Cutters | HotHardware

Spectrum stream has a broadcast fee of $7.50 Choice is $3.00. Plus choice gave me BBC America, Syfy, ESPN that I couldn't get with stream.

 

[spencer7779]

But it is spread out over two years rather than being an up-front investment.
Than after 2 years the cost is $240 compared to $50.

Savings is in the eye of the beholder. If you have to spend time and energy on three separate devices versus a single box, that can be worth something.Would you not agree that jumping forward and back a certain interval would be more convenient for skipping commercials than running forward and back until you see the return of the program and then correcting with a short rewind?That's a pretty fantasitc claim. Are you not well acquainted with other modern DVR systems that feature a server and clients?

I don't understand this single box thing if you still need a client on each tv. I just press ff 4 times to skip commercials.

Am I correct in assuming that the Silicon Dust DVR doesn't support VOD? Obviously this isn't a big deal in OTA but with cable, it may be more important/desirable than DVR capability for many cable TV users.

For On demand, you would use the network apps.

 

[sofia]

Does anybody here have an definitive info about Charter's "Choice" retention package? I've tried three times to get info out of their online chat about it with no luck. Everybody says you have to call on the phone and every time I call the wait times are horrible.

From what I understand from previous threads on other forums the package is $29.99, gives you all local & Public Info channels; and then you get to pick 10 channels from a list of 50 that you want.

The problem is it seems impossible to get a straight answer out of them as to what 50 channels are included. Anyone have any info?

I actually have alot of info about it such as it is 65 channels you get to take your pick of 10 from there are 7 kids channels 4 family 7 life style 5 sports 5 latino 11 news and 26 entertainment I could take the time to tell you every channel but I have been doing that all day. I'm always telling the Customer's its easiest just to sign up when we call to inform you about it for this very reason. However most customers want to cuss me up 1 side and down the other simply because the promotions department wanted to call say thank you and give you a free week of the choice streaming service. Want more info be a little nicer to the spectrum representative that calls you than most have been to me the service is NEW oh and its $21.99+$3.00 broadcast fee +tax of your area per month for the first 2 years and year 4 is when you see the standard rate which is $34.99+$3.00 broadcast fee +tax of your area. Should you decide you want me to give more info just ask or send me your number and I will gladly call you while I'm at the office.

 

[cpalmer2k]

I actually have alot of info about it such as it is 65 channels you get to take your pick of 10 from there are 7 kids channels 4 family 7 life style 5 sports 5 latino 11 news and 26 entertainment I could take the time to tell you every channel but I have been doing that all day. I'm always telling the Customer's its easiest just to sign up when we call to inform you about it for this very reason. However most customers want to cuss me up 1 side and down the other simply because the promotions department wanted to call say thank you and give you a free week of the choice streaming service. Want more info be a little nicer to the spectrum representative that calls you than most have been to me the service is NEW oh and its $21.99+$3.00 broadcast fee +tax of your area per month for the first 2 years and year 4 is when you see the standard rate which is $34.99+$3.00 broadcast fee +tax of your area. Should you decide you want me to give more info just ask or send me your number and I will gladly call you while I'm at the office.

I would be interested in seeing a list of the 65 channels you can choose from. Also, is the actual TV version of this package (not the Streaming only version) eligible for Premium add ons (i.e can you take this package, and then pay extra for Showtime?)

 

[Jhon69]

I would be interested in seeing a list of the 65 channels you can choose from. Also, is the actual TV version of this package (not the Streaming only version) eligible for Premium add ons (i.e can you take this package, and then pay extra for Showtime?)

I just googled"Charter Spectrum Choice package" and selected the 2nd one down from the top.My address is automatically entered because I have a Charter Spectrum account.
You will need to enter your address because the offerings are different, I counted 76 channels and did not doublecheck for channels that were offered twice or more.
I did see that it stated you would need at least a digital cable box for "HD" channels.Your offerings and results will vary,Good Luck!