Those who cut the cable..

[Fryowa]

I called the Iowa Attorney General's office on Directv. If you have them you better scour over your monthly statement. They like to give you deals like free receiver for a year then sneak in the charge, I got one free year of NFL Sunday Ticket then cancelled the next year because of the usual negative checkoff yet in July there it was a charge for nearly $200 with 3 more charges to come.

When I talked to the Attorney General office attorney I asked if they got a lot of consumer complaints on DirectV and he said yes, a very emphatic "Yes"

When I started with them I opened a free checking acct just for DTV payments because I’d heard so many horror stories. Before I cancelled I closed the account. This pissed them off plenty and they sent me all kinds of ridiculous bills for certain fees, etc., they wanted fees for the insufficient funds because the account was closed, and on and on. Phone calls twice a day...

I finally told the last guy from their collections department to “contact my attorney” and gave him a bullshit made up name and phone number of a lawyer that doesn’t exist. Never heard another word.

 

[deanvogs]

I've had the cord cut for over 6 months now, and I don't miss it at all. Here a few key items you will want to consider to address the typical pitfalls of cord cutting.

1) Make sure you internet is fast and reliable.
2) If you want locals, get an antenna (some will work better than others depending on proximity to towers). Heck You can get a TIVO like I did to even record locals.
3) Have good streaming boxes. So I have an older Roku, and newer AppleTV and a PSVue. We use the locals for netflix, Prime TV, etc, but don't use it to stream the PSVue TV stations. It just isn't close to as smooth or nice as the AppleTV or PSVue and if you have a PS4, then PSVue is simply awesome with it. The controls are silky smooth, you even can to Picture in Picture with the PS4.

That is about it really. I personally like PSVue, because it gives you 5 streaming sources at once, DVR functionality, and for $45 a month I get Bravo and a shit ton of sporting channels for me (BTN, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN News, ESPNU, FS1, FS2, MLB, Chicago Sports, Fox Midwest, Fox North, Golf, SEC, TBS, TNT) . I don't miss a single Hawkeye sporting event.

 

[bogeyman]

I have a 3 tv set up in the man cave with dish. Easy set up. How's something like that work with internet based and what all would I need to set it up? Just curious for down the road. I live pretty rural too so I'm concerned the service wouldn't be fast enough.

 

[Ree4]

Here's a good source to figure out how to point your OTAs Tower Finder, it shows distance too so you know what type of antenna you'll need.

I have a 3 tv set up in the man cave with dish. Easy set up. How's something like that work with internet based and what all would I need to set it up? Just curious for down the road. I live pretty rural too so I'm concerned the service wouldn't be fast enough.

For HD-quality playback, Netflix recommends 5 megabits per second, and for Ultra HD (4K) quality, it recommends 25 megabits per second. Note that these are the minimums for one stream. If you surf the internet while you're watching TV, you need more than the minimum.

You can go to speedtest to check your d/l speed and call your provider to see what options they have. I currently get 200 meg through Mediacom but it's more because of the data limits that Mediacom has. They charge $10 for every 50 gig that you go over your limit so be sure to check with your providers to see if they have data overages - most people think they have unlimited but that is rarely the case. During Christmas/winter break with the family home we went over by 300 gigs, but I have 4 Amazon Fire TVs and 3 PCs that can be used for streaming.

 

[deanvogs]

Here's a good source to figure out how to point your OTAs Tower Finder, it shows distance too so you know what type of antenna you'll need.


For HD-quality playback, Netflix recommends 5 megabits per second, and for Ultra HD (4K) quality, it recommends 25 megabits per second. Note that these are the minimums for one stream. If you surf the internet while you're watching TV, you need more than the minimum.

You can go to speedtest to check your d/l speed and call your provider to see what options they have. I currently get 200 meg through Mediacom but it's more because of the data limits that Mediacom has. They charge $10 for every 50 gig that you go over your limit so be sure to check with your providers to see if they have data overages - most people think they have unlimited but that is rarely the case. During Christmas/winter break with the family home we went over by 300 gigs, but I have 4 Amazon Fire TVs and 3 PCs that can be used for streaming.

I have 40 meg and that keeps up with everything I do. Now I'm not streaming Ultra HD though, so that would make a big difference.

 

[deanvogs]

I have a 3 tv set up in the man cave with dish. Easy set up. How's something like that work with internet based and what all would I need to set it up? Just curious for down the road. I live pretty rural too so I'm concerned the service wouldn't be fast enough.

Well it could make it a lot easier for you actually and cheaper as well. I mean if you aren't constantly switching the channel, you can get cheap $29 Amazon fire stick and put them on the TV's, tune in the game and you are good to go. Then I am assuming the main TV would have a the higher quality streaming device like a AppleTV, etc.

Do keep in mind that many of them limit the number of streams you can have going at one time. PSVue is maxed at 5, so you would have the 3 in the man cave + 2 others available.

The bigger problem is the rural aspect, I wouldn't do streaming if I were you in the rural setting with slower internet speeds.

 

[hawkeyebob62]

Let us know how it goes disconnecting DTV if you do it. It's easier leaving the Church of Scientology.

I'd highly recommend changing bank accounts and/or cancelling the cards you use for your payments before you call to cancel. They WILL try to hose you even if you're out of contract. Google the horror stories, I've experienced it also myself. And keep any eye on your credit score if you don't already.

Hmmm...I think Travolta and Cruise might have been DirecTV spokespersons at one time. Coincidence?

(The above sentecne is strictly for dramatization and entertainment purposes. Methinks both Travolta and Cruise prolly never actually said word one--publicly--about DirecTV)

 

[hawkeyebob62]

When I started with them I opened a free checking acct just for DTV payments because I’d heard so many horror stories. Before I cancelled I closed the account. This pissed them off plenty and they sent me all kinds of ridiculous bills for certain fees, etc., they wanted fees for the insufficient funds because the account was closed, and on and on. Phone calls twice a day...

I finally told the last guy from their collections department to “contact my attorney” and gave him a bullshit made up name and phone number of a lawyer that doesn’t exist. Never heard another word.

You should have set up a fictitious "law office" just so you could field their calls. I've personally been entertained by lesser ideas!

 

[Chickenlounge]

@Chickenlounge, I’d take the above advice, along with mine from earlier. They are dangerous

Yeah, I've heard that before. They tried to pull that NFL Sunday Ticket shit on me a couple years ago. Got it free for a month or something, then they wanted to charge me $300. I cancelled it 3 days before I was supposed to, and they tried to charge me. I had my wife call them and she gave them a piece of her mind. The charge was reversed the next bill, and they've been pretty nice to us ever since.

i will definitely keep track of my bills before I cancel. And we have their service through CenturyLink bundle, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference or not.

Anyway, thanks for the advice, and I'll let you know how I come out after cancelling.

 

[Chickenlounge]

2) If you want locals, get an antenna (some will work better than others depending on proximity to towers). Heck You can get a TIVO like I did to even record locals.

YouTube TV has locals streaming. That was the main reason i went with them over PSVue. I had a guy come out to my house about putting an HD Antenna on the roof, and it would have been about $300 to have that done. I needed a pretty good antenna, and my roof as more pitch than I'm willing to risk to mount it myself. So based on that, YouTube TV was my choice. I do wish they had more than 3 streams at a time. However I watch way more Netflix than I do TV.

 

[Fryowa]

Yeah, I've heard that before. They tried to pull that NFL Sunday Ticket shit on me a couple years ago. Got it free for a month or something, then they wanted to charge me $300. I cancelled it 3 days before I was supposed to, and they tried to charge me. I had my wife call them and she gave them a piece of her mind. The charge was reversed the next bill, and they've been pretty nice to us ever since.

i will definitely keep track of my bills before I cancel. And we have their service through CenturyLink bundle, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference or not.

Anyway, thanks for the advice, and I'll let you know how I come out after cancelling.

Seriously, please do. I hope you didn’t take my posts as trying to work you up; those guys are verified douche bags and they’ll give you all 12” dry if you let them. The only way I’ve found to subvert it is to not give them an opportunity (i.e. canceling accounts prior to), and calling their ridiculous bluffs. Best of luck, mi amigo.

 

[deanvogs]

YouTube TV has locals streaming. That was the main reason i went with them over PSVue. I had a guy come out to my house about putting an HD Antenna on the roof, and it would have been about $300 to have that done. I needed a pretty good antenna, and my roof as more pitch than I'm willing to risk to mount it myself. So based on that, YouTube TV was my choice. I do wish they had more than 3 streams at a time. However I watch way more Netflix than I do TV.

Yeah, I'd totally look into YouTube, but 6 months ago it wasn't offered in Des Moines. I'm not sure if it is now or not? The locals will be coming to all the streaming services, right now PSVue has local channel 8 CBS available, but not NBC, ABC or FOX.

As it stands I got an antenna and Tivo for locals, and I actually love it. I and my wife surprisingly watch more local OTA TV than I originally figured we would. We watch the morning news, she DVR's Jimmy Fallon, and we each have a handful of network shows we record.

I think once all these streaming services get locals, that Cable and Satellite are really in trouble at that point, as I'd bet that holds back a lot of households from cutting the cord. The funny thing is we aren't cutting the cord actually, we are just getting your cable/Satellite TV brought to you by a different manner, via internet.

 

[Chickenlounge]

Yeah, I'd totally look into YouTube, but 6 months ago it wasn't offered in Des Moines. I'm not sure if it is now or not? The locals will be coming to all the streaming services, right now PSVue has local channel 8 CBS available, but not NBC, ABC or FOX.

As it stands I got an antenna and Tivo for locals, and I actually love it. I and my wife surprisingly watch more local OTA TV than I originally figured we would. We watch the morning news, she DVR's Jimmy Fallon, and we each have a handful of network shows we record.

I think once all these streaming services get locals, that Cable and Satellite are really in trouble at that point, as I'd bet that holds back a lot of households from cutting the cord. The funny thing is we aren't cutting the cord actually, we are just getting your cable/Satellite TV brought to you by a different manner, via internet.

Yeah, YouTube TV has locals for the DSM market, and the Waterloo/Cedar Rapids/Iowa City markets right now. Not sure about the Quad Cities, but I would assume they're available.

And while I agree that the cable/sat companies will be hurt, most of the cable companies are also your ISP, so they'll just shift their costs over to that and we'll all end up paying more for Internet since there's zero competition in most places; especially rural areas where satellite may be the only option.

 

[Chickenlounge]

Seriously, please do. I hope you didn’t take my posts as trying to work you up; those guys are verified douche bags and they’ll give you all 12” dry if you let them. The only way I’ve found to subvert it is to not give them an opportunity (i.e. canceling accounts prior to), and calling their ridiculous bluffs. Best of luck, mi amigo.

I'm not worked up. I know they all suck. I'll probably just suspend it first, since they usually don't balk at that. Then end up cancelling it a month or two later. Baby steps.

And Kudos on your [12" dry] comment. I damn near spit coffee all over my laptop. 'Tis a shame I have but one "like" to give.

 

[deanvogs]

Yeah, YouTube TV has locals for the DSM market, and the Waterloo/Cedar Rapids/Iowa City markets right now. Not sure about the Quad Cities, but I would assume they're available.

And while I agree that the cable/sat companies will be hurt, most of the cable companies are also your ISP, so they'll just shift their costs over to that and we'll all end up paying more for Internet since there's zero competition in most places; especially rural areas where satellite may be the only option.

So with YouTube TV do you get the NBC Chicago for the cubs games? Do you get the Fox North?

 

[Chickenlounge]

So with YouTube TV do you get the NBC Chicago for the cubs games? Do you get the Fox North?

@deanvogs For sports I get Fox North / North Plus ; Fox Midwest / Midwest Plus ; NBC Chicago / Chicago Plus ; NBA TV, SEC, BTN, ESPN 2/U/News; FS1/2 ; MLB TV ; CBS Sports ; Golf Channel ; Olympic Channel ; Tennis Channel ; ABC ; NBC ; (no CBS live yet oddly enough).

 

[deanvogs]

@deanvogs For sports I get Fox North / North Plus ; Fox Midwest / Midwest Plus ; NBC Chicago / Chicago Plus ; NBA TV, SEC, BTN, ESPN 2/U/News; FS1/2 ; MLB TV ; CBS Sports ; Golf Channel ; Olympic Channel ; Tennis Channel ; ABC ; NBC ; (no CBS live yet oddly enough).

Ok, I figured, but thought I would check. I might do a free trial of the You Tube at some point.

 

[Ree4]

Yeah, YouTube TV has locals for the DSM market, and the Waterloo/Cedar Rapids/Iowa City markets right now. Not sure about the Quad Cities, but I would assume they're available.

Sonova, looks like it doesn't work on Amazon Fire devices, of which I've spent like $350 on... If they ever support those again I may check it out

 

[Chickenlounge]

Sonova, looks like it doesn't work on Amazon Fire devices, of which I've spent like $350 on... If they ever support those again I may check it out

Yeah, Google and Amazon are in a pissing match right now, with neither supporting the other's services. You can't use Chromecast with Amazon Prime Video either. Two behemoths screwing the consumer as always.

 

[GoHawks24]

So with YouTube TV do you get the NBC Chicago for the cubs games? Do you get the Fox North?

We have YouTube TV right now. Enjoying it quite a bit, especially unlimited DVR. It's right on par with PS Vue, but I kept having issues with the guide not loading on my PS3 and YouTube TV was $10 cheaper when we signed up. I think they upped it $5 more a month since then.

I haven't missed a Cubs game yet that I wanted to watch. If the game is blacked out, then I'm able to get it over one of the 17.2/3/4 channels.