So I finally did it.

[YosemiteSam]

I just bought two new flat panel TVs for my kids rooms. (both of their old ones were failing) They have digital decoders in them. The very next day, neither one of them work anymore. ***!!!

I come to find out, my cable company (Cablevision) has decided that I now have to have cable boxes for each TV. (I have five TVs, three bedrooms, and a living room and family room) I had two HD receivers but that was it.

So, I call the cable company and ask what is going on. The guy has the nerve to tell me that "it's because everyone is switching to digital TV and you have to have a box to view it!" I respond with the fact that my new TVs received both the digital and analog signal and decoded both. (I literally had all the channels twice)

Well, he finally broke down and said it was because they are now encrypting the signal and I had to have a box for that. He said I could have the boxes free for a year, but I would have to pay after that. Considering my cable bill is already in excess of $210 (tv, internet, and phone) which with the paying for the three new boxes next year and the taxes would raise it to closer to $250. Screw that.

So, I ordered DirecTV last night. Got the maximum package that comes with all regular channels and all the preimum channels and NFL Sunday Ticket. (said over 300 channels) He gave me an extra $5 off a month of their special bringing it down to $80 a month for five months and two free HD boxes and one HD DVR. The other HD boxes are $99 each.

Of course after five months it to jumps to $144 a month, but I will downgrade from there. They are also running a special about free HD for life. That is a must of course since 4 of our 5 TVs are HD.

I hate the 2 year contract ****, but the cable company is pissing me off something fierce. I'm going to keep the cable Internet though, I don't have any other high speed options. I'm replacing the Internet voice with PhonePower.com and just having our phone number transfered over. I use them for a few of our developers at work and it is very good service. Especially at 2 years for $199 and I already own a SOHO VoIP router. I believe they give them out for free anyhow.

Anyhow, the install won't happen until I return from Dallas. Anyone have any recommendations when it comes to use, channel plans, or dealing with DirecTV?

 

[Joe Realist]

ok, my obvious question is, how old are your kids?

 

[YosemiteSam]

ok, my obvious question is, how old are your kids?

10 and 12.

 

[ethiostar]

I've had DTV for 5 years or so. In my opinion DTV has the best customer service hands down, and I'm not just talking about within their own industry. They are very helpful and willing to work with you on most everything. You can decline one or two of the HD boxes and get something else or get a certain amount off your monthly bill instead. I'm still a little surprised that your children have TVs much less HD TVs in their bedrooms (that's where i would cut my expenses first). But that's just me, my children won't have one in their bedrooms.

BTW, I have DTV now and also have a package deal for phone and internet. They have worked out a deal with Verizon where they can do that.

As for what plans you should get, I can't help you. I have the most basic package you can get.

 

[Boom]

Bestbuy has a promotion (originally set to end on 7/14) where you get $50 for signing up with Direct TV and a $300 gift card if you purchase a TV at $499 or more. It also comes with the HD for life and $29 off your bill per month. I think the promotion ends on 7/21.

I just ordered mine that way and I'm going to take back the TV I got recently in order to purchase a qualifying TV to get the card.

I wonder if you could take the TV's back and do that instead. If so, details on how to do it can be found on slickdeals.net by searching for Direct TV.

 

[YosemiteSam]

The TVs in their rooms is their mothers doing. In many cases I don't mind it so much as when I do watch something, I prefer not having a bunch of kids in the room with me. (like Cowboys games going badly. I tend to fire off some foul things!)

They have HD TVs because thats all you can buy these days. The two TVs that went bad were both tube TVs. Today everything is flat panel. So thats what they got. They are 24" and a 26", the older one got the bigger TV with a built-in DVD as part of her birthday gift. Thats what she wanted.

My wife is actually still debating on getting them HD receivers though. The standard def are free. Considering they have HD TVs and we can stream movies from the DVR to them, it's probably worth the extra money.

 

[zrinkill]

But that's just me, my children won't have one in their bedrooms.

Whatever ..... your baby is already addicted to the internet.

 

[ethiostar]

Whatever ..... your baby is already addicted to the internet.

:laugh2:

Touche!

 

[Maikeru-sama]

Congrats, I plan on getting a Flat Screen for my bedroom. It has an old CRT Television in it right now and I almost never use it.