TWC runs out of HD boxes!

[kjnorman]

 

Originally posted by ugyvel:

Originally posted by kjnorman:

Now I am not a supporter of TW, I would love to dump them - but currently it is the only way I can get HD.  
_________________________

If I might ask, with you living in WFB, why is TW your only source for HD?  Samsung 150 with Radioshack bowtie antenna gets me all the OTA (except faux 6 of course)13 miles north of you in Mequon.

PS--with no sound problems!!!

[This message has been edited by ugyvel (edited 11-21-2002).][/b]

Alas it has nothing to do with reception.  Ironically, I even have a monster antenna stuck to the chimney - but its not connected to anything and my wife would like it taken down.  agggh!

Its all down to the wife acceptance factor.  She'll tollerate the monthly charge for digital cable (though in her view analog is just fine) and is not willing to allow me to stump up the money upfront for an OTA box - especially when it does not integrate into our system very well.

Its been an expensive year (new house, new dining room set, new windows *ouch*) and next year is not much better (new cars, new daughter!! - one the way) so HDTV is currently seen as frivolous.  

The good news is that I have lots of dosh set aside for a HD PVR which she'll let me spend in 2004, so I'll have to wait till then.

For now, I'll sneak the HDTV under her cost alert radar screen   through digital cable and hope that she'll be won over by it, that she might stop talking about cancelling digital cable at the end of the year.

Kerry

[kjnorman]

 

Originally posted by mr_yeti:
When exactly did you swap boxes, Kerry? And it was for audio issues that turned out to be the signal anyway, right?

Returned it Saturday and the box now appears to be in good working order.

All the problems appear to be on my cable line.

Good Luck!
Kerry

[Blitzman]

Get Direct TV, it's the best deal out there and the best picture and sound quality.  I was a long time TWC customer and last year I purchased a 57 inch Wide .  I hooked this up to my cable and I was very dissapointed.  

I sinced purchased a home, and decided to switch to Direct TV and give them a chance.  WOW!!  So I went out and purchased the Dual LNB dish, purchased the Toshiba STB and hooked up my OTA antenna and there I was watching all the local HD channels, HDNet, and HBOH.  This is the way to go.

TWC to Direct TV is a great move!

Direct TV does need to get the Discovery HD.  Does anyone know the status of that?

Just thought I would put my two cents in.  

[Gregg Lengling]

It's not going to happen until this whole buyout thing with Dish trying to buy Directv.  As far as I know the only way to get Disovery HD is through Dish right now and I wouldn't anticipate anything going on with Directv negotions right now.


------------------
Gregg R. Lengling
RCA P61310 61" 16x9
HiDTV Pro 2 computer reciever card
glengling@ameritech.net

[John Polulach]

Mr. Yeti -

You are not alone.  I feel your pain.

I got my TWC HD box last January. It went kapoot after about a month so I called and was told I could pick up a new one at their Mayfair Rd office, so I went there, they didn't have an HD box, so I had to go back a few days later.
Then the second box went kapoot, then I was told I could no longer pick up a replacement, but needed to schedule a service visit. I told them to MAKE SURE the tech had an HD box in the truck.  I took off from work for a half day, the TWC Tech said, "yep, your box is bad", but, of course, there wasn't a replacement on the truck. So another service call a few days later was required, which required taking off from work again.

So while TWC may be convenient in some respects, their service calls are very inconvenient, especially with an HD box.

John

[Joseph S]

Same story here.

I specified the HD Box and it was written on the install order form as well last Sept/Oct. Of course they only brought the normal digital cable box. Fortunately, I was able to  go to the Mayfair office and switch it a mere half hour later. I originally cancelled cable January 2002 when they informed me it would be 3 months before I could get an HD box.  

[Mike H]

 

Originally posted by kjnorman:
Actually it turns out I still have sound issues, so it seems that the box I returned was fine.  

What kind of sound issues on the SA 3100 box? I have problems with the digital sound only...  worse on PBS HD than other HDs but haven't noticed problems on any of the regular digital channels.

[SugarRay]

Great.  I am scheduled for the digital cable/HD3100 box upgrade next Friday.  What are the odds of them not having the correct stuff with them.  I am starting the bidding at 3 to 1 against them getting it done next Friday.

[mr_yeti]

SugarRay:

Please keep us posted as to whether or not you get your box. I would be very interested to hear the explanation I might receive when I confront them about why I must wait nearly a month for one, yet someone whose install date was after mine received one no problem.

I was unable to contact the customer service person I had been emailing back and forth about my problem, and I didn't have time to call anywhere else last night. The guy I was talking to is out of the office until Sunday, so maybe I can get another person who will actually address my concerns rather than trying to placate me with politeness and $20.

The package I ordered is $60/month, so I expect at least that much in credits/free services.

If they can find a stupid box for me, that would be better. Does anyone know if the regional offices share equipment, or do they all stock their own?

[kjnorman]

 

Originally posted by Mike H:
What kind of sound issues on the SA 3100 box? I have problems with the digital sound only...  worse on PBS HD than other HDs but haven't noticed problems on any of the regular digital channels.

Sounds like you have the same issue as me.  PBS HS is very bad in that the sound is kind of scratchy.  I always just presumed it was the demo loop as the digital sound was fine on HBO HD - never a  problem and the normal digital channels.

Then comes WTMJ-HD and that has similar problems in that the sound will every - now and then - crackle or pop.  WISN-DT comes on and this seems to have no (or very very few sound issues) os I am perplexed.

It can't be the box as this has been changed.  So I can only assume that it is in the HD feed.

Kerry

[mr_yeti]

My final complaint to the good folks at TWC:

Good morning.
On Wednesday afternoon, I was supposed to have an HD box installed with my new digital cable service. I was told this box was currently out of stock. Yesterday, I emailed a complaint to your department, to which (customer service rep) responded. I was informed that the box I require would not be available until December 16th at the earliest. I told (customer service rep) I would call him around 3:30 (I believe I said "after work"), but he was not at his desk when I called, and last night was busy for me. This is nearly a month from my install date to receive a piece of equipment which I ordered a week prior to the date of installation.

I should explain at this point that I subscribed to your service specifically for the High Definition programming you offer. I realize this may seem silly, as you currently offer less than ten channels, but it is true.

At present, the only three ways that this will be resolved satisfactorily to me are:

(1) An HD box is delivered to my home within the next week. A friend of mine from www.milwaukeehdtv.org  has informed me that he returned a working HD box to your King Dr. location last Saturday (he had an audio problem that turned out to be in his wiring). Would you be willing to check on the status of any returned boxes for me?

(2) A full refund (credit, I suppose) of the $60 I paid up front for the first month of service. Since I am not receiving the services which were my primary reason for ordering cable, I do not feel that I should have to pay for the month I will not have the HD box for. I would also accept the use of a Tivo receiver for such a period as would equal $60.

(3) Termination of service. I do not think the things I am requesting are, by any stretch of the imagination, unreasonable. If I am not satisfied that everything possible has been done to try to meet one of the above two options, I will cancel my service and go with DirecTv instead. I would prefer not to take this route, but if I have to, I will.

[This message has been edited by mr_yeti (edited 11-22-2002).]