TWC now has CableCards available

[720p]

I had inquired to TWC awhile back if they had CableCards available and was told they were working on them and would put me on a list with others who were interested.  Well in Friday's mail I received a brouchure stating that they are now available for lease.  The brouchure states that you can use their CableCard to receive analog & digital cable programs, premium channels, HD programming, but not pay per view, the program guide, or iControl movies/on-demand.

[Gregg Lengling]

Originally posted by 720p
but not pay per view, the program guide, or iControl movies/on-demand.

Well that sorta sucks...doesn't it......so if you have TWC and want those things you'll still have to rent their boxes...and if you don't want them you'll still have to rent their card.....Never Mind....I don't have TWC and never will until they get rid of all the added charges and hidden charges.
:mad:

[720p]

Yeah I'm not too crazy about the lack of PPV access either.  Also, leasing the card for a monthly charge really sucks unless it's like a quarter/month.  It's not like TWC won't be making money off of their programming packages either way.

[gparris]

Originally posted by 720p
Yeah I'm not too crazy about the lack of PPV access either.  Also, leasing the card for a monthly charge really sucks unless it's like a quarter/month.  It's not like TWC won't be making money off of their programming packages either way.

The website says they are charging $1.75/month for each card which is for records keeping and any problems. I would be thankful for that price for a TV in the kids room if it were digital cable ready instead of the $7.95/month fee.

As far as PPV, I don't use it,  so a if I needed to, I would call it in or access the web for it if it was possible to order in.

Tell me how you're going to get a hard drive in that cable card, when most of us
(or so it seems in this forum with HD DVR thread) want to record something like on a DVR?

I think there should be a selection of boxes we could buy from that interface with the cable company we could either rent or buy directly and be done with it, no cable card!;)

[720p]

Originally posted by gparris
The website says they are charging $1.75/month for each card which is for records keeping and any problems. I would be thankful for that price for a TV in the kids room if it were digital cable ready instead of the $7.95/month fee.

Tell me how you're going to get a hard drive in that cable card, when most of us
(or so it seems in this forum with HD DVR thread) want to record something like on a DVR?

$1.75/mo. for the card ain't bad.  As for recording, the upcoming Mits HD-PVR is CableCard ready and has two firewire ports.  That makes recording very easy.  I'm kind of waiting for Blu-ray recorders to come down in price before I buy one though.  I don't like the idea of archiving to DVHS.

[Gregg Lengling]

Originally posted by 720p
 I'm kind of waiting for Blu-ray recorders to come down in price before I buy one though.  I don't like the idea of archiving to DVHS.

The BlueRay isn't even available in the US...only Japan right now.

[720p]

Originally posted by Gregg Lengling
The BlueRay isn't even available in the US...only Japan right now.

I'm well aware of that.  The first American Blu-ray comes out this fall from LG.  Regardless, I'm waiting... I didn't say how long I'm prepared to wait.  Waiting is better than going back to tape IMO.

[mhz40]

Originally posted by Gregg Lengling
Well that sorta sucks...doesn't it......so if you have TWC and want those things you'll still have to rent their boxes...and if you don't want them you'll still have to rent their card.....Never Mind....I don't have TWC and never will until they get rid of all the added charges and hidden charges.
:mad:

I think that's kind of harsh, coming from an administrator and all...

If you don't want digital channels you can direct-connect your tv without installing a card or a box in every outlet in your home.  Then the only 'hidden' charge is the franchise fee, of which 100% goes directly to your local city, town or village government to lower your taxes or support local public access.

[gparris]

My neighbour has 5 sets, 2 HD with cable boxes while the kid get their 3 sets in their bedrooms (watching after they do their homework) for no extra charge and like just the analogue channels as they are.

The box charge was quoted to them before installation with the DigiPic 2000 service separately and totaled out for them with no surprises. They get Road Runner for $5 off due to package selection and that is on the bill, too.

IF you HAD a TWC bill, Gregg, you would see an itemized list of every charge - no hidden agendas or pricing.

Every customer gets a booklet on pricing as a new customer plus mailings on any changes occurring in advance whenever possible and the TWC website has recently got a makeover. If there are any errors please go to the Get Help Now section and tell them what is in error and you will get a response in 24-48 hours with an explanation and/or correction-I always get one.

[Paul S.]

WTF is diss cable card you speak of?

[mrmike]

Originally posted by gparris
The box charge was quoted to them before installation with the DigiPic 2000 service separately and totaled out for them with no surprises. They get Road Runner for $5 off due to package selection and that is on the bill, too.

IF you HAD a TWC bill, Gregg, you would see an itemized list of every charge - no hidden agendas or pricing.
 

Honestly, as a TWC customer, I found it nearly impossible to determine what it's going to cost me for cable until I get my bill, though.   The website is confusing, doesn't list the analog options well, and the channel lists use different terms than the DiGiPic package descriptions so I can't figure out what channels go with what package.

[borghe]

I don't think Gregg is referring to hidden charges as in not knowing what you are paying for.. he is referring to what mrmike is saying.. that it is impossible to know what your bill will be until you get it in the mail.

D* and E* for example, you know your total bill will be:

Programming + $5/each receiver after the first + sales tax.

Without looking at my D* bill I can tell you exactly what it is by just doing math.

TWC isn't anywhere near that simple. Besides non-standard package pricing (everyone I know is still on a package that isn't even listed on TWC's site anymore. some on packages that haven't existed for more than 3 years), you have the franchise fees and well.. I sure thought there was more but not having cable I won't talk say anything else..

though to be fair, everyone nickels and dimes you.. D* has DVR fees if you don't have platinum, the HDTV package, international channels, Para Todos, etc. But yeah, you can go onto D*'s website and know exactly how much you will be paying for service when you leave. The same can't be said about TWC.

As for the topic at hand, cablecard... I personally think it is a great step forward.. once TWC releases their OCAP compliant IPG (and hopefully sends it down to all cablecard one way devices) and especially with the eventual release of cablecard compatible HD DVRs, it is definitely a landmark move for cable. Finally caught up to satellite in regards to letting customers own their own boxes and not charging $5-8/month for a piece of hardware that potentially costs the company as little as $150.