Time Warner pricing

[beckkl]

I am a bit confused as to how much the "addons" cost for Time Warner Digital cable.  Right now I have standard cable, tivo, and an OTA indoor antenna, and it is just not cutting it.  I would like to ensure that I have good digital reception for the Packer Season.  I don't want to put an antenna on my roof, so I guess it is time to get upgrade my basic cable.  (I'm assuming that you still need an OTA antenna for DTV?)  

Anyway, how much would it cost me to get digital cable w/ the local HD channels and the DVR?  Also, can anyone here make a comparison between the TW PVR and TiVo?  My girlfriend is not happy about the idea of ditching TiVo, but it leaves me with little choice.....

This is what I can piece together from their site:
Digital Cable package: $47.95
"Equipment Rental": $7.95
HD package: $6.95
PVR: 5.99?

Am I missing anything...   man this crap adds up.... maybe I will climb the roof...

Thx,
Kyle

[summerfun]

You have a couple of choices. BTW, you will never need an OTA antenna, everything will come through the cable.

You can get just locals both SD and HD for $12.95 plus an HD STB rental of $7.95. That would be you're least expensive. You could keep your TIVO, but the TIVO will only record your SD channels. This will give you the packer games.

You could get a Digi Pic package. This will give you all the local channels both SD and HD, plus many more SD and more HD channels. The packages start at $47.95 plus the HD STB rental of $7.95. You can still keep your TIVO, but it will still only record SD channels. For $6.95 you can add four more HD channel (INHD, INHD2, HDNET, HDMV)

If you want to use the TWC DVR, right now they don't have the HD DVR yet, so you need to rent a stand alone SD DVR for $7.95 plus and extra DVR charge of $5.00. This will only record the SD channels just like your TIVO. Once the HD DVR comes out, you will be able to combine the HD box and DVR into one box and cancel one of the rental fees.

As far as DVR vs TIVO, I think the DVR is just great and I really like that it has two turners so you can watch one channel while recording another or record two different things and be watching a third already recorded show at once.

You might also want to check out Satellite, but I am a fan of cable. I think you can get a two tuner HD TIVO with satellite, but they cost $1,000 up front right now.

[The Law]

In order to get the packer games, I do not believe you need to updgrade to the digital package.  You should be able to get the HD content for the locals with the basic package.  You will need to swap out your set top box for an HD ready one - there should be no change is monthly box rental

As far as the additional $6.95 for the HD Package - this is only necessary if you wish to subsribce to the additional channels which include HDNet and InHD.  This package is not necessary to purchase to get the locals in HD - i.e. Packer games

The PVR at the moment only supports HD.  This means, that you will have to rent 2 set top boxes - one for HD and one for PVR.  Time Warner is beta testing at the moment an HD PVR that will pass through HD programming and be able to record, etc.  This was supposed to be out months ago but is being pushed back due to technical issues.  My bet is this will be out by Labour Day so you may wish to hold off for a moment.  The PVR is slated to cost about $6 a month, I believe.

As far as comparisons between TiVo and TW PVR - I think there was a thread about that on this forum a month or so ago, so you may wish to perform a Search.

Hope this helps.

[beckkl]

Ok, great.  I didn't realize that you needed the local HD channels came w/ the standard package.  This is probably a stupid question, but my TV has a built in ATSC tuner.  Would there be any way that I could use the time warner PVR and still get the HD channels w/out the HD box?  I assume not, but I figured I would ask anyway.

Thx.

[summerfun]

NO, your tuner in the TV will not be used. The DVR will also be the HD box, it is one in the same.

[beckkl]

Ok, you sold me....  Can I just run down to TW over lunch and pick up a box, or do I need to make an appt?

thx

[StarvingForHDTV]

Originally posted by summerfun
You have a couple of choices. BTW, you will never need an OTA antenna, everything will come through the cable.

You can get just locals both SD and HD for $12.95 plus an HD STB rental of $7.95. That would be you're least expensive. You could keep your TIVO, but the TIVO will only record your SD channels. This will give you the packer games.

You could get a Digi Pic package. This will give you all the local channels both SD and HD, plus many more SD and more HD channels. The packages start at $47.95 plus the HD STB rental of $7.95. You can still keep your TIVO, but it will still only record SD channels. For $6.95 you can add four more HD channel (INHD, INHD2, HDNET, HDMV)

If you want to use the TWC DVR, right now they don't have the HD DVR yet, so you need to rent a stand alone SD DVR for $7.95 plus and extra DVR charge of $5.00. This will only record the SD channels just like your TIVO. Once the HD DVR comes out, you will be able to combine the HD box and DVR into one box and cancel one of the rental fees.

As far as DVR vs TIVO, I think the DVR is just great and I really like that it has two turners so you can watch one channel while recording another or record two different things and be watching a third already recorded show at once.

You might also want to check out Satellite, but I am a fan of cable. I think you can get a two tuner HD TIVO with satellite, but they cost $1,000 up front right now.

You should be representing Time Warner Cable with a post of this quality.  JMHO

Starving

[beckkl]

So if I want the SD DVR, but still get HD from TW, I still need to have two boxes?  hmmm...

[summerfun]

Yes, for now you will need two boxes. One SD DVR which will work for all channels except your HD and you will need an HD box which will work for all channels SD and HD, but cannot record.

We are patiently waiting for the combo HD DVR box. TWC sent out a letter stating later this summer. Until then, you can rent both boxes.

You do not need an appointment, you can stop by any TWC office or mall kiosk.

[beckkl]

But, if I just want to record SD, and just watch HD, do I still need two boxes?

[summerfun]

YES, The DVR is SD only and cannot display or record HD channels. You need the HD box to watch HD channels but the HD box does not record, so for now you can only record SD channels with the SD DVR and watch HD channels on the HD box.

Real soon, they will release an HD DVR box so you will only have to have one box. It will display SD and HD and record SD and HD

EXAMPLE:

Today:

SD DVR box (dispay and record SD) TV input 1

HD box (display SD or HD) TV input 2

Soon:

HD DVR box (dispay and record SD and HD) one box only

[borghe]

you mentioned your TV has an ATSC tuner.. If it also has a CableCard slot you can in fact get local HD channels without a box. Call TWC and tell them you want a CableCard installed..

Also it should be noted that your TWC bill will come out to over $20/month with box and basic service. A rooftop antenna with do-it-yourself installtion would pay for itself in about 3-4 months and an antenna with professional installation would pay for itself in less than a year.

Just something to think about. Besdides, more and more antennas are going up now. Wouldn't you like to be a trendsetter?

[beckkl]

Yah, but the fact that I need a DVR complicates things...  Right now my bill is $42 pluss the $13 I pay for TiVo.  With the digital package it is $43 + $8 box +$5 for PVR.  Roughly the same amount.  Granted I am still in the same boat as I was before.  I figure I am trading the nice Tivo interface for the cruddy TW one, but at lease I can record 2 shows at once, and get a tad more recording time...

Hopefully the TW HD DVR will make everything better

[The Law]

Hopefully the TW HD DVR will make everything better

Yes, there are a few of us on this board being quite patient on this...

[summerfun]

Originally posted by beckkl
I am trading the nice Tivo interface for the cruddy TW one,  

I have to take issue with that statement.

I bought my parents a TIVO for Christmas and I have the TWC DVR so I am experienced with both. Although there are a few more features around searching for a movie with TIVO, I think the TWC DVR interface is very user friendly and most certainly gets the job done.

As with anything new, it will take you a little time to get used to the new interface, but give it a chance and don't prejudge. I think you will like it once you use it for awhile. You will LOVE the two tuner feature.