Officially switched from D* to TWC

[jimbop99]

Don't get me wrong, I liked DirecTV alot. With a new purchase of a HDTV, and DirecTV wanting $300 for a HD box or even worse, $1000 for a HD DirecTivo, I decided to try alternate sources for HD content. The whole reason I switched to DirecTV over cable (almost 8 years ago) was because 1. DirecTV was cheaper and b. the picture was much better. Now, with the new TV, I feel cable will be the way to go. I am crossing my fingers that within the two year time frame, DirecTV will provide local HD channels.

[Bigdog]

How are you guys getting these deals on TWC?  We have the Digipac 1000, HBO&Cinemax, 1 Digital box, 1 HD-DVR and Roadrunner and it is like $147/month. With these "wonderful reception" and all these outages we are thinking about moving to a dish.

[MathWiz579]

It may just be for people who are thinking about moving from sat. to cable.

I have experienced three "outages" thus far from TWC, all on my standard DVR box.  TWC has said that a possible reason for my outages is a computer glitch that sends the programming that should be going to the regular DVR instead to the HD-DVR.  Not sure I buy that.

My HD-DVR box has experienced quite a few audio drop-outs (last night's Jay Leno and Conan shows were awful).

Also, ever since my "switch" from Earthlink to RR, for some reason my wireless router can't seem to keep its IP address.  I've experienced the same problem if I plug my laptop directly into the modem (i.e. the internet will just "stop working").  A TWC tech is coming out today to look at the modem, and maybe I'll have the tech look at the connections to the HD-DVR and see if there is anything that can be done.

Picture and non-outages were definitely better with D* and I may just go back once I am in a place where I can install an OTA antenna and figure out how to do Tivo without a phone line.  However for the time being, getting an HD-DVR and a regular DVR that work in my situation (and cost overall no more than having my old D* plan and internet) has been very cool.

[mrmike]

Originally posted by MathWiz579
Also, ever since my "switch" from Earthlink to RR, for some reason my wireless router can't seem to keep its IP address.  I've experienced the same problem if I plug my laptop directly into the modem (i.e. the internet will just "stop working").  A TWC tech is coming out today to look at the modem, and maybe I'll have the tech look at the connections to the HD-DVR and see if there is anything that can be done.

I've had a similar issue on and off with my wireless router.  I finally just set up a script that logs into it and manually renews the lease every day and it works fine.  The RR techs were clueless (and wanted me to pay for their "multi-computer access package".  YMMV.

[borghe]

bigdog.. bad news.. I just called yesterday to get a similar deal with my mom.. no go.. apparently current cable subs get very little love from TWC. They offered her RR for $29.95/month for six months and HBO for free for 6 months.. that was the extent of their offers.

I would suggest leaving for the dish. Either company will likely give you lots a free stuff to move over. Though don't expect HD for any less than a $200 credit (meaning $99 for an hd tuner or $800 for an HDTivo). Though they have started installing OTA antennas as part of standard HD installations.

[MathWiz579]

TWC rep came out.  Problem was the fact I was using a splitter before getting the cable to the modem, thereby decreasing the signal strength enough to cause intermittent drop-outs.

The tech changed the wiring around and now hopefully my problem will be fixed.  He also checked the signal strength going to my HD-DVR.  The signal is boardline OK... they may drop another line into my apartment so I can have a dedicated HD-DVR connection.

Haven't had an drop-out yet tonight.

[Tom Snyder]

DUH!!!!  

Been watching the Football game and the drop outs have been pretty frequent... your post just made me realize that the wife and I are both online...  that's the culprit....

Wonder if I can get another line!

[Joseph S]

Had the dropouts on cable, haven't found any on my eyeTV recording yet. I think this is a TWC issue. My signal is always "too much" per their readouts, yet others have "too little." Perhaps Mathwiz has it "just right."

[borghe]

if your RR is knocking out your cable quality, then it is still a line problem. There is more than enough frequency on the copper from the street to handle a 2-4Mbps internet connection plus feed however many Mhz the cable signal is.. if that is the case I would strongly recommend trying to get TWC to rewire your house (or doi it yourself on your own dime), cause things aren't going to get any better, only worse as time goes on and more services are added to that line.

[Bigdog]

Thanks Borghe   I may just do that if they can't get the picture quality to improve, altho not sure when the repairs will be made.

I've have had a few different cable companies both here in WI and in other states and this by far has been the worst picture quality in my opinion. The only thing that is keeping me with it right now is RR and the HD DVR.  

Originally posted by borghe
bigdog.. bad news.. I just called yesterday to get a similar deal with my mom.. no go.. apparently current cable subs get very little love from TWC. They offered her RR for $29.95/month for six months and HBO for free for 6 months.. that was the extent of their offers.

I would suggest leaving for the dish. Either company will likely give you lots a free stuff to move over. Though don't expect HD for any less than a $200 credit (meaning $99 for an hd tuner or $800 for an HDTivo). Though they have started installing OTA antennas as part of standard HD installations.