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HDTV: Who's the Bigger Liar of 2008? (nation's TV providers stretched the truth to channel counts)
tvpredictions.com ^ | Dec. 30, 2008 | Phillip Swann

Posted on 01/01/2009 5:30:47 AM PST by Las Vegas Dave

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To: bcsco

No, Cable One includes all but the movie channels, and a few select HD channels that are subscription only, in the package I have.

So, I have access to about 18 HD channels. When I get an HDTV, I won’t have to make any programming or hardware changes.

I’m guessing that after Feb 18, I’ll have access to more HD channels.

On my SDTV, the HD channels come in letterboxed.


21 posted on 01/01/2009 7:00:07 AM PST by savedbygrace (SECURE THE BORDERS FIRST (I'M YELLING ON PURPOSE))
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To: savedbygrace

This morning they changed it to “Bratwine Het.” Don’t try to learn that. It is scheduled to change at noon again.


22 posted on 01/01/2009 7:00:22 AM PST by Right Wing Assault (What's Obama's Secret?)
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To: Las Vegas Dave

Sort of like the deception from Cox Cable.

They advertise free HD programming. But what they fail to mention is that you have to have an HD converter, even with a HD TV set, and that converter rents for $5.95.

My local cable says I have to have digital programming, also, which adds another few more $$$ for a minimum of $11.95.

So their ‘free’ HD programming costs about $13.00 or so with tax.


23 posted on 01/01/2009 7:02:22 AM PST by TomGuy
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To: webschooner

I’m sure it is a case by case decision. And as with you, Comcast isn’t known for their discounting; at least over a long-haul relationship. They may give initial discounts to draw business, but those soon drop.


24 posted on 01/01/2009 7:05:32 AM PST by bcsco (Illinois politicians should be read their Miranda rights when sworn in to office...)
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To: oh8eleven
We only have 45 HD channels [Time Warner]

Cox Cable had the local channels on HD for several months. They just recently added some of the cable channels as HD. We now can get about 25 HD channels -- but the 'free' HD programming ends up adding another $11.95 to the cable bill (for HD converter and digital service). So far, I can't justify that, considering I don't watch that much TV anyway.
25 posted on 01/01/2009 7:07:05 AM PST by TomGuy
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To: savedbygrace

Okay, that explains it. With Comcast, I have to subscribe for HD reception (and maybe even exchange my box). At $5 it’s no big deal, but that’s the way it’s structured.

Still, HDTV is no lure for me. My 32” Sony gives excellent results. I’m quite content...


26 posted on 01/01/2009 7:08:12 AM PST by bcsco (Illinois politicians should be read their Miranda rights when sworn in to office...)
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To: Right Wing Assault

LOL.


27 posted on 01/01/2009 7:09:13 AM PST by savedbygrace (SECURE THE BORDERS FIRST (I'M YELLING ON PURPOSE))
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To: bcsco

Our cable provider where we live is Cox Communications.

I also recently dumped my landline we did have with Cox, in favor of a VOIP service (T-Mobile @ Home) I added on to our T-Mobile cell service for an additional $10 per month, which includes long distance. It works well.

It was simple to set-up. I just plugged our existing set of cordless phonesets (which are placed throughout the house) into the router T-Mo provided and nothing in practical usage changed ... except of course, the price. We save something over $20 per month by the change, depending on what our long distance bill might have been with the cable landline.

We also put our entire T-Mo bill in my wife’s name so we get an additional 12% discount off the total, corporate discount, due to the hospital where she works. Cox isn’t offering any corporate discount, I might add. I wish T-Mobile would offer broadband internet!


28 posted on 01/01/2009 7:15:06 AM PST by webschooner
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To: bcsco
With my Cable One service, when I change from the SD channel to the HD channel of a given broadcaster, the letterboxed HD image is far better on both my sets than the SD.

Sharper, cleaner, and with a lot less mosquito noise.

With DirecTV, when I watched golf, the course looked more like green oceans than grass. With Cable One, when I watch golf on one of the HD channels, it IS grass. I'd estimate the improvement is 47,687% better.

The flesh on people's faces no longer shifts around. Eyeballs stay where they are. Programming is watchable again.

I did have to pull some clever legal maneuvers against DirecTV to keep from having to pay an early termination fee. <SPIT>. Well, not really clever. I merely had to research the laws WRT contracts in my State, and I discovered that DTV had made a huge error which means they are not legally entitled to the fee. YMMV.

29 posted on 01/01/2009 7:21:05 AM PST by savedbygrace (SECURE THE BORDERS FIRST (I'M YELLING ON PURPOSE))
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To: SBprone

Dang! I wanna watch foosball in yousirs house.

Only problemo is that my team is the Cowboys who has Porky Pig for a coach, Randy Dandy for a QB and a Cockroach for an Owner

When can I come by? I will bring dip. You get the chips


30 posted on 01/01/2009 7:45:11 AM PST by SoftwareEngineer
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To: martin_fierro

Awww!


31 posted on 01/01/2009 7:46:51 AM PST by Slings and Arrows ("Every few generations the really, really bad ideas come back around for another go."--Howard Tayler)
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To: Las Vegas Dave

I would have to go with Dish Network. According to their site they have 51 channels. Then they count RSN and PPV, quite a joke.


32 posted on 01/01/2009 8:01:50 AM PST by edge10 (Obama lied, babies died!)
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To: Las Vegas Dave

Is it possible to embarass the cable and sat providers into advertising their non-PPV HD channel count?


33 posted on 01/01/2009 8:32:43 AM PST by G Larry (BarackÂ’s character has been molded by extremists)
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To: edge10; G Larry

CUT AND PASTED FROM: http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-network-forum/159614-new-hd-dish-2009-a.html (Question is when?)

HD National Channels Currently Planned to Launch in the Future! – One of DISH Network’s main strategies is to continue improving our HD channel offerings. Here is a list of HD national channels we currently plan on launching in 2009!

BET – The television network providing programming highlighting African-American culture.

Comedy Central – The all-comedy network.

CMT – The video network for young country fans, playing non-stop contemporary country hits 24 hours a day.

Crime & Investigation – Network dedicated to crime, investigation and mystery.

Fashion TV – The 24/7 fashion, beauty and style TV station.

FX – Offers a growing roster of award-winning original series and box-office hits.

MTV – America’s premier music video and entertainment network for young adults.

Nickelodeon – Offers the highest quality and top-rated kids programming in a variety of genres appealing to kids of all ages.

SHOTO – Offers double the entertainment power of Showtime.

Showtime Extreme – Dedicated to all action, all the time.

Showtime (West) HD – Showtime in high definition provides the ultimate in home theater entertainment.

SPEED – The 24-hour network that is devoted to the sport of NASCAR.

Spike TV – Addresses the modern mans lifestyle interests.

VH1 – Where today’s upscale viewers stay connected to the music and music culture they love.


34 posted on 01/01/2009 8:42:43 AM PST by Las Vegas Dave (Illegitimi non carborundum - "Don't let the bastards grind you down")
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To: TomGuy
Cox Cable had the local channels on HD for several months.
Your local channels that broadcast in HD can be picked up for free with just a set of rabbit ears hooked into an HD TV.
I've had my Sony 42" for four years now and I'm still amazed by the HD picture quality. I think 3D TV is not that far away, and I believe some sets are already advertising, "3D ready."
35 posted on 01/01/2009 8:43:37 AM PST by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: Las Vegas Dave

Remember when cable came out advertised as no ad tv? That was one of it’s biggest selling points.


36 posted on 01/01/2009 8:58:29 AM PST by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote.)
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To: savedbygrace

“WRT contracts”? Short explanation? Thanks in advance! ;-)


37 posted on 01/01/2009 9:25:31 AM PST by Tunehead54 (Nothing funny here. ;-)
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To: Tunehead54

Because of privacy concerns, my reply is for FReepMail only. Thank you.


38 posted on 01/01/2009 9:56:11 AM PST by savedbygrace (SECURE THE BORDERS FIRST (I'M YELLING ON PURPOSE))
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To: savedbygrace

We’re subjected to Comcast here for cable. Both Dish and Direct are available, a neighbor has one of them, but I’ve not gotten the bug. Comcast has outages at times, but I know from the neighbor that it’s not as frequent as he experiences. I think much of his problem is trees in the area. At least he mouths off about it (as well as other stuff). Me, I’m happy. I just wish we had carte blanche with our lineups. There’s a bunch of crap I’d drop and a couple I’d add. But only a couple.


39 posted on 01/01/2009 10:05:07 AM PST by bcsco (Illinois politicians should be read their Miranda rights when sworn in to office...)
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To: webschooner

We dropped our landline two years ago and went solely with cell phones. Our son and the wife’s sister and her husband have also gone that route. I’ve never looked back. I’m saving about $100/month. Happy guy...


40 posted on 01/01/2009 10:08:13 AM PST by bcsco (Illinois politicians should be read their Miranda rights when sworn in to office...)
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