Century Link Prism TV available in The Villages
 

Does anyone have the new Century Link prism TV. If so tell me what you think.

On Wednesday I received a call from Century Link offering their new prism TV package. I told the lady that I wasn't interested in anything that had a dish outside my home. She said that this is not dish I said now you have my attention.

It sounded real good and I went to the Century Link office at 684 US Hwy 441North by Target to take a look. The guy I talked to was very knowledgeable much more that anyone I have ever talked to at Comcast. He knew his product very well and presented it very simple.

Well good by Comcast and I am set up for the new package from Century Link. I even got a $100.00 American Express gift card for switching over. Their package seems to offer more that Comcast for less money. With the DVR you can watch it on any TV in the house and can record 4 shows at the same time with 233 hours of HD recording space. They offer many more things than I was getting from Comcast.

They are going to install it on Monday the 13th. I hope I have made the correct choice.


A link to their website showing this product is below. When you go to this link click on the Orlando area for local packages.

http://www.centurylink.com/Pages/Per...yTvMarket.html

We signed up for it after having DirectTV for maybe 15 years (and we liked that). We're still getting used to it but I like it...I think my other half does as well. It's going to save us some cash as well. One thing for sure...when we do have the occassional weather we won't have any interruption! We've had it for a couple of weeks or so now and it's working just fine. Oh...the "caller ID wasn't coming up on our screen so a call was made and we had technician's out pretty promptly and all was fixed.

So...hoping you too enjoy it!!

Keep us posted on your new service. Love the idea of only one DVR...
Thanks for sharing this with us.
How was the pricing compared to Comcast. Did you also get the internet?

I will be saving about $40.00 (monthly) over what I was spending for TV (Comcast) phone and internet which I am upgrading to a faster speed. The phone and internet I already had with Century Link.

It appears that I am getting more bang for my cheaper buck.

Will be interested in hearing more about it after you have it installed and running.

Have some questions already. Does it use a DSL. How does the 3Mgb Internet service compare to Comcast's?

Will you be able to stream movies from Netflix?

I briefly looked at their channel line up and did not see Fox Business news and only listed a single Encore Channel, whereas Comcast provides several Encore Channels,and that's important for my wife who loves to watch movies. On Encore, Indie, Sundance etc.

Last big question, I wonder if this service available in all parts of the Villages?

Can't answer your questions perhaps you should give them a call at 866.318.8692 or local office is 352.430.2255

My spouse is "frugal" so I'd say the cost is good! I can't tell you how much though I'm sure I was told. We bundled with Internet and have a land-line though not long-distance through it (because we have cells). At our house we're always looking for ways to "save a buck"!!!

It seems similar to Verizon Fios that we have here in Maryland. If you're a fan of HD like myself, it seems to be a compromise between Comcast and Directv. I counted about 65 HD channels on the Prism lineup, compare that to Comcast's about 50 HD channels and with Directv I get about 110.

On the premium channels it's about the same number of HD channels on HBO & Cinemax, I believe it was 6 HD and 4 HD. However, on Showtime and Starz they are lacking, Directv has 10 HD Showtime and 8 HD Starz channels where Prism only has 2 each. That's where Comcast is a joke only giving you 1 HD channel on each premium service.

I also noticed that after the first 3 months you have to add $11.99 a month for HD service, even on the best package. With Century Link you can still bundle Directv with the internet, landline and Verizon cellphone. So I'll have to check that all out when I move there in July.


Where

Is this available everywhere in TV? I just tried the order button on the link you provided to see where it would take me and when I provided my zip code it said it wasn't yet available in our area. We are in Buttonwood but the zip code 32162 I think covers south of 466.

Oh, boy. I just ordered Comcast Triple Play, to be installed 6/12. Promotion is $99/month + $16/m for DVR + $7/m for something else + $50 installation fee + $29.95 activation fee; free HBO x 3 months. They use broadband and only have 80 channels. I already have 3.0 DSL & phone with CenturyLink, wonder why they haven't called me? Thanks for the link Indy-Guy. Their triple-play with 3.0 is $104.95 x 6 months (a savings of $20/m); free DVR service; 190 channels (w/3.0 pkg). I don't have an HD TV so don't need that expense. Right now my phone/internet is $90 & my DIRECTV is $90 for Choice Extra so I'm looking to save some bucks. I tried 32162 & 32159 and it said no service yet in our area but it lists the 441 address as a contact so Indy-Guy, it looks like I'll be heading over there on Monday. :crap2:

sounds like this is like at&t 's uverse service not like vios which is fiber to the prem. this product is fiber to a node then copper feed to the prem .know this product for i place this for at&t in ct as a lineman for at&t .works pretty good .

I live in the village of Poinciana near Cane Garden with a zip of 32162. Installation is scheduled for Monday June 13th will let you know how it is working.

I have used Direct TV and Comcast for phone/internet/cable packages. They offer a great rate to sign up but it's only for 6 months. When you call to complain, they give you a better or same rate for the next six months but you can only do that a few times.

I initially had Comcast; rates were great, a year later they hiked over $20 more per month. I swtiched over to Direct TV; you need to sign a two year contract that comes with a high penalty if you cancel earlier. My bill just went up $15, teaser rate expired so I'm locked in for another year.

Do you have to sign a contract with Century Link - I suspect the great rates were just a sign on bonus and not a firm rate that just goes up with inflation.

I'm a little confused. Centurylink Prism is being advertised as a fiber optic service.

All our cables are underground and pulled in prior to the commencement of construction in a particular area. As far as I know we have copper wires feeding all our utilities and communiction services with the obvious exception of Satellite TV.

So my question is "when did CenturyLink install fiber optic cable underground in The Villages?" If there is no fiber optic cable on your property to be hooked up to your HDTV, then you won't be getting what you think you're getting. Only fiber optic cable can deliver the highest quality HD picture when compared to copper cable, either telephone cable or coax cable TV. They may advertise Prism as being fiber optic, but, if the final hookup to your house is copper, then the signal will be downgraded from what it would be with total fiber optic. Except for a few extra channels, there won't be much difference between that and Comcast.

Home ball you are right .the only reason at&t uverse sells is it's 15 to 30 $ a month less than the cable companys here in ct. 1 dvr for the whole house and more channels. Speeds a little faster , but the main reason here is monthly cost. Ski

Their brochure that I received in the mail states “Fiber optics apply to all or significant amount of the network depending on your location”

In The Villages copper comes into the house.

Yes, Nanci. I called today. It's a 1yr contract. I signed up then cancelled the Comcast Triple Play I was going to have installed. Then I called DIRECTV to cancel and she made me an offer I couldn't refuse so I had to call CenturyLink back to cancel Prism. What a day!

Thanks for the info. I must have missed the fine print. Well, at least they're honest in admitting that those locations with copper wire only will not be getting the full benefit of fiber optic service. So then the only difference is price between them and Comcast. Myself, I would prefer an upgrade to fiber optics before I go to the trouble of changing providers. We really are limited to the choices the developer made for us back when.

I was told by a fellow TV resident that all new developments, including Buttonwood, had fiber run to each home along with the traditional copper wiring. I can't validate this, but it certainly makes sense to do during the construction phase.

We currently have Direct TV in TV and I'm quite happy with it. We have Comcast as our Internet provider. Back in MA, we have Verizon FIOS for all three services and other than their higher pricing, we have been happy with their quality of service.

We have three providers to choose from in our town back in MA. Having a choice of providers has, I believe, kept cost down and also improved service. It's good to see that TV residents will have more choices and that's the benefit of competition.

prism tv
 

I went over to Century Link yesterday to talk to them about about getting it installed and was told it was not available in all areas. I am in the historical side was told it could be up to six months to get to get all the wiring in place. They are going to send me an e-mail when it is finished.

MinnieM

When CenturyLink installed my internet service a year ago, the technician told me that the Village of St. Charles was the last village to be wired with copper. All of the newer villages have fiber optics. That is what I was told. I just have to assume that he knows what he is talking about. I do know there is a fiber optics line running through our backyard that backs up to St. Charles Place.

fiber is also used the catv now has been for years.could be fiber feed for comcast? if it is , that's there fiber feed they done share.

Prism
 

I went to the website and it's 233 hours of standard broadcast not HD. big difference.

Also checked internet speeds seems their best is slow....

This web site has a lot of feedback from users.
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r250...yLink-Prism-TV
It seems that there are a lot of limitations with the technology. I'd proceed with caution if you are a TV "power user".

here's a little prism / uverse (101) this is still copper fed from home to node/ vrad. to far from node/vrad (4200 ft) to close (500) may not work all the time.twist in copper ca has to be very tight even to home wiring. in ct here all iw is changed to cat5 or better. all bridge tap has to be removed line cond. to home .this signal has to be perft. if not picalation. for every uverse install in ct 20 to 30 repair visit's to get it right and some times it doesn't happen. i'm not blowing smoke here been in telco 40 plus years i;ve built it /spliced it /installed it /repaired it. if your happy with comcast stay with it a few buck's more will save you a lot of head ackes. ski

an buy the way .i cant get uverse here in my town to far from vrad 5000 ft cable on street crap .i've got cox and i work for at&t. an i love cox never go'es out good speeds and great service.so take that with a grain a salt

Competition
 

It is good to finally have some competition. I noticed that the internet speeds with Prism are slow except for the Power bundle at $152 a month. 3mbps is not very fast.

Direct TV
 

Just got Direct TV for 20 months $24.95 includes $10.00 month AAA credit
Plus free install equipment.

Rays other Baseball games
 

What bacic TV service and stations for baseball.

Any Century Link Prism updates???
 

Say looking into adding High Speed Internet to my villages home. I currently have Comcast for TV and Century link for phone. Thinking of getting triple play service from one or the other. Can anyone give an update on current status of prism if they have it at home? Likes dislikes,etc. compared to Comcast.

I currently have Comcast in my VA home with triple play and it has been pretty reliable with high-speed connection. Minimum of 20 mbps down & 6 mbps up.

Price's seem comparable but speeds seem a little off. Plan to have it installed early July so would like feed back ASAP.

Thanks
TV MAN
:024:

Talked to Century Link and it is not currently available for our new CYV (Southern Star Villas) in Tamarind Grove. She even double checked!

Prisum
 

I had spoke with a rep at the store the other day by phone she checked my account and said it was available I am in the Village of Amelia.

:shrug:

not availabile in all areas of the villages
drd

Does anyone have feedback from Prism yet?

Century Link south of 466A
 

We had CL installed last Dec. and put it on vacation Jan. through last Thursday. First month no problems--loved the service (have the triple play).
Had it taken off vacation hold while we are here for three weeks--major problems. Our TV's freeze up and have spent approx. 15 hours on the phone with them, as they say they have to rebuild the problem. Been here 6 days and it has frozen up 4 of those days. We just found out this a.m. while on the phone for a good hour that we are not the only ones having problems in our area. Supposedly, they are sending out an engineer to look at everything in this area. We don't trust what they say and we're switching to Bright House. I think they have too many technicians, etc. that have no clue what to do.

Update: Had Bright House come today and install everything. Found out several residents in Sanibel having problems with CL. Tuesday night, talked with Paul, the sales rep for this territory. We got free installation and the first month of the basic charge free ($130). Total cost for digital cable, internet (same speed as CL) and phone is approximately $140 plus taxes. Can put system on vacation hold for a period of 3-9 months with an approximately fee of $25.00. So far, BH has been great. Installer was quick, knowledgeable and we now have a great picture.

Good luck with working with Centurylink. Beside rude customer service reps and tech support that could not/would not help, I had them out here 3 times in 2 weeks, to install the prism and EVERYTIME they sent a different sub sontractor and EVERY time the contractor wanted more money for something. AND it still was not installed. They installed wiring on TOP of my siding and it looked awful!!! Love my Direct, and have very little issues with lost service. Rather deal with a little lost service than have to EVER deal with Century Link again!! Am cancelling my home phone service and internet as soon as I can get something else in place!!!

DISH Network...anyone switched to their new "Hopper" converter/DVR?

Beware Century Link
 

There was a sales rep in TV back in late Feb early March pushing Century Link . We signed due to the big difference in price. Same package I had with Comcast however a better picture with Century Link plus the watch anywhere feature. Well the instalation I was told I wouldn't have to pay I had to and the rate I was quoted changed because of a rate increase. So beware !