Talk of The Villages Florida
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Talk of The Villages Florida (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/)
-   The Villages, Florida, General Discussion (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/)
-   -   Did your cable bill go up recently? (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/did-your-cable-bill-go-up-recently-356181/)

biker1 02-03-2025 05:25 PM
Probably not. If you have a 4K 75" TV and are sitting 12 feet or more from the set you probably can't tell the difference between a 1080p signal upscaled by the TV to 4K and a true 4K signal. YMMV as some sets may upscale better than others. In the case of a network sending out an upscaled 4K signal, they may do a better job of upscaling than your TV.


Quote:
Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 2406742)
Question: If a 4K or 8K TV does a good job at upscaling, why do you need to watch a 4K signal? Last year, they admitted that the Super Bowl was actually broadcast in an upscaled version of 4K, not a native 4K signal. Was that any different from watching it on an upscaling TV? I certainly couldn't tell the difference.

jrref 02-03-2025 06:12 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 2406753)
I understand interpolation. But, if they cannot even afford to broadcast the Super Bowl in native 4K, what is the point of broadcasting it using upscaling when almost everyone already has a 4K TV that upscales?
Biker1 answered your question, but to add, bottom line, every TV has different upscalling capabilities. The more expensive the TV the better the upscalling will be. When the network upscales then your TV has to do less or no work upscalling so everyone will get a good picture no matter which 4K TV they have. Over time, as the technology allows, "eventually" 1080P broadcast video will be replaced with 4K video, just like there is less 720P broadcast video than years ago. This is what we expect but whether that happens or not we will have to wait and see.

jrref 02-06-2025 09:24 AM
If your cable bill goes up and you call to complain, if they give you a discount is what your are getting still the cheapest or are you still paying too much? What's everyone doing when this happens? Is there anyway to stop fighting with your company every year?

When I look at the web sites, all the "deals" are for 1 or 2 years. Verizon is offering a 5 year "deal". I also see pricing without the taxes and fees so sometimes it can be pretty misleading.

MorTech 02-06-2025 02:32 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by FloridaGuy66 (Post 2406552)
You're assuming that we are getting non-compressed pure 1080p from your streaming service. That is EXTREMELY rare. Services like Netflix and Prime compress the heck out of everything. Works totally fine for some things, not so much for other things.

Anything over 300 mbps is overkill for 99% of the population.
Yup...AV1 is outstanding and open source.

I backup an Oracle VirtualBox VM weekly...It takes many hours using cable modem upload but I don't care. I don't use OneDrive but sync would be fine.

I value "cheap" when it comes to voice/data communication :) 100mbs is more than enough @ 30 bucks per month and can handle at least four 4K streams...6 bucks per month cell phone service thru Tello.

MorTech 02-06-2025 03:28 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Battlebasset (Post 2405159)
I currently have Sling (just the blue side) for three months on a $38 per month deal. Got it initially to catch some college football playoff games and Fox News. It will carry me through NCAA March Madness. Then I will probably cancel it. Just don't watch it enough. But that is one advantage of streaming packages over cable/satellite. Easier to turn on/turn off, and you can watch from anywhere with your user ID/Password. Same with other streaming platforms I have (Netflix, Britbox, Amazon Prime, ESPN+ etc.). I stream with Quantum, I got in on their $35 for life deal. So far, so good. And it's also month to month so if it becomes not good, I can quickly dump it.

I also put up an antenna that allows me to get all of the networks and several other stations out of Orlando. All told, about 60 channels, with about 30 that have anything you really care to watch. But after the initial investment of $150 for antenna/booster, it's free. Can't beat that.

A final tip - if you have specific platforms you like/want to try, many offer Black Friday deals around Thanksgiving. I picked up Paramount+ and Peacock on an annual subscription for a few dollars each month. Not much there that I watch, but for the price, it was worth it. If I can't get a similar deal when it expires, I'll dump it. Just make sure to mark your calendar so it doesn't autorenew!
I suggest using Virtual Card if your credit card company supports it (Capital One does). You can create a credit card in front of your real credit card that you can turn on and off or delete it. This way you are not exposing your real card number at all these streaming services. You dont have to worry about autorenew.

jrref 02-07-2025 08:58 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by MorTech (Post 2407469)
Yup...AV1 is outstanding and open source.

I backup an Oracle VirtualBox VM weekly...It takes many hours using cable modem upload but I don't care. I don't use OneDrive but sync would be fine.

I value "cheap" when it comes to voice/data communication :) 100mbs is more than enough @ 30 bucks per month and can handle at least four 4K streams...6 bucks per month cell phone service thru Tello.

You are a great customer for fixed wireless service then. I think down the line, fixed wireless will finally kill the cable companies. It's not popular now because you need to be really close to a cell tower and pricing is not that cheap.

Anyone with fixed Wireless from Verizon or T-Mobile here in the Villages tell us about their experience with the service?

I saw a sign leaving Lowes on 7 mile drive that said Internet $20 and a number to call. I wonder what that is?

jrref 02-07-2025 09:06 AM
I have a friend paying over $300 for Spectrum Phone, TV and slow internet. They called several times and they reduced the price to $280. Unsatisified, they then went over to Consumer Cellular and moved their two cell phones and the Spectrum landline. Cost less than phones with Spectrum and with Spectrum the price given was for only 1 year then it goes up. With Consumer Cellular that's the price, no 1 year promotion. They are switching to Quantum and YouTubeTV cost $135/month.

Good story.

MorTech 02-08-2025 03:52 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by jrref (Post 2407622)
You are a great customer for fixed wireless service then. I think down the line, fixed wireless will finally kill the cable companies. It's not popular now because you need to be really close to a cell tower and pricing is not that cheap.

Anyone with fixed Wireless from Verizon or T-Mobile here in the Villages tell us about their experience with the service?

I saw a sign leaving Lowes on 7 mile drive that said Internet $20 and a number to call. I wonder what that is?
Closest tower is Turtle Mound...Too far for reliable service.

Here is $20 Internet.

https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNr...oiYXZpZiJ9fQ==

jrref 02-08-2025 01:23 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by MorTech (Post 2407803)
Closest tower is Turtle Mound...Too far for reliable service.

Here is $20 Internet.

https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNr...oiYXZpZiJ9fQ==
So for those who only want the internet speed that's needed in a typlical Villages home, Xfinity NOW should do the trick. $30/month, not a promotion but they say the price could go up, 100Mbs download, 10Mbs Upload, unlimited data, 20 ms latency, basic wifi and refurbished equipment that you don't need to return if you ever cancel. Perfect for those not wanting to pay more for faster speeds. If 100Mbs is too much speed, not to worry since that's the maximum speed. Speed could vary during peak times but I'm sure it should be good enough service. Govt. taxes included in the $30/month so this is probably the cheapest you can get here in the Villages.

jrref 02-08-2025 01:29 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by MorTech (Post 2407803)
Closest tower is Turtle Mound...Too far for reliable service.

Here is $20 Internet.

https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNr...oiYXZpZiJ9fQ==
If anyone has this $20/month internet service, please let us know.

jrref 02-15-2025 09:26 AM
Looks like Spectrum is offering wifi7 equipment for and extra $10/month now. They call it "Advanced networking". Just for comparison, Quantum Fiber has been offering wifi7 equipment included in their price. I guess Spectrum is giving it's customers a choice so if they feel they don't need it, the service will cost less.

I can tell you, after evaluating many wifi7 vs older wifi installations, the wifi7 equipment works significantly better meaning you can get full home coverage with just one device vs having to use extenders to get the same coverage with older equipment. I think it's the newer antenna designs and the addition of the 6Ghz radio that is making the major diffence.

CB750 Rider 02-18-2025 09:05 AM
Cable Bill Rising
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jrref (Post 2405120)
Did your cable bill go up recently, if so, are you doing anything about it?
Xfinity and Spectrum had increases as of January.
I am ready to switch to YouTube TV in the face of rising cable bills. Question: Do I need to remove the coaxial cable from the Xfinity set-top box, and reconnect that cable to my smart TV?

I intend to keep Xfinity internet service, but not the X1 TV package. Thanks in advance for responses.

retiredguy123 02-18-2025 09:24 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by CB750 Rider (Post 2410171)
I am ready to switch to YouTube TV in the face of rising cable bills. Question: Do I need to remove the coaxial cable from the Xfinity set-top box, and reconnect that cable to my smart TV?

I intend to keep Xfinity internet service, but not the X1 TV package. Thanks in advance for responses.
No. The COAX cable will only be used to connect to the modem/router when you cancel the Xfinity cable TV service. You will have a modem/router for the Internet service. Most likely, you will be able to connect the Internet to the smart TVs with the WIFI signal. You can also use an Ethernet cable to connect a computer or smart TV to the router, but not the COAX cable.

bilcon 02-18-2025 10:38 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 2405123)
Yes, but Xfinity told me about it in advance. Am I doing anything about it? No.

YoutubeTV also increased in price.
Met with Xfinity rep in Lady Lake. Very supportive and got my bill back to pre increase status. I lost nothing and only had to decrease my WiFi output, which was way too high for what I needed. Works fine at 400. I do this every two years when the increase comes. He also gave me all new boxes. Go in person. No phone contact.

Pairadocs 02-18-2025 01:56 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by jrref (Post 2405120)
Did your cable bill go up recently, if so, are you doing anything about it?
Xfinity and Spectrum had increases as of January.
Did it go up, YES, it went further than up, it went OVER the MOON as old Ralph used to tell Alice.....LOL ! BASIC CABLE, very few channels we have any interest in, and internet, 2 boxes, living room and one bedroom, $178. Think it was $99 when we got it. Doing anything about it ? No. Did call, seemed like just the same old games we played for years with Dish, and a couple others, just all seems to end up an expensive and really frustrating endeavor, always changing equipment, etc. etc. Decided to just take internet, not even have TV, but Xfinity said our internet bill would then go to $90 a month plus quite a few extra taxes and fees ! So doing nothing right now... think that's what they could on, that most won't do anything ?


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