TV/Internet choices for SD

[Gatordev]

Any recommendations on DirectTV vs Cox cable in the area? Those are the two choices available to me (unfortunately...I'll miss my Dish) and wondering what people think. I'm less worried about cost and more worried about picture quality for the HD channels and general quality of service like ease of use with the DVR and stuff. Any time I use the interface on the former TW/now Brighthouse cable box when I go down to St. Pete, I want to throw the remote through the window.

Also, how is Cox for internet? I need to call them to ask about bandwidth caps, but generally, any thoughts? I think ATT may be another option and I'd probably try and go DSL instead of Uverse. Not a fan of having to rely on ATT's brain/router setup.

 

[phrogpilot73]

You don't have Verizon FiOS in the area? If you do - that's the ticket...

 

[Gatordev]

I don't think so, but I can check again. Uverse is along the same lines. Does FiOS require that you use their own router system to distribute it? That's one thing annoying with Uverse, at least what I'm seeing with my parent's setup.

 

[BusyBee604]

Any recommendations on DirectTV vs Cox cable in the area?

I have the Cox "bundle" (HD TV/Internet/Phone) and am pleased wit all but phone (jammed w/ marketing calls, had to cancel phone). From all reports Cox is superior to AT & T. One advantage of Direct TV, if you're a rabid NFL fan...only DirectTV offers NFL Sunday Ticket where for +/- $150, you can watch every Sunday NFL game (some in HD). For that reason, I would have preferred DirectTV (had it in Phoenix, but not allowed to install antenna here where I live). I think you'd be OK with either one.
BzB

 

[phrogpilot73]

FiOS does require you to use their router, although I never had any complaints with it when we had FiOS up in MD. You could log on to the control panel at the same IP address as any other router I've ever owned, and tweak the settings. Their proprietary router is required because it talks to the phone line and the cable boxes, and you can control everything. Internet was FAST (faster than Cox here in VA Beach), cable was awesome, just happy all around. Kinda pissed I can't get it here.

 

[Gatordev]

Thanks BzB. Appreciate the feedback. I'll need to ask Cox about bandwidth caps, as that seems to be the in vogue thing to stick customers with now.

FiOS does require you to use their router, although I never had any complaints with it when we had FiOS up in MD. You could log on to the control panel at the same IP address as any other router I've ever owned, and tweak the settings. Their proprietary router is required because it talks to the phone line and the cable boxes, and you can control everything. Internet was FAST (faster than Cox here in VA Beach), cable was awesome, just happy all around. Kinda pissed I can't get it here.

I can't speak for FiOS, but generally you're going to get the cheapest router that a company can give customers. So that means you "might" get 1000baseT but may just get 100baseT. You're probably not going to get .11N.

I just had to buy a new router because my other one I've had for years started forgetting IPs. It's a new Cisco .11N router and I'd hate to lose that capability after I just laid out the cash. Yeah, yeah, I know you could set it up as a WAP, but that's one more box to power and I'm still not convinced companies are handing out 1000baseT routers yet.

 

[SynixMan]

You'll need to get "business class" service to get a non-router DSL modem from AT&T, and it's a pain in the dick. The 2Wire gateways they make you buy for $100 on regular service are garbage from 2008. Avoid at all costs.

FWIW, the UVerse stuff is newer hardware and the backhaul AT&T setup for it is pretty robust to handle all the IPTV going out. Much better than their DSL service. Not sure on the Gigabit Ethernet stuff however.