I hope this does not happen because internet is going to get expensive like cable and people want cable networks just get cable not sure why anyone would want to kill everyone bandwidth.
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FCC Moves Ahead With Proposal Aiming to Make Subscription TV Available on Any Set-Top Box
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Renting those boxes is just as big of a scam as the packages. Verizon - $5 a month for standard definition (lol) box or $10 for an HD box. 3 TV's = an extra $30 a month for something that used to be free 20 years ago.
There is an unbelievable monopoly here in NYC as well. The cable companies are like the mafia, they pay off building owners to deny FIOS. (Even though FIOS is not that much better).
I have to threaten to leave them to keep getting the promotion prices every year.
I have to threaten to leave them to keep getting the promotion prices every year.
Agreed. They're a lot better than the ones they had 5 years ago, but that's like arguing for which chronic disease is better or worse.
They would be losing out on a crap load of revenue. The STB rentals could be as high as $40 per month for a medium size family.
The STBs are over priced and outdated.
cant wait to get rid of my STB's
last time I looked into hdhomerunprime w/ cablecard it didnt seem wife-approved worthy yet
last time I looked into hdhomerunprime w/ cablecard it didnt seem wife-approved worthy yet
Wow, this can be a big deal.
I really want the ability to pay USA Networks, ESPN, FoxNews, etc. separately (like I can with CBS all access, HBO, Showtime, etc.) instead of having to prove that I pay for them with a cable subscription so I can finally cut the cord for good! That is my only hold up from canceling my cable TV subscription for good. I can handle the DVR functionality without their crappy DVRs as well.
I really want the ability to pay USA Networks, ESPN, FoxNews, etc. separately (like I can with CBS all access, HBO, Showtime, etc.) instead of having to prove that I pay for them with a cable subscription so I can finally cut the cord for good! That is my only hold up from canceling my cable TV subscription for good. I can handle the DVR functionality without their crappy DVRs as well.
If they played fair to begin with, I don't think they'd be in the position they are now wrt. set-top box charges.
In my opinion, to stay competitive, eventually cable companies will need to start doing what the cell carriers do with things like AT&T next. Be up front with the device cost and allow the customer to pay for it up front, or split it over a period of months, after which time the bill goes down by the respective amount.
Streaming offerings from the big providers will continue to grow as demand does, but the cable boxes themselves shouldn't be so quickly written off as simply customer-gouging boondoggles. For example, with Comcast X1 service the boxes have built in cable modems that connect to a IPTV-specific VLAN and receive channels via multicast groups. It takes far less bandwidth at the source-end to support this model (and costs less) compared to an infrastructure that has to originate unicast streams to every individual user/device, plus with the unicast streams, they may be routing over a customer's 6-year-old $30 walmart router leading to support and performance headaches.
In my opinion, to stay competitive, eventually cable companies will need to start doing what the cell carriers do with things like AT&T next. Be up front with the device cost and allow the customer to pay for it up front, or split it over a period of months, after which time the bill goes down by the respective amount.
Streaming offerings from the big providers will continue to grow as demand does, but the cable boxes themselves shouldn't be so quickly written off as simply customer-gouging boondoggles. For example, with Comcast X1 service the boxes have built in cable modems that connect to a IPTV-specific VLAN and receive channels via multicast groups. It takes far less bandwidth at the source-end to support this model (and costs less) compared to an infrastructure that has to originate unicast streams to every individual user/device, plus with the unicast streams, they may be routing over a customer's 6-year-old $30 walmart router leading to support and performance headaches.
I actually pay $50 a month for 4 boxes from FiOS. Granted one of them is a multi-room DVR.
I'm trying out the HDHomeRun + Channels App (and their DVR app as soon as it's available). With a small capital investment it could save me ~$500 a year.
Price isn't going to go down until there's some sort of competition for the wired internet companies. Maybe 5g?
And if you want the box that talks to the other boxes and shares info, that one is $20. Crazy.
Which utility in the USA has played "fair" with us, the consumers? Cable, satellite, gas, cell phone, phone, electricity, gasoline ... none of them.
Under the guise of capitalism, we have given control over to all these companies. The government just stood by and took its cut.
Under the guise of capitalism, we have given control over to all these companies. The government just stood by and took its cut.
I'd say gas, gasoline and electricity have a fairly good track-record. Usually when they get shady, they get busted, like Enron. In my opinion, their utility status and/or regulation does actually help a bit.
This will be a disaster as people will be trying to use these third party boxes with the cable companies, the people will not know how to use them, will call the cable company for help, the cable company won't be able to help them since its not the official box and refer them to the manufacturer, the manufacturer, unless it is Apple will offer an extremely frustrating customer experience topping even the poor customer experience offered by the cable companies already
Curious, what Comcast platform are you on? I switched to FioS a year and a half ago but had been on the Sara platform (pre-X1) from Comcast. That was truly awful. Everyone I know who has switched from FioS back to Comcast's X1 (X1v2) platform are extremely happy. Mid-Atlantic area.
Sounds like an argument to only use Verizon computers with my FiOS Internet connection.
I know this sounds like a good idea and having more options is always a good thing, but think TiVo. You are now just going to be looking at a subscription fee to use your Apple TV, Roku, etc. You may even get charged by the cable company in addition to the set-top-box you choose.