Fucking Comcast

[Norellicus]

You can buy your own tivo device and then just have them install a cablecard if you want digital without their shitty equipment. The only thing you lose if you do this is the ondemand, and I don't miss it a bit given the constant bombardment of commercials when browsing the menu or the random interrupts to the datastream for both the menu and the actual content. Tivo lets me be 'on demand', combined with netflix and PlayOn for PS3 and I have internet streaming content and my own video files available to my TV anytime I want them.

[Ashira]

Caiti, that's about the same I pay for with Time Warner with the 'everything but movie channels' TV package and the high end Roadrunner service.

Like I said, though, seriously, call customer service and ask them to do a search and see what promotions you qualify for. It may only be for a few months at a time and such, but hey, money saved is money saved.

[Yabby]

Go ape shit on them and get free cable now.

[Chrian]

this reminds me when my grandma upgraded the comcast internet speed thing through the phone and the tech support I was talking to was confused at all the tech speak I was saying.

[Caiti]

So my new laptop came in the other day and started the anti-comcast revolution for us. Right now I have my new Toshiba satellite running HDMI out to my Panasonic Viera. The 1300+ resolution lowered itself for converting out to my TV even though it is HD capable and lags a tiny bit when putting bluray from my PC through to the TV. Is this just becaue my TV was made before bluray and can only handle low end 1080 hz programs? Laptop only runs bluray like a boss.

Also bought a WD media center since I already use WD external passports. I have this hooked up to an older non-hdmi non-usb TV in the bedroom and have it going out from my stored files on passport to the TV. Interface isn't amazing but it is better than nothing (I have all seasons of top gear, penn and teller, etc on it so whatever, am happy.)

As far as the laptop to TV goes, I've started using hulu as a result of all of this but it seems the selections on full shows are pretty heavily limited and shows like Burn Notice and RP, Psych, etc get added a full week after air date. I like it on one hand for easy re-watching of Samurai Champloo and History Channel's "Universe", but besides that I'm kinda at a loss for where to find other streaming stuff. I use QS screens but even the DVD quality rips seem to lose something in translation from the sites they host it on.

Question is, I guess, where are the best places for streaming tv and movies that are free? Trying to maximize this non-cable experience.

[Norellicus]

Do you care if it's free vs "free"?

[Edgie]

Seriously fuck free, when you can get shit for "free". Start the torrent revolution in your home.

[Archangelgab]

when i was in college, i used to work for comcast ( atlanta area )

comcast is THE MOST suck-ass company for ur TV needs.

i actually didnt think there would be a training on how to bullshit a customer lol
anyway, we had some interesting "trainers" who actually suggested giving a crappy credit instead of just handling a cancellation order and this was mostly for northern u.s customers, not further southern ones.

we got rotated for areas like denver ( mostly elitist ppl there ) which was on of the best selling areas with "good" service.

the best time i had was when a bunch of my friends and I were transferred to the chicago area.

I myself was born in mexico but god damn, the "latinos" not mexicans, latinos like puerto ricans and dominicans were always a handful.

delincuent bills, always trying to haggle lower prices ( cmon wtf ) and flat out stupid when it came to questions like " How do i turn on the internet because the box ( after a determined interrogation found out that the box was their pc.....) is off and the screen is all black ?".

And we got a kick out of cancelling service after their records showed notes on the account for " DO NOT GIVE ANYMORE CREDIT OR EXCUSES" and then you had to sit through a 1 hr story of why they could not pay the monthly bill, kids missing their cartoons, threatened to come down to the store ( LOL outsourcing ftw) and throw the cable box in my face.

anyway my small bit for a LOL work experience while finishing college.

and yeah cancel tv service and don't get sent to retention, they will give u anything to keep getting ur money but u can always choose splitting service like a basic and make sure they waive the installation fee and the internet service :D

[BerenTebogo]

Do you care if it's free vs "free"?

You mean legal vs. Illegal? Because no, I don't care about legality.

[Cantih]

Seriously, as long as you're smart about torrenting, it's less convenient than cable (if you like lots of shows on the food network, travel channel, home & garden, discovery, history, & sports, you're SOL except for Bourdain, Alton Brown, & Deadliest Warrior stuff, and find yourself a sports bar if you want to watch that stuff), but it's so much better price wise, and it can do so much more.

To cut costs my house ditched cable years ago, and ever since, it's been my job to keep the cable TV episodes of shows in the pipeline for myself and my mom. For example, right now I am keeping current on Rizzoli & Isles, The Closer, Warehouse 13, White Collar, Psych, Burn Notice, Eureka, Leverage, & Top Gear. (bonus, you can see episodes of BBC shows weeks or MONTHS before BBC America bothers to air them)

Oh, and you don't suffer commercials. That generally saves you 10-20 minutes for an hour long timeslot show. If you watch a lot of stuff, you will literally get HOURS of your life back. And you can watch episodes whenever is convenient for you, without blowing cash on a Tivo

I've got a 20-30 dollar 1.5 mbps DSL connection (compared to a 75 dollar cable TV service), and I don't suffer particularly long waits for a download. I think a standard 1/3 GB file for an hour slot show takes me just under an hour to pull down. Just queue stuff to torrent while you're asleep.

[ClassicRed]

I'm shocked more ppl didnt mentioned Netflix ~ I currently have to pay for basic cable(some kinda package deal thing with apt complex has w/knology) but I -never- watch it

Netflix is absolutely amazing imo - and they are constantly adding new things to the instant play options ~ I just don't see how you can go wrong for what 9$/mo for endless movie/tv streaming :3

As for new TV show's as they air or after they air - There is like amazon (if u wanna be legal), megavideo, hulu, etc etc

Tell comcast to go shove it up their arses :3 Which I think you already did so good for you sir~

[Ikith]

Never ever had an issue with Comcast. Had a cable box lose signal completely they found the issue and fixed it next day within the hours of my families convenience (AKA When we are home). Did it in 20 mins no charge no new boxes no issues etc.

<3 All the people complaining about Comcast. Whenever I have a problem shit gets fixed next day or I get credit to the account if they can't get there the next day for whatever reason.

Eat it.

[Norellicus]

I'm a tool who just happens to either get unusually exceptional service or bitches loud enough until they do something to get me to shut up

Not really relevant to the OP's questions, just thought I'd point out how much cooler I am than the rest of you schmucks

[LinktheDeme]

Not sure if you already made your decision but if you get comcast internet you can split the signal and get free basic cable as well as internet. My grandma does that ;o

[Ikith]

I can't help but be jealous but I won't admit it so I will just edit Ikith's post in a quote then leave a simple straight face.

Did I do it right?

Sort of on topic: The level of help they actually give you may depend state to state. I may just be getting lucky since WA is home base (I think). I've never been treated like shit by comcast.