HDTV in SoWal

[TNJed]

We just finished our HD setup with MediaCom in Seagrove. We have HDTVs on the first and third floors and needed two HD cable boxes. The cost of those two boxes and the HD package from MediaCom was about $20/month on top of our regular cable/internet package. However, in order to receive the HBO and Showtime HD channels you have to subscribe to that tier as well and those are about $12 and $6/month.

The HD channels for MediaCom are:
ABC
CBS
ESPN
ESPN2
UHD (movies and old television episodes)
DHDTV (Exclusive Discovery Channel programs for HighDef. Incredible!)
HDNET (documentaries and the new Dan Rather Reports series)
HDNMV (movies)
INDH (movies)
HBOHD (HBO)
S-HD (Showtime)
SHOHD (Showtime)
TMCHD (TheMovieChannel)

HD is fantastic and the MediaCom service is like any other cable company. I have my list of complaints but what are you going to do? Our homeowner's association doesn't allow dishes.

Anyway, you may think 12 or so channels isn't a lot for the $20-$30 month as I once did, but believe me; you will find yourself finding something great to watch on one of them because they look so good! The Discovery HD channel is nearly worth the price alone.

As far as antennas go, our AV guy said he's tried several in the 30A area and they just don't pick up stations from here. I have no personal experience with them, but that is what I was told from someone with a lot of experience in this area. Hope this helps.

 

[BeachSteelers]

Careful if local NBC broadcast in HD Joe Moore's mug might damage some screens. Most broadcasters rather pass the cost off to the customer on cable rather than giving it up free over the airwaves. And the costs to leap forward for most stations is astronomical. However its hard to go back to standard def TV after HD. The sooner we all switch over the better.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Plus who wants to see Panama City's broadcasters in HD it'll probably crack your screen when Joe Moore comes on.

My ex wife could never watch that particular news channel because she thought that Joe Moore had a face for radio. I am dead serious.

 

[Bob]

Interesting. That implies it might be a problem with my antenna. Its only mounted about 15 feet above the ground. Height could also be the problem. The antenna I was trying to use is really and outdoor FM antenna. Looks like I need to buy a better antenna and mount it higher.

When at the beach, I live by the motto "kill your TV". I like the high definition sunsets.

 

[Here4Good]

HD is fantastic and the MediaCom service is like any other cable company. I have my list of complaints but what are you going to do? Our homeowner's association doesn't allow dishes.

I am not sure that MediaCom is like any other cable company. I called to get HD yesterday, and was told it would be about $20 more for the 8 channels you get if you don't get premium channels already, AND that I would have to give them a credit card number, since that is their policy for new HD customers (despite the fact that I have been a MediaCom customer for three years), AND, that they have to come out and "install" it for $30.

I pointed out to the woman that this was not exactly a compelling offer, and she told me that it was typical for cable companies. I pointed out that they are not competing with other cable companies, they are competing with DirectTV, who will give me the equipment and install it all for free.

So, I started asking her about this "On Demand" thing they are advertising so heavily, and which I don't have. After arguing with me for ten minutes about what I see when I hit the "Menu" button, she finally said, "Oh, you must be at the END of Walton County". Apparently, those of us at the "END" don't get the actual services everyone else gets. I told her we also don't get actual cable-quality picture on the lower channels and we get ten channels of PPV porn instead of real movies, yet we pay the actual prices everyone else pays.

So, I am on a mission now. I am going to find as many MediaCom execs as I can and find out why I live in the digital ghetto.

Arise, arise, "Enders", and set yourself free!

 

[Sheila]

When at the beach, I live by the motto "kill your TV". I like the high definition sunsets.

So does he. Unless it's college football season.

 

[TooFarTampa]

So does he. Unless it's college football season.

And of the many great things in life, football in HD ranks in my personal top 10.

I know that makes me a little strange, but the beach, the teal water and the sunsets do rank a bit higher.

 

[TreeFrog]

We just placed an order with Mediacom for an HD cable box. $17.95 a month for the new box (we get to keep the old one as a 2nd box) and for the HD service.

Delivery and installation will be late next week. They would have brought it this week, but we're out of town.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping this works out well.

 

[TNJed]

I am not sure that MediaCom is like any other cable company. I called to get HD yesterday, and was told it would be about $20 more for the 8 channels you get if you don't get premium channels already, AND that I would have to give them a credit card number, since that is their policy for new HD customers (despite the fact that I have been a MediaCom customer for three years), AND, that they have to come out and "install" it for $30.

It's true you have to give them a CC number for the new HD boxes. They don't charge you anything on it. Just security for their equipment.

We didn't have to pay $30 for installation though. I went to the office in Sandestin with our old box and swaped for the new one. Took it home and plugged it in myself.

 

[Here4Good]

It's true you have to give them a CC number for the new HD boxes. They don't charge you anything on it. Just security for their equipment.

We didn't have to pay $30 for installation though. I went to the office in Sandestin with our old box and swaped for the new one. Took it home and plugged it in myself.

I asked if we could do that, and she said no. Their customer service reps are SO excellent.

And frankly, I don't want these idiots to have my credit card number.