Sugar Land Comcast - bad reception - what is my alternative???? (rental, house) - City-Data Forum

easybay · 07-02-2009, 09:56 AM

Ok - I've had Comcast out 6 times in the last 6 months and my issues are NEVER resolved. I am so frustrated by their horrible service, I need an alternative, but I don't want the problems to be replicated with another service.

We have 2 DVR boxes and 4 other TVs hooked up to regular cable (total of 6 tv's). The regular cable reception is good - the DVR's lose their signal continually - mainly on the upper channels, so it looks like the alien in Predator.

Here are my questions: If I go to windstream or Direct TV will I have to pay for 6 converter boxes? Can you have 6 converter boxes or will the signal get lost because it's diverted too many times?

My Comcast bundle - internet/phone/cable has been ok for the last 4 days since we finally figured out that the phone was cutting out the signal to the internet......I called for 6 months to complain that the internet kept cutting out and Comcast blamed my wireless. It wasn't until my daughter was lost and called home on our landline, and I was mapquesting directions to her, that we finally figured out it was her phone calls that were killing our internet connection. It seems that Comcast was able to fix that problem.

BUT, if we go with windstream or Direct TV, what internet is it that they are providing and how slow is it?

Any advice? Please skip the why do you need so many tv's. We don't, it's just a convenience thing - a tv for me to watch in the kitchen when cooking, one in our bedroom, one in the family room, 2 in adult child & spare bedrooms, 1 in workout room. Thanks!

xavier1774 · 07-02-2009, 11:49 AM

Depends on your location and what services are available. Both Dish & Direct TV packages offer 4 rooms. For 6 or more it is extra because you need to get a special splitter. they have them, but it will be extra out of pocket ($150-300). And make sure you get a competent installer. When I had it installed the first guy was an iddiot and should have been removed from the gene pool....J/K

I am in tears now. I just signed up for the Comcast triple play HD package for $99...if it does degrade, hopefully i can claim breach of service and get out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by easybay

Ok - I've had Comcast out 6 times in the last 6 months and my issues are NEVER resolved. I am so frustrated by their horrible service, I need an alternative, but I don't want the problems to be replicated with another service.

We have 2 DVR boxes and 4 other TVs hooked up to regular cable (total of 6 tv's). The regular cable reception is good - the DVR's lose their signal continually - mainly on the upper channels, so it looks like the alien in Predator.

Here are my questions: If I go to windstream or Direct TV will I have to pay for 6 converter boxes? Can you have 6 converter boxes or will the signal get lost because it's diverted too many times?

My Comcast bundle - internet/phone/cable has been ok for the last 4 days since we finally figured out that the phone was cutting out the signal to the internet......I called for 6 months to complain that the internet kept cutting out and Comcast blamed my wireless. It wasn't until my daughter was lost and called home on our landline, and I was mapquesting directions to her, that we finally figured out it was her phone calls that were killing our internet connection. It seems that Comcast was able to fix that problem.

BUT, if we go with windstream or Direct TV, what internet is it that they are providing and how slow is it?

Any advice? Please skip the why do you need so many tv's. We don't, it's just a convenience thing - a tv for me to watch in the kitchen when cooking, one in our bedroom, one in the family room, 2 in adult child & spare bedrooms, 1 in workout room. Thanks!

tstone · 07-02-2009, 12:36 PM

DirecTV costs an extra $6 per box. The first one is no extra charge.

That is for regular HD boxes. DVR might cost a little more per box, maybe $10.

If you get a dish the internet can be DSL via phone land line.

movingtohouston · 07-02-2009, 12:44 PM

We have all the above issues you posted and were told it was the wiring in the house (probably original to the house). We were told by comcast that having too many splits and old wiring was the cause of loss of signal and losing the phone/internet.

Something to consider depending on how old your wiring is.

xavier1774 · 07-02-2009, 05:36 PM

Thanks for the info. My house in brand new, So I think I should be OK. Why did Time Warner leave out area? I loved them!!! I do hate comcast, but not enough to pay $80-90 more for the 3 services every month

Quote:

Originally Posted by movingtohouston

We have all the above issues you posted and were told it was the wiring in the house (probably original to the house). We were told by comcast that having too many splits and old wiring was the cause of loss of signal and losing the phone/internet.

Something to consider depending on how old your wiring is.

movingtohouston · 07-03-2009, 07:28 AM

I believe they were bought out here in this area. Yep I agree with you that the service stinks. My husband is looking into att but if they don't rewire the house we will still have the same problem. We are in a rental and my husband doesn't want to pay to rewire the landlords house. Ugh.

Definitely look into how many splits off the main line you have. The tech did say that the phone/modem should be as close to the original split coming into your house as you can get it. (If that makes sense). We started off having our phone on the third or fourth split off the main line and would lose our phone at least three times a day. We rearranged some wires and got it down to the first split off the cable coming in the house and haven't had near as much trouble now. I guess splitting it too many times causes degredation of signal or something? Maybe that would help. Good luck.

bls8195 · 07-03-2009, 07:31 AM

I am with you, and I think Comcast is about the worst company out there. I would not have them for internet if I could get someone else, I live in a brand new subdivision, so they are working on DSL. Get Direct TV, if you sign up, we both can get $100 if you send me a message.

easybay · 07-03-2009, 08:29 AM

My house was built in 1992. So I don't think we have a wiring issues. Other than the wires coming into the house. I'm also concerned in it is wiring we'll have the same problem with Dish.

I think the problem arose around the time we added the 2nd DVR - which was at Christmas. I'd like someone from Comcast to be upfront and honest about the issue. JUST tell me the 2nd DVR is too draining..... I'm going to disconnect the 2nd DVR and see if I have any issues.

BUT that still doesn't solve the problem of the phone knocking out my internet - which is still happening. I called for ANOTHER service call and the woman said my router sounds faulty. Ok, I'm so ignorant of all this - would that interfere with my cable????

bls8195 · 07-03-2009, 08:33 AM

I am not sure how the whole system works, but it seems like your getting the run around, But if you or anyone else wants to sign up for Direct Tv, send me a message, and I will provide you my account number so we both get $100.00 Visa gift card I think, or off our bill.

easybay · 07-03-2009, 09:35 AM

bls8195 - ok - I get it - you get a $100 off your bill if you refer me.

Right now I'm trying to figure out my problem and I don't want to replicate it with Direct.

Actually I'm considering windstream - I see their trucks out here all the time - might be a bad sign. Or a good one!