Mediacom raising rates (in CR)

[cmoneyr]

My Mediacom is 10mbps down/1mbps up for now since I did the VIP package. I think the fastest Qwest package I could get was 1.5mbps down or something. If I could get the qwest 7mbps package I'd definitely switch, I'm just too spoiled by fast downloads.

Although, I could potentially get Directv AND Mediacom internet for cheaper than what I pay now.

I have a question for anyone with Directv actually. When I moved into my house there was a DirecTV dish attached to the house. I don't think the people we bought it from used it, probably 2 families ago, would that still be usuable or would I have to get a new one from DirecTV? I've never had satellite so I know nothing about nothing.

 

[cmoneyr]

Actually one more question or survey for DirecTV users. What package and receivers does everyone have? And, if you don't mind saying, how much does it run you a month? I have 3 TV's that would need connected, I'd need 1 DVR (we have Tivo already), 1 HD receiver and another regular one. Seems like a lot of cost upfront.

 

[HandSanitizer]

My Mediacom is 10mbps down/1mbps up for now since I did the VIP package. I think the fastest Qwest package I could get was 1.5mbps down or something. If I could get the qwest 7mbps package I'd definitely switch, I'm just too spoiled by fast downloads.

Although, I could potentially get Directv AND Mediacom internet for cheaper than what I pay now.

I have a question for anyone with Directv actually. When I moved into my house there was a DirecTV dish attached to the house. I don't think the people we bought it from used it, probably 2 families ago, would that still be usuable or would I have to get a new one from DirecTV? I've never had satellite so I know nothing about nothing.

Not sure about the dish, but I think you will need the new HD dish anyway right?
about the qwest 7Mb download. Not available in my area for some reason and it seems like there is crazy taxes added onto DSL from what I remember when I had it.

 

[cmoneyr]

The 7mbps isn't available where I live across from towers, or at my parents house up by Cub Foods. I guess that would make sense that I would need a new dish for the HD channels, is the dish usually included in the price or what?

 

[Erik4Cy]

Do you know if Cedar Falls/Waterloo is included in that? I know we are kinda in the same boat.

 

[CYdTracked]

Here's the thing and I'm like Brianhos I hate Mediacom and wonder why I didn't switch sooner. Please tell me what you are gaining by going through them instead of a dish and DSL? You pay more for both and I don't think they are any more reliable than a dish or DSL. In fact since I've switched I think my Dish and DSL have been far more reliable. The only time I ever lost signal on the dish is in a really heavy downpour so at least I know when to expect it not just randomly go out for hours, even a whole day sometimes like the cable did. I can think of only 1 night that my DSL was down and that was a hardware failure on Qwest side that I go no BS stories about unlike Mediacom who you'd wait on hold for over 30 minutes sometimes just to have them tell you its not on their end only to have it come back several hours later.

And the pricing isn't that close either. Use actual pricing not the promotional rates here... Throw out your bandwidths unless you are hosting or doing a ton of bandwidth-intensive stuff. DSL vs Cable is about $27 to $50 I wonder how much my dish lineup would cost me for the equivilant in digital cable too. I don't know what mediacom charges these days but when I asked it was not cheap. after all the fees and such my Dish bill is around $70 and that's with the top non-HD channel package, DVR, and 4 rooms. So I pay just under $100 month for TV and internet and when I just had basic extended and internet with Mediacom it was nearly that as well and that was with about maybe 1/4 of the channels I have now. And not that I ever watch either a whole lot but I also get NFL Network and Big 10 Network plus Comcast SportsNet which I do watch a lot of Cubs and Bulls games on.

 

[Wesley]

Alll may hate Mediacom, but 40 years ago we did not have much to choose from. ESPN was a pipe dream.

That said, to push 48 HD channels at 720/1040 through their pipeline will require some serious expenditures and then large rate increases.

 

[ajk4st8]

mediacom isnt bad for those of us who want just the basics in HD....

you can get all of that free.

 

[cytech]

I rarely have issues with my mediacom services here, maybe occasionally late at night they may work on the internet but nothing really other then that in the last couple years. I pay $75.00 a month for family cable starz, HBO and the sports pack. If I had a HD TV I think I would need to upgrade my box and with their testing over here in cedar rapids I would get their HD channels free. I am not sure what that would cost me with dish or direct tv right at this moment but I don't think the price comparison is that far off.

 

[dmclone]

I had Mediacom online forever and I also had cable. As soon as I had my home theater built I knew I'd move to Directv because of their. It was harder for me to move off of Mediacom online but I haven't regretted it once. I sometimes work from home and I've noticed no downgrade in speed and it costs me 1/2 as much. As far as Directv costs.

I have 1 HR20-HD DVR
1 SD DVR
1 SD receiver

I pay 83.40/month

HBO $13
Total Choice $48
HD package $10
DVR service $6
3 receivers 3x4.99=$15
1 receiver discount $-4.99
Sales tax = 4.45


This gives me over 200 channels, 68 xm channels and nearly 100 HD channels. I get a better picture but I do have to admit that my Directv goes out about 3-4 times a year. I've never had it go out for more than a few hours. The picture is also better with both SD and HD. The DVR is also better than Mediacom's.


My total bill with Mediacom was $115 which included internet. My total bill with Directv/Qwst DSL is $114. I gave up a little speed but have a lot more channels with Directv.

Another thing that made me change was when I got rid of Mediacom Cable they upped my online by $10. I was paying $60/month, which I think is ridiculous.

 

[cmoneyr]

I had Mediacom online forever and I also had cable. As soon as I had my home theater built I knew I'd move to Directv because of their. It was harder for me to move off of Mediacom online but I haven't regretted it once. I sometimes work from home and I've noticed no downgrade in speed and it costs me 1/2 as much. As far as Directv costs.

I have 1 HR20-HD DVR
1 SD DVR
1 SD receiver

I pay 83.40/month

HBO $13
Total Choice $48
HD package $10
DVR service $6
3 receivers 3x4.99=$15
1 receiver discount $-4.99
Sales tax = 4.45


This gives me over 200 channels, 68 xm channels and nearly 100 HD channels. I get a better picture but I do have to admit that my Directv goes out about 3-4 times a year. I've never had it go out for more than a few hours. The picture is also better with both SD and HD. The DVR is also better than Mediacom's.


My total bill with Mediacom was $115 which included internet. My total bill with Directv/Qwst DSL is $114. I gave up a little speed but have a lot more channels with Directv.

Another thing that made me change was when I got rid of Mediacom Cable they upped my online by $10. I was paying $60/month, which I think is ridiculous.

Good info, thanks dmclone. I think I'll eventually switch over to directv/qwest, the initial shock of the lower speed internet will be though, but I'd really like more channels and less money. I may have to start saving a little so I can get the hd-dvr too.

Out of curiosity, what speed DSL do you have?

 

[dmclone]

Good info, thanks dmclone. I think I'll eventually switch over to directv/qwest, the initial shock of the lower speed internet will be though, but I'd really like more channels and less money. I may have to start saving a little so I can get the hd-dvr too.

Out of curiosity, what speed DSL do you have?

I have 1.5. Honestly it's not that big of difference.I use bit-torrent (legally) and it's not that bad.

 

[CYCLONE STATE]

any word on when mediacom will add hd channels to the des moines area?

 

[HandSanitizer]

Supposed to be the first quarter of next year, but you know how that goes. Look at Direct. They said they were going HD for 2 years it seemed like until they finally did.
So really....Its hard telling.

 

[HandSanitizer]

I had Mediacom online forever and I also had cable. As soon as I had my home theater built I knew I'd move to Directv because of their. It was harder for me to move off of Mediacom online but I haven't regretted it once. I sometimes work from home and I've noticed no downgrade in speed and it costs me 1/2 as much. As far as Directv costs.

I have 1 HR20-HD DVR
1 SD DVR
1 SD receiver

I pay 83.40/month

HBO $13
Total Choice $48
HD package $10
DVR service $6
3 receivers 3x4.99=$15
1 receiver discount $-4.99
Sales tax = 4.45


This gives me over 200 channels, 68 xm channels and nearly 100 HD channels. I get a better picture but I do have to admit that my Directv goes out about 3-4 times a year. I've never had it go out for more than a few hours. The picture is also better with both SD and HD. The DVR is also better than Mediacom's.


My total bill with Mediacom was $115 which included internet. My total bill with Directv/Qwst DSL is $114. I gave up a little speed but have a lot more channels with Directv.

Another thing that made me change was when I got rid of Mediacom Cable they upped my online by $10. I was paying $60/month, which I think is ridiculous.

This is good information.

So is there any channels that you wish you had? I don't see the option for Total Choice currently. They have choice, choice extra etc.
I noticed the Choice one for 49.99 didn't have some channels that I wanted like versus and fox sports which means you would have to upgrade your package and also possibly add the sports pak right? I also didn't see 100 HD channels listed on the website for the choice products which makes me think that the website isn't current.
As far as the Big10 network. I hate the big10 so I don't care about it. NFL network is pretty much only good on Thursday nights now. The rest is just stats and rerun old games etc..
One more thing..Did you need to run 2 cables to your HD DVR box if its a dual?

 

[dmclone]

Total Choice=Choice (You get grandfathered in)

HD package $10

I don't get the sports pack. With my package you get the local fox sports but you have to subscribe to the sports pack to get the other 20 or so fox sports regionals. I don't miss those channels. The only channel I really miss is ESPNU, which is also on the sports pack.


NFL channel comes with my standard package.


Yes, 2 wires to each DVR. DTV is testing a one wire solution but nothing yet.

If you hook your DVR to the internet you also get an "on demand" type service that was just released.

 

[dmclone]

It looks like they've changed the new packages a little because I get channels the Speed channel. I guess my package is more like the Total Choice Extra

 

[dmclone]

http://www.amrax.com/hd.htm

This site is good at comparing HD channels.