Cable/Bundle Providers

[Mandalorian]

I'm moving from Marina del Rey to Northridge, California, which is an area where Time Warner Cable is the provider, and I believe AT&T (I sincerely hope I have at least this second option). I've read nothing but horror stories about Time Warner, and not so great things about AT&T either. It's starting to add even more stress to an already stressful situation. I've wanted to get Verizon FiOS for the longest, but it isn't offered where I live, nor where I'm moving to. So, I kind of feel shit out of luck, because I love my Verizon internet, but I'm curious about you guys. What are some providers you guys have, and how have they been working out for you?

[Mandalorian]

A hundred viewers and none of you have cable?

[MarkG]

Have you looked into Satellite? I have DirecTV and love it. Great equipment, interface, channel numbering and offerings (i.e, HD channel is the same number as SD channel), new customer discounts, etc.

They can bundle your internet and phone. Although dont think that applies if you want cable internet but they will for AT&T dsl or uverse.

[Scarriere]

I like satellite too. Much better picture for sports!

[J.R._Beasley]

Why bother with cable at all? LA area gets like 100 ota channels. Granted about 70 are Asian,but still. :-P

[RandyK]

I switched from DirecTV to Time Warner when I moved and I'm happy with it. Internet is great and the one time I had to have a technician come out, he was very nice and helpful.

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by RJ Smoove

I'm moving from Marina del Rey to Northridge, California, which is an area where Time Warner Cable is the provider, and I believe AT&T (I sincerely hope I have at least this second option). I've read nothing but horror stories about Time Warner, and not so great things about AT&T either. It's starting to add even more stress to an already stressful situation. I've wanted to get Verizon FiOS for the longest, but it isn't offered where I live, nor where I'm moving to. So, I kind of feel shit out of luck, because I love my Verizon internet, but I'm curious about you guys. What are some providers you guys have, and how have they been working out for you?

Time Warner isn't that bad, though it's not Verizon. It really depends on where you live. If it's in a densely populated area with a lot of apartments and condominiums, the local router is probably strained to the limit, and you'll have some issues with compression and lag time, especially at peak hours. That's always the biggest issue.

I haven't seen FIOS anywhere around Northern Los Angeles county. You'll be OK, don't sweat it. The routers don't constantly do every station's signal - there may be lag when you switch channels - so just get their DVR (it's decent, but not great) and spool everything. Start your recordings a minute early to let the router get the signal to you, and skip commercials.

Internet can be fast, but mine (in a less dense area) can vary by 300% or more. I use it largely for business, and upload time is terrible, but download time is good. It will be OK, I think.

[emac213]

We have TWC not by choice, are Apts went under new management and they made us take down are dish. We had DirecTV way better IMO. TWC internet is not bad, I actually like it a lot we have the 50/5 plan which is the fastest in are area.

[Mandalorian]

Thanks for all the answers folks. When it comes down to making a tough decision between two things I'm not particularly fond of, I usually walk. Seems like that's what will be happening this time as well. No biggie, I've never had cable. We'll see what happens, but the free channels have sufficed for this long, so no big deal, I guess.

Originally Posted by J.R._Beasley

Why bother with cable at all? LA area gets like 100 ota channels. Granted about 70 are Asian,but still. :-P

Bingo. Been watching network television for 22 years. Another one, or two, before we move again won't hurt. I really, really wanted cable finally though. Too bad. I'll be watching Breaking Bad another way. (not illegal )

[Captain Kirk]

I have DirecTV after switching from TWC. TWC would constantly go out after 10PM and it was always behind in updating shows On Demand. At least with DirecTV I have a decent sports package and consistent signal (aside from really bad storms).

Internet wise, I use AT&T DSL. So far I haven't had any problems.

[Moviefan1203]

I would recommend DirecTV. I don't know how much you are into sports, but for a sports fan DirecTV is a must. I also find their HD to be far better quality than cable.

[Mandalorian]

DirecTV isn't an option. I said in the OP that only TWC and AT&T are.

[Adcatalano]

I really like TWC in general. Do they have black marks? Of course, but I had a horrible experience with AT&T and would never give them my money. TWC had a rough 2012 but they updated their systems and haven't a problem since. I can at least see they are constantly improving their products

[katharsis]

I live in the valley (Studio City to be exact) and have AT&T Internet. Them and TWC are the only two companies servicing the area - unfortunately.
Moved here about 3 years ago from Hawaii where I only had the option of TWC and they have been an absolute nightmare all the years I've been there, so I told myself never again!

AT&T were fast to set me up (got an appointment within a 5 day window and they actually showed right on time the day of installation as well). Had DVR through them for about 3 months, then canceled as I rarely watch TV and to cut down on cost, so just 18/1 Mbit internet for roughly $62/month. In those 3 years only had an outage once and that was due to a faulty hub in the street I live in.

I tell you what though, as soon as Verizon gets FiOS up here - I will switch!
My friend in OC got it and its blazingly fast and cheaper!

Good luck with your move!

[Mandalorian]

Originally Posted by katharsis

I live in the valley (Studio City to be exact) and have AT&T Internet. Them and TWC are the only two companies servicing the area - unfortunately.
Moved here about 3 years ago from Hawaii where I only had the option of TWC and they have been an absolute nightmare all the years I've been there, so I told myself never again!

AT&T were fast to set me up (got an appointment within a 5 day window and they actually showed right on time the day of installation as well). Had DVR through them for about 3 months, then canceled as I rarely watch TV and to cut down on cost, so just 18/1 Mbit internet for roughly $62/month. In those 3 years only had an outage once and that was due to a faulty hub in the street I live in.

I tell you what though, as soon as Verizon gets FiOS up here - I will switch!
My friend in OC got it and its blazingly fast and cheaper!

Good luck with your move!

Thanks for sharing. I actually chose to go with AT&T and said no thanks to the cable part. Just unlimited phone and internet (18 mbps) for around $67/mo. I'll see how it goes. Next time I move I'll aim for another Verizon area.

[Jamfan]

No cable here, either OTA or stream content via online...