savvy TV folks tune in here
- Thread starter Gary Majchrzak
- Start date
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
and the NHL wonders what it can do to spur more fan interest?
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
copy and paste of the email TWC sent out
copy and paste of the email TWC sent out
MSG Networks Pulls the Plug on Time Warner Cable Sports Fans
At Time Warner Cable, we're sports fans too "“ that's why we fight hard to keep the sports you love on the air at a price you can afford.
With the game clock running down, MSG Networks rejected all proposals, refused to engage in any meaningful way, and refused to allow us to keep the channel on. In the end, MSG pulled the plug on Time Warner Cable customers. We regret that MSG Networks has taken away their sports programming, but remind fans that even without MSG, Time Warner Cable will carry nearly 20 percent of this season's remaining Sabres games, and dozens of other NHL and NBA games and most of the NHL and NBA playoffs. For information on where to find your favorite teams, visit www.twcconversations.com/MSG.
We don't think that MSG's actions are fair to sports fans, so Time Warner Cable is offering the following in appreciation of our customers:
"¢ A special month-long preview of the Time Warner Cable Sports Pass, a package of more than 15 sports-oriented channels. This package"”which normally costs $5.95 per month for residential customers"”will be available from January 1 "“ 31, 2012. (Visit www.timewarnercable.com/sportspass to see the full list of channels and channel numbers.)
"¢ A free preview of the NBA League Pass premium sports package which offers up to 40 live games per week. This offer is good through January 8th and more details are available at www.twcconversations.com/MSG.
"¢ The launch of YNN Hockey Tonight, a new nightly hockey show, premiering January 2nd on YNN in Western New York, including the Buffalo and Rochester areas. YNN Hockey Tonight will feature live interviews & analysis, plus scores, standings and information from all around the world of hockey, every night at 11:15 PM through the end of the NHL season.
We think MSG is being unreasonable "“ and unfair to fans. They continue to demand a 53% price increase for their programming, which just doesn't make sense. We do want MSG to return to our channel lineup, and we will continue to work hard to reach an agreement that gives you the sports you love at a price you can afford to pay.
Don't forget: every TV provider is at risk for blackout threats. Last year MSG pulled the plug on DISH "“ so switching is not a solution. If MSG really cared about the fans, they wouldn't be holding your sports hostage.
Thank you for your patience and continued loyalty.
Tell MSG to Get Real and Do the Deal.
does anyone know of a petition being circulated?
copy and paste of the email TWC sent out
MSG Networks Pulls the Plug on Time Warner Cable Sports Fans
At Time Warner Cable, we're sports fans too "“ that's why we fight hard to keep the sports you love on the air at a price you can afford.
With the game clock running down, MSG Networks rejected all proposals, refused to engage in any meaningful way, and refused to allow us to keep the channel on. In the end, MSG pulled the plug on Time Warner Cable customers. We regret that MSG Networks has taken away their sports programming, but remind fans that even without MSG, Time Warner Cable will carry nearly 20 percent of this season's remaining Sabres games, and dozens of other NHL and NBA games and most of the NHL and NBA playoffs. For information on where to find your favorite teams, visit www.twcconversations.com/MSG.
We don't think that MSG's actions are fair to sports fans, so Time Warner Cable is offering the following in appreciation of our customers:
"¢ A special month-long preview of the Time Warner Cable Sports Pass, a package of more than 15 sports-oriented channels. This package"”which normally costs $5.95 per month for residential customers"”will be available from January 1 "“ 31, 2012. (Visit www.timewarnercable.com/sportspass to see the full list of channels and channel numbers.)
"¢ A free preview of the NBA League Pass premium sports package which offers up to 40 live games per week. This offer is good through January 8th and more details are available at www.twcconversations.com/MSG.
"¢ The launch of YNN Hockey Tonight, a new nightly hockey show, premiering January 2nd on YNN in Western New York, including the Buffalo and Rochester areas. YNN Hockey Tonight will feature live interviews & analysis, plus scores, standings and information from all around the world of hockey, every night at 11:15 PM through the end of the NHL season.
We think MSG is being unreasonable "“ and unfair to fans. They continue to demand a 53% price increase for their programming, which just doesn't make sense. We do want MSG to return to our channel lineup, and we will continue to work hard to reach an agreement that gives you the sports you love at a price you can afford to pay.
Don't forget: every TV provider is at risk for blackout threats. Last year MSG pulled the plug on DISH "“ so switching is not a solution. If MSG really cared about the fans, they wouldn't be holding your sports hostage.
Thank you for your patience and continued loyalty.
Tell MSG to Get Real and Do the Deal.
does anyone know of a petition being circulated?
block head
New member
" we at time warner know we have a monopoly. if there was an alternative, we're sure you'd most likely use it. " twc can suck it. i'm paying $180 a month for poo. i'm dumping everything but basic cable this week.
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
that's exactly what I want to avoid: paying $180 for a bunch a poo.
Is there no a la carte for Sabres games?
On a related note: somebody at a big box store told me the life expectancy of your average flat screen TV is around 5 years. Is this true? :sad2:
Is there no a la carte for Sabres games?
On a related note: somebody at a big box store told me the life expectancy of your average flat screen TV is around 5 years. Is this true? :sad2:
I don't buy that for a few reasons.
1. LCD TVs haven't been popular for a real long time, so there's no way to tell exactly what their typical life expectancy is. LCD only started to outsell CRT in 2007.
2. How can you say what the life expectancy for a flat screen is when LED TVs haven't even been out for 5 years?
3. What is average? Samsung? Sony? Vizio? Westinghouse? There is a pretty large disparity between the low end, and even the mid-grade TVs.
I used to work with a lot of different flat screen TVs (Samsung and Sony mostly, but the occasional Orion or other off brand). I would say the average life for a good, name brand TV is well over 5 years. We had some Sony TVs that were easily 6 or 7 years old that were still going strong. We also beat the crap out of them shipping them around the country, taking them up and down 15+ times a year, etc.
The lamps in regular LCD TVs are rated for a long time (100,000 hours on some), but will degrade a bit over that time. Power boards and other things can go wrong too, but I still think the average life span is over 5 years, and getting better all the time.
1. LCD TVs haven't been popular for a real long time, so there's no way to tell exactly what their typical life expectancy is. LCD only started to outsell CRT in 2007.
2. How can you say what the life expectancy for a flat screen is when LED TVs haven't even been out for 5 years?
3. What is average? Samsung? Sony? Vizio? Westinghouse? There is a pretty large disparity between the low end, and even the mid-grade TVs.
I used to work with a lot of different flat screen TVs (Samsung and Sony mostly, but the occasional Orion or other off brand). I would say the average life for a good, name brand TV is well over 5 years. We had some Sony TVs that were easily 6 or 7 years old that were still going strong. We also beat the crap out of them shipping them around the country, taking them up and down 15+ times a year, etc.
The lamps in regular LCD TVs are rated for a long time (100,000 hours on some), but will degrade a bit over that time. Power boards and other things can go wrong too, but I still think the average life span is over 5 years, and getting better all the time.
block head
New member
i bought insurance on my samsung. reviews were all over on longevity. i believe most warrenties were a year. i didn't want to shell out the cash if it craps out in a year or two. repairing flat screens is dicey
Hey Gary I use to work for TWC and sell TVs in a prior job. for watching the sabres theres a few sites that stream them live. Since leaving TWC I went down to internet only. I hooked a PC to my tv and I watching all the abc, nbc, cbs and many other networks. I also love Netflix. So I am a bit of a geek when it comes to this. As for TV's I personally recommend Panasonic, Sony or Samsung. Those really are the best on the market right now.
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
Hasek, eh? Hey Dom.... can I get u over here to help me out? FREE BEER. OR FRAGS
I read most of the posts on here.
Here is what you need to find out.
1. Which provider is available in your area. If you can get Verizon FIOS or DirectTV they both still carry MSG.
2.If you go with DirecTV you can still get TW internet, but it will be 10$ more expensive because it is not bundled with anything else (No big Deal ~120/year) FIOS has te whole package (That's what I have at home)
3. Home phone you can either bundle it with your package, get rid of it completely if you are using cell or go with a Skype phone. I do the Skype phone and it cost me 60$/year with unlimited Canada and US calling. You do have to buy a handset for the Skype phone
4. Getting rid of cable is not for everyone. If you are not very technical Savvy I would recommend a Ruku box (150$ for the HDMI model) this will give you the best TV feel you can get otherwise you can just hook up a PC (The Dell Zino is a good Option). the two big options for streaming media are Amazon and Netflix. Netflix is 7$ a month (84$/year) and Amazon Prime is 75$ a year, but amazon has gotten more contract for streaming, it offers free 2 day shipping and 10GB of free cloud space. I am a current Netflix user and thinking about switching to amazon prime....if you have a student in the house Amazon Prime is free for 1 year.
5. As far as TV what is really important in my opinion is the "Black" when you watch at a movie look at the black...some tv the Black will be more of a grey. Also the other debate is Plasma, VS LCD, VS LED. An LED TV will consume about 90Watts depending on the size. I have a 42 inch Panasonic Plasma and we heat up the living room with it. The LED will reduce your cost in electricity.
To close this long past here is what I do at home.
1. Internet only via FIOS (59.99$/month 15M/5M)
2. Phone via Skype 60$/year Phone CAN~US Unlimited
3. Stream with Netflix 84$/year, GameCenter 169$/year, PBS, Justin.TV and HULU (free) with PC hooked up to my TV via HDMI.
Total cost a year 1030$ or 85$/month
Here is what you need to find out.
1. Which provider is available in your area. If you can get Verizon FIOS or DirectTV they both still carry MSG.
2.If you go with DirecTV you can still get TW internet, but it will be 10$ more expensive because it is not bundled with anything else (No big Deal ~120/year) FIOS has te whole package (That's what I have at home)
3. Home phone you can either bundle it with your package, get rid of it completely if you are using cell or go with a Skype phone. I do the Skype phone and it cost me 60$/year with unlimited Canada and US calling. You do have to buy a handset for the Skype phone
4. Getting rid of cable is not for everyone. If you are not very technical Savvy I would recommend a Ruku box (150$ for the HDMI model) this will give you the best TV feel you can get otherwise you can just hook up a PC (The Dell Zino is a good Option). the two big options for streaming media are Amazon and Netflix. Netflix is 7$ a month (84$/year) and Amazon Prime is 75$ a year, but amazon has gotten more contract for streaming, it offers free 2 day shipping and 10GB of free cloud space. I am a current Netflix user and thinking about switching to amazon prime....if you have a student in the house Amazon Prime is free for 1 year.
5. As far as TV what is really important in my opinion is the "Black" when you watch at a movie look at the black...some tv the Black will be more of a grey. Also the other debate is Plasma, VS LCD, VS LED. An LED TV will consume about 90Watts depending on the size. I have a 42 inch Panasonic Plasma and we heat up the living room with it. The LED will reduce your cost in electricity.
To close this long past here is what I do at home.
1. Internet only via FIOS (59.99$/month 15M/5M)
2. Phone via Skype 60$/year Phone CAN~US Unlimited
3. Stream with Netflix 84$/year, GameCenter 169$/year, PBS, Justin.TV and HULU (free) with PC hooked up to my TV via HDMI.
Total cost a year 1030$ or 85$/month
I read most of the posts on here.
Here is what you need to find out.
1. Which provider is available in your area. If you can get Verizon FIOS or DirectTV they both still carry MSG.
2.If you go with DirecTV you can still get TW internet, but it will be 10$ more expensive because it is not bundled with anything else (No big Deal ~120/year) FIOS has the whole package (That's what I have at home internet only)
3. Home phone you can either bundle it with your package, get rid of it completely if you are using cell or go with a Skype phone. I do the Skype phone and it cost me 60$/year with unlimited Canada and US calling. You do have to buy a handset for the Skype phone
4. Getting rid of cable is not for everyone. If you are not very technical Savvy I would recommend a Roku box (150$ for the HDMI model) this will give you the best TV feel you can get otherwise you can just hook up a PC (The Dell Zino is a good Option). The two big options for streaming media are Amazon and Netflix. Netflix is 7$ a month (84$/year) and Amazon Prime is 75$ a year, but amazon has gotten more contract for streaming, it offers free 2 day shipping and 10GB of free cloud space. I am a current Netflix user and thinking about switching to amazon prime....if you have a student in the house Amazon Prime is free for 1 year.
5. As far as TV what is really important in my opinion is the "Black" when you watch at a movie look at the black...some tv the Black will be more of a grey. Also the other debate is Plasma, VS LCD, VS LED. An LED TV will consume about 90Watts depending on the size. I have a 42 inch Panasonic Plasma and we heat up the living room with it. The LED will reduce your cost in electricity.
To close this long past here is what I do at home.
1. Internet only via FIOS (59.99$/month 15M/5M)
2. Phone via Skype 60$/year Phone CAN~US Unlimited
3. Stream with Netflix 84$/year, GameCenter 169$/year, PBS, Justin.TV and HULU (free) with PC hooked up to my TV via HDMI.
Total cost a year 1030$ or 85$/month
Here is what you need to find out.
1. Which provider is available in your area. If you can get Verizon FIOS or DirectTV they both still carry MSG.
2.If you go with DirecTV you can still get TW internet, but it will be 10$ more expensive because it is not bundled with anything else (No big Deal ~120/year) FIOS has the whole package (That's what I have at home internet only)
3. Home phone you can either bundle it with your package, get rid of it completely if you are using cell or go with a Skype phone. I do the Skype phone and it cost me 60$/year with unlimited Canada and US calling. You do have to buy a handset for the Skype phone
4. Getting rid of cable is not for everyone. If you are not very technical Savvy I would recommend a Roku box (150$ for the HDMI model) this will give you the best TV feel you can get otherwise you can just hook up a PC (The Dell Zino is a good Option). The two big options for streaming media are Amazon and Netflix. Netflix is 7$ a month (84$/year) and Amazon Prime is 75$ a year, but amazon has gotten more contract for streaming, it offers free 2 day shipping and 10GB of free cloud space. I am a current Netflix user and thinking about switching to amazon prime....if you have a student in the house Amazon Prime is free for 1 year.
5. As far as TV what is really important in my opinion is the "Black" when you watch at a movie look at the black...some tv the Black will be more of a grey. Also the other debate is Plasma, VS LCD, VS LED. An LED TV will consume about 90Watts depending on the size. I have a 42 inch Panasonic Plasma and we heat up the living room with it. The LED will reduce your cost in electricity.
To close this long past here is what I do at home.
1. Internet only via FIOS (59.99$/month 15M/5M)
2. Phone via Skype 60$/year Phone CAN~US Unlimited
3. Stream with Netflix 84$/year, GameCenter 169$/year, PBS, Justin.TV and HULU (free) with PC hooked up to my TV via HDMI.
Total cost a year 1030$ or 85$/month
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
bump
bump
BTW- wasn't that Sabres game in Boston last night a good one?
bump
this is the move I want to make. I watch Sabres games and the major networks on my "smart" tv. I am not happy with my TWC "all in one" package. I won't go into details. I'm guessing I would need to upgrade my ancient PC and get "turbo" internet? Where's the best place to go for help with this and PLEASE don't tell me TWC! :debi:
BTW- wasn't that Sabres game in Boston last night a good one?
E_rock
New member
I agree with hasek. I too am an installer and used to sell tvs. FWIW some best buys have time warner reps in them working in the home theater department. They are usually a bit better to deal with than their call centers.
Panasonic or Samsung is the way to go. Does your pc have an hdmi out?
And that was a great game.
Panasonic or Samsung is the way to go. Does your pc have an hdmi out?
And that was a great game.
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
I don't think my PC has an hdmi out.
It's older than dirt. TWC call center sucks.
reefboarder
Intelligent Donkey
Gary look into projectors, the bulbs are often user replaceable and you can get a MEGA sized hi-def screen up to like 128 inches i think, in the 1,000-1500 dollar range. Projectors are coming along IMO and it will be my next move in home entertainment. look into jvc models. I have a friend who is a guru and keeps track of everything projector related so if you have any questions feel free to pm me and ill get the info for you. I too only have the most basic cable ( 15 channels and local news) I use my Xbox and playstation 3 for Netflix and movies, they are both hi-def,but as stated earlier the sports packages are extra.
reefboarder
Intelligent Donkey
Also, the turbo thing isn't really worth the money, if my memory serves me correctly it really only gives you a boost to your upload speed and I think the download speed is what is important. I know that I tried it and it did literally nothing for me and we had heavy usage. I am an online gamer my wife uses her laptop and watches Netflix on the tv and there were no noticeable benefit to the extra $9.99 a month. I know there are at least one or two people who know there stuff that can confirm that and probably give you a more accurate reason why.
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Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
It sounds as though your viewing habits are similar to mine.
the equipment I already have:
1) Samsung "smart" HDTV
2) HD DVR (part of my TWC "all in one" triple play package)
2) "ancient" desktop PC
3) kids Xbox here... I never use it
TWC reps on the phone do not offer any money saving solutions.
can movies "streamed" from a PC to my TV be hi def... will they look as clear?
I've been keeping track of my land line use. I probably won't miss it if I cut the service.
reefboarder
Intelligent Donkey
Streamed content that is hidef would play in hidef if the Pc is capable. It would need a video card capable of and an output such as hdmi or at the least the older component output which is five rca jacks R,G,B and red and white for audio although I'm not sure if they even have that style on a pc. I only know enough to get by and because of that I stick with simpler things like my game console or a bluray player that has Netflix, all of them are hdmi. I would like to upgrade my pc to something that would be able to stream movies and run games but having just bought our first home it's a big adjustment to the budget and my 2003 dell 3300 runs the Internet just fine.
