geodon005
join:2005-02-20
Mount Prospect, IL
 ·WOW Internet and C..
| Newcomer to WOW
I was thinking about making the change from Comcast to WOW in a week or so, and I was just curious about what people's experiences have been in such a move. I am going from the Comcast Triple Play bundle (with the "everything including the kitchen sink cable TV package" to WOW's similar bundle (and everything they have cable TV-wise). The only downside for me seems to be losing ESPN2HD, but I can live with that, since WOW's bundle price is well over a $100 less per month than Comcast's.
I also have a TiVo Series 3, and other than the usual caveats for the installer (make sure it's a company tech, not a contractor; bring LOTS of cablecards; and follow EXACTLY TiVo's instructions for installation), is thee anything else I should be aware of prior to ordering? Thanks for your input. |
|
SScorpio
join:2002-12-31
Canton, MI
| I currently have the triple play and I've been happy with it. The phone is clear and it just works. The internet is fast with low pings.
The only thing to look out for is that Wow's bundle is Digital Value. This is just the standard analog channels along with WOW's on demand channel and the music channels. I'm not sure what channels your getting with Comcast but you won't get any of the channels listed in the Digital Basic section on WOW's channel list. This was the only issue I really had as I was confused on what was included. You can upgrade the bundle to include digital basic for and extra $12/month if you want any of the channels.
The other issue is that the DVR you get is a standard def only, if you want a HD DVR you have to play the full $11.99 as the standard def one is part of the bundle and not billed separately.
I didn't have any issues with the installer for my area as he was a company tech and was extremely happy when he say that I already ran my own new cable inside. |
|
geodon005
join:2005-02-20
Mount Prospect, IL
·WOW Internet and C..
| reply to geodon005
Well, as a followup: I had WOW's installer out this past Saturday. He was a company tech, and arrived with about 6 CableCards. He said that he had done installs with a 2 or 3 TiVo Series 3 before (and it showed). The first card paired immediately, and the second one resulted in a firmware update being downloaded. . . once the download was done, I finished Guided Setup and. . .voila! Everything worked! In all honesty, the only difficulty came in getting my TiVo to recognize my wireless network so I could download guide data (which was resolved by turning off the network's encryption; I turned it back on after the tech had left and the network was recognized immediately). Total install time (including running cable, hooking up internet and one other box for the bedroom TV): 1 hour, 45 minutes. Not bad at all!
So far, I like WOW a lot, especially considering how much I am saving over Comcast. I miss ESPN2HD, but I can live without it (no need for it after college football season ends anyway) but I loved gaining HDNet and HDNet Movies.
All in all, a great idea to switch. |
|
Goober
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL
·Comcast
·WOW Internet and C..
1 edit | reply to SScorpio
I did find it interesting that the "free" dvr even though standard def, put out a 480p signal. My TV looks better with that, rather then a direct cable connection, which my TV shows as 480i.
I wonder if there's anyway to get the included DVR to put out a high def signal, since it's an 8300HD. |
|
SScorpio
join:2002-12-31
Canton, MI
| reply to geodon005
Wait, your "free" included DVR is a 8300HD? You can defiantly get an HD signal off that since that what I just upgraded to. If it is really a 8300HD consider yourself very lucky if it's being included in the package price.
You'll need to connect the box to your TV using either component or HDMI cables to get an HD signal. You can download PDFs of the manuals for the DVR here: »www.scientificatlanta.com/produc···00HD.htm
The box can be configured to upconvert where it makes 480i into 480p; however, I have it set to fixed for mine and the signal is always 1080i for every channel. |
|
Goober
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL
·Comcast
·WOW Internet and C..
| said by SScorpio  :Wait, your "free" included DVR is a 8300HD? You can defiantly get an HD signal off that since that what I just upgraded to. If it is really a 8300HD consider yourself very lucky if it's being included in the package price. You'll need to connect the box to your TV using either component or HDMI cables to get an HD signal. You can download PDFs of the manuals for the DVR here: » www.scientificatlanta.com/produc···00HD.htmThe box can be configured to upconvert where it makes 480i into 480p; however, I have it set to fixed for mine and the signal is always 1080i for every channel. I can only get 480p from it, regardless of the settings. I have it set to output only 720p or 1080i, but it's sending out only a 480p signal.
It certainly is a 8300HD though. It's the same one as the other, for which I subscribed to and paid for hi-def DVR service. The installer said that they hand the 8300HDs out as their regular DVR, since they aren't buying any of the older units.
I have a feeling this particular unit I have isn't authorized to do anything better than 480p, since I only paid for a singe hi-def DVR and this one isn't supposed to be that one.
The other unit I have, I've got an external SATA working like a champ and it certainly does HD. |
|
Goober
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL | All it took was a cold boot to get the box into 1080i and stay that way. I changed the setting and then pulled the plug. When I turned it back on and after it did it's updating, etc. it went into 1080i mode.
I'm pleased. |
|
keepgoing
join:2006-09-08
Clinton Township, MI
| Hey goober, alot of times they run low on dvrs of certain models. Its quite possible that they had no SD dvr models and had to give you a hd model, happens to me all the time. But beware that if you have a problem with that dvr and they need to swap it you will probably end up with a SD model.
I had a lady the other day who was wondering why after the tech came out and replaced her dvr her hd channels were gone. I had to explain that she never had hd services and it was just a fluke that she ended up with a hd model and we couldnt give her another hd model because we have plenty of the sd dvrs. |
|
Goober
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL
·Comcast
·WOW Internet and C..
| Yeah, the installer basically said as much. The new promo has been going well and all the SD boxes were apparently already handed out when he got to my place.
It's like found money. I'll take it.
Also, is the HDNMV channel supposed to be free? I see it listed as part of the HDPAK. |
|
keepgoing
join:2006-09-08
Clinton Township, MI | It's part of the HDpak. |
|
