| [Rant] Comcast shouldn't be given a pass! Comcast Customers,
Think about all the commercials you've seen lately about TV services: ATT has a box which is wireless, which means you can basically put your TV anywhere throughout your home even if there is no outlet. Dish has the Hopper which allows you to Sling your TV signal anywhere, record 6 shows at once, and automatically skip commercial. DirecTV has the genie which allows 5 shows to be recorded at once and only a central box is needed so you don't have to have boxes everywhere in your house. Most of these also have show recommendations based on what you watch and how often.
Now let's look at Comcast. They have the X1 in about 2% of their customer base and for most they limit it to new customers. Lets say everyone had the X1, LOL what a joke. Navigate to the Comcast page for the X1 and this is their big reveal, "Faster Search, Last 9 shows and channels, Xfinity OnDemand, Sports App, X1 remote (phone tablet control)". Just about everything in that list can be done on their normal DVR's. You have to view the FAQ to see it can only record two shows while watching a third. Welcome to the 90's anyone? I mean on the X1 you can't even go a day ahead in the guide normally? The X1's bugs are too numerous to count but why? You don't hear about device debilitating bugs on the the Hopper or Genie? The Comcast/Xfinity X1 (Xcalibur its IPTV project codename from 2008) has been in development for so long with such poor results! Comcast please fire the team and start over!
The news story about them being one of the top four worst companies in America is not wrong. There are numerous topics on this site and others of customers who call to complain or that have an issue, which are told basically, "Take it or leave it". Comcast has such a bad reputation that they changed their name! Comcast only made the change from the Comcast brand name to Xfinity as their brand was at an all-time low! Comcast has grown so large they no longer car if users leave, complain, or trash their reputation.
How does the largest cable provider in the US get away with screwing their customers daily? I could also add they are doing everything to stop their customers from getting what they pay for, from blocking HBO Go on Roku/Samsung devices, blocking Showtime Anywhere, not joining Netflix Open Connect (for free mind you with free hardware), removing HD and other premiums (HBO/Showtime/Starz) to force users to OnDemand (which doesn't have 1/10th of the content of the real channels), removing ClearQAM (so they can force box fees) and they only removed the internet bandwidth caps when they took heat for not counting data against the caps when using the Xfinity app over the Xbox 360. But the caps will return and we know why, to stop competing providers like Netflix, Amazon, Crackle and Redbox. I think the Watchathon and speed upgrades are Comcast trying to improve their brand name without tackling the real problems: lack of innovation, anti-competitive behavior, customer abuse and high prices with multiple yearly price hikes.
What is going on at Comcast? Their normal "non-X1" DVR's are circa 1999 and they're inferior to any competing product. But that's the thing isn't it, they aren't competing? In most areas customers have no choice but Comcast so why bother to innovate or push the limits? Don't take my word for it, compare for yourself:
Comcast/Xfinity X1: »xfinity.comcast.net/x1/
Comcast/Xfinity Anyroom DVR: »info.xfinity.com/Portal/content/···dvr.aspx
Comcast/Xfinity "normal" DVR & Guide (circa 1999, lol): »www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=···&cad=rja
Dish Hopper: »www.dish.com/technology/hopper/
DirecTV Genie: »www.directv.com/technology/genie
AT&T U-verse Wireless Receiver: »www.att.com/u-verse/explore/wire···iver.jsp
AT&T U-verse Total Home DVR: »www.att.com/u-verse/explore/tota···-dvr.jsp
/RANT
5TH
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"The relationship between what we see and what we know is never settled..." |
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| said by FifthE1ement: Dish has the Hopper which allows you to Sling your TV signal anywhere, record 6 shows at once, and automatically skip commercial. DirecTV has the genie which allows 5 shows to be recorded at once and only a central box is needed so you don't have to have boxes everywhere in your house. While I certainly agree with your comments there are two issues with your comparisons...
You've bought the hype of these two providers...
With Dish, you cannot really record any 6 things at once. It only has three tuners. The 6 comes from the prime time feature which records the whole transponder frequency which carries the four main broadcast networks (NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX). If you want something that is not part of these you're back to having 3 tuners.
Yes DirecTV can really record 5 things at once, but it doesn't magically transmit them to other TVs. There are indeed client boxes needed for the other TVs, however they are quite small. Their newest TV ads imply that you don't need a box at all, but there's fine print at the bottom of the screen every time they make that claim. The only way to get around needing a box is if you have an RVU enabled SmartTV from Samsung and a select group of 2013 Sony TVs now have an RVU client too.
Comcast even has an answer for a smaller client box too, but they aren't using them yet. Which is getting pretty annoying. The X1 platform can have tunerless IP clients (not unlike the Dish Joey or TiVO Mini) they're called Xi3, and Comcast has yet to deploy one. So there's another rant, Comcast has the ability to compete with these issues, but isn't yet.
Also you missed a pretty big X1 grievance, the Pace X1 box has 6-tuners, only 3 are enabled currently. So it actually can compete with the sat providers, but Comcast for unknown reasons has gimped it.
Other smaller Cable MSOs are shipping Arris Moxie based whole home DVR solutions with a 6-tuner main DVR right now. So it's not just satellite or U-verse that Comcast is running behind. |
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| reply to FifthE1ement
They are definitely slacking on all of these things. Also look at all the providers with Internet access to your channel lineup like TWC on the Roku, Verizon and TWC on iPad, etc. |
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| reply to FifthE1ement
I really DON'T want to move my TV all over the house. For what possible reason would I lug my valuable flat screen all over (or let children!). The ads from att are just plain stupid.
Comcast is NOT "screwing" their customers. We get a service. And millions are very happy with it. The biggest provider will invariably have the largest number of complaints. But also the most satisfied customers. If you don't like it, you are certainly free to sign up with an alternative.
What you really seem to be is a troll that works for a Comcast competitor.
and no I don't work for Comcast. |
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| reply to FifthE1ement
Guess you'll be canceling... |
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| RalphKramden actually I won't. I have no choice. U-Verse is not available in my area, dishes aren't allowed where I live so I'm stuck other than cutting the cord completely which will be impossible with Comcast's caps. I know they are off now but they will turn them on soon. I do have Netflix, Amazon Instant and RedBox Instant. When the 250GB cap was up I would almost reach is monthly. I only have two people in my house so I feel sorry for big families and those using more then one device.
SpHeRe31459 you and radiocolin are the only ones who actually added to the conversation. SpHeRe31459 I know about the tuner capabilities but I doubt they will never unlock them. Plus I was going on about what they currently have. But let's be honest, what is taking Comcast so long? I think the real reason they gimped the other 3 tuners is that they can't get the first three working right. The X1 is a joke compared to competitors guides and devices. I would like to have the X1, bugs and all, over the iGuide. But I doubt it will ever come to my area unless you have the Pace box. They say it will hit all DCX models and above but I don't see that happening for years (probably until 2015). Hell I'd be happy with the On-Screen Guide 2.0, which is also in my area but limited to users with Anyroom DVR. Why not push out On-Screen Guide 2.0 to all boxes until On-Screen Guide 3.0 X1/2/3 are ready, lol.
Also the guides I think are sometimes more important that the devices themselves. If the Comcast guide looked like Netflix so many more people would have an easier time finding shows to watch. Also older people would find it easier to navigate. The iGuide is a decade old navigation system and it is a joke. You should see the face of a dish user or directv user watching a Comcast subscriber messing with their guide. I've gotten teased about it, lol. The guide isn't the end all be all for me but navigating OnDemand is a horror. Something needs to be done ASAP as that mess of menus is something the US government looked like it came up with. OnDemand is the most unintuitive menu system I've EVER SEEN! No REALLY I've had an easier time navigating a DOS prompt!
ninjadude, are you really that dense bro? Who said anything about rolling your TV around your house? That is simply one example of a million for a wireless box. What about if you have a TV and don't want any messy wires ruining the look? How about if you don't have a cable outlet in a room and don't want to pay the money to have one installed. How about if you are having a party and need to move your TV outside or some place in your home more central. My friend has one on his deck outside and that way no wires or mess. I've spent enough time on you.
5th
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"The relationship between what we see and what we know is never settled..." |
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rody_44Premium
join:2004-02-20
Quakertown, PA Reviews:
 ·Comcast
1 edit | reply to FifthE1ement
Count me in the who really cares crowd. I watch tv to watch tv not look at some fancy guide. I also have the roku box like you. Have to say i hate the netflix interface. The only thing i find of any use is the instant que. Who the hell wants to see all the because you watched a you will probably like b to z. I watch tv to watch tv not to spend half the time on the guide.
As far as you not having any choices, sure you do. The house across the street from me is for sale. Move there and you will have comcast, fios and satellite as providers and have choices of any of the features you want. |
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| reply to FifthE1ement
Count me in as a person who is sick of the iguide and can't wait for the guide 3.0 to arrive or the x1 to arrive. |
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| reply to FifthE1ement
Where exactly do you live that a Dish isn't allowed? |
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| Not really seeing the issue here - get a Tivo Premiere 4 and a couple of Minis, problem solved. Or roll your own Win7 HTPC with a couple of Xboxes. Yes, it costs more upfront but that's the price you pay for getting a 4-tuner whole home box that just works. And it will pay for itself in 3 years or less vs. renting a DVR and a couple of STBs.
Everyone knows that Comcast ships the lowest common denominator DVR to its customers (including the old Moto 3400/6400 dogs) because that's the cheap way out to maximize your profit. The answer is to ignore their DVR junk and get your own. |
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| reply to nokiatech
some home owners authorities and apartments don't allow dishes or antennas. |
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