Cablevision For my TV- PC-Telephone
Written: Feb 15 '08
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good value for three services.
Cons: telephone service doesn't work if there's a blackout.
The Bottom Line: Cablevision is a good value giving me television service with hundreds of channels, a very fast on-line service and unlimited calls telephone service with many option saving me $$$$$$$$.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Cablevision |
When I first signed up for Cablevision here on Long Island many years ago it was for television reception. No more using the antenna on my roof. The Cablevision company brought a direct cable line from the telephone pole in front of my house and brought it into my home. We had different channel options at the time and different cable boxes.
As of right now we have one box in the house and I'm pleased with the service. There is a monthly $5 charge for it.
It is a very rare event to have an outage in my area. I cannot recall the last time it happened.
Three Major Services In One
Television
With the package I have called Optimum Triple Play I receive over 200 stations and 40 HD stations at no charge. I would have to pay for the other five, but I won't. It would help to have an HD compatible TV but that has not happened in our household...yet.
The fact is, like my cell phone and iPod I don't use or even understand much of what is offered for free. That said I'll again state, I'm a happy camper as is my wife.
There are also 1,800 On Demand Channels available every month.
I could have DVR for an additional $9.95 per month.
A feature that I particularly like is a local news channel where we can see Long Island News only. I happen to like that station because it broadcasts news that does pertain more to me rather than listening to the major news channels that cater to the tri-state area of NY/NJ/Connecticut. It also gives more upbeat news than many other stations. Also available is a 24 hour Traffic and weather channel that we use often for quick updates. I prescribe... to their motto, "Know before you go".
It's because of those two station that I never thought seriously of making the switch to Satellite TV.
Cablevision For My PC
About eight or nine years ago I purchased a PC for our home. I needed some kind of service so I went with Cablevision. I had to purchase an ethernet and the cable company set up a cable where I wanted it.
I now have a fast running PC due to that service. I couldn't believe the difference between it and dial up service. It's very fast and I love it.
I've never had an outage with this service. All works well all the time.
There was a problem I had at one time and I called for cable service for the problem. The guy came over and walked me through a few things. He wasn't allowed to actually handle my PC but through his patient direction my problem was taken care of. It wasn't a cable problem. There was no charge. I was very happy with that service.
Telephone Service
Cablevision was offering telephone service in my area for a number of years before I finally gave it a serious look. I was foolish not to have gotten it sooner.
It costs me about $30 a month and I get unlimited calling to the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada . I have call waiting, caller ID, call blocker, messaging service where I can get messages through remote too. There's no extra charge for these and more.
One of the selling points that got me to make the move was that I could keep my same phone number that I have had for the 38 years I have lived in this town. That was the deal maker.
A negative about cablevisions Optimum Voice is that if my power goes off I lose my telephone service too. It wasn't that way with the regular telephone with low voltage wire.
I can purchase a back up battery but haven't yet. I suppose I will do it after we get a severe electrical outage but my town, that generates its own electricity, has been aces over the years.
I could get additional phones at $9.95 per month but we optioned for purchasing a three phone portable system. The jury is still out on that right now. I may get a direct line if that doesn't work out. We'll see and I'll update.
Overall Service
Aside from the serviceman who came to the home because of my PC problem I haven't had to have anyone over the house. My daughter who did said she had a two week wait. That seems long to me.
Over time I have had two or three boxes for the TV go out on me as well as a remote. I simply took the offending piece to the Cablevision store that happens to be in my village. They check to see that payments are up to date and I received a replacement immediately. No problem.
I did have a problem with them in reference to a payment once. There was some kind of foul up on their end when I called in a payment. They didn't get the routing number correctly. I called them trying to rectify the situation because they were charging me a service fee. The gal on the phone got pretty snappy with me and the superior I had to talk to would be in in the morning. Would you believe they cut off my service the next day!! I didn't know about it. My wife had called them and asked what the problem was and they said they needed a payment. She went to the center and paid. I was furious but even with a series of calls and an apology, I still felt this gal spitefully had my service turned off when it was their problem. Not good!!
Last Thoughts
I have been very happy with my service through cablevision through the years. At one time I had a telephone bill that was $75-$80 each month. Now I get my Television service with hundreds of channels, a very fast on-line service that can't be beat, and I get telephone service with my same phone number along with unlimited calls and more options that I had with my old phone company.
Right now it's a good value. I believe the competition of Satellite, Direct and others have kept these prices down. I hope it stays that way.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 100 Mo
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