Over two years after Ike we are finally getting the 3 family beach house rebuilt. The insurance money is spent so every dime from here on out hurts. I need TV service so I can get all my sports, I need enough internet to maybe stream Netflix. So I'm wondering how to do it cheaply .... satellite TV and a Cricket wireless connection? Comcast.. is expensive..Uverse? Dish or Direct? Discussion appreciated. Also, I need enough computing to: get email, stream Netflix and run my music files. How much computer do I need? How should I configure it, I don't really need to be wireless. (if the kids want to add gaming they can get their own Xbox or whatever) Discussion appreciated.
How is Comcast too expensive? The one time i looked into Satellite Internet, the equipment cost was the dealbreaker for me (not to mention the ludicrous contract and monthly charges). You may want to check if Uverse is available in your area before considering it. I know that Cricket wireless is actually pretty decent to do what you are asking for.
I recently got DirectTV after having Comcast for a while. Found a GREAT package, all the channels I wanted, and its' coming out to a good price per month. Plus they have referral bonuses, so if I refer you and you sign up, we BOTH get $10/off our bill for the next 10 months. I got a DVR, 200+ channels, 2nd reciever and it's coming out to $50/month. Haven't had an issue with picture quality in storms, and all in all been very satisfied. The HD quality is great. And all my equipment was free, no startup costs of any sort. For internet I'd say stick with a 6 month comcast promotion for whatever their highest speed is at $19.99. Then switch over to AT&T for their highest promotion after 6 months. Then just keep cycling. It's the cheapest way to get the fastest internet at a good price. Right now I'm on my AT&T cycle getting 6mbps for $19.99....gonna switch to comcast next month for 15mpbs at the same price. PM through the board if you do end up getting DirectTV and want more info to get that referral ball started! Call up DirectTV, they'll also custom fit a package to your spending limit/viewing preferences. Anything around 3mbits and over should be fine for Netflix....the higher the better obviously, but I haven't had problems on my current 3mbit streaming netflix over PS3. As for computer, ANY basic computer desktop you can get these days or laptop/netbook will give you enough juice to get what you want in terms of e-mail/music/netflix.
I think it's cheapest to get a bundle. If uverse is available, I recommend it highly. Hey - do you ever rent out the beach house?
I second DirectTV. some good deals out there, and the referral is pretty sweet too. I'm paying around $50 for the same package as the other poster, and will be paying around $65-70 next year.
We never have before but the future is uncertain. Every other house around us at Jamaica Beach does though. I'll be down there Tues-Friday building decks if you want numbers. I think I may wait until Spring for the internet...won't be down much in winter. But we are trying to do Thanksgiving in the house (if it's ready enough) so I need TV. Hell, you know you can almost do all of this with a phone now.
damn, their map shows they don't make it down to Galveston ... like that price How does Direct TV internet work.
DirectTV doesn't have internet itself; however they do offer bundle packages with local providers as well as a sweet rebate/$ off your monthly bill for the bundle. I got the AT&T internet bundled with the DirectTV (DirectTV has a bundling department, they help set it up for you). It's costing me $19.99/month (no yearly contract) and I get $10 off my direct TV bill every month in addition as a bundle bonus.
I looked into this as well...If you only have about a room or two, then IMHO, Direct TV is the way to go, but after that, the costs get crazy high as I have 4 rooms...stuck with TW Cable...
Agreed, I circumvented that problem by having my desktop PC in my 3rd room hooked up to a screen and watching everything via internets. And plus the DirectTV DVR also allows me to access my DVR shows from online anywhere, so I'm watching anything I record on TV on my pc/desktop/laptop.
Sweet... So I guess I only need the most basic PC in a cabinet? Can you stream the Netflix through a cable or does it have to be wireless? Or is the Direct TV movie package offer comparable? Do I need more than 120 HZ in the TV, I imagine the kids will eventually game on it? I'm thinking no more than 47", so I'd take TV deal advice.
Your basic PC requirements will be: 1ghz Processor and above 1 gig Memory/RAM and above Probably want a decent video card, but most new desktops/laptops come with decent video cards these days because so many people are using their computers to watch movies/etc. Also your hard drive space will depend on how much you plan on storing on it, so thats up to you (although most basic models come in at 250gig and up). As for additional equipment/items necessary for netflix, it depends on how you want to do it. Couple of options: 1) Watch it through PC streaming (just need connection to internet on PC) 2) Watch it on TV streaming (need either a Wii/Xbox/PS3 or a netflix compatible dvd player/media player like Roku, etc) I'm assuming you mean Netflix's instant streaming service, rather then the DVDs which you'd obviously just need a DVD player and would order by mail. I myself have the PS3 hooked up, and downloaded the Netflix app from the Playstation Store on the PS3. Took me less than 5 mins to get up and running. I have my PS3 wirelessly connected to the internet via router. The DirectTV movie package....eh....I've never been too big a fan of "movie" packages in general (unless you get HBO for the tv shows really)...most movies you can get on DVD/Redbox or Netflix and save yourself money. And the tv rate at 120Hz is more then enough for most stuff you'll be doing.
