Hey guys, I recently upgraded to HDTV, and to my surprise TimeWarner here in Austin now carries ESPNHD. It must be a brand new thing because its not even on their website. If you want, I'd call TWC Houston and see because it should be available there.
Somebody please point me to a CHEAP and FAST way to get HD content without having to shell out so much money for cable AND an HD converter... my Hitachi 53" widescreen is HD capable, but I have NO HD reception... HELP! Yes, I'd like to get ESPNHD, but I have no cashola...
Swoly - sadly you'll have to get your HDTV through TWC. The HDTV converter they offer is 10 bucks a month. The tier for ESPN is 10 more a month. On top of all that, you have to have Digital Cable.
Actually, there are several HD-tuners available on the market that enable you to receive over the air channels in HD... as long as you're in a city that has them (like Houston). Also, direct TV and Dish network offer cheaper, and better, HD options than Time Warner does. (including ESPN HD)
Thats only if you dont currently have a dish. My dad has one and he cant get HD through his dish without buying a brand new dish for about 200 bucks and then shelling out 200 more for an HD reciever. Either way (cable or sat) it's pretty expensive.
Well, you could always cancel your dish service and sign up for the new HD deal with the other of the two companies (provided that you're not locked into their 1 or 2 year contract agreement). I've done this, and several other people I know have done it... in order to take advantage of new services like the free DVR and free HD installation. Also, I'm assuming Slowly doesn't have a dish, considering he just said he's got the TV only.
For Time warner it is only like 8 bucks more a month and you don't have to pay to buy a HD converter it's part of the package and any time they get a new one and upgrade you can do that for free.
Unfortunately, b/c of a stupid tree in my patio, I can't get Voom or DirecTV. So I'm stuck with TVMax b/c I can't get Time Warner either. TVMax is a ****ing joke. Their digital cable is NOT digital. So I'm using an OTA HD Receiver to get all the local channels in HD until I move and can get Voom.
Don't go to Voom unless you are willing to lose a few local channels. The concept of Voom is great and when they get the locals over the dish then they will be hard to beat. The current downside is the off-air antenna. I can't speak for all locations in Houston. I live in Spring and all the locals came in except 51 Plus Voom's service leaves a lot to be desired. After 1 month, I went back to TWC. They gave me 20 bucks credit per month for for Dish Buy Back (just show proof you had a dish), for 12 months. They game me 15 bucks credit on RR for 6 months. They also waived the HD installation. If you have TWC, get the DVR. It is f^&*ing awesome!
Starting on Wednesday, September 22, TWC Houston will add ESPN HD to it's channel lineup on channel 292. This was according to an article by David Barron in the Chronicle. It's about freaking time. Just in time to see UH get smoked by Miami.
Awesome find jtotheb... this is indeed some great news for long-suffering TWC-HD subscirbers. Honestly, I have no idea what took them so long... people would much rather use the HD technology for sports, rather than the discovery channel or something like that.
When i first heard about ESPN HD i went to the outlets here in houston and spoke to them as well as the representatives on the phone. They told me the reason they are taking so long is becuase they are trying to work out the deal between TWC and ESPN to get it on their package. The problem was that ESPN was asking for a lot of money for their channel and TWC didn't know how to approach it. The were trying to find a way to add the channel without making people pay extra for that channel. Originally they were saying that people would have to pay a little bit more a month to get ESPN HD added to their already paid for HD package which i thought was crazy. Good to know they finally worked it out.
FWIW, ESPNHD is available on DirecTv also. One of the worst HD channels IMO; often not that high def, distorted, etc. You do NOT need digital cable with Time Warner to get HD. I got the HD cable box for around $8/mth + $10 or so for the HD channels. The HD box works great with my HD-ready TV.
