[macfantn]

How much do you pay for internet and tv?

[macfantn]

My current bill was 151.96 for Cable w/ HD DVR and HBO and high speed internet. To me that is insane, so I canceled HBO saves me $14 a month I never watch it anyway, only for Entourage which isn't on now. I can't live without the DVR though.

[Railroader]

Free. Work provides the internet and I watch over the air broadcasts from an antenna.

You sure do start a lot of threads about TV and internet access.

[NYK Ace]

wow that still seems crazy high...

i have directv with 2 hd-dvrs and the hd-dvr package (about 200 channels, 40 hd) with verizon dsl for about $90/month

[macfantn]

yeah, well i'm kinda mad that my cable bill keeps going up. I could switch to dish or directv but it won't save me much and my internet goes up $15 if I don't have cable which negates the savings. I don't have a home phone or any nearby free wifi. I have no idea why the internet is so expensive, I feel some of these online only stores should help with the cost of the internet (amazon, buy.com, etc) I know that'll never happen though.

[macfantn]

Originally Posted by NYK Ace 

wow that still seems crazy high...

i have directv with 2 hd-dvrs and the hd-dvr package (about 200 channels, 40 hd) with verizon dsl for about $90/month

$90 a month? is that an introductory rate? or permanent, if so that's a great deal. The cheapest DSL package where I live is $38 without needing a phone line and it's only 1.5 mbps which is kinda slow for what I need.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by macfantn 

I feel some of these online only stores should help with the cost of the internet (amazon, buy.com, etc) I know that'll never happen though.

I completely and utterly disagree with you.

[macfantn]

my cousin lives in downton pittsburgh and they have free wifi, it is limited to 2 hours a day or you can pay 15 or 20 a month for unlimited access. That is great, I wish I had that option where I live.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by macfantn 

My current bill was 151.96 for Cable w/ HD DVR and HBO and high speed internet. To me that is insane, so I canceled HBO saves me $14 a month I never watch it anyway, only for Entourage which isn't on now. I can't live without the DVR though.

Huh? Basic DirecTV with HD + AT&T's fastest DSL package works out to $80 a month. If you're willing to do without HD and only a 768 kbps Internet connection, that drops down to $50 a month ($30 for DirecTV + $20 for DSL — that's as low as the Pittsburgh wi-fi plan). Oh, I forgot to add $8 a month for Tivo. Still, you can save quite a bit.

Originally Posted by macfantn 

I feel some of these online only stores should help with the cost of the internet (amazon, buy.com, etc) I know that'll never happen though.

Help with the cost of the Internet? What on earth does that mean?

[andreas_g4]

I don't receive any TV (though I watch films on it), my employer pays for my internet access. Yay!

[MacosNerd]

I'm probably paying too much, but stupid verizon cannot seem to combine the direct-tv and dsl+phone coverage onto one bill. I keep trying and it fails.

[macfantn]

768kbps probably won't be fast enough for online gaming with my 360, or to stream movies to my apple tv. would it? As far as the companies helping with the cost of the internet, if they helped with the cost perhaps more people would have access to the web and be able to purchase from them. Plus it may help get broadband internet out to people that can only have dial up.

[boy8cookie]

Where's the free option? I work for Time Warner Cable.

[turtle777]

$ 45 for DSL, $ 21 for basic cable.

-t

[Oisín]

$62 per month for own DSL line (which is cheap).
$3.5 per month for dorm-provided DSL (which is cheap, but also quite slow).
$6 per month (I think—something like that, anyway) for TV. No cable, just the eight free, publically available channels.

So all in all about $70–75 per month.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by macfantn 

768kbps probably won't be fast enough for online gaming with my 360, or to stream movies to my apple tv. would it? As far as the companies helping with the cost of the internet, if they helped with the cost perhaps more people would have access to the web and be able to purchase from them. Plus it may help get broadband internet out to people that can only have dial up.

I wish brick and mortar stores would help pay for my car so I could shop there.

[mduell]

$87/mo for cable (CableCards, HD, no premium channels), TiVo HD guide service, and 3Mbps internet.

[BRussell]

About $55 for cable internet, and I recently dropped cable TV for free over-the-air broadcasts + AppleTV.

[Andy8]

About HKD$600 a month, 3M ADSL and Now broadband TV, about 40 channels.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by macfantn 

768kbps probably won't be fast enough for online gaming with my 360, or to stream movies to my apple tv. would it?

I think it's enough for Xbox Live — Apple TV would take forever to download, though. An extra $10 will get you twice that speed, though, which is plenty for Xbox and will allow you to start watching SD Apple TV downloads within a minute according to Apple's specs. But even if you went all the way with a 6 Mbps Internet connection and HDTV with the $80 setup I mentioned earlier, that would be a 42% savings over what you're apparently paying now. That ain't bad. (Just as a disclaimer: I don't actually use this setup. The last couple of places I've lived have fortunately come with cable. That's what I plan to get next time I move, though.)

Originally Posted by macfantn 

As far as the companies helping with the cost of the internet, if they helped with the cost perhaps more people would have access to the web and be able to purchase from them. Plus it may help get broadband internet out to people that can only have dial up.

That would basically entail sending a check to everyone who asked. Assuming some Web-based business agreed to pay everybody just $2 (and that's a pretty paltry, unhelpful sum) to help you afford your Internet connection, that would be billions of dollars a year just for the United States. That's Amazon's entire revenue right there. There's no possible way that would be profitable. Pretty much anybody who wants access to the Internet now can get on — for free, even, if they're anywhere within the vicinity of a library.

[ghporter]

About $30 for DSL ("up to" 6Mb download/600kb upload but I consistently get 5Mb down and well over 600kb up), and I just recently moved up to "Select Choice" with DirecTV so I get a bunch of channels for about $55-60 per month. No premium channels, but that's fine.

[Trygve]

1828 CZK/mo. for 20mbps broadband cable in Prague.

1828CZK was $73.12 when I stated the service, but with the falling value of the US Dollar it is now costing me $121.87... still the same number of Czech Crowns.

[PB2K]

nothing, i share my connections from the neighbours. I had a fight with our provider who has a monopoly in this area : i cancelled a cable-subscription , sent them the modem and a letter. I was back on dialup because their services were so slow and unreliable.

Then after 3 months I get a bill for 800 (500 for the modem and 3 months of due subscribtion) because they claimed they didn't receive it. No excuse for me, I had to pay. so FKUC them

[Luca Rescigno]

$46 a month for 7mbit DSL.

No TV service. I get my TV programming OTA. Otherwise I just watch DVDs or play games on the 360 connected to the TV.

[Peter]

$100 a month, 20mbps down, 1mbps up

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by PB2K 

nothing, i share my connections from the neighbours. I had a fight with our provider who has a monopoly in this area : i cancelled a cable-subscription , sent them the modem and a letter. I was back on dialup because their services were so slow and unreliable.

Then after 3 months I get a bill for 800 (500 for the modem and 3 months of due subscribtion) because they claimed they didn't receive it. No excuse for me, I had to pay. so FKUC them

Sorry to hear you had that sort of problem, but that's the exact reason why I spend a little extra for things like signature confirmation of post delivery. They can't argue with a third party's evidence that "Ralph Jones" signed for the package I sent them...

What sort of connection is your neighbor sharing? Are you helping with the cost at all?

[Gankdawg]

~$55 for DSL 10/1.5 (never get 10 though, closer to 6)
$55 for Dish Network (no HD)

[Mithras]

$20/month for my grad school-provided Ethernet. No TV, except what Hulu brings, which is too much already.

[PB2K]

I pay 400€ rent a month and it's an allinclusive , without tv because I can watch internet-t anyhow.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

I think it's enough for Xbox Live

Indeed, this loser used to mow you down in Halo using that connection. I'm sure you remember the trashtalking that came along with it: "H-- -i- th-- w--h-g --rr-- -eel, ch----t?"

And yeah, this kid complains about money too much.

[mattyb]

$46 per month for phone Tv and Internet.

Unlimited phone calls to land lines in France and most European countries. Also some American numbers (I called my mother for free when she was in Philadelphia at a hotel a couple of weeks ago)
TV : I get about 100 channels (most trash) no premium stuff like sports or latest films. Occasionally they give you free access for a week or so to try and hook you, but we've never subscribbed.
Internet : In theory I could get 945 kb/s (up) 12592 kb/s (down) but I actually get 800kb/s up and 7700 kb/s down

The modem/router has all sorts of stuff you can do with it : wifi, tv on your computer etc
The set-top box is linked to the router through the electricity lines (boxes supplied) and has some basic internet browsing ability, hard drive, messaging.

However, we lost TV and phone and had really slow internet for about 24 hours the other weekend - NOT fun.

[Mrjinglesusa]

Recently upgraded to Verizon FIOS for internet, TV, and phone. After the promotions end, I'll spend ~$200/month for all three. That includes:

1) 15/15 MB/s internet (15/15 FIOS is FAST BTW) and it actually is 15/15 up and down (downloaded 100% of a rented HD movie from Apple TV in 30 minutes. Wirelessly. Router on main level, Apple TV in basement)

2) FIOS TV w/ all digital channels, HD channels, Movie & Sports package (Starz, Showtime, extra sports channels), 1 Home Media DVR, 1 SD STB, 1 HD STB, and 1 HD-DVR

3) Phone service with no limits or extra long distance or per call charges

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

Huh? Basic DirecTV with HD + AT&T's fastest DSL package works out to $80 a month. If you're willing to do without HD and only a 768 kbps Internet connection, that drops down to $50 a month ($30 for DirecTV + $20 for DSL — that's as low as the Pittsburgh wi-fi plan). Oh, I forgot to add $8 a month for Tivo. Still, you can save quite a bit.

That's $20/month, not including the $15/month for the voice line they make you buy.

[macfantn]

would the 1.5 mbps be fast enough for 360 gaming?

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by macfantn 

768kbps probably won't be fast enough for online gaming with my 360

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

I think it's enough for Xbox Live

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

Indeed, this loser used to mow you down in Halo using that connection.

Originally Posted by macfantn 

would the 1.5 mbps be fast enough for 360 gaming?

Learn to read, dammit.

[DeathToWindows]

I just moved to Nashville, so I've just had to deal with this...

I've got Comcast Double Play (I don't want or need a landline) - so, ~100 cable channels and 6MB internet (at least according to Comcast). Given that I didn't have useful internet access for a week after moving, anything was a plus...

I'm paying (for the next year) $70 a month for the combination (it was going to be $63 for internet only...)

[macfantn]

what will it be after a year?

[NYK Ace]

Originally Posted by macfantn 

$90 a month? is that an introductory rate? or permanent, if so that's a great deal. The cheapest DSL package where I live is $38 without needing a phone line and it's only 1.5 mbps which is kinda slow for what I need.

its for 2 years then the cost goes up but from what ive heard talk to a directv retention specialist after 2 years and they can cut you another deal

the internet is 3.0 mbps, not sure on the upload speed

[macfantn]

so I guess I pay the highest rate for internet and tv, good news though AT&T may be offering cable tv service here soon. Hopefully comcast and AT&T will have a price war.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

Learn to read, dammit.

Hey, save your anger for Halo

-t

[DeathToWindows]

I'm probably going to move after my one year lease is up, at which point I'll drop the TV part of the package and just get cable-based internet; $63 or so. Otherwise it'd be $95.

[Chongo]

as it is now, I pay >$200 for Qwest:LL/unlimited LD/DirecTV Total Choice+ HD/HD extra/HBO/DVR/2 PCS lines/7Meg DSL

[Oisín]

Originally Posted by Chongo 

Qwest:LL/unlimited LD/DirecTV Total Choice+ HD/HD extra/HBO/DVR/2 PCS lines/7Meg DSL

Now there’s a catchy name to advertise.

[BigBadWolf]

I pay $90 for cable/internet/phone. I had to get all three together for the $30 each deal otherwise it would have been $60 for internet and $55 for cable. Plus I get HBO free for 6 months.

[Lateralus]

I'm paying $99/mo for cable/internet/phone, but it somehow turns into $137~ after taxes. And I've only added $7/mo caller ID - no premium movie channels.

Cox Cable is damned lucky that they're my only option. I'm exactly *one block* out of AT&T's coverage area.

[Koralatov]

I pay £26 per month for 8MB ADSL, and that’s it. I don’t even have a TV, so I’m free of the scourge that is the TV license; there’s maybe (and it’s a big maybe) two hours of TV I’d watch a week, so I really don’t see the point in paying for a license. Besides, anything I want to watch, I, ahem, find on the internet. I think not having a TV is probably a net benefit overall—I only watch things that I really want to see, and I read more as a result. I also waste more time on the internet, though, so the net benefit is probably not as large as I’d like…

[Oisín]

Originally Posted by Koralatov 

I pay £26 per month for 8MB ADSL, and that’s it. I don’t even have a TV, so I’m free of the scourge that is the TV license; there’s maybe (and it’s a big maybe) two hours of TV I’d watch a week, so I really don’t see the point in paying for a license. Besides, anything I want to watch, I, ahem, find on the internet. I think not having a TV is probably a net benefit overall—I only watch things that I really want to see, and I read more as a result. I also waste more time on the internet, though, so the net benefit is probably not as large as I’d like…

I didn’t consider the TV license, though I suppose it’s part of the package. As the same article shows, that adds an extra $1.5 per day.

[Hg2491]

Living in a third-world country has its consequences: I pay around $100 dollars every month for a not-real 1,024kbps up / 128 kbps down connection, unlimited calling with-in my area, and a special rate for calls to the US, Puerto Rico, and Canada. For cable, I pay around $28 and get 71 miserable non-HD channels.

Sucks to live in Dominican Republic, doesn't it? =P

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by Oisín 

I didn’t consider the TV license, though I suppose it’s part of the package. As the same article shows, that adds an extra $1.5 per day.

That is, of course, $45 monthly... That's harsh if the TV programming you have available sucks for the most part.

[jokell82]

$41.95 for Cox "Preferred" Internet, 5mb down 2mb up. I also somehow get the standard cable package for free with this, including the local HD channels. Dunno why, but I'm not complaining.