Wireless TV Technology

[SS MAYFLOAT]

A few years ago I was able to purchase a package called Dish On Demand. It was pay as you go for different packages that would last for specified period of times. It was a good deal for me as I have cable at home. At the end of October 2009, Dishnet dropped the program and another supplier picked the program up. However their rates are about 25% more, plus I would need to buy a new receiver and dish for 150 vs the 100 I paid for the Dish on Demand system. Therefore, I'm not interested in going that route again.

Now I'm wanting to do something to have TV this year at my dock. It is nice to have for those weekends on the boat as the lake is in a valley. You cannot see bad weather coming until it is there on you.

I have Roadrunner now for my internet and cable for my TV. I have looked in their website as they now offer an air card for your laptop to be used anywhere. I'm pretty much illiterate when it comes to this new stuff. It seems it changes so quickly anymore and it always includes more money to be spent for the services. I don't like spending over a 100 a month for TV and the cable and I sure don't want to get a service that requires a 2 year contract that I would on use for the 12 months out of the 24.

I have thought about dropping my cable, keep the Roadrunner and get Dishnet. However they want a credit card to obtain the service. We just spent 5 years paying off 13 credit cards and don't want any again.

So now, I'm seeking ideas and what to do. I know there has to be some way to get a service that meets my needs. I just don't understand the new technology and how to get it to work for me. Thanks any help is appreciated.....SS

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Wireless TV Technology

I have been with DirecTV for 10 years or so now, its not perfect and it can be expensive but I camp......ALOT, I take my truck camper to Moab UT, Lake Powell UT, Lake McConnaughy NE and In the middle of no where in four other states, I always had satelite TV. I don't have the boat you do so I don't know what to tell you other then if it works on land it will work on water, its up to you what package or service you want but I will never have cable, nothing personal it just doesn't suit my lifestyle.

I had a cable guy come to my door and offered me $400 in free programming to go to cable.... I asked him if it came with 1000 miles of cable so I can take it with me for my camper too? The look on the guys face was priceless....

Sometimes freedom costs a little bit more then you like, the question is, is it worth it? for me it is. Watching the Stanley Cup Finals, in Dead Horse Canyon 20 miles northwest of Moab UT, or watching the weather report at 10,000' 30 miles southwest of Vail CO during Bow Hunting season, yeah its worth it to me.

 

[rbh]

Re: Wireless TV Technology

Anything still free to air that you can pick up with a pair of rabbit ears???, just saying.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Wireless TV Technology

With the lake surrounded by hills there isn't much for reception. Tried that route first. My wife is going to the cable office tomorrow and ask some questions on how we can go through them. Even if it will cost us an extra amount for an air card, I can use that for my laptop for work. I might even be able to get the company to re-emburish me for it. Lots of my tech manuals are now online. The boss says I don't need an air card since there is WIFI in the stores. However, I do lots of my work at the shop where there isn't any WIFI.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Wireless TV Technology

From what you explain, a Slingbox may be the ticket. It essentially streams your home stuff to a laptop provided it is internet connected. I have never used one and cannot provide any guidance on how to connect it or the shortcomings, but I have heard good things about them..

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sling+Media+-+The+Slingbox+Solo/8548832.p?id=1188561003217&skuId=8548832

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Wireless TV Technology

I use an aircard for work and I can honestly say if its an AT&T card it almost useless, if you find a better one let me know PLEASE!! Like most things as technology gets better I expect them to as well but right now I need to be pretty close to a cell site just to send email through an aircard, I have gotten used to finding free high speed wireless areas or an unsecured network to send emails. Streaming video off an aircard is frustrating as well. I don't use Satelite internet so I can't speak to that

 

[dingbat]

Re: Wireless TV Technology

An aircard for TV? Ain't going to happen. Way too slow (400 to 700 Kbps with peak rates up to 2 Mbps) and way too expensive to even think about using it to stream video.

Aircards are great for getting an internet connection in the middle of nowhere but other than that, useless.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Wireless TV Technology

I use an aircard for work and I can honestly say if its an AT&T card it almost useless, if you find a better one let me know PLEASE!! Like most things as technology gets better I expect them to as well but right now I need to be pretty close to a cell site just to send email through an aircard, I have gotten used to finding free high speed wireless areas or an unsecured network to send emails. Streaming video off an aircard is frustrating as well. I don't use Satelite internet so I can't speak to that

I have a Sprint 3G card which is works pretty well east of the Mississippi. Matches if not surpasses most of the hotel connection speeds.

I do a lot of business travel in California and it works well there as well.

 

[1fishbone]

Re: Wireless TV Technology

I cut the bill!!

I have a camper on the east coast of NC, with a newer digital TV and an RV antenna, I can get at least 8 or 10 channels without moving the antenna, another 4 more if I turn the antenna.
Gets me the live sports, local channels and PBS.
As for internet, the campgrounds has their own wireless system.
Over the internet, HULU and a few other web sties offer free movies or documentaries and TV programs.
At the campgrounds, many campers show up with satellite dishes and have an air card for internet, that way they'll have an internet connection ANYWHERE.

At home, I don't have cable TV but have cable internet, I have a video cable to the TV and can use HULU and other free web sites to watch movies on the big screen. HULU and some other sites offer, for a small fee, additional programing.
I also use an outside antenna to watch local channels.
FYI the digital programming over the air is not compressed, so the HD picture is very good, also, cable used to charge for local channels, they are free, over the air in HD.

My brother is a truck driver and has Sprint, he has internet where ever he has cell phone service, internet in Canada is iffy, but almost anywhere (99%) he stops his truck in the USA, he has internet.
He also watches movies over the internet and he has a RV antenna built into the truck and can get many local channels depending where he has stopped for the night.

A LOT of people are doing this...in some cases, cutting the bill more than half!!

 

[CobiaXL]

Re: Wireless TV Technology

I use my smart phone<LG Optimus s> to watch tv,make calls,surf internet,connect to my desktop at home from anywhere,listen to music,create a wifi spot for my laptop,did i say use a my mp3 player,also has built in gps and driving directions,also have a app to use gps on phone as speed odometer.I know ive forgot at least 20 more things my phone does...Also able to use phone to connect to a printer..UNLIMITED EVERYTHING IS 120 A MONTH FOR 2 PHONES.