Cablevision in NJ Advice

[MaryT]

We have to change our cable service and could use your advice.

I'm almost embarassed to say this, but we still have our old analog cablebox, having resisted moving to digital cable for at least 2 years.

Why? You say. Well, we really like old movies, and cablevision in NJ does not carry TCM. So, we have refused to pay more $$$ for digital cable to get a few more channels, none of which is TCM.

Our current package is the old Optimum package. We get basic & family cable plus Starz, encore & IFC (one channel each).

We have been advised that in July we will lose our movie channels if we don't get a digital box. The rub is that we will lose the movie channels anyway. They aren't part of any basic type package.

Our decision, for now, is to give them back their cable box and keep family & basic cable only. This will save us about $15 per month.

When the time comes that we're ready to switch to HD, or they start offering TCM, we'll upgrade the service.

I'm assuming there's no issue with connecting to the Tivo by removing the cable box. AT least we won't have the occassional missed channel change ;)

The real question is are we missing something?

[Dan203]

Sounds like a good plan to me. If there is nothing on digital cable that interests you then there is no reason to pay for it. TiVos can record from standard analog cable just fine without a box.

Dan

[jfh3]

The real question is are we missing something?

Nope, you'll just have to rerun guided setup to tell Tivo that you now have a direct connection, rather than a cable box setup.

And you'll have to figure out what to do with your extra $15/month ... ;)

[MaryT]

Thanks much! I had a feeling I wasn't missing anything, but wanted to check.

[jjberger2134]

You have other options besides Cablevision. You can go to satellite, and still use your TiVo. Also, within a few months Verizon should be offering their competing service called FIOS, although I am unsure about using a TiVo with FIOS (I think it can be done). Both options are probably less expensive than Cablevision.

[JDHutt25]

I'm not sure where you are located, but I'm in NJ and I get TCM...

[MaryT]

I'm in Monmouth county and we don't get it. I've been asking them for it for at least 3 years.

[JDHutt25]

I'm in essex, and Cablevision offers it. Weird.

[nyjklein]

I'm in Hudson County and also get TCM through Cablevision. One caution about analog cable without the box, Cablevision (and many cable providers) scramble many of their analog channels. In Hudson County, using an analog tuner (like a standalone TiVo), I can only get channels 2 - 21 and a very few others, MSNBC, CSPAN. All of the other basic and family channels are scrambled and unviewable.

[VinceA]

Not all of Hudson County gets it. I'm in Bayonne and no TCM for us. Different Cablevision systems get different things. Sometimes it's because the system that Cablevision might have bought had TCM so they (CV) has to offer it.

[MaryT]

cablevision in Monmouth doesn't scramble the basic & family cable channels.

Thanks.

[HDTiVo]

Cablevision in NY has done a lot of upgrading of analog boxes to digital (SD & HD) for no charge and included many HD channels. Double check that is not available to you in NJ, or won't be soon.

[robaustin]

I have Cablevision in Hamilton, NJ and we gave up our cable box and have the TIVO connected directly to the cable. Not only do we not miss those three channels, but surfing with the TIVO is a pleasure as you do not have to wait for it to send the signal to the cable box. There's no delay changing channels.
Just remember to re-do guided setup so you get the channels straight, and it removes the ones you don't use anymore. Re-doing guided setup will NOT erase any shows you have recorded, it will just help realign the channel lineup.

--*Rob

[MaryT]

Thanks again.

I'm glad someone else in NJ did what we're thinking of doing.

Cablevision has been calling me constantly, even though we're on their do not call list, ever since this change was announced.

I think I'll call them back. They're just gonna luv it when I downgrade :D

[mherdeen]

Mary:

I'm a Cablevision customer as well in Monmouth (Ocean Township) and dumped our cable boxes almost 2 years ago. Boxes were shutting themselves off overnight leaving us with hours of blue screen tivo recordings.

I want to go high def, but the thought of going back to a cable box/receiver is not a pleasant one.

Good luck to you!

[ihatecable]

Look and see if Verizon FIOS is available over there and see if they aer bundling TV service with their internet servce.

[Raj]

FiOS is already available in some parts of NJ. I know someone in clifton who recently got it.

I don't know if that includes FiOS TV though.

[MaryT]

I just brought my cablebox back to cablevision. It saved us $15 per month, since we can't get starz & encore without a box.

Redoing guided setup went without a hitch. I would also swear our recording quality improved a bit once we took off the cablebox.

FiosTV looks interesting. I'll have to look into it. I'm tired of sending cablevision $45 a month for broadband.

[mbernste]

FiOS TV is not available anywhere in NJ yet, but once the statewide franchise gets signed into law, expect VZ to start deploying the glass in ernest and offering TV service.

[jjberger2134]

I am in Essex county and the Verizon trucks are everywhere installing fiber optic cable. They were even on my residential neighborhood street, not just the main roads. The Verizon tech guy that I spoke with indicated that a "Fall" rollout was what they were aiming for in my area.