[Player1138]

I just learned about Spectrum Choice when doing my annual call and complain about the how rates, and they mentioned they have a plan that allows me to get all the local channels along with 10 channels from a list.

I think I could make this work, however they seem unsure about whether or not I could maintain my cable card and tuning adapter to continue using my Bolt.

By any chance do any of you all have this service that can confirm or deny the ability to use your Tivo with it.

Thanks.

 

[tarheelblue32]

I don't have the service, but yes you can use your current CableCARD and tuning adapter, as Spectrum TV Choice is delivered over traditional QAM (in addition to the Spectrum app). It would be illegal under current FCC regulations for Spectrum to only allow you to access TV Choice over QAM with their own cable boxes but not a CableCARD device. I have read over on DSLreports forums of people successfully using a TiVo/CableCARD with TV Choice.

 

[dlfl]

Search the forum. There has been some discussion of this.

Be sure to check into the total cost. I believe they will add the "Broadcast TV Surcharge" for local channels, which just went up to something like $13 for my Spectrum. (Absolutely ridiculous of course.)

 

[tarheelblue32]

Search the forum. There has been some discussion of this.

Be sure to check into the total cost. I believe they will add the "Broadcast TV Surcharge" for local channels, which just went up to something like $13 for my Spectrum. (Absolutely ridiculous of course.)

I think the broadcast TV fee is lower for TV Choice and included in the total price than for Spectrum's other TV packages.

Edit: It looks like the broadcast fee is only $3 for TV Choice and is included in the total price of $25/month plus tax. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me. Here's an article on it:
Spectrum TV Choice review: A la carte TV for cord-cutters, but at a cost

 

[Wayoverpar1]

I just learned about Spectrum Choice when doing my annual call and complain about the how rates, and they mentioned they have a plan that allows me to get all the local channels along with 10 channels from a list.

I think I could make this work, however they seem unsure about whether or not I could maintain my cable card and tuning adapter to continue using my Bolt.

By any chance do any of you all have this service that can confirm or deny the ability to use your Tivo with it.

Thanks.

I'm on the Choice plan and am running 2 Bolt's with CC, No tuning adapter is required in my area. Pairing the CC was done by me with 1 phone call to the number that popped up during the set up. I have full use of my Bolts and am happy with the Choice program. I also opted to take the HBO Go, Showtime Anywhere, TMC,Starz and Starz Encore bundle for an additional $15 for all. These are accessed through streaming and can't be recorded with Tivo. I have been on this for over 1 year and am now paying $34.99 for Choice with a $5 Broadcast service charge. Adding the Premium Pack and 2 CC my total bill is $53.99 for Cable service. They are charging $64.99 for internet service, which I will cancel as soon as TDS fiber, which they are laying cable for now, becomes available.

 

[tarheelblue32]

I'm on the Choice plan and am running 2 Bolt's with CC, No tuning adapter is required in my area. Pairing the CC was done by me with 1 phone call to the number that popped up during the set up. I have full use of my Bolts and am happy with the Choice program. I also opted to take the HBO Go, Showtime Anywhere, Starz and Starz Encore bundle for an additional $15 for all. These are accessed through streaming and can't be recorded with Tivo.

If you had a tuning adapter you might be able to view and record the premium channels on the TiVo.

 

[Wayoverpar1]

I think the broadcast TV fee is lower for TV Choice and included in the total price than for Spectrum's other TV packages.

Edit: It looks like the broadcast fee is only $3 for TV Choice and is included in the total price of $25/month plus tax. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me. Here's an article on it:
Spectrum TV Choice review: A la carte TV for cord-cutters, but at a cost

My $25.00 a month went to $35 per month after 1 year. Broadcast fee is $5.

 

[Wayoverpar1]

If you had a tuning adapter you might be able to view and record the premium channels on the TiVo.

Tuning adapters are not used in my area. I was having a problem receiving one channel that was part of the 10 I chose and they couldn't fix the problem. One of the solutions was to send me a tuning adapter, so I have one in case they change our system. Lot's of confusion and mixed messages from Spectrum in regard to whether I needed one or not. Finally went to the local office and they confirmed no TA's work in my area.
Would be nice if I could. I now have to go to my Roku to watch Showtime, Starz, TMC etc. I also have Playon that I use periodically to record my premium channels. The problem is it's in 720, but still better than not being able to record.

 

[dlfl]

Puzzling that the broadcast surcharge would be so much less for Choice since I assume you are receiving the same local broadcast stations as other higher cost plans provide. Oh silly me! Expecting logical behavior out of a cable company!

 

[302481]

I just learned about Spectrum Choice when doing my annual call and complain about the how rates, and they mentioned they have a plan that allows me to get all the local channels along with 10 channels from a list.

I think I could make this work, however they seem unsure about whether or not I could maintain my cable card and tuning adapter to continue using my Bolt.

By any chance do any of you all have this service that can confirm or deny the ability to use your Tivo with it.

Thanks.

Confirmed. I had it for a couple of years and loved it. Worked fine with Tivo, cable card and tuning adapter. I eventually switched to a streaming plan that offered many more channels for less money. But recent prices increases in streaming have made Choice attractive again.

Back when I had it, I could change my 10 channels once every 6 months by calling retention.

Do let us know what you think of it.

 

[Player1138]

Thanks for the replies. I really only want all the channels during college football season.

I wonder if I can switch back for a few months of the year and then back to Choice...or do they have a time limit

I just get so frustrated with how the new customer cost is so much less

 

[samsauce29]

As with all things Spectrum, the prices keep going up. I signed up two weeks ago for what I thought was $24.99 plus $6.00 broadcast fee. First bill showed up at $29.99 + $6.00. They claim this is a 2 year price, but the broadcast fee will almost certainly continue to rise.

To answer the original question, cable cards and tuning adapter still work just fine. I actually chose 10 channels not on SDV so that I can eventually disconnect the TA.

 

[Wayoverpar1]

Spectrum only has a 30 day window on making changes to the 10 channels you choose. I called them a few weeks ago to see if I could make a change and was told "no". After the 1st year they also increased pricing to $34.99 + $5.00 for local programming.

 

[samsauce29]

Spectrum only has a 30 day window on making changes to the 10 channels you choose. I called them a few weeks ago to see if I could make a change and was told "no". After the 1st year they also increased pricing to $34.99 + $5.00 for local programming.

I fully expect an increase or increases despite what I was told. I'm very "over" Spectrum at this point and am working hard to bring the DW over with me to the YouTube TV lifestyle!

 

[swyman18]

Tuning adapters are not used in my area. I was having a problem receiving one channel that was part of the 10 I chose and they couldn't fix the problem. One of the solutions was to send me a tuning adapter, so I have one in case they change our system. Lot's of confusion and mixed messages from Spectrum in regard to whether I needed one or not. Finally went to the local office and they confirmed no TA's work in my area.
Would be nice if I could. I now have to go to my Roku to watch Showtime, Starz, TMC etc. I also have Playon that I use periodically to record my premium channels. The problem is it's in 720, but still better than not being able to record.

You should be able to watch the premiums using the Spectrum TV app on your Roku. And if you want to record anything on those, you can add their Cloud DVR for $5 per month. Although I think the resolution on the app is 720p, and audio is 2.0 stereo only.

Some will argue that it is completely unnecessary to record the premiums since most of the content is available on demand. But HBO, Showtime and STARZ have a bunch of linear live channels, and sometimes I run across a movie airing that is not in their on demand library.

 

[EdwPowers]

For me, if I chose to go with Spectrum Choice, there are no SDV channels available. That eliminates the need for a TA but also eliminates some channels that I would prefer not to do without, including premium channels. This is based on their website and not by talking with anyone at Spectrum.

 

[302481]

For me, if I chose to go with Spectrum Choice, there are no SDV channels available. That eliminates the need for a TA but also eliminates some channels that I would prefer not to do without, including premium channels. This is based on their website and not by talking with anyone at Spectrum.

I don't understand. If your market doesn't use SDV, you'll get every channel. They wouldn't put channels on SDV if SDV isn't used at all. In that case nobody would get those channels. If your market does use SDV, then you need a TA to get the SDV channels. There are no missing channels in either scenario.

 

[dlfl]

I don't understand. If your market doesn't use SDV, you'll get every channel. They wouldn't put channels on SDV if SDV isn't used at all. In that case nobody would get those channels. If your market does use SDV, then you need a TA to get the SDV channels. There are no missing channels in either scenario.

It is surprising -- Spectrum usually provides highly accurate info.

 

[Wayoverpar1]

You should be able to watch the premiums using the Spectrum TV app on your Roku. And if you want to record anything on those, you can add their Cloud DVR for $5 per month. Although I think the resolution on the app is 720p, and audio is 2.0 stereo only.

Some will argue that it is completely unnecessary to record the premiums since most of the content is available on demand. But HBO, Showtime and STARZ have a bunch of linear live channels, and sometimes I run across a movie airing that is not in their on demand library.

I use PlayOn to record premium content for movies that will be removed from on demand at the end of the month. It's at 720p and I usually delete the movie once I watch it.

 

[EdwPowers]

I don't understand. If your market doesn't use SDV, you'll get every channel. They wouldn't put channels on SDV if SDV isn't used at all. In that case nobody would get those channels. If your market does use SDV, then you need a TA to get the SDV channels. There are no missing channels in either scenario.

Spectrum does used SDV here. It is just none of those channels are listed as available for Choice.