AfterDawn: News

Cablevision adding more free HD channels

Cablevision has announced that it will be giving subscribers access to another 15 free HD channels, making 60 channels available now to customers.

Beginning at the end of July, the cable operator will be adding Nickelodeon, WE tv, AMC, Animal Planet, The Weather Channel, Travel Channel, FOX News Channel, Discovery Channel, Hallmark Movie Channel and FX.



Cablevision currently has 3 million subscribers in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, and says that 1.1 million of those have "at least one high-definition TV and HD-enabled set-top box."

The move is seen as an effort to fight off growing competition from satellite companies such as DIRECTV and DISH and more notably, Verizon's growing FiOS network.

Analysts have long said that customers are under the impression that satellite TV offers more and better HD quality services than cable, but that is not entirely correct. Although the satellite companies do offer more HD channels, the quality is equal to that of cable. DIRECTV currently offers 95 HD channels and DISH offers 80. FiOS offers 30 but says 30 more are coming by the end of September.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 2 Jul 2008 16:23

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• 17 comments

• noncomjd

  Yeah, 15 more channels for FREE. Except they charge MORE for their service, MORE for their equipment rental, their picture stops, breaks up and pixelates, and their internet service has gotten so popular, it slows to a crawl during the evening, there were some nights I would have done better with dial up.
  
  Dumped them for Fios and couldn't be happier.

  2.7.2008 19:52 #1

• DVDBack23

  Originally posted by noncomjd: Yeah, 15 more channels for FREE. Except they charge MORE for their service, MORE for their equipment rental, their picture stops, breaks up and pixelates, and their internet service has gotten so popular, it slows to a crawl during the evening, there were some nights I would have done better with dial up.
  
  Dumped them for Fios and couldn't be happier.I have to disagree with you on all accounts there, I have had Optimum Online and iO TV since 2005 and could not be happier. 45 dollars a month for the fastest residential cable internet in the US is more than worth it, and I have had no trouble with the TV service. They exchanged by box for an HD box, with free shipping both ways, in 3 days.

  2.7.2008 20:35 #2

• noncomjd

  Their cable service when not discounted (Triple/double play) is still more expensive, as is what you pay to rent your cable box and the extra fee you pay for your remote controls. When I had them, their prices were increased quite often, not to mention programming that was removed from lower cost packages and placed in higher priced packages. They nickle and dime you to death, you need to pay extra for each on demand service associated with each of the movie channels (HBO SHOWTIME CINEMAX) you subscribe to.
  
  As for the cable during the day it was fast, still not as fast as FIOS, but during the evening the speed crashed. Complaints were never even answered. I did a speed test and send the results them in a comaplaint I wish i had kept a copy, but the results were bad. The problem is you can't load that many people on a network and not have it start to bog down, I am sure that FIOS could potentially experienced that as well.
  
  On the TV side, I had what I described, but mainly pixelation and freezing, it wasn't constant, but enough to be quite annoying. It wasn't limited to my service, a large number of people in my area had the same problem. I am not alone, in my dislike for cablevision, I would say that about 40% of the people on my street have switched over since it became available in November 07.
  
  I first got cablevision in 1998, I will say that since then, their customer service has improved drastically, but that's not a reason to stay a customer. Hopefully the competition will force cablevison to improve further, by actually installing the fiber they claim to have (which I think I saw them starting to do recently) and lowering their prices.
  
  I never had their phone service so I can't write about that.

  2.7.2008 21:58 #3

• SProdigy

  And before long, DirecTV will add the HD channels listed that they don't already offer. Off the top of my head, I know I already get FX HD and Discovery Channel HD on DTV. It's going to be tough for cable to compete with the dish on the HD front.

  2.7.2008 22:20 #4

• DXR88

  actually Cables HD Channels are Slightly more compressed, than the satellite counterparts, however satellite suffers from Minor delays. both technology's have there trade off's.
  
  FiOS, is an excellent Ground Carrier. see im the mix it up kinda guy.
  
  I have POTS for my home phone, satellite for TV, And Cable for internet.
  
  don't get me wrong i pay a little bit more, but its just that i know the strength and weaknesses of different carrier types.
  
  lot's of people don't remember Pulse phones.
  and Satellites for internet is garbage unless, you pay top dollar for the multiplexer type satellites and service. Cable is a ground carrier that has proven itself worthy time and time again.

  3.7.2008 00:29 #5

• DXR88

  Originally posted by noncomjd: Yeah, 15 more channels for FREE. Except they charge MORE for their service, MORE for their equipment rental, their picture stops, breaks up and pixelates, and their internet service has gotten so popular, it slows to a crawl during the evening, there were some nights I would have done better with dial up.
  
  Dumped them for Fios and couldn't be happier.
  heh, and what exactly is supposed to happen when Fios becoms so popular. Fios's infrastructure running to your house is the same as cable's, however it switches at the end like ADSL, you do realize thats its not the cables at which the data gets to you that determine quality Right. its all about how they set up the infrastructure,and the type of Carrier Technology there using.

  3.7.2008 00:37 #6

• noncomjd

  Quote: you do realize thats its not the cables at which the data gets to you that determine quality Right.
  
  You are joking right? you mean to tell me that the current standard cable tv line is capable of carrying an equal amount of data as a fiber line? I'm sorry, but there is no comparison between the two. Why do you think the cable companies ran an ad that claimed that they had fiber optic lines? (which by was false and the ad yanked) The amount of data the fiber line can carry is huge and it is not subject to interference of any kind. I am sure that the Fios cable signal is compressed and I am not video junkie like some so I don't have an HD set, yet, but the standard def picture is crystal clear on every channel, without exception.
  
  Which brings me to negative for fios: they do charge extra for an HD Box, Cablevision does not; BUT the cost of the HD box from fios is about what Cablevision charges for its standard box,if you include the Cablevision's charge for the remote control.
  
  Quote: its all about how they set up the infrastructure,and the type of Carrier Technology there using.Yes true to a point. The Fios system is newer and hopefully constructed better, we will see. Cablevision doesn't seems to be laid out so well, again where I live Cablevision has been the king forever, so I would assume the network is older. In 1999 we we told by cablevision to expect Internet capability by late 2001, early 2002, it rolled out here in June 2000. Now to be fair, I think cablevision hired every line crew on the east coast to run its wire, but they obviously used the same routing and network structure as before, when IO was first available it was lighting fast but no more. As the subscriber base grew and they threw more crap on the system it became overloaded. Sorry but that is just a fact. You could have the best end system in the world but if your data is bottlenecked because a node is so overloaded it doesn't matter.
  
  Fios has to be having a substantial impact on cablevision, which is great competition is wonderful. I get calls from cablevision every two weeks asking me to switch back, the latest deal was for the triple play for 89.99 a month for one or two years (not really sure of the length); a free battery backup system for the phone (another thing that cablevision charges for and free with fios) and a $300 gift card for PC Richards.
  
  Competition is great and if Cablevision improves their service and prices I would go back. If.

  3.7.2008 07:31 #7

• ElTwo

  Quote:Quote: you do realize thats its not the cables at which the data gets to you that determine quality Right.
  
  You are joking right? you mean to tell me that the current standard cable tv line is capable of carrying an equal amount of data as a fiber line?No, but look at the back of your TV or your set top box, it's a regular coaxial copper cable (RG6) whether you have FIOS or Cablevision. Copper coax does not get magical properties from FIOS, it has the same bandwidth coming to the set top box from both providers.
  
  Since you don't have HD, you are in no position to compare the the HD services of the two carriers; I don't have both carriers, and haven't seen FIOS, so I'm in no position to compare the quality of both systems.
  
  Quote:Competition is great
  I couldn't agree more!

  3.7.2008 21:30 #8

• Mozilfox

  No, but look at the back of your TV or your set top box, it's a regular coaxial copper cable (RG6) whether you have FIOS or Cablevision. Copper coax does not get magical properties from FIOS, it has the same bandwidth coming to the set top box from both providers.
  
  I have had both cablevision and Fios. Don't even try to say they both have the same bandwidth properties. The signal that comes to the house is Fibre optic which is converted to RG6 copper coax inside the home. First of all, Fios passes a signal to the home that currently is not compressed. Cable Co's compress their signal. Fios offers internet speeds Cablevision can only dream about much less advertise phoney fibre optic ads. Fios Television reception and internet speeds are hands down far and above anything any Cable Company is offering. If you haven't had Fios to compare both then try not to suggest that they are equal. People that read these posts who have had both Fios and Cablevision realize you are not being honest with your assessment of the two.

  4.7.2008 00:51 #9

• DXR88

  mmm... again it all falls back to the way the infrastructure is set up,and the type of carriers.

  4.7.2008 01:23 #10

• ElTwo

  I'm being very honest.
  
  Both systems use RG6, and both systems max out the bandwidth of the copper cable.
  Quote:First of all, Fios passes a signal to the home that currently is not compressed.
  FALSE
  The signal is not further compressed by Verizon, but it is compressed.
  Quote:Verizon media relations director Bobbi Henson, asked to substantiate the claim in the TV spots, said the point of the campaign is to show that “our FiOS TV customers are receiving HD that’s not compressed by Verizon.”That's not to say that FIOS isn't doing a better job delivering switched digital with their current subscriber base. Fiber to the house instead of to a node on a pole should work more efficiently. We shall see how well it will continue to work if FIOS ever comes near capacity on its Fiber network. At that time FIOS should have implemented a system to shift the load based upon viewiership (akin to what Cablevision must do now).
  
  As for online speeds, it will depend upon where you live. In theory FIOS should be faster for the same advertised speeds, since you're not sharing a node.
  
  Quote:People that read these posts who have had both Fios and Cablevision realize you are not being honest with your assessment of the two.It would be great to hear from others who have, or have had, both services.
  
  It's disappointing that you feel the need to stoop to name calling; saying that I wasn't honest in my post may make you feel better, but I clearly stated Quote:I don't have both carriers, and haven't seen FIOS, so I'm in no position to compare the quality of both systems.

  4.7.2008 01:29 #11

• DXR88

  Uh oh, iv seen this argument type before. imma jet before it turns to the nasty's.

  4.7.2008 01:33 #12

• Mozilfox

  "That's not to say that FIOS isn't doing a better job delivering switched digital with their current subscriber base."
  
  That is an understatement. But, you're now starting to yield to the fact that Fios is the superior technology as most of us already know that.
  
  "We shall see how well it will continue to work if FIOS ever comes near capacity on its Fiber network. At that time FIOS should have implemented a system to shift the load based upon viewiership (akin to what Cablevision must do now)."
  
  The comparison of the two is now in real time. We already know the older cable technology is saturated. So, we should wait until Fios has its capacity maxed out before we can judge the two equally?
  
  
  Repeat: Verizon Fios does not compress its signal further as do the Cable Companies.
  
  If you have not experienced both Cable and Fios how can you continue to stretch the truth by suggesting they are equal when clearly they are not. Most Cable systems cannot match internet speeds currently offered by Fios. In the end its what you get for your money and Fios offers you more for less money. Have a happy 4th.

  4.7.2008 10:52 #13

• ElTwo

  I have not suggested they are equal, read my posts carefully.
  You obviously have an agenda, Mozilfox.
  
  DXR88 is right
  
  Quote:Uh oh, iv seen this argument type before. imma jet before it turns to the nasty's.

  4.7.2008 12:50 #14

• Mozilfox

  Quote: you do realize thats its not the cables at which the data gets to you that determine quality Right. Huh? Fios cable vs Cablevision cable doesn't determine my transfer of data quality?
  
  Quote: I don't have both carriers, and haven't seen FIOS, so I'm in no position to compare the quality of both systems.
  
  Note: First quote somewhat contradicts the second quote.
  
  You were quick to point out that noncomjd should not coment on the HD quality between the two carriers because he/she doesn't have an HD box. He or she stated that the regular channels of Fios however were notabley better. Having had both carriers I agree with noncomjd as they are better. I do have HD boxes with Fios. In fact even the HD channels are better with Fios. No pixelation, like Cablevision just a clean outstanding picture all the time.
  
  Likewise, then, you should not comment on the quality of the two carriers since you never experinced Fios for yourself. You made note of the fact that you can't comment on the quality but your first reference to quality suggests that since they both use RG6 cables that one is no better than the other. - "You do realize thats its not the cables at which the data gets to you that determine quality Right. You did say that didn't you?
  It might not be all of the difference in quality but it most certainly is a significant factor. My vote goes to Fibre Optic cables over Standard Cablevision RG6. Seeing is believing. Fios provides significantly better quality and increased internet speeds up and down as compared to Cablevision. The mass exodus from Cablevision and other cable companys users to Fios should tell you that. Competion is great! No agenda here. Just speaking the truth.

  4.7.2008 13:36 #15

• DXR88

  Originally posted by Mozilfox: "You do realize thats its not the cables at which the data gets to you that determine quality Right. You did say that didn't you?Correction my friend, i said that mayhap you should read other users posts.
  
  and i will stick to that comment,CAT6 is a gigabit standerd for copper cables, sure it is easier to get more bandwidth from a optical cable, and speed. but your missing the point, i did not want to start a argument about what cable is better. A good carrier is everything a good infrastructure is everything without those fiber optic is just as good as a cable.
  
  i'v said what i wanted.
  
  Have a Good Day

  4.7.2008 14:49 #16

• noncomjd

  I have both, there is no name calling, there should be no name calling or nastiness. I have given as honest of an opinion as possible.
  
  The internet speed with Fios is faster, up and down, and speeds are more consistent.
  
  The standard definition television picture is clearer. There has not been the pixelation and freezing of the picture that existed with cablevision.
  
  Customer support and service, Cablevision kicks Verizon's butt there. Shorter wait times on the phone, more physical locations.
  
  You have to note this too about the cablevision system, the age of their system will vary from location to location, that could effect service (I guess), Fios is being built from scratch, it has to be, fiber couldn't be piggybacked on Verzion's old network copper network.
  
  That's my honest opinion, take it, leave it, switch to Cablevision, switch to Fios, stay with Cablevision, stay with fios, stay with over the air tv, I could not possible care less, because I am happy with what I have, it works for me and I don't work for Cablevision or Verizon and I don't have stock in either company, so your decision does not effect me. Actually now that I think about, maybe it does, the more people that get on Fios, that might slow it down, so stay with Cablevision!!!! :)

  5.7.2008 06:28 #17