Seeking opinions on streaming services.

[Hockeynut!]

Funny.

Definitely not an internet problem though. I'm getting 80-90 mbps down.

Wow, what service is that? I don't think I've ever has more than 25mbps down with cable.

Comcast/Xfinity. I think I'm on Blast Plus or something like that.

[mac5155]

Do you have a business account?

[Factorial]

Some cable channels now speeding up shows to fit more ads in:

“As they contend with steep ratings declines, many top cable networks are jamming more ads into programming to meet audience guarantees made to advertisers and prop up revenue despite falling ad prices,” the Journal explains. “Speeding up the actual content is a more subtle tactic TV networks use to achieve a higher volume of ads. TBS also has sped up sitcom reruns of Seinfeld and other shows, and sister network TNT has also employed the approach as well. Viacom Inc. ’s TV Land has done the same with Friends reruns.”

http://bgr.com/2015/02/19/why-cut-the-cord-cable/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Hockeynut!]

Do you have a business account?

No, regular residential. My speeds increased dramatically the last 2 months. I used to max out around 22mbps. Now I occasionally top 100. I hate Comcast but I have to admit, that's pretty awesome.

Last night I followed a youtube tutorial on fixing the Netflix 25% problem. I uninstalled the Netflix app on my PS3 and then reinstalled an older version of Netflix. It worked like a charm and I got through 2 movies without any buffering. This morning I tried to watch netflix, the very first movie went to 25% loading and wouldn't go any further. It is so frustrating. This seems to be a common error from what I'm finding online. I don't know why Netflix doesn't do something to fix it. I'm so close to canceling my account.

[pittsoccer33]

well, this space got a lot more interesting yesterday.

I really like the idea of net neutrality a lot. But now if the cable companies aren't going to be able to extort companies like Netflix they are going to start implementing hard data caps. We're going to pay for broadband the way we pay for mobile data.

[columbia]

Unlimited streaming doesn't seem like a very realistic demand from consumers...so, yeah.

[Factorial]

well, this space got a lot more interesting yesterday.

I really like the idea of net neutrality a lot. But now if the cable companies aren't going to be able to extort companies like Netflix they are going to start implementing hard data caps. We're going to pay for broadband the way we pay for mobile data.

They were already implementing caps. A friend of mine received notice from Comcast that he had to upgrade his account to business as he was regularly exceeding the 250GB per month (or whatever the figure was) cap.

[columbia]

There's definitely a cap on my Comcast account.

[pittsoccer33]

Unlimited streaming doesn't seem like a very realistic demand from consumers...so, yeah.

Are you being facetious? There aren't enough providers to create a lot of competition. And in places where there are a few choices they act like oligopolies.

They were already implementing caps. A friend of mine received notice from Comcast that he had to upgrade his account to business as he was regularly exceeding the 250GB per month (or whatever the figure was) cap.

A few years back Comcast in Pittsburgh had that too - its been "suspended" for a while:

Your usage is measured starting 1st of every month and is displayed in the column labeled "Used". Also for your convenience, the history of your last 3 months usage is displayed in the bar chart below labeled "Usage History". For more information and frequently asked questions, please click here.
Note:enforcement of the 250GB data consumption threshold is currently suspended

I don't think I watch as much Netflix as some people, but I've consistenly been between 175 and 230GB.

Hollywood is already trying to get us to dump DVD for Vudu. What we will see is the cable companies "selling" us these films, and if you buy from them it doesn't cost against your data usage.

[Factorial]

I don't have a problem with them charging more for using more bandwidth. Just like electricity, etc.

[columbia]

It's like unlimited phone minutes. Who the hell needs that? Yet, I have to pay for someone who spends 5 hours a day gabbing on the phone.

[Factorial]

It's like unlimited phone minutes. Who the hell needs that? Yet, I have to pay for someone who spends 5 hours a day gabbing on the phone.

Yep, and the reason said friend was exceeding the cap was he ditched cable and his wife and kids had Netflix running all day even when they weren't watching it. Us cable subscribers have been subsidizing the cord cutters.

[Digitalgypsy66]

Data caps would probably stop a lot of torrenting, too.

I have Time Warner, and they implemented a bandwidth meter several years ago so residential customers can track their own bandwidth. I always assumed that it was the first step to a data cap.

Another issue, for console and PC gamers alike, is the digitalization of game titles. I haven't bought a physical disc for a PC game in at least 6 years. Some of the games I install for my kids are 5+ GBs compressed, plus DLC downloads. That's going to be problematic for those of us who like to reinstall Windows/OS a couple times a year and have to redownload software over and over. :/

[44windmill]

I'm running into the perfect opportunity to try the cord cutting method. We're moving out of our house March 20th, and don't have a new place to live yet. We'll live somewhere temporarily in between, with internet at our disposal. It will give us a month or two to try some streaming services without having a cable or internet bill on top of it.

Bad thing is it'll be right in the middle of the playoffs. What's the best way to watch games online if they aren't on NBC?

[mac5155]

We have a 200GB cap on ours. $10 for each 50GB over that.

[dodint]

One of the arguments against caps w/overage charges is that the poor won't be able to afford the same internet that the rest of us have, and that's discrimination. It's getting to the point that broadband web access is considered a necessity/right in the US.

Take that for what it's worth.

[Sarcastic]

I'm running into the perfect opportunity to try the cord cutting method. We're moving out of our house March 20th, and don't have a new place to live yet. We'll live somewhere temporarily in between, with internet at our disposal. It will give us a month or two to try some streaming services without having a cable or internet bill on top of it.

Bad thing is it'll be right in the middle of the playoffs. What's the best way to watch games online if they aren't on NBC?

http://www.ibtimes.com/comcast-corporat ... ng-1822962

Comcast Corporation (CMCSA) Earnings Preview: 2014 Profits Soar Despite Cord-Cutting, Regulatory Fears

To be sure, the cord-cutting phenomenon is real -- Comcast posted a net loss of 81,000 pay-TV subscribers last quarter alone -- but the hemorrhaging has slowed, and some analysts say Comcast may actually post a net gain in video subscribers in 2015. More important, Comcast is making up for the loss with new broadband customers, posting a net gain of 315,000 high-speed subscribers over the last quarter, bringing its total to 21.59 million, according to Leichtman Research Group.

[Sarcastic]

I forgot to add that you (44) have to calculate your costs. I'm paying over $90 for internet alone, in addition to DirecTV. Comcast has got me by the balls, but I may want to switch to Verizon some time... though I'm not sure what the $ difference is past the startup period. I don't know if it's worth getting just the internet and not paying the whatever extra for TV.

[Sarcastic]

Funny.

Definitely not an internet problem though. I'm getting 80-90 mbps down.

Wow, what service is that? I don't think I've ever has more than 25mbps down with cable.

Comcast/Xfinity. I think I'm on Blast Plus or something like that.

Yeah, it's good. Just tested myself... 95.06 down / 12.31 up.

[dodint]

A short but interesting article about Dish Network cannibalizing itself with Sling TV.

While Sling TV might offer an attractive option for those customers that are already leaving Dish, it's also attractive to its current 14 million customers paying an average of $84 per month. In fact, when DirecTV (NASDAQ: DTV ) was asked about offering a package similar to Sling TV on its fourth-quarter conference call, CEO Mike White said, "Our primary concern is how it impacts trade-down and cannibalization of the core business." He added, "The margins are pretty thin on that package."

[Sigwolf]

More like short-*sighted* article. Something like Sling TV was going to happen with or without Dish. Customers that are willing to leave Dish for such a service were going to happen anyway. Dish can either control the service for which its customers are leaving and make a small margin, or watch them leave and make nothing at all. Tech companies today have to adapt to survive. Those that cling to their precious margins will go down in flames as customers find the newest and cheapest ways to access media. It happened first in music, then games and movies, and now is hitting TV. Things are changing, and Dish is smart to try and stay on top of it, thin margins or not. Cannibalizing, my @$#.

[dodint]

A have a friend that is a mid-level manager at Dish and they're sweating. The CEO just retired and they're hemorrhaging customers. I'm concerned for him, and as a DirecTV subscriber I'm interested to see where it goes. I'm hoping it plays out that they tell people like ESPN and NFLN to stuff it with their high costs and offer channels ala carte. I watch about 25 channels and would take even a very small discount to be able to pick those channels.

[Sigwolf]

DirecTV is much like Time Warner or Comcast, confident in their subscriber base's willingness to pay out the nose for whatever crap they serve up. While a large portion of the public are sheep willing to put up with it, the dissatisfaction is growing to the point that people are starting to look for alternatives. The company that can supply that alternative at a reasonable price with good service stands to make a killing in the long run, even if short term low margins are necessary to get there. Whether that service is SlingTV or not remains to be seen, but the market is headed that direction, and getting a head start on it is a very good idea.

[dodint]

I'm sure when they dismantle Dish, SlingTV will sell off at a nice price to satisfy creditors. Dish reminds me of RadioShack to be honest. Which makes DirecTV Best Buy I guess.

[Sigwolf]

That could be, but Best Buy is on no sure footing, and could easily follow RadioShack into oblivion in short order. (BTW, RadioShack is a perfect example of a tech company that refused to adapt to changing interests.)