TV/Internet/Phone options

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

farging Tight funholes

[reese125]

is everyone going through the same issue as I am with FiOs. i mean every every time I turn the tv on I have to keep hitting the exit button, or ok button--whichever over and over to get through 2+ ads of new movie releases or speed upgrades now to before I get to my tv guide.

not to mention, its not like these set top boxes are the speediest of devices. i just want to turn my shtein on and watch---cmon verizon.

[ice grillin you]

when they installed my fios i remember the tech emphasizing to always leave the boxes on so that you can get updates and downloads....but now they have it so that everytime you turn on the tv the box also needs to be turned on....its annoying as shtein

[Seabiscuit36]

My dad had that issue, he ended up calling to get a new box. 

So does anyone have Magic Jack?  We haven't had a home phone for the past 3 years, but due to some deadspots in the house I wouldn't mind having some cheap ass phone service that relies on VOIP.  I'm just curious how zesty MagicJack is.

[Sgt PSN]

I've had it for 2 or 3 years now and have no major complaints.  As long as you've got legit high speed internet, you should be fine.  Right now I can only get DSL so occasionally my calls will get a little "choppy" but when I had high speed cable interwebs, call clarity was fine.   

Do yourself a favor though and spend a few extra bucks on the wi-fi Magic Jack instead of the less expensive version that has to be plugged directly into your computer.  I initially bought the basic (wi-fi wasn't available yet) and the main problem/complaint I had with it was that it didn't function properly if you have multiple user accounts on your computer.  I have my log in and squaw has hers.  So I log in and open the Magic Jack program and everything works fine.  But if Squaw logs in on her account and Magic Jack was still open on my side, she couldn't open it on her side and the phone would not function.  The wi-fi Magic Jack plugs directly into a wall socket for power and connects wirelessly to your router.  For whatever reason, this allows for it to communicate with your computer and function properly no matter who is logged in. 

It also notifies you via email whenever you have a voicemail and you can access it from anywhere to listen to messages, which is pretty cool.   

[Seabiscuit36]

Good stuff Sarge.  We just want a cheap alternative to our cellphones which can be spotty out in the woods.  Thanks!

[ice grillin you]

My dad had that issue, he ended up calling to get a new box. 

its not the box cause it started doing it on all my boxes the same day....its fios' doing

[Sgt PSN]

Good stuff Sarge.  We just want a cheap alternative to our cellphones which can be spotty out in the woods.  Thanks!

That's why we have it.  It should suit you just fine. 

[smeags]

how much does the wi-fi magic jack cost ?

[Sgt PSN]

I think we paid $60 for it.  The initial purchase includes 1 year of service.  After that, the basic service plan is $30/year.  So basically, you're paying $30 for the Magic Jack and $30 for the 1st year of service. 

I just pulled up their site and apparently they have an app for iOS and Android now as well.  Looks like you can download the app to your phone or tablet and it will function the same way that the actual Magic Jack will, except that you'll be able to use your cell phone or tablet to have your conversation....so it's basically like Skype, but your acct is associated with an actual phone number than anyone can dial from any phone.

So the app might be something worth looking into.  You don't have to spend money on the actual jack itself and it works on wi fi and 4G networks.....which is actually kind of cool because if you're out of the house and someone calls your magic jack number, you can take the call directly on your cell.   I might look into this myself. 

http://www.magicjack.com/plus-v05/

[smeags]

that does sound cool. i'm def tired of paying fios $20 something a month for a line i rarely use.

[Munson]

Making the switch from Comcast to FiOS. Comcast seemed to have very little interest in keeping a customer, they didn't even come close to matching Verizon's price for me for the exact same TV service/better internet.

Only downside is I hate Verizon's onDemend interface, so much more confusing, and they definitely are missing some shows that Comcast has. But whatever, it's $50 less a month.

[Munson]

Well, one year later and I'm moving in with my g/f and unfortunately the building we're moving into doesn't have FiOS. farg.

Anyone have DirectTV these days? Verizon's non-FiOS internet options are terrible, and even Comcast's new customer bundles for the area are more expensive than they should be. So I may try and snag internet from Comcast and TV from DirectTV if I can. Not entirely sure if it's possible to get a dish on our building/the fire escape, but am gonna look into it.

Does the picture go out every time there's a cloud? Is the service overall decent? What well known channels aren't on there?

[General_Failure]

Either dish option will go out in a storm, but not for too long. That's a fair trade for not being stuck with Comcast's super zesty picture quality. You might as well not even get an HD box, since the signal you'll get from them is compressed worse than an old youtube video.

[Zanshin]

To the people who don't like the Fios welcome screen settings or power settings...you can turn all of that shtein off in, you guessed it, settings. Hit Menu, go into the settings and set it up how you want. I turned mine off.