What are my HD options besides Dish, DirectTV and Brighthouse in Tampa?

[joeking1978]

I found out that I can not have Dish or DirectTV at my new property in Westchase... which is upsetting because I was very happy with my Dish HD programming and quality.

I set up Brighthouse today... and I got to admit, it seems second rate and sloppy compared to Dish. Everythinig from the grainy, pixelated menu's... to what seems like lower quality HD broadcasting.

Since I can't have Dish... are there any other options for HD programming besides Brighthouse in the Westchase area? If so... how does the quality of HD compare?

As long as I have these basics: (all HD) ESPN, Big 10 Network, ABC, CBS, FOX, MTV, Discover, Spike, and USA... I'm happy.

[HDOrlando]

On the HD, were getting Big Ten HD in three weeks and I would assume you get that soon down there in your next update which is supposed to be 13 channels.

Spike, MTV and the Viacom stuff besides palladia are not even on Time Warner NYC yet and they have like 115-120 HD channels. Since BH piggiesbacks on the TWC deals, neither of us have a shot at getting until they do.

You should try and see if you can get Verizon FIOS as I have heard wonderful things about it from people on these forums and they have all of those channels in HD.

[joeking1978]

thanks... I've been doing a little more research on Fios... sounds like it may be a better deal for sure.

[AmelFl]

if you have fios available, bingo

best option out there in my opinion

there picture quality is fantastic,

their grouping of channels; like all news channels are between 100-120 is great..

plenty of hd channels and a great program menu

[pilotbob]

I found out that I can not have Dish or DirectTV at my new property in Westchase... which is upsetting because I was very happy with my Dish HD programming and quality.


Why is that? Do you know that FCC laws don't allow a homeowners association or deed restrictions to prevent you from putting an antenna on your house?

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

Q: What types of restrictions are prohibited?

A: The rule prohibits restrictions that impair a person's ability to install, maintain, or use an antenna covered by the rule. The rule applies to state or local laws or regulations, including zoning, land-use or building regulations, private covenants, homeowners' association rules, condominium or cooperative association restrictions, lease restrictions, or similar restrictions on property within the exclusive use or control of the antenna user where the user has an ownership or leasehold interest in the property. A restriction impairs if it: (1) unreasonably delays or prevents use of; (2) unreasonably increases the cost of; or (3) precludes a person from receiving or transmitting an acceptable quality signal from an antenna covered under the rule. The rule does not prohibit legitimate safety restrictions or restrictions designed to preserve designated or eligible historic or prehistoric properties, provided the restriction is no more burdensome than necessary to accomplish the safety or preservation purpose.

BOb

[joeking1978]

Why is that? Do you know that FCC laws don't allow a homeowners association or deed restrictions to prevent you from putting an antenna on your house?


Q: What types of restrictions are prohibited?

A: The rule prohibits restrictions that impair a person's ability to install, maintain, or use an antenna covered by the rule. The rule applies to state or local laws or regulations, including zoning, land-use or building regulations, private covenants, homeowners' association rules, condominium or cooperative association restrictions, lease restrictions, or similar restrictions on property within the exclusive use or control of the antenna user where the user has an ownership or leasehold interest in the property. A restriction impairs if it: (1) unreasonably delays or prevents use of; (2) unreasonably increases the cost of; or (3) precludes a person from receiving or transmitting an acceptable quality signal from an antenna covered under the rule. The rule does not prohibit legitimate safety restrictions or restrictions designed to preserve designated or eligible historic or prehistoric properties, provided the restriction is no more burdensome than necessary to accomplish the safety or preservation purpose.

BOb

#1 they are villa's... so technically, all the property is owned and maintained by the HOA. I can get Dish or Direct TV, but there are ridiculous hoops to jump through and restrictions on where it can go and how. I drove around my neighborhood and did not see a single home that had one visible.

[skottey]

If you can get FIOS, that is 100% the way to go if you are a movie channel watcher. They have all 26 HBO/Max channels in HD, as opposed to two with BHN and the PQ is way better. I carried FIOS, including the $30 movie package, and I also get DirecTV. But I am moving as we speak and I had to give up FIOS until January when it is available in the new neighborhood. I thought it was there when I did the availability checker online, so I inked the deal with the house. I can honestly say that I may not have gone with that house had I known I'd have to give up FIOS. I love it that much. On the other hand, I only have to wait until January for it again, so it isn't the end of the world but I run a business and work largely from home and having Roadrunner with a static IP alone isn't always good enough. I appreciated the peace of mind of having FIOS Internet as a backup and load balance of my Internet traffic. But oh well. I am moving into a great house and I noticed markers today for gas lines, which means somebody is going to dig soon, so they are right on track to give me service in Jan. In the mean time I will be having my DirecTv moved tomorrow and I'm crossing my fingers that the trees are cleared. If not, choke, I am stuck getting BHN for five months for TV.

[pilotbob]

#1 they are villa's... so technically, all the property is owned and maintained by the HOA. I can get Dish or Direct TV, but there are ridiculous hoops to jump through and restrictions on where it can go and how. I drove around my neighborhood and did not see a single home that had one visible.

Oh... bummer. But, as others say, if you can get FiOs go for it. Of course, if you mostly watch network TV then OTA is the way to go.

I recently re-upped with FiOS to get a slightly better rate, but I think next Feb I will drop it and just go OTA and Internet (we don't get any Movie channells). I can buy the few shows from XBox Live or Amazon Unbox that we watch on SyFy and still be spending alot less money.

That said, I think we will consider switching from Block Buster DVDs by mail to Netflix to get be able to use the Netflix on Demand service. (Although that is not HD yet AFAIK.)


BOb

[CactusJack]

Looks to me like you're still covered by the FCC rule that pilotbob posted. The HOA can put certain restrictions on antenna installation, but not UNREASONABLE restrictions. The reason you don't see any antennas in the neighborhood might be because they are hidden from view from the street (which may be one of the restrictions), or because no one else is aware of the FCC rules or is willing to contest the HOA.

[pilotbob]

Looks to me like you're still covered by the FCC rule that pilotbob posted. The HOA can put certain restrictions on antenna installation, but not UNREASONABLE restrictions. The reason you don't see any antennas in the neighborhood might be because they are hidden from view from the street (which may be one of the restrictions), or because no one else is aware of the FCC rules or is willing to contest the HOA.

Maybe or maybe not. If he lives in a building where the outside is "commonly owned" by the association it really isn't his personal property to bolt the antenna to.

He may want to contact the FCC and ask. Or as you said, it may just not be worth the effort. FiOS service is excellent. But, what if he wanted OTA... could he erect a TV antenna?

BOb

[CactusJack]

The same FCC rules apply to OTA antennas.

[Roger 9]

#1 they are villa's... so technically, all the property is owned and maintained by the HOA. I can get Dish or Direct TV, but there are ridiculous hoops to jump through and restrictions on where it can go and how. I drove around my neighborhood and did not see a single home that had one visible.
That is one key - visible.

I live in a condo community and was able to put my dish in before the gov't ruling. If you have a patio and have clear access to the south (DirecTV) or southeast (Dish) I was able to put my dish below the top of the fence.

I had a little tussle with the association but they didn't complain too much when I pointed that out. If that doesn't work you may have to take it legal because the government has made it easy for you to get Dish Network back.

It's funny that this was brought up because I just got back from Brooklyn, NY and there are a number of apartment buildings in a very good part of the borough. I couldn't help but notice how many dishes were dotted along one side of it, on the main street side, very visible to heavy traffic. So I look at it this way, if it's good for New York it's got to be good for Westchase.