Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Audio Visual

Talk it up about big screen TVs (plasma or LCD?) and speakers and surround and all that jazz. Recommend products, providers, etc.

16 comments:

Linda Ball said...

I got my DirectPath (aka Pur Digital) speakers today. They did better in my place than some I've seen.

Linda Ball said...

When we moved in, before we built in media cabinets and ordered big flat TVs, we ordered DirecTV and got one HD/DVR to use with a small TV I bought. I asked at the time if I could get additional boxes later. Of course, they said. Today when I called, they tried to charge me an extra $50 over and above their outlandish price for boxes because I was a 'new customer who hadn't had service for twelve months.' This in spite of the fact that they have you in a contract that costs $240 per box to cancel according to the bill. Their monopolistic attitude (oh wait, they ARE a monopoly in our building) really upset me. Finally the person on the phone talked to someone and gave me the box for less and waived the fifty dollars but still charged a 'shipping and handling fee.' To cover getting the equipment up the elevator I guess. She pretty much refused to give me a third box at all because I wouldn't pay extra for being a 'new customer.' I guess I'll call back later. Or try to talk to the people on site. When Novare handed out this monopoly, they might have gotten a little more consideration for the residents. I realize we get Internet 'free' and that there are unnecessary public TVs blaring all over the elevator lobbies, fitness center, club room and pool. But these guys are a rip and should have been obliged to give everyone a reasonable accommodation to sign up and get equipment. They got a lot of customers that might have chosen cable if it was available.

Linda Ball said...

And...after I got my additional box it would not, of course, work. I had a very frustrating experience trying to get it to do so. The technician who wanders the halls said I'd need an appointment. I tried to get one but was told I would have to 'contact my landlord.' The concierge said, of course, that they couldn't make appointments. Then after I called back and said I wanted to speak to the supervisor for the entire 360 Austin account, it suddenly seemed that I already had an appointment on Friday. Their customer service is an unmitigated nightmare (like most such things). It seems since we have onsite people that there woudl be a better way, doesn't it? Apparently not.

Anonymous said...

The Televisions in the hallways are so LOUD and the channel should be changed to something more peaceful and positive.

Anonymous said...

I have been without service most of the day today from DirecPath. When I call, other than telling me to restart my box, they indicate the problem is outside the box. When I called the concierge, they told me several other folks had the same problem and she didn't know who to call.

Anyone else had this problem?

Thanks!

Linda Ball said...

When you call DirecTV they think you live in a house or apartment with your own satellite dish. You are powerless to convince them otherwise. We have had intermittent service on certain channels. If you can catch the DirecTV people that are IN THE BUILDING EVERY DAY SELLING INTO THEIR MONOPOLY THEY might be able to help. I got an appointment for a technician. The woman asked for some 'cross streets for your home.' I kept telling her technicians are ON SITE. They will know the building! They are in the building. It's very frustrating. Perhaps some of the equipment in the telephone closet hasn't gotten dried out enough.

Unknown said...

Other than the account activation and billing questions, all onsite DirecTV (and internet/voip) issues are handled by DirecPath.
http://www.direcpath.com

The onsite guy(s) are actually DirecPath employees and are pretty helpful when they get a chance to get to your problem. They seem pretty backloaded and they can't do work without a scheduled work order appointment. The call center is pretty bad, try not to call outside of business hours, as you will get routed to an offshore call center that is even less helpful.

We already had DirecTV issues before the flooding, but I think we are dried up and fixed back up 9/23 on the 16th floor.

Linda Ball said...

I realize the guys are onsite. However, they have recently refused to work without an appointment although usually after they put me through the nine gates of heck, they fix it anyway before the appointment. I am amazed at how many things they had to dry and replace and that they managed it. And I'm glad I get to see Friday Night Lights before network. But, still, I was very dismayed when I tried to get a second box (see above) and they didn't tell me I wouldn't be able to watch/record more than two shows in the whole unit, two DVRs or not. And I really wish we could call without listening to tree limb obstruction stuff. The good news is I care less and less about this issue since I do a lot of my TV watching captive in the elevator lobby. If I see one more ESPN thing or anything more about that missing child, I'm going to scream! And, of course, all this pales in comparison to the leak problems and such.

Anonymous said...

If we want phone service do we have to go through direct path and use their phone service package? Can we use AT&T instead?

Linda Ball said...

We have an AT&T phone and it is fine. Several other people do as well. One person we know is talking to them about TV.

Anonymous said...

Has anyone used AT&T for TV? I am trying to decide between the DirecTV and AT&T TV services.

Anonymous said...

I work for AT&T and I live in the building. You can get AT&T phone, DSL (Internet) and their Uverse digitial TV service in the building. I have the phone and DSL broadband line installed currently in my unit and I have not had any issues. I will be installing the Uverse TV service this week. You are welcome to check out the interface once I have it installed. To switch over or order any service, call 1-877-827-5288 and provide them this PROMO code: jv8719

Thanks

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the information about U-Verse. I would love to check it out. I had multiple discussions with DirectPath yesterday about TV/internet service. It was frustrating to say the least.

Linda Ball said...

I wonder if anyone got ATT TV service to work. I have a friend who had their people out. They needed to find a box downstairs. Staff could not help them and 'wondered if they could do so because of the contract with DirecPath.'

I haven't had any problems since DirecTV sent an OUTSIDE repariman who didn't know anything about our building after the onsite people insisted I 'get an appointment.' Later Billy said we should be calling a different number. (1-866-430-7284). Different from the one on our bill! Well, I hope it keeps working so I don't have to see if that works. How foolish of me! To call the number on my *$%*& bill. OK.

Anyway, if anyone got AT&T Uverse to work, please give advice as to how my friend can get it.

Anonymous said...

I was under the impression that our monthly internet access was provided by the building, but I just got an invoice for the first time from DirectPath. It is for a monthly internet fee and I never got one before. Was my assumption incorrect?

Linda Ball said...

I have the same impression you do (that Internet is part of our homeowners) and have never gotten a bill for Internet. Was this a separate bill? Did it arrive by mail? Were there any details? Do you have DirectTV or phone service? Puzzling.