For Tech-Avoidant: General Issues About Tech

[eleanorigby]

I'll never be a tech person (I don't want to be a tech person). I liken it to driving a car: I don't need to know the inner workings of the internal combustion engine in order to road trip. Will knowing make things, at times, easier? Yes, but it's not necessary. Ditto with tech or it so it should be, IMO.

I am moving and find I need to set up cable TV (basic; no HBO or sports or any of that stuff; just the networks and PBS [which, ahem, used TO BE FREE, but I digress]) and wifi/internet.

I find myself so intimidated by this process that I have done nothing about it for 4 days. It all seems so complicated and... fraught. I only really have Comcast/Xfinity here. I do NOT want to be even more complicated with a dish thingy, so...

I am asking you to commiserate with me and if you have any tips so that I don't get ripped off by "extras" that Comcast always seems to pull out of its a**, that'd be appreciated.
For example, I don't know what internet speed I should ask for or what I need.
I watch a LOT of Netflix (have to change that too; another overwhelming prospect for me) and I use Twitter, FB and world wide web. I don't game or download/watch/whatever you do I don't know porn. (I'm trying to say I may not have the needs for great gobs of speed, but I know I do need at least middle of the menu stuff. Problem is what is middle of the menu? so no judgement implied, just stating facts). I don't want to watch TV on my laptop, so I want basic cable. I will not be bringing the landline with me. I kept it because it's the only phone number my 87 year old mother has memorized, but she hasn't called me in 5 years, so why pay for it? I shall miss the political polling, but not the time-share calls.

Don't ask me what I have now. All I know is have a Comcast bill that started out at $109/mo 5 years ago, and I haven't added anything to it and now it's $135/mo...

Does anyone have any ideas which speed of service (Mbps) I should pick?

What tech issues intimidate you? Use this thread to learn more or just bitch about it.

ETA: just so you know, I have started the electrical, water, disposal and natural gas accounts with no problem; some online and some over the phone. I'm not an idiot*; just easily confused and leery of tech stuff...
*usually

[Pencil]

I went to the Comcast/Xfinity site and it seems as if you can get a bundle with 100 MBS and basic tv (but not the cable channels) for 50 bucks a months with a one year contract. Not too shabby.

[PSXer]

if you just want the networks and PBS that is still free. just buy an antenna and you can still get them over the air (depending on where you live of course, probably won't work in the middle of nowhere)

[tunaman]

For what it's worth, I bought two of the "piece of paper" antennas - one powered, the other not - and the powered one is 10x better, no question. Your local broadcast affiliates also offer a ton of subchannels you might enjoy - that's how I found Buzzr. Also, in some cases, the picture is actually better than cable. My office TV has the powered antenna, and football on CBS is much less compressed than it is on cable.

ATSC 3 is coming soon, and it'll be even better: 4K, Dolby Atmos, much more efficient transmission, etc.

[3acres]

Originally Posted by tunaman

ATSC 3 is coming soon, and it'll be even better: 4K, Dolby Atmos, much more efficient transmission, etc

Will my existing tv still work? Obviously none of the newer better improved features, but will it still pick up broadcasts?

[JackieLikesVariety]

For what it's worth, I bought two of the "piece of paper" antennas

what?
keep in mind this thread was started specifically for those of us that struggle with this stuff.

hang on, looks like someone I have on ignore posted so maybe I just missed something.

What tech issues intimidate you? Use this thread to learn more or just bitch about it.

all of them!!! I have asked questions where, many times, the answers made no sense to me because people trying to answer don't start basic enough for me.

I literally went to the dummies website to see if they have written a TV For Dummies book yet but no.

[SmartAleq]

Here's a good article on the best "piece of paper" antennas out there this year--bonus, the article also has a link to see how many over the air channels you can expect to get with an antenna.

The thing about cable tv is that even if you buy the basic package with "no sports" you are STILL paying ESPN and Fox News because those assholes have arrangements with EVERY cable company and they get paid per subscriber even at the most basic level. So if you really only watch local network affiliates and PBS and don't need or want higher cable channels, a digital antenna is a must. Then you go ahead and splurge on fast internet so you can stream anything you really want to have without subsidizing sports and conservative news organs.

[AuntiePam]

A lot of computer guys/gals/businesses will help set up TV service/streaming, etc.

My son ditched the dish and is using antennas. He lives in the middle of nowhere and is getting all the TV he wants. I can ask him what he's using.