Cable

I've been selling and servicing Dishnetwork and Hughes systems on STX since 2002. 100% success getting Fox, CBS, and NBC
Local ABC doesn't like to grant the waiver. ABC is available off air in some areas of STX.
Some people represent a different address and get it.

Dish recently started a smartcard upgrade program and they are mailing the cards to customers to replace them. My experience has been that you match up the receiver numbers on the new card and plug it in. The box reboots and it says "congratulations, you have successfully upgraded your card. No further action required" Done. Takes 2 minutes usually.

If any of you that have dish run into a snag like STXResident feel free to call me. I can usually walk people through problems over the phone quicker than tech support. And that service is free!! 340-718-2488

After Omar I had internet and TV the next morning. Dial up and cell internet will be hard to get when the lines and/or towers are down.
But I do agree that wireless BB is the best choice for most due to upfront costs etc.... Some locations can't get BB or Choice wireless.
Butler Bay for example has spots with no coverage. For them Hughesnet is great. I've been using it for 7 years with very few hiccups.

We're trying to get the networks in Judith's Fancy with no success; they said the house was "out of the circle" and would not grant the waiver--they could not explain whatg "out of the circle meant. I can only get FOX.

What do you mean:

Some people represent a different address and get it.

STXResident - I know of at least two people who use a New York address and get all the networks - no problem.

STX
Which house and who installed it? If I installed it I will assist the account holder.

I do not think you did the install; thanks for the offer.

Has anyone had any luck with a Slingbox/Slingcatcher? Is there high speed internet on the island (STX) to support this?

My slingbox/av works ok. I have it connected to a tivo series 2. It's connected to the Internet via BroadbandVI 1 Mb/s residential service. The tivo is connected to Dishnetwork. HD would be a problem.

If you are planning on using a slingbox, you might want to look at this thread. Continuous use of a sling box eats a lot of bandwidth.

https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/read.php?4,106027

Here is a what appears to be a comment from BROADBAND VI (?)

Chad....you're paying for the 512kbps plan....and you're getting 512kbps. If you want more speed, there is a 1Mbps plan for $99.
The 2Mbps burst speed lasts approx 30 seconds, making web pages download faster during normal browsing.
We made some adjustments to how the burst works for people that are constantly downloading large amounts of data using bit torrent. You are in the less than 1% of our customers that fall into that category.

Sloop Jones

I am currently using a SlingBox tuner. I receive 65 channels. The picture is good on my computer and is OK to good when I use a flat screen TV as a monitor.

The SlingBox worked OK when I was using my 512Kbps service from BroadBandVI. I have upgraded to their 1Mbs speed and this has eliminated the few glitches I experienced at the lower speed, but the picture quality is about the same.

You also need to consider the upload speed from where you are getting the signal from. This has as least as much if not more to impact picture quality as down load speed. If I was going to use the SlingBox as my sole video source I probably upgrade the high speed internet service stateside from 5Mbs - 50Mbs ($42.95 - $129 )

I use the SlingBox for several channels that Innovative doesn't offer and to back up Innovative when their service goes down.

Jim

Thanks for all the input, I also posted it in the VI Broadband thread to see if anyone over there had any thoughts. Jim, if I wind up making the move I'm going to PM you for more info. I want to avoid costs if possible and setting up the slingbox/catcher for my TV service might be a good way to do it. I have to make sure I get my Red Sox games!!!!

I use a slingbox off of my Dish networks and it works great. I have Innovative 1Mbps service. I get 1mbps up as well as down which is important. That is what you need to pay attention to, your uplink speed as the slingbox is "sending" video to your computer.

Dish is BY FAR the best TV service in the islands. I've had Innovative, Choice (not an option anymore) and the only thing that resembles stateside service is Dish. Its a shame that Innovative can't/won't invest in their cable system to give us some semblance of 21st century TV.

Sean

The minimum upload speed that SlingBox recommends for standard TV is 256Kbps. For HD you need a minimum of 1.5Mbps.

The higher speed isn't a problem if you are moving the signal from say a DVD player in your living room to a bedroom using your own internal network and router, but if you are trying to watch CATV from off island the remote location needs to have a robust connection to the Internet with a high sustained upload speed. Burst technology isn't any help when you are using s SlingBox.

Even with robust connections It is 12 - 16 links/routers between the east end of STX and the Midwest, mainland USA.

Jim

The new Dishnetwork VIP922HDDVR receiver will hava a Terrabit of storage and a built in slingbox. That means you'll be able watch and control your DVR from afar. Should be on the market soon. It will also have a touch screen remote.