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GUIDE TO SELECTING AND NEGOTIATING A MEDIA SERVICE PROVIDERPurpose of this GuideAs noted in numerous other HOA communications, Bay Lake estates will no longer be signing bulk services media contracts for our HOA. The reasons for this were previously spelled out in detail but briefly the reasons relate to the lack of a true discount and the lack of flexibility in contract terms. All members who want to continue to use such services will need to contract directly with a provider before the cut-off date of 9/30/2017. If you choose to continue with Frontier, they cannot create a new account for you until the old one expires, which would be 9/30/2017. In an effort to assist members in the transition, I have prepared this packet which will help you to determine what services you want, how to comparison shop, and how to complete the transition process. ADVICE AND GUIDANCE for BLE RESIDENTS REGARDING MEDIA SERVICESI will never claim to be an expert in this area. If you are an expert, the following will be of little use to you. When we voted to stop signing bulk service contracts, I promised to create a packet to help members during the transition. I am providing this to assist our many members who have had little or no experience in dealing with media service salesmen or have fallen behind in their knowledge of the media services industry due to the dramatic changes in equipment, software, technology, and business practices. Some of it may not be accurate because the industry is changing so rapidly, so do not completely rely on my information. GENERAL ADVICE PROCESS AND PLANINGBefore you call a company, I would suggest you do some research on their web site and create a checklist. You can use the spreadsheet that I have attached to this e-mail or create your own. Most of us already have a HOA related account with Frontier (Verizon). You cannot create a new account with Frontier until the HOA related account is closed. It will be automatically closed around the end of September 2017. NOTHING IS FREEI know we have all heard this before and in the Media Services industry it is definitely true. If a sales rep is telling you something is free, keep asking questions and get things in writing and soon you will discover the truth. The closest thing to free is watching pirated movies via Exodus, and even in this case you have to purchase the Firestick devise that is pre-programed or another similar device. YOU ARE DEALING WITH SALESMEN, NOT ADVISORSIn this industry you are almost always dealing with a sales rep who is working on a commission or quota. They are looking out for their own best interest, not yours. There is tremendous pressure on them to encourage you to buy more than what you want or need, so be very careful.When they offer advice and believe me they will, do not allow yourself to start trusting them as an advisor. SEEING IS BELEIVINGThe products and services are numerous, confusing, and to some extent, overwhelming. Often you do not realize the issues, problems, and fine print until it is too late. It is often not possible to see and experience your services and products until after you have already signed a contract. The next best thing to actually using the product is talking to someone who has already been using it for a significant period. So if possible, always talk to a current or former customer. CUSTOMER SERVICEThese products almost always break or there are technical problems. Very few of us have the knowledge and resources to resolve them, so whether you like it or not, you will at some point have to use and rely on customer support. Nearly every single provider has poor customer service reputations. It seems your only option to mitigate the extent of this problem is to not sign a lengthy service contract, so you can always go elsewhere if things go that bad. TRENDSThe overall trend is a dramatic and significant movement away from traditional cable or satellite to accessing programs via the internet. This has resulted in another significant trend of mergers, buyouts, and bankruptcies. In the last few years, Blockbuster went bankrupt Verizon sold their SE Regional FIOS Cable services to Frontier. Verizon’s major competitor, Brighthouse, was purchased by Charter Communications and renamed Spectrum. A few months ago, I read Verizon was starting rumors that they may buy Spectrum, which in essence was their prior competitor. AT&T merged with Direct TV. Over the last year, there has been an explosion of devices and software that enables users to access programs and movies for free. Law enforcement and the industry is way behind in dealing with this. If this trend continues, it could have a drastic effect on the broadcast and movie industry’s ability to generate revenue to cover production costs. Currently it is unclear how this will impact media services, equipment, and software, but you can be certain it will have an impact. BASIC FACTORS TO CONSIDERFOLLOW THE FLOW1. In analyzing the various options and products always analyze and follow the flow of the media signal from start to finish. Along the way use all the criteria that applies below. This can be as simple as putting a DVD into a DVD player which is connected directly to your TV. It can be as complicated as obtaining a pirated copy of new release movie in Europe, uploaded to the internet, downloaded by a special program like Exodus, routed to your WI-FI modem after it is processed, transmitted, and routed by your Internet provider’s system (such as Frontier) , then to your Firestick processor device which is plugged into HDMI port of your Home Theatre System (HTS), (Firestick uses media player software like Kodi), and finally through your HTS HDMI plug-in to your TV set. 2. There will almost always be the following stages or components: a. Source of program. Examples are Major Networks (ABC, NBC, FOX), local TV, You-Tube, Netflix, HBO, and Podcasts. b. Transmission of the signal. Examples are satellites, Verizon fiber optic cable, standard co-axial cable, and Ethernet. c. Receiving, processing and routing. For example, Verizon may capture a satellite signal, process it, and send it by fiber optic to a regional station, where it is retransmitted by satellite again. It can go to a cell phone tower and then be re-transmitted to a mobile hot spot in your home. d. Processing in your home. This is usually by a modem. When the internet, fiber optic, co-axial, or satellite signal arrives at your home it must be decoded and processed. They usually code it so they can charge you for the services of providing the signal to you. e. Transmission inside your home. The signal must be routed from the modem to your HTS or Audio/Video device. This can be wirelessly by a WI-FI router, co-axial cable, fiber optic wire, or Ethernet cable. f. Further processing in your home. The signal may be processed by a Frontier or DirectTV set top box, a Chrome Cast dongle, or any one of numerous other processors that allows the signal to be viewed on your particular audio/video device. g. Connection to your Audio/Video device. This is best accomplished by a HDMI connection to a HTS, TV, or computer that has an HDMI processor. 3. Be sure you understand the limitations and cost of each stage. For example, internet services by satellite such as Direct TV can be slow. Premium Frontier Cable service including TV shows, Movies, internet, etc. can be hundreds of dollars per month. MOBILITY This refers to both inside your home and outside. Outside refers to use while you are traveling or staying in your second home or with guests. Inside your home, some companies allow you to stop watching a program in one room and start again in another room. Some transmit the signals from the modem/router to the various TVs and computers in your home wirelessly using WI-FI. Direct TV requires only one satellite, but a separate set top box for each TV. Direct TV does allow programming to be transmitted onto your i pads and lap tops via WI FI; in which case you would not need a set top box for these portable devices. Outside your home, some service providers, such as Direct TV, allow you to connect TVs, cell phones, tablets, etc in other cities or while you are traveling via WIFI or mobile cell towers. EQUIPMENTAlmost every option requires at a minimum a WIFI Modem/router and a set top box. If that set top box creates a High Definition Signal and doubles as a DVR, then they can be expensive, even to rent. Of course you will have to buy special cables and connectors. HDMI are the preferred type of cable to carry HD quality picture and sound. Other equipment and options may require a satellite dish, Bluetooth, DVR, and devices referred to as “dongles.” Dongles would include such items as the Chromecast devise, Amazon Firestick, and Android Processors. These have two connections, one plugs into your HDMI port on your TV or HTS and the other plugs into your internet modem/router. You may want to use a Sony Play Station or XBOX to view Netflix movies that are available via the internet. Remember to obtain all the features of some services, you may need both internet services and a cable or satellite. For example with Direct TV, you have a satellite signal, but to use the ON Demand feature and Pay per View feature you must also have internet service. With the advent of high definition digital signals, picture quality has become a big issue. Most now own TVs capable of handling high definition digital signals at or above 1080, but seldom are able to take advantage of that high quality because normal rental DVDs, digital cable, and Direct TV satellite is at 720. SPS and XBOX playing a blue ray DVD will produce a 1080 picture quality. Android devices that pull signals from the internet can produce “4K’ quality, which is twice as good as 1080. RECORDINGIf you are like me, your life does not revolve around TV, so you want to watch what you like on your schedule. Unless you use ON Demand features, this requires recording shows on to some type of media storage devise. You can do this by using a DVD recorder or a DVR recorder. Some set top boxes, such as Direct TVs, have set top boxes that can double as DVRs, with the ability to record 40 or more hours of programs. Your desk top computer can record, but movies take a lot of memory space on your hard drive and you still have to transmit the data to your TV set if you want the comfort of your living room. SERVICE AND EQUIPMENT CONTRACTSEquipment and installation can be very expensive, especially with Direct TV. Therefore, if you want to get this free, you will usually have to sign a one or two year contract. The other factors to consider are that there is a lot of uncertainty right now with quality, corporate mergers and acquisitions, customer service, and new technology. With new competition there are likely price wars and lower prices. Also, you may want to completely change how you use these services and decide to completely eliminate the cable company and just use the internet. So it is probably best to not sign a long term contract. VOLUME OF CONTENTIf you want to watch re-runs of TV shows and previously released movies there are many different sources. Keep in mind that some emphasize a certain type of broadcast. Some emphasize TV shows, while others emphasize movies. Some carry new releases just out of the theatre, while others only have older movies. I have noticed that with NETFLIX there are far more movies available if you obtain movies on DVDs via the mail vs instant view via the internet. Some “ live shows”, such as Fox News and some sporting events, are available on the internet. To view them you can use the internet and access the internet via your i-phone and view them on your TV using Chromecast.Bear in mind that Frontier, Spectrum, and Direct TV want to make extra money from you by you buying or renting movies from them. They compete against NETFLIX, Amazon Prime, Red Box, HULU, and ROKU. BACK-UP PLANThere are times when you really need access to programs, such as access to the local weather center during an approaching sever storm. There are also times when you really want access, like when your team is playing in the Super Bowl. It is always good to have a back-up plan, if possible. As I previously noted, some providers such as Direct TV, offer internet viewing if your satellite goes down due to severe weather or equipment failure. If you lose your cable internet connection, you might be able to access the internet using your smart phone and the closest cell tower. PERSONAL TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGESome options require that you possess a great deal of personal technical knowledge just to set up the system and equipment. Use of Google Chrome, Exodus, and the Kindle Firestick are just a few examples. Remember, once you get the system set up, you will inevitably need some technical assistance. INTEGRATIONBear in mind that some systems allow integration of your other home systems. Some examples are:Caller ID info on your TV screenViewing your home security cameras on your TV screenControlling your home systems and lights on your smart phoneViewing and searching the internet on your TV screenUsing voice commands from anywhere in your home to operate your TV, phones, computers, lights, AC, alarm system, or even kitchen appliances.BUNDLINGOver the last several years, companies are increasingly trying to encourage customers to consolidate their services with them. For example, AT&T mobile phone services coordinates with Direct TV satellite services. Some offer home land line phone services with cable services. They price these consolidated services as “bundles.” Just keep in mind, it can be very tricky comparing separate costs of services to a bundled cost. Also, if you become dissatisfied with one service you may have to cancel both. COSTSales reps often quote you a package price for you to use in comparing their company to another. To give the appearance that their price is lower, they will omit numerous additional necessary costs. For example, HDMI cords can be $50 -$100 and some companies include those cables in the package, some do not. Almost always, you will, at a minimum, have a sign-up free, installation, set top box equipment rental, and modem/router rental. Even if all the wiring is in your home, they may still charge you an installation fee, so clarify this up front. Some packages include a standard digital set top box and others include a high definition digital set top box. Direct TV also adds a “Hub” device for an extra fee to rent movies. Taxes and other fees are around 10% each month.Contract cancellation fees can be very high, so clarify that and get it in writing. Some charges are at one monthly rate the first year, then automatically raise, as much as double, the second year of a two year contract. Some charges are monthly and others are a one-time fee. For example, Direct TV’s NFL ticket is a one-time charge of hundreds of dollars at the beginning of each football season. Some include many free older movies on demand, while current movies are $6 to $12 dollars to rent. Take a very close look at which cable channels are included. Some charge extra for such normally free channels as National Geographic, NFL Network, Discovery, and ESPN. Contact NumbersAs of the date of this document, the following phone numbers were being used by the various companies to sign up for new serviceFrontier 866-214-1410Spectrum 844-223-5946Direct TV 888-777-2454Dish 888-993-5401Randy TicePresident, Bay Lake Estates Association Board of Directors ................
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