Help ! with TV and phone

[314joey]

OK here's the story, we're looking to start "snowbirding" here after the first of the year, that means 6 months at LOTO (house) and 6 months down here (condo), we're looking to go mobile, so we've went totally paperless in our life so we don't need an address, now we need TV (some kind of cable) and a phone system that is mobile and can be used in both places (house/condo).

And the condo we're buying doesn't provide either of these medias.

We've been looking into a Sprint phone system, it's totally mobile, you can pick it up and plug it in where you are, it's $20/month, we're also looking at a voice over IP and the Magic Jack plus, am I missing any others.

The cable (TV) is going to a PITA, we don't want to get stuck with paying $100-150 bucks/month at both places when we won't be there but for half of the time, this one is a little more difficult, we know we can get some stuff off my computer, but what I know about it there's not that many programs or that good of reception, we know how to handle the internet.

Any help or info will be appreciated, thanks, Jim (aka joey)

[CampbellCarl]

I have one (1) Direct TV account at +/- $100- a month. I've taken one box from home and set it up at the river house (previous owner had Direct so there was a sat dish already there and aimed). Maybe not the best setup but it works for me.

Oh, and while I think of it, do NOT turn off the box when you leave, Direct will deactivate it after its off for a few weeks and you'll have to do the re-boot, call in bullshit.

[HB Vic]

You can reactivate it online. Takes 2 minutes.

This is a good way to do it. Rent on extra receivers is like six bucks. I did this at the river but finally had to get cable because the Internet sucked there. Also had a box for the Moho. But now I just google chrome it

[Ziggy]

Ditto on the directv dealio.
I went with VOiP tele. Plug into any internet and you have the same number anywhere...imagine being in say, Europe and call your family like you're across the street. Specifically, I purchased the Ooma system. About a $100 for the box then taxes only(less than $4) a month from then on. Free unlimited calls anywhere in lower 48. Super cheap LD fees, $10 lasts my Canadian snowbirds all winter, plus.
The upfront costs were recovered in just a few months over standard landlines. One of the best things I have done.

[314joey]

We're looking into the Ooma system too, we were wondering how the reception is on it or does it sound like crap.

Do you guys think Direct TV will work using it in Missouri (LOTO) for 6 months and 6 months in SW Florida (1,400 miles apart) or does the two houses have to be close like you guys are using it.

Thanks for your input.

[CampbellCarl]

We're looking into the Ooma system too, we were wondering how the reception is on it or does it sound like crap.

Do you guys think Direct TV will work using it in Missouri (LOTO) for 6 months and 6 months in SW Florida (1,400 miles apart) or does the two houses have to be close like you guys are using it.

Thanks for your input.

The limitaion may be that both homes will get the same (local) stations i.e. if you base in MO, when in FL, you'll get MO local news or vice versa if you base in FL.

[Taboma]

The limitaion may be that both homes will get the same (local) stations i.e. if you base in MO, when in FL, you'll get MO local news or vice versa if you base in FL.

That's not corrected as stated Carl ---- Direct TV Local channels are broadcast using a "Spot Beam", standard def uses a wider beam, HiDef a much more narrow beam. So let's say if you subscribe to DTV in Cape Coral Florida, then when you're in FL you'll get your local channels. But when you take a receiver to Mo. you won't receive any local channels because you'll be a very long ways from the spot beam --- Visa Versa if you subscribe using a Mo. address. When I take a receiver from San Diego to Havasu I can receive my San Diego standard def channels day and night, BUT due to the more narrow HiDef spot beam I can only receive it during daylight hours --- I'm right on the edge of the beam. A Spot Beam map later confirmed that. LA however has a much larger diameter spot beam, which reaches Havasu better than the SD beams. The best deal would be to contact DTV and tell them you'll be using it in a motorhome, from what I've read then they set it up so you receive the major networks from either New York or LA anywhere in the country.

[Ricks raft]

With dish you can have one account,(1payment), dish installed at both places. Take dvr back and forth just tell dish where your at and they will turn on locals for that area. Doesn't work we'll for weekenders but for snowbirds staying a while it work well. Previous post is correct most locals are spot beamed appx 150 mile window. And the hopper system is better than DTVs genie. And for no extra fees you can watch any live tv or recordings anywhere with a broadband connection.

[Ziggy]

We're looking into the Ooma system too, we were wondering how the reception is on it or does it sound like crap.

Do you guys think Direct TV will work using it in Missouri (LOTO) for 6 months and 6 months in SW Florida (1,400 miles apart) or does the two houses have to be close like you guys are using it.

Thanks for your input.

You won't know any differnce. Fax works.
When I first checked into it there were 3 or 4 options...magic jack, vonage to name a few. Ooma is the only one that offers a no monthly fee phone service (taxes only) once you've purchased the system.
I have two in my houses in Havasu, both hooked to the basic dsl offered out there. Work without any hickups.
I've put them in my home, dads and M-I-L's.
Like I said, best thing I ever did. Go check out their website.

[HB Vic]

Yes, you'll probably end up with the local stations of you're home. But I actually liked that.