Getting rid of cable at home? (buying, codes, prices) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

MeinGlanzendMotorrad · 02-08-2011, 05:29 AM

I have Comcast's high speed internet until FiOS gets rolled out to my part of the city (When, if, who knows.) but I haven't subscribed to cable TV once since I left home almost a decade ago.

alleghenyangel · 02-08-2011, 05:33 AM

I just turned my cable off completely. I'm going to get one of those digital antennas. It was hard, because Turner Classic Movies is a religion to me, but I absolutely will not pay $115 a month for cable/internet anymore.

AaronPGH · 02-08-2011, 06:07 AM

I also cut cable a few months ago. I was really worried about it, but if you're reasonably tech savvy, all cable content is available somewhere for free (or nearly free) – if you're willing to dig a bit. Wired Magazine actually did a good article a while back on how to go cable-free: Wired

Blackbeauty212 · 02-08-2011, 06:16 AM

I was seriously considering getting Google TV until i seen that all the broadcast tv channel prohibited google from streaming shows....GREED is the name of the game in TV...

Im also looking at Apple Tv which seems to have the better relationship but seems more nickle and diming...

What makes it hard for me to get rid of cable is DVR...im a total addict....but no Dvr i could totally cut that bill

WILWRadio · 02-08-2011, 08:12 AM

I ditched cable and satellite services quite some time ago and now I just watch OTA (over the air) television. Currently I live in a rural area and so I use a couple of deep fringe antennas to pick up the channels that are available in my area. The only thing I really miss is NHL hockey but at least I do get one game a week from the NBC Network. I can watch college football on the internet and don't need ESPN via the cable now.

If you need any help in selecting a TV antenna feel free to ask. I have a fair amount of experience with them and I've used and installed quite a few over the years.

greg42 · 02-08-2011, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty212

I was seriously considering getting Google TV until i seen that all the broadcast tv channel prohibited google from streaming shows....GREED is the name of the game in TV...

Im also looking at Apple Tv which seems to have the better relationship but seems more nickle and diming...

What makes it hard for me to get rid of cable is DVR...im a total addict....but no Dvr i could totally cut that bill

Apple TV is a decent cheap ($99) little box if all you want is Netflix and iTunes store content, but that's all it does so far. (There's always the possibility it will do more, like Hulu or whatever, in the future. Plus some people hack it.)

Here's the thing about DVR: if you're watching stuff online later, you don't need a DVR for any reason I can think of, except ease. It's already like DVR. Pretty much anything you would DVR is available online the next day, and you can pause it, etc. You can't skip the commercials, but the commercials are fewer (though often repetitive). So it's a little more work, but it's pretty easy to catch most things, and for most channels if you watch within a few weeks you can get it free right on the TV channel web site. If it's all Showtime or HBO stuff, though, you'll have more trouble I guess. Not really sure.

The biggest hurdle remains how to deal with watching it on the TV. It's very easy to watch on your computer, or you can spend a few hundred bucks for a computer to attach directly to your TV, though that is awkward. That gives you the absolute most flexibility in content but the least useful controls. I haven't tried it but I am curious if Boxee Box solves this a bit ($200 box). That thing can do Hulu, Netflix and grab content from just about anywhere on the web as I understand it.

fleetiebelle · 02-08-2011, 08:40 AM

I've been eyeing the Roku box < Roku Digital Video Player | Watch Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Video On Demand, and MLB.TV on Roku Player > for a while, but I'm still loathe to give up cable. It's easy, and I'm just not techy enough--I don't have wireless at home, I don't want cables running everywhere.

AaronPGH · 02-08-2011, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg42

The biggest hurdle remains how to deal with watching it on the TV. It's very easy to watch on your computer, or you can spend a few hundred bucks for a computer to attach directly to your TV, though that is awkward. That gives you the absolute most flexibility in content but the least useful controls.

I managed to buy a used Intel mac mini for $300. Then I grabbed a wireless keyboard/mouse. That solved the control issues. The mac mini does everything – just make sure it has HD output on it. Attach a cheap external hard drive and you'll never run out of space. The apple remote is great as well, works perfectly with Boxee.

It was a little jarring cutting cable at first, but you get used to it and your television watching habits change. It's not any worse – just different. You learn how to source your shows from different places. You can literally get ANYTHING if you dig hard enough – even live streaming channels. Combine with an HD antenna for local sports and you're all set.

Mugatu · 02-08-2011, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg42

The biggest hurdle remains how to deal with watching it on the TV. It's very easy to watch on your computer, or you can spend a few hundred bucks for a computer to attach directly to your TV, though that is awkward. That gives you the absolute most flexibility in content but the least useful controls. I haven't tried it but I am curious if Boxee Box solves this a bit ($200 box). That thing can do Hulu, Netflix and grab content from just about anywhere on the web as I understand it.

A PS3 is a great device for those cutting the cord. It can be used as a game player, blu-ray player and you can stream Netflix and Hulu through it on your tv. Also, I stream downloaded video content from my computer to the PS3 through a program called Tversity. So almost any video file I have saved on my PC can be streamed to my tv. I can't stand watching movies on my PC, so I use this a lot.

Geeo · 02-08-2011, 08:42 AM

Here's the thing: I am a disaaster when it comes to all the wires and hookups behind the TV. I just want something that I can buy off the shelf, hook up with one plug, do an EAST three-step set up to get going, and then lay down on the couch with the remote. All these computer options make my head spin, and it doesn't seem like any one device will do everything I want. Perhaps that day is coming, but we're not there yet for non-technophiles.