Cutting the cord on Cable
Cutting the cord on Cable
Excellent article in WSJ and lots of tips to dump the cable TV and use internet to get the same shows. It also offers advice on antennas, set top boxes, DVRs etc.
I found so many posts here. But this is a good summary
I found so many posts here. But this is a good summary
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
The only problem with internet TV in it's current state, is that it's mostly pay per view. Decide to watch a show... pay for it... watch. I guess that's fine if that's the way you live your life, but I think a lot of people just put the TV on when there's nothing better to do, and see if something is worth watching... Or leave it on to keep kids busy, or keep tabs on the news, and so on. It's also very hard to know about new shows or what is available, when you just watch one show as PPV. So that's where regular TV is still the way to go.
However... I will say that I think TV, internet, and phone services in the US have become way too complicated, and the service in general is terrible. I was looking to set myself up with something that is easier than what I have, where possibly one vendor provides all three. Closest thing I've found is Uverse. Problem is, with any hardline service, you are at the mercy of that network and all it's inadequacies. And you won't know how bad that is until you get it hooked up. If you look at reviews now days for internet, phone or TV providers, virtually all of them have nothing but negative reviews from people. So right now, it seems like the best you can get, is the best of the bad. I had to call my ISP the other day and got the usual Indian robot treatment. Same thing goes for Dish Network. I don't know how we got to this point.
However... I will say that I think TV, internet, and phone services in the US have become way too complicated, and the service in general is terrible. I was looking to set myself up with something that is easier than what I have, where possibly one vendor provides all three. Closest thing I've found is Uverse. Problem is, with any hardline service, you are at the mercy of that network and all it's inadequacies. And you won't know how bad that is until you get it hooked up. If you look at reviews now days for internet, phone or TV providers, virtually all of them have nothing but negative reviews from people. So right now, it seems like the best you can get, is the best of the bad. I had to call my ISP the other day and got the usual Indian robot treatment. Same thing goes for Dish Network. I don't know how we got to this point.
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
deleted
Last edited by mwm158 on Wed Jan 07, 2015 7:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
:peace Thanks for posting the WSJ article.
" Wealth usually leads to excess " Cicero 55 b.c
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
Its PPV if you want to stick to very particular programs and channel. I cut cable and forced myself to watch free TV and programs online/through antenna and found good alternatives. Important thing is there is a lot of information and alternatives to choose from.dave66 wrote:The only problem with internet TV in it's current state, is that it's mostly pay per view. Decide to watch a show... pay for it... watch. I guess that's fine if that's the way you live your life, but I think a lot of people just put the TV on when there's nothing better to do, and see if something is worth watching... Or leave it on to keep kids busy, or keep tabs on the news, and so on. It's also very hard to know about new shows or what is available, when you just watch one show as PPV. So that's where regular TV is still the way to go.
However... I will say that I think TV, internet, and phone services in the US have become way too complicated, and the service in general is terrible. I was looking to set myself up with something that is easier than what I have, where possibly one vendor provides all three. Closest thing I've found is Uverse. Problem is, with any hardline service, you are at the mercy of that network and all it's inadequacies. And you won't know how bad that is until you get it hooked up. If you look at reviews now days for internet, phone or TV providers, virtually all of them have nothing but negative reviews from people. So right now, it seems like the best you can get, is the best of the bad. I had to call my ISP the other day and got the usual Indian robot treatment. Same thing goes for Dish Network. I don't know how we got to this point.
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
On air is great, and that's the way TV distribution should have stayed. They did it right the first time. DBS and cable are ridiculously complex and complete overkill for distributing TV. But unfortunately the major networks screwed all that up when they thought they could go toe to toe with other channels and win, instead of just joining together with them and utilizing their broadcast infrastructure. But unfortunately for me, I never watch anything on the air networks. Just never anything I'm interested in.ejvyas wrote: Its PPV if you want to stick to very particular programs and channel. I cut cable and forced myself to watch free TV and programs online/through antenna and found good alternatives. Important thing is there is a lot of information and alternatives to choose from.
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
After my 2-yr contract finished over Christmas time, I cut the cord. Here is what I've done:
Got RCA ANT1450B indoor antenna (with video amplifier included) and fed it to main input of cable hub and distributed it throughout the house. Cartoon, movie and documentary are streamed from NetFlix ($8/month) with AppleTV.
For old TV, I got converter box.
With iPad (loaded with many movies ripped from DVD - size is ~1GB each), I don't need DVD player for now. Playing movie from iPad is so convenient and we can take it on long trip without carry a bunch of DVD anymore.
We can search and play clips found on YouTube from iPhone/iPad and play it on TV.
Apple ecosystem serves our need quite well.
Going from $70 to $8/month is a significant saving.
Got RCA ANT1450B indoor antenna (with video amplifier included) and fed it to main input of cable hub and distributed it throughout the house. Cartoon, movie and documentary are streamed from NetFlix ($8/month) with AppleTV.
For old TV, I got converter box.
With iPad (loaded with many movies ripped from DVD - size is ~1GB each), I don't need DVD player for now. Playing movie from iPad is so convenient and we can take it on long trip without carry a bunch of DVD anymore.
We can search and play clips found on YouTube from iPhone/iPad and play it on TV.
Apple ecosystem serves our need quite well.
Going from $70 to $8/month is a significant saving.
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
I switched from cable TV to satellite four years ago, but satellite is also rather expensive. The problem for me in getting TV elsewhere is bandwidth. I get nothing at all over the air due local topography, and my internet connection -- DSL from my phone company -- is low quality. The only way for me to get enough internet bandwidth for streaming TV would be to, uh, subscribe to cable again.
Greg, retired 8/10.
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
Probably less than they pay in taxes or divorce lawyers.mwm158 wrote:I can't believe how ridiculous the price is for cable. I would cancel it first and worry about what to do with your time after. I can't believe people pay as much as they do for this service. I wonder how much people end up spending over a lifetime.
I always wanted to be a procrastinator.
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
Sony Google TV is also a good option. It has embedded Chrome browser.
I don't recommend to buy Boxee. I bought it before and had terrible experience with it.
I don't recommend to buy Boxee. I bought it before and had terrible experience with it.
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
I'm almost there...Down to basic cable and Roku with Netflix. I'm trying to find an HD indoor antenna to get my local in HD. I guess it just comes down to trial and error. Best Buy wasn't very helpful.
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
There are compromises, probably tolerable to most, but I have stayed with cable,
at least a hybrid. Considered switching to a different provider, but not going totally internet based.
My main reason is sports programming. There are local sports team that I can NOT get on the
internet unless I am already subscribed to cable (and want to pay an additional fee to have both).
I have taken the hybrid approach of using cable for television programming (sports, shows)
but using newer media for movies. I do not subscribe to HBO or any other movie
channel, would rather pay as I go for movies. I use a hodge podge of cable's own "on demand",
Xbox zune, DVD free from library, DVD for $1 from RedBox. Just don't like internet streaming services yet.
I recently upgraded my cable bandwidth to a premium service...from my cable company.
It works very well, and I can surf blazing fast now, but using Amazon video streaming
was still mediocre (better than before but subpar compared to my cable service).
Not sure if others (Netflix) are better than Amazon for streaming movies, but
I find that services that download content is far better than streaming.
xbox zune downloads and allows you to start watching once a sufficient portion
of the content is local, and will download the rest as you watch the beginning.
I spend so much attending one prof sports event, the cost of cable to watch the games
at home is nothing in comparison. While it's not frugal, your kids only grow up once,
and I am happy to have activities we can enjoy together, at home on cable and live at the stadium.
In fact we often go to the movie theater and spend a ridiculous amount compared to $5 for an
on-demand movie, just to do something as a family with the kids.
at least a hybrid. Considered switching to a different provider, but not going totally internet based.
My main reason is sports programming. There are local sports team that I can NOT get on the
internet unless I am already subscribed to cable (and want to pay an additional fee to have both).
I have taken the hybrid approach of using cable for television programming (sports, shows)
but using newer media for movies. I do not subscribe to HBO or any other movie
channel, would rather pay as I go for movies. I use a hodge podge of cable's own "on demand",
Xbox zune, DVD free from library, DVD for $1 from RedBox. Just don't like internet streaming services yet.
I recently upgraded my cable bandwidth to a premium service...from my cable company.
It works very well, and I can surf blazing fast now, but using Amazon video streaming
was still mediocre (better than before but subpar compared to my cable service).
Not sure if others (Netflix) are better than Amazon for streaming movies, but
I find that services that download content is far better than streaming.
xbox zune downloads and allows you to start watching once a sufficient portion
of the content is local, and will download the rest as you watch the beginning.
I spend so much attending one prof sports event, the cost of cable to watch the games
at home is nothing in comparison. While it's not frugal, your kids only grow up once,
and I am happy to have activities we can enjoy together, at home on cable and live at the stadium.
In fact we often go to the movie theater and spend a ridiculous amount compared to $5 for an
on-demand movie, just to do something as a family with the kids.
-
- Posts: 553
- Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2011 7:35 pm
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
I think this point deserves emphasis. If cutting to OTA broadcasts leads to less TV time, is that a terrible thing? Our household (made up of roommates) made the switch and have no regrets.mwm158 wrote:I can't believe how ridiculous the price is for cable. I would cancel it first and worry about what to do with your time after. I can't believe people pay as much as they do for this service. I wonder how much people end up spending over a lifetime.
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
True, although there is an on-off button on most remotes.dailybagel wrote:I think this point deserves emphasis. If cutting to OTA broadcasts leads to less TV time, is that a terrible thing? Our household (made up of roommates) made the switch and have no regrets.mwm158 wrote:I can't believe how ridiculous the price is for cable. I would cancel it first and worry about what to do with your time after. I can't believe people pay as much as they do for this service. I wonder how much people end up spending over a lifetime.
Don't trust me, look it up. https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions-and-publications
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
Has anyone had any problems canceling their cable? I've heard stories about Comcast being a real pain when it comes to cutting the cord. I am thinking of doing this. Do I just return the equipment to the local Comcast office (and get a receipt)? And/or call on the phone and deal with their "please stay" sales pitches?
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
snyder66 wrote:I'm almost there...Down to basic cable and Roku with Netflix. I'm trying to find an HD indoor antenna to get my local in HD. I guess it just comes down to trial and error. Best Buy wasn't very helpful.
You're never going to get an indoor antenna to work as well as outdoor. Even an outdoor in an attic is going to be better than indoor. They try to sell small antennas with some sort of gimmick or another, but to get the best performance... you have to have an antenna that has elements at the the full half wave lengths, for all the frequencies used in the band. And that means big. Then the higher you get it, the better it will work.
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
Local office returnTom_T wrote:Has anyone had any problems canceling their cable? I've heard stories about Comcast being a real pain when it comes to cutting the cord. I am thinking of doing this. Do I just return the equipment to the local Comcast office (and get a receipt)? And/or call on the phone and deal with their "please stay" sales pitches?
I use Terk HDTVa indoor antennae which can catch channels almost 50 miles away. I live 30 miles from Boston city with no major broadcasting station besides medave66 wrote:
You're never going to get an indoor antenna to work as well as outdoor. Even an outdoor in an attic is going to be better than indoor. They try to sell small antennas with some sort of gimmick or another, but to get the best performance... you have to have an antenna that has elements at the the full half wave lengths, for all the frequencies used in the band. And that means big. Then the higher you get it, the better it will work.
The local channels follow the home team (NFL. MLB, NBA playoffs only, NHL playoffs). These local channels are freely distributed in HD format. Use any good antenna.blevine wrote: My main reason is sports programming. There are local sports team that I can NOT get on the
internet unless I am already subscribed to cable (and want to pay an additional fee to have both).
My major problem has been the difference in internet only plan v internet+cable plan. I pay $35 for internet+basic cable but internet only plan is $55. So I guess the cable companies are more intelligent now (Comcast n Verizon at least)
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
ejvyas wrote: I use Terk HDTVa indoor antennae which can catch channels almost 50 miles away. I live 30 miles from Boston city with no major broadcasting station besides me
An indoor antenna *can* work fine... But for the people that it doesn't... an outdoor is always going to be a far better performer.
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
Of course outdoor is the best but in most rental units, condos, townhouses you cannot attach antenna outside just in the atticdave66 wrote:ejvyas wrote: I use Terk HDTVa indoor antennae which can catch channels almost 50 miles away. I live 30 miles from Boston city with no major broadcasting station besides me
An indoor antenna *can* work fine... But for the people that it doesn't... an outdoor is always going to be a far better performer.
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
^Above^ Odd, VZ internet only (not FIOS) on BOS border, in Quincy is 17.99. I believe FIOS is just mkt hype anyway. I go from one to another weekly and see no difference^^. By that, I mean FIOS, to VZ internet only @ another location.
" Wealth usually leads to excess " Cicero 55 b.c
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
What do news junkies do when you cancel cable?
We might watch CNN, Headline News, MSNBC, and BBC at various times during the week (not the talking heads)
We might watch CNN, Headline News, MSNBC, and BBC at various times during the week (not the talking heads)
Warning: I am about 80% satisficer (accepting of good enough) and 20% maximizer
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
WSJ Live channel on Roku is pretty good for news. It has limited live coverage, but stories on most of the relevant topics of the day.
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
Simply not true (certainly not universally). We only get maybe one game/week on local channels of our MLB team.ejvyas wrote:The local channels follow the home team (NFL. MLB, NBA playoffs only, NHL playoffs). These local channels are freely distributed in HD format. Use any good antenna.blevine wrote: My main reason is sports programming. There are local sports team that I can NOT get on the
internet unless I am already subscribed to cable (and want to pay an additional fee to have both).
NBA/NHL, most or even all are on cable only, not local broadcast stations. NFL is the only exception.
I see from your post, you are close to Boston. Red Sox own 80% of NESN and all but Friday night games are on cable only.
There certainly is plenty of sports on broadcast, but if you are die hard fan who wants to watch regular season games,
not just playoffs (and many NBA/NHL playoff games are only on cable). I left Dish Network because they refused to carry
anything but the broadcast games for our local MLB team (once/week until playoffs).
-
- Posts: 1075
- Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2011 5:59 pm
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
cable even on the higher end for all the channels is like 55 bucks a month without dvr.
that's one dinner out a month for a family.
I'd keep the cable, and skip the dinner. I think people put way too much effort into saving 50 dollars a month and then having to create these complex systems with streaming and etc. just to get a worse deal.
that's one dinner out a month for a family.
I'd keep the cable, and skip the dinner. I think people put way too much effort into saving 50 dollars a month and then having to create these complex systems with streaming and etc. just to get a worse deal.
-
- Posts: 1075
- Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2011 5:59 pm
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
And how are you going to legally watch shows on television that you watch right now?
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
I tend to agree... Saving money is great, but I'm not going to punish myself over it. At some point, what are we living for?ilmartello wrote:cable even on the higher end for all the channels is like 55 bucks a month without dvr.
that's one dinner out a month for a family.
I'd keep the cable, and skip the dinner. I think people put way too much effort into saving 50 dollars a month and then having to create these complex systems with streaming and etc. just to get a worse deal.
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
I don't think that's entirely correct. As I understand it, the FCC made a rule to make it tougher for homeowners associations or landlords to prevent owners and tenants from installing antennas and satellite dishes for video reception.ejvyas wrote: Of course outdoor is the best but in most rental units, condos, townhouses you cannot attach antenna outside just in the attic
Here's a link to the FCC website with the details.
Our homeowners association had a rule that satellite dishes couldn't be visible from the road. One homeowner disregarded the rule and installed a dish on the front of his house. The association contacted a lawyer to see about forcing the owner to relocate the dish and the lawyer said the association would have a tough fight because of the FCC rule.The FCC wrote:As directed by Congress in Section 207 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the Federal Communications Commission adopted the Over-the-Air Reception Devices (“OTARD”) rule concerning governmental and nongovernmental restrictions on viewers' ability to receive video programming signals from direct broadcast satellites ("DBS"), broadband radio service providers (formerly multichannel multipoint distribution service or MMDS), and television broadcast stations ("TVBS").
The rule (47 C.F.R. Section 1.4000) has been in effect since October 1996, and it prohibits restrictions that impair the installation, maintenance or use of antennas used to receive video programming. The rule applies to video antennas including direct-to-home satellite dishes that are less than one meter (39.37") in diameter (or of any size in Alaska), TV antennas, and wireless cable antennas. The rule prohibits most restrictions that: (1) unreasonably delay or prevent installation, maintenance or use; (2) unreasonably increase the cost of installation, maintenance or use; or (3) preclude reception of an acceptable quality signal.
Jim
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
My apartment complex does not allow. The townhouse I lived in previously also did not allow. I also checked out nearby complexes and they also do not allow. They have complex rules about touching or supporting the antenna structure so its not a simple point to prove in court.magellan wrote:I don't think that's correct. As I understand it, the FCC made a rule to make it nearly impossible for homeowners associations or landlords to prevent owners and tenants from installing antennas and satellite dishes for video reception.ejvyas wrote: Of course outdoor is the best but in most rental units, condos, townhouses you cannot attach antenna outside just in the attic
Here's a link to the FCC website with the details.
Our homeowners association had a rule that satellite dishes couldn't be visible from the road. One homeowner disregarded the rule and installed a dish on the front of his house. The association contacted a lawyer to see about forcing the owner to relocate the dish and the lawyer said the association didn't have a leg to stand on because of the FCC rule.The FCC wrote:As directed by Congress in Section 207 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the Federal Communications Commission adopted the Over-the-Air Reception Devices (“OTARD”) rule concerning governmental and nongovernmental restrictions on viewers' ability to receive video programming signals from direct broadcast satellites ("DBS"), broadband radio service providers (formerly multichannel multipoint distribution service or MMDS), and television broadcast stations ("TVBS").
The rule (47 C.F.R. Section 1.4000) has been in effect since October 1996, and it prohibits restrictions that impair the installation, maintenance or use of antennas used to receive video programming. The rule applies to video antennas including direct-to-home satellite dishes that are less than one meter (39.37") in diameter (or of any size in Alaska), TV antennas, and wireless cable antennas. The rule prohibits most restrictions that: (1) unreasonably delay or prevent installation, maintenance or use; (2) unreasonably increase the cost of installation, maintenance or use; or (3) preclude reception of an acceptable quality signal.
Jim
Heck they have rules about things you can keep in the balcony and where children can play.
- V572625694
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Tue Jun 15, 2010 3:43 pm
- Location: San Diego
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
That is the way I'd like to watch television, which is only a modest part of my life. All movies at the theater are pay-per-view, and most people consider the risk of not liking a move they pay to see acceptable. It would be better, in my opinion anyway, if you paid a nominal fee to the cable company--say $10/month--and decided for yourself whether it was worth five cents to see a three-year-old rerun of "Two and a Half Men" or $3 to see the Dolphins play the Seahawks or $10 to see "Avatar" in 3-D just after it came out. I would much prefer this to the cable-and-satellite companies preferred system of "bundling," where you have to buy ESPN3 and the right to watch fencing trials from Belgrade in order just you can get, say, CNN, Fox News, or MSNBC. It's just irritating as all get-out to have to pay an annuity to the cable company for the supposed privilege of having access to a bunch of stuff you never intend to watch but which it is in their interest to stream into your home.dave66 wrote:The only problem with internet TV in it's current state, is that it's mostly pay per view. Decide to watch a show... pay for it... watch. I guess that's fine if that's the way you live your life...
The cable/satellite companies' will resist any attempt at unbundling, claiming it's technically impossible, even though they've been offering pay-per-view for many years. I'd hoped that satellite or U-verse would provide the competition to make unbundling happen, but so far, they have not. The Internet might do it, one day.
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
Hulu, iTunes and network websites often have the latest episodes online within a day to month of the broadcast (depending on network). Most have them up for free, so I'm not quite seeing the pay-per-view argument of the original article (except for things like sports and premium cable shows). Amazon and Netflix streaming is also available once the season boxed set comes out. You have to wait, but delayed gratification never hurt anyone, particularly not for something as trivial as a TV show.ilmartello wrote:And how are you going to legally watch shows on television that you watch right now?
One of the substations of the over-the-air channels here shows BBC, France 24, and other international news programs. I realize this is a location-specific solution, but you might check for the same in your area. Also, CNN has many of their major stories on their website and MSNBC has a lot of streaming content. And you can check to see if any of your favorite shows have Hulu and/or iTunes accounts, in addition to what might be on the network website.stan1 wrote:What do news junkies do when you cancel cable?
We might watch CNN, Headline News, MSNBC, and BBC at various times during the week (not the talking heads)
- topper1296
- Posts: 836
- Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:50 pm
- Location: Nashville TN
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
I called Comcast to drop my service. I was on hold for about 5 minutes when a woman answered the phone and asked for my number and the reason I was calling. I gave my number and told her I wanted to drop my service. She said I would receive a phone call before the end of the day. Well, 4 hours later I didn't receive the call. Comcast cable. . . . it [removed --admin LadyGeek].
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
The best way to drop Comcast is take the modem and all the set boxes to their store and cancel it at the counter. I've done that twice so far. Only once with Uverse though.topper1296 wrote:I called Comcast to drop my service. I was on hold for about 5 minutes when a woman answered the phone and asked for my number and the reason I was calling. I gave my number and told her I wanted to drop my service. She said I would receive a phone call before the end of the day. Well, 4 hours later I didn't receive the call. Comcast cable. . . . it [removed --admin LadyGeek].
-
- Posts: 1075
- Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2011 5:59 pm
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
Mudpuppy wrote:Hulu, iTunes and network websites often have the latest episodes online within a day to month of the broadcast (depending on network). Most have them up for free, so I'm not quite seeing the pay-per-view argument of the original article (except for things like sports and premium cable shows). Amazon and Netflix streaming is also available once the season boxed set comes out. You have to wait, but delayed gratification never hurt anyone, particularly not for something as trivial as a TV show.ilmartello wrote:And how are you going to legally watch shows on television that you watch right now?
A lot of people prefer to watch tv on their actual television. Seasons that come out later, if you match more than a couple of shows will come out much more expensive.
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
So you get a Roku or any other multi-media device that can access the Internet and stream to the TV (including gaming consoles) to stream from the Internet to the TV. It's really not that difficult. I was even able to buy a $20 RF converter box from Walmart that converted s-video and audio out from my desktop to coax and plug that into the old CRT TV (no HDMI inputs) a couple years ago.ilmartello wrote:Mudpuppy wrote:Hulu, iTunes and network websites often have the latest episodes online within a day to month of the broadcast (depending on network). Most have them up for free, so I'm not quite seeing the pay-per-view argument of the original article (except for things like sports and premium cable shows). Amazon and Netflix streaming is also available once the season boxed set comes out. You have to wait, but delayed gratification never hurt anyone, particularly not for something as trivial as a TV show.ilmartello wrote:And how are you going to legally watch shows on television that you watch right now?
A lot of people prefer to watch tv on their actual television. Seasons that come out later, if you match more than a couple of shows will come out much more expensive.
As for expense, Amazon Prime and Netflix are a fixed monthly charge, regardless of how much you watch. You could watch one season, you could watch five seasons. The monthly expense would remain the same. And yes, it would "come out later", but as I already said, a little delayed gratification never hurt anyone.
The only "actual TV" you'd miss out on is channel surfing or using the cable company's cable box. And sports, but that's already been well-covered by others.
-
- Posts: 1075
- Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2011 5:59 pm
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
amazon prime and netflix don't carry current tv shows.
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
They do if you're willing to wait for the box set to come out. I'm beginning to feel like you are intentionally overlooking my "delayed gratification never hurt anyone" point about TV shows.ilmartello wrote:amazon prime and netflix don't carry current tv shows.
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
My problem is similar to what was described an earlier poster. My Basic TV + internet is cheaper than internet only at Comcast. So I keep the basic TV and my 30 odd channels.
-
- Posts: 1075
- Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2011 5:59 pm
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
if the object is to save money, buying a box set later is much more expensiveMudpuppy wrote:They do if you're willing to wait for the box set to come out. I'm beginning to feel like you are intentionally overlooking my "delayed gratification never hurt anyone" point about TV shows.ilmartello wrote:amazon prime and netflix don't carry current tv shows.
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
No, they don't. They carry a very small percentage of what you can watch on cable on any given night.Mudpuppy wrote:They do if you're willing to wait for the box set to come out.ilmartello wrote:amazon prime and netflix don't carry current tv shows.
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
In my experience, the best and least expensive long-term solution is to connect a computer with a digital tuner to your TV. Windows Media Center is a very powerful and very under-utilized software application. You can feed off of a main home theater PC's (HTPC) Windows Media Center content with extenders (like XBox 360) in other rooms. This approach pairs well with both over the air antennas as well as streaming internet. Hulu, Netflix, etc. seem to put constraints or impose fees on Roku and similar devices that they do not on regular computers. An HTPC is even worthwhile if you maintain cable, as you can cut your ongoing equipment rental expense. It requires a mild amount of tech-savvy, but is really not that difficult.
- Random Musings
- Posts: 6772
- Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2007 3:24 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
Hopefully, if I live to an old age, I'll put on my tombstone "In the last year of his life, he missed the most recent year of quality TV broadcasting".ilmartello wrote:amazon prime and netflix don't carry current tv shows.
RM
I figure the odds be fifty-fifty I just might have something to say. FZ
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
Just cancelled the cable portion of my Time Warner Cable (keeping Internet). This thread inspired me to take a look at my last few months of bills which are in the 150-160 range for cable + broadband. I switched to broadband only for $49, so the tv was costing me $100 a month.
For me, its a non-usage issue. I watch some sports occasionally, but don't tv regularly anymore (last show I watched weekly was LOST). I already have Amazon and Netflix and those are enough. Not sure why standard tv was $100 a month since I had no premium (hbo, showtime) channels. I'm going to investigate getting an antenna, but even without it, I dont think I'll be missing much
For me, its a non-usage issue. I watch some sports occasionally, but don't tv regularly anymore (last show I watched weekly was LOST). I already have Amazon and Netflix and those are enough. Not sure why standard tv was $100 a month since I had no premium (hbo, showtime) channels. I'm going to investigate getting an antenna, but even without it, I dont think I'll be missing much
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
Which year was that?Random Musings wrote:Hopefully, if I live to an old age, I'll put on my tombstone "In the last year of his life, he missed the most recent year of quality TV broadcasting".ilmartello wrote:amazon prime and netflix don't carry current tv shows.
RM
I always wanted to be a procrastinator.
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
gabbar wrote:My problem is similar to what was described an earlier poster. My Basic TV + internet is cheaper than internet only at Comcast. So I keep the basic TV and my 30 odd channels.
Yep,its called Bundled services,a way for the cable company to keep your eyeballs viewing the constant stream of advertising on cable stations.
For those of you who have a few years on you can you recall when there was little if any advertising on cable,way back when
"One does not accumulate but eliminate. It is not daily increase but daily decrease. The height of cultivation always runs to simplicity" –Bruce Lee
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
+1 although since we only watch two of those channels regularly, esp. BBC I'm not sure we're "junkies."stan1 wrote:What do news junkies do when you cancel cable?
We might watch CNN, Headline News, MSNBC, and BBC at various times during the week (not the talking heads)
Nonnie
-
- Posts: 838
- Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2010 12:28 pm
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
I doubt anyone posting about cutting cable are big baseball fans. The only way to watch your favorite team (assuming you live within that team's proprietary blackout zone) is to have a cable or satellite package.
If I didn't care about sports I would cut it all and stick with Netflix and Hulu Plus ($15.98 a month combined)
If I didn't care about sports I would cut it all and stick with Netflix and Hulu Plus ($15.98 a month combined)
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
Lol. If I cut the cord on cable my girlfriend would be cutting the cord on something else that I like more than money.
I get 15Mbit internet + HD cable for $99/month (after taxes and fees). Doesn't seem that bad of a deal. I get WOW! over here.
I get 15Mbit internet + HD cable for $99/month (after taxes and fees). Doesn't seem that bad of a deal. I get WOW! over here.
- topper1296
- Posts: 836
- Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:50 pm
- Location: Nashville TN
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
I called [Comcast --admin LadyGeek] again and downgraded my service for now. Once college basketball season is over, I will drop down to the bare bones package that still has ESPN, ESPN2, and CNBC. I will even drop the HD service at that time and use rabbit ears to watch some stations in HD and stream over the internet for more HD. I figure this is a decent intermediary step to cutting the cable completely. On a side note, [Comcast --admin LadyGeek] cut me a 6 month deal on my downgraded package.topper1296 wrote:I called Comcast to drop my service. I was on hold for about 5 minutes when a woman answered the phone and asked for my number and the reason I was calling. I gave my number and told her I wanted to drop my service. She said I would receive a phone call before the end of the day. Well, 4 hours later I didn't receive the call. Comcast cable. . . . it [removed --admin LadyGeek].
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
What happens after 6 months?topper1296 wrote:I called [Comcast --admin LadyGeek] again and downgraded my service for now. Once college basketball season is over, I will drop down to the bare bones package that still has ESPN, ESPN2, and CNBC. I will even drop the HD service at that time and use rabbit ears to watch some stations in HD and stream over the internet for more HD. I figure this is a decent intermediary step to cutting the cable completely. On a side note, [Comcast --admin LadyGeek] cut me a 6 month deal on my downgraded package.topper1296 wrote:I called Comcast to drop my service. I was on hold for about 5 minutes when a woman answered the phone and asked for my number and the reason I was calling. I gave my number and told her I wanted to drop my service. She said I would receive a phone call before the end of the day. Well, 4 hours later I didn't receive the call. Comcast cable. . . . it [removed --admin LadyGeek].
Re: Cutting the cord on Cable
CSPAN!stan1 wrote:What do news junkies do when you cancel cable?
Their video library is searchable by topic and person. Incredible learning resource. As unbiased as you're likely to find anywhere.
http://www.c-span.org
"What everybody else knows is not worth knowing." - Gerald M. Loeb