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Thread: Thinking of cutting Cable TV - Need your Advice.

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    MacGruber JACKSJE4's Avatar
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    Exclamation Thinking of cutting Cable TV - Need your Advice.

    As most of you in the U.S. can attest, Cable TV service is expensive!! I have tried to renegotiate my monthly plan with the cable company and even looked into getting a dish service, however I can no longer justify the monthly fees I must pay to get the few channels I watch with any of these services. As a result, I am thinking about cutting the cable altogether and exploring alternative ways to get my weekly shows. I am a strong believer that streaming TV over the internet is the way of the future, and the cable and dish companies may follow the newspaper industry some day.

    I thought I would start this thread to gather some information, suggestions and recommendations that myself and others could use.

    Question #1:
    Do you stream your shows from sites such as Hulu and Netflix? If so, what are some good sites and how much do they cost? Are you happy with the quality?

    Question #2:
    Does the HD Antenna work? Are there other such devices I should consider?

    Question #3:
    If you watch programs over the internet on your TV, what hardware did you have to get to make it work?

    I am sick of being a slave to my cable company and would greatly appreciate any information you could provide!!

    Jeff
    Jeff Jackson, Denver CO

    There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."

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    Goodwill Ambassador luckydog's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thinking of cutting Cable TV - Need your Advice.

    all antennas are HD capable as long as you tv has a digital HD tuner.

    I get free HD on the more popular channels with my antenna setup and booster amp

    channels are limited depending on the area your in, anything i can't get I find the torrent on the internet, download and watch it at my leisure.

    pick up an antenna on Ebay or a local store and try it out before you cancel cable to see if you will be happy

    I've been using my setup for over a year and have saved at least a grand

    I was thinking of trying netflix with my ps3 and HD tv.

    I just got this one and just have it setup in my screen room, the rotor function doesn't work that great, but I keep it aimed in the same direction

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWNX:IT
    Last edited by luckydog; 01-15-2011 at 09:02 PM.
    幸運わんわん Luckydog or Yukiwanwan in Japanese

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    Fever Hunter ACMech's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thinking of cutting Cable TV - Need your Advice.

    I've got a buddy using HD over the antenna, and his picture looks great. We've been kicking it around, but our internet and phone are in a package deal, so we've been dragging our feet. Also not entirely sure what we need hardware-wise. Let us know how it works out. On another note, we didn't have TV or high-speed internet while we lived in Germany, and we survived, but that was pre-pachitalk.

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    MacGruber JACKSJE4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thinking of cutting Cable TV - Need your Advice.

    I have been eyeing those HDTV antennas, which would be fine for one of my TV's, but I couldn't snake a cable to the large TV in the basement very easily. I have a small TV in my bedroom that is on a pair of cheap rabbit ears, and it gets a very clear picture on about 21 channels, so I'm not sure if there would be additonal benefit by getting a fancier antenna. I may just need to try it to find out.

    With regard to streaming TV over Hulu.com, here is a link to their site that expains how it all works and what devices it will work on: Hulu - Plus

    I don't currently have any of these devices, but I have been considering upgrading to a BluRay player, and there are a few that will connect to the internet. Maybe that is a good route. I was hoping someone here has this service working and could offer some words of wisdom before I commit. The monthly fee for Hulu is MUCH better than what I am paying each month for cable!!
    Jeff Jackson, Denver CO

    There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."

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    PachiTalk Hostess dattia's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thinking of cutting Cable TV - Need your Advice.

    ...and how do you get your internet?
    Dawn

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    Pachi Puro pinball wizard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thinking of cutting Cable TV - Need your Advice.

    Quote Originally Posted by JACKSJE4 View Post
    I have been eyeing those HDTV antennas, which would be fine for one of my TV's, but I couldn't snake a cable to the large TV in the basement very easily. I have a small TV in my bedroom that is on a pair of cheap rabbit ears, and it gets a very clear picture on about 21 channels, so I'm not sure if there would be additonal benefit by getting a fancier antenna. I may just need to try it to find out.

    With regard to streaming TV over Hulu.com, here is a link to their site that expains how it all works and what devices it will work on: Hulu - Plus

    I don't currently have any of these devices, but I have been considering upgrading to a BluRay player, and there are a few that will connect to the internet. Maybe that is a good route. I was hoping someone here has this service working and could offer some words of wisdom before I commit. The monthly fee for Hulu is MUCH better than what I am paying each month for cable!!
    there is no such thing as an hd antenna,older ones work just as well.mine is over 40 years old,and works perfectly.the people who sell the so-called hd antennas are just trying to gouge you.stick with what you already have.

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    MacGruber JACKSJE4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thinking of cutting Cable TV - Need your Advice.

    Well, after talking to some friends and doing some research on the net, I think I may have found a possible solution to my quest!!

    I found a Sony Network Media Player box that I can purchase and connect to my home wireless network, then access my media accounts (Netflix, Hulu Plus, Pandora, etc) to stream programs to my TV. I can also connect it to my PC to play movies I download. Sounds pretty cool, huh?

    http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...esTab#overview

    Here's the catch: after reading all of the recent customer reviews on the device, it sounds like it still has some maturing to do. It works as described, however it sounds like the interfaces to Netflix and Hulu have a bit to be desired. Perhaps with time the software will improve.

    If I cut my cable service and subscribe to Netflix ($7.99/mo) and Hulu Plus ($7.99/mo) and a few other services, I will be coming out way ahead financially!!

    I'm not ready to pull the trigger yet, but I'm getting closer! Still have some more research to do...
    Jeff Jackson, Denver CO

    There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."

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    MacGruber JACKSJE4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thinking of cutting Cable TV - Need your Advice.

    Here's a similar device that is cheaper and has MUCH better customer reviews.

    I think my cable service is going to go bye-bye very soon.
    Jeff Jackson, Denver CO

    There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."

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    MacGruber JACKSJE4's Avatar
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    Jeff Jackson, Denver CO

    There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."

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    Goodwill Ambassador luckydog's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thinking of cutting Cable TV - Need your Advice.

    do a search this has been discussed before

    http://www.pachitalk.com/forums/home...y-your-tv.html
    幸運わんわん Luckydog or Yukiwanwan in Japanese

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    MacGruber JACKSJE4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thinking of cutting Cable TV - Need your Advice.

    Thanks LD. The technology has improved somewhat since that thread was started. After reading the CNet review on Roku, I am very encouraged by how the technology has matured. The variety of available shows and movies is growing rapidly and there are a lot of options for content subscriptions and pay-per-view. From the CNet review, it sounded like Roku provided the most options.

    Read the review if you want to see how it compares to all of the comptition, such as AppleTV. CNet rates Roku as the best!!

    Roku XDS Review (2100X) - Digital Media Receivers - CNET Reviews
    Jeff Jackson, Denver CO

    There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."

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    Goodwill Ambassador luckydog's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thinking of cutting Cable TV - Need your Advice.

    I have been thinking of trying hulu plus and netflix with my ps3
    幸運わんわん Luckydog or Yukiwanwan in Japanese

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    Pachi Puro pinball wizard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thinking of cutting Cable TV - Need your Advice.

    i'll have to keep up with this thread.after finally getting a job,i was thinking about re subscribing to dish network.while it is way superior to cable,i still think i want to save 30 some bucks a month .let us know how it works out.

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    Goodwill Ambassador luckydog's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thinking of cutting Cable TV - Need your Advice.

    Target has the PS3 on sale this week with a $50.00 gift card with purchase.

    its the best problem free HD bluray player you can get, also can get nexflix, hulu plus and all the rest.

    it almost plays anything you have downloaded and burned to a disc.
    plus you can play games on it.

    membership is free and there are tons of demo games for ps3 and psp you can download.

    its one of my best purchases
    幸運わんわん Luckydog or Yukiwanwan in Japanese

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    Eye Shooter Frank A's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thinking of cutting Cable TV - Need your Advice.

    I did a little research on this concept of replacing the cable box with a ROKU or Sony Media box to stream TV. The ROKU at $ 99.99 is the better price since Sony requires a Blu Ray purchase at $ 399 or a new TV at $ 599. BoxeeBox is $ 199 which is available thru Logitech. I am still trying to check my SONY TV model numbers to see if I can just use the ROKU. I agree with you that cable will eventually go away and die unless they drop their prices considerably. Even the phone service cost isn't attractive anymore. I may go out today and buy the cheapest antenna and see how it works on my old tv sets. I originally signed up for the triple play service, but now I pay $ 210/month for HBO Silver, 1 phone line and internet service. Too much for a poor selection of movies.
    Frank A
    Lower Delaware

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    Goodwill Ambassador luckydog's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thinking of cutting Cable TV - Need your Advice.

    LLTR "just say no to cable & dish"
    幸運わんわん Luckydog or Yukiwanwan in Japanese

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    Eye Shooter Frank A's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thinking of cutting Cable TV - Need your Advice.

    Just returned from Best Buy. The sales person said that Google has not agreed to let their system allow free TV streaming directly to the Roku, Sony or Logictech boxes. The consumer argument is that if you can do the streaming by connecting your lap top with an HDMI cable, why not be able to do it for free thru the boxes directly ? The concensus is that the technology will not shake out for another 6 months or so. Most of this technology was shown commercially for the first time at the consumer electronic show in Las Vegas in November. Does any one else have any additional information ? This is a good topic to keep going. I also bought 3 digital flat panel amplified outdoor antennas on sale at Best Buy for $ 19.99 each, regular $ 99.99. Best Buy item 9736682. Sid... should we change the location or put this under any other section ??? Are there any better phone systems to use for a single home line ? Thanks,

    Frank A
    Frank A
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    Goodwill Ambassador luckydog's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thinking of cutting Cable TV - Need your Advice.

    magicJack

    could work if you have only DSL with phone company
    幸運わんわん Luckydog or Yukiwanwan in Japanese

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    Captain Weirdo Sid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thinking of cutting Cable TV - Need your Advice.

    Id gladly move the thread, but i dont know where to put it

    so I have made it a Sticky so it will be at the top of this forum.

    hope that helps.

    and remember you can always subscribe to an individual thread by going to the thread tools and selecting subscribe

    you will get an email notification everytime someone adds something to the thread.

    "I've stopped fighting my inner demons, we are on the same side now."

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    MacGruber JACKSJE4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thinking of cutting Cable TV - Need your Advice.

    Quote Originally Posted by Frank A View Post
    Are there any better phone systems to use for a single home line ?
    ooma

    I would read the reviews carefully. A friend of mine has this system and likes it a lot, however after reading CNet reviews and end user reviews, it sounds like their customer service has a bit to be desired. It could be related to growing pains and will correct itself eventually, but then again it could be sign of the company culture.
    Jeff Jackson, Denver CO

    There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."

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