Avoiding Satellite and Cable?

[Leon]

I'm getting a little fed up with both Satellite and Cable. Typically in the past I would alternate back and forth between the two so that the companies would offer me some discounts to convince me to switch. But after a set amount of time, they would slowly increase the fee every month. I have 2 months left on DirecTV and they have nearly doubled my fees by nickel and diming me to death.

How many of you guys are off cable and satellite and going solely through IPTV? Is it a viable replacement for satellite and cable? I figured a good alternative would be a combination of:

• Over-the-Air (OTA) HD antenna for local channels
• Netflix
• Hulu Plus
• Boxee?

Has anyone here done something like this?

[cruelpupet]

Im currently using OTA and my WD Live for downloaded content. I tried out netflix streaming at a friends house, and its pretty good. I might sign up for that soon. I think hulu plus is a joke, the least they can do is give hulu plus (ie paying customers) access to the free hulu stuff as well.

Boxee is pretty good, and i was hoping theyd announce new hardware in the near future. At the very least their remote is worth it.

Raspberry Pi with an xbmc install also looks very promising.


Oh and LG TVs get the best OTA reception, most liekly because they own the patents on the HD tech used for transmission.

[Leon]

Thanks for the info, cruelpupet! How are you liking OTA and WD Live? Is there anything that you can't do after getting away from cable and satellite? I noticed that as I got older, I've been watching more old people channels like HGTV (home and garden), Food Network, and DIY Network. Those are probably channels that aren't available outside of cable and satellite, right?

[Chgoman]

I still have AT&T for TV, but I've been thinking about dumping it as well. I already have Amazon Prime for shipping purposes so I already have access to their streaming service for no additional cost. They're getting pretty close to Netflix as far as the streaming side goes and they are making deals with content providers at a much faster rate so they may pass them up. The selection for TV shows is great for both Amazon and Netflix, but the movie selection for streaming is pretty terrible. I got a Roku to stream to the TV and it works great.

[attgig]

I've gotten off of cable. I have only local service that I get via cable as part of my internet (getting the local service made it cheaper than JUST internet), and have my old hdhomerun grabbing local stuff from there.

As for alternative sources, I used mostly hulu, but also had a slingbox set up on my in-law's house and watched some stuff through there. In the end, it's frustrating because I don't think that there's a lot stuff that's available out on the internet unless you're talking about sources that the hollywood folks don't like.... .... *ahem* ...

[cruelpupet]

Thanks for the info, cruelpupet! How are you liking OTA and WD Live? Is there anything that you can't do after getting away from cable and satellite? I noticed that as I got older, I've been watching more old people channels like HGTV (home and garden), Food Network, and DIY Network. Those are probably channels that aren't available outside of cable and satellite, right?

Wen I had cable I was never home to watch the shows I liked or I would forget they were on and miss them (didnt have DVR) so I ended up downloading most of them or watching on Hulu, so cutting cable wasnt a big change. I dont watch much OTA except on thursday nights 30Rock, the office, community, etc.

Being in NYC I think I might have more channels than most, there's a great local sub-channel 4 (nbc), but since most of the transmissions are in jersey till they finish the new world trade center, reception isnt as good as it could be (indoor antenna on the 2nd floor when all buildings near me a 3+ stories.)

The only thing you might have an issue doing would be sports if you watch them.

[cruelpupet]

I got a Roku to stream to the TV and it works great.

Two things to keep in mind with the Roku:

1. They require a credit card to use it even if you dont plan on buying any of their "apps"
2. Even if you get the version with usb, you cant play local content

[GilbertsGrape]

i would like to get away from direct tv it is costing me over $100 now for 3 boxes one of witch is a DVR. Would like to try online only but i have AT&T and they data cap our service. Last in the last two months they have charged my parents $5o in overages and all they do is watch netflix and surf the www.

[attgig]

wow, datacapping sucks. no other alternative vs AT&T for internet?

and Leon, have you unplugged from directv yet? how's it going?

also, I've been using amazon a lot more lately, since i've already had prime for years now.

[Jeffbx]

Two things to keep in mind with the Roku:

1. They require a credit card to use it even if you dont plan on buying any of their "apps"
2. Even if you get the version with usb, you cant play local content

Is that new? I have 2 Roku's and I didn't need my CC number for anything. I use them for Netflix & Amazon, but I also have a bunch of free channels on there that I never watch. However, it's been probably a year since I set up the last one....

[cruelpupet]

I ordered mine between 6months and a year ago. There was no mention of it at the time, and when i looked it up it was a recent change. Thankfully Amazon gave me a full refund.

[gwilks98]

Funny, I just saw this article header today:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/20...?feed=rss_home

[mojo]

don't look at me - i unplugged for like 8 months and went back for HBO, showtime, etc

[speedracer120]

I don't think I could unplug. My wife never had cable tv growing up and thought it was absurd what we would have to pay to get FiOS. That was then, now all she does is watch TV. I thought the big screen was going to be my plaything, it ended up hers.

[renovation]

my only choice is comcast at my house .
we have trees so both dish and direct is out.
AT&T uverus is not avail here.
i tried using a hotbox though my cell company that was pure hell . 3g only 4g not avail yet here .
and tried the HD antenna signal so so at best.
so i signed up just for internet and hack my tv from them .
right now im having a signal problem to my modem and comcast is due out saterday to try and fix.
they may need to rewire the house this time -they ran a new cable to the house and installed a new box at the telephone pole in the last 2 months. it sucks with not having more choices here.