Cutting the Cable Cord

wgscott · « **Reply #40 on:** 5 Jan 2014, 04:14 am »

I cut the cord, and due to internet streaming, crappy DSL speed, expense, and data caps, was forced to drop ATT and crawl back to Comcast Cabal. The internet service of course is cheaper the first year if you also get the TV.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #41 on:** 5 Jan 2014, 03:01 pm »

I have a 5/1 service via DSL, and I am finding it streams fine. Other users in the house can still surf while I am streaming a show or movie.

The issue is the GUI for the XBMC streaming experience. Netflix is WAY simpler to use, but what I am using is free. This streaming device needs one to first choose what to watch (simple) and then find a stream that is functional from a list (not hard, but not nearly as simple as clicking the pic on Netflix).

So, for now I will drop the movie channels and save around $20 a month on my cable bill, and have access to everything (including sports that I have tried so far) in the basement system. Other TV's will still be served by systems that all can understand, and I am willing to setup movies or episodes for folks in the basement if they want to watch down there.

kingdeezie · « **Reply #42 on:** 5 Jan 2014, 04:38 pm »

I cut the cord about a year ago. It was not initially pleasurable. I love hockey.

What I didn't love was giving Comcast 210 dollars a month for internet and TV. I called them up, cancelled the TV, kept the internet, and I now pay 65 dollars a month.

That's 145 dollars a month savings; 1740 dollars a year.

We all use Rokus/Playstations/Xboxs/Etc/Etc, to stream Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Prime, and Vudu to the various displays around the house.

There is plenty of content to satisfy.

The best part has been using the months savings from the cable bill, to eliminate other damaging monthly debit (credit cards).

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #43 on:** 5 Jan 2014, 10:33 pm »

Quote from: kingdeezie on 5 Jan 2014, 04:38 pm

The best part has been using the months savings from the cable bill, to eliminate other damaging monthly debit (credit cards).

Amen Brother.

That's a bitch of a road to travel. "Been there, done that".

Mike Nomad · « **Reply #44 on:** 5 Jan 2014, 10:41 pm »

Ditched the dish back in '11. No regrets, and more than a grand a year back in my pocket. Getting by just fine with an antenna for local b'cast, and streaming Netflix out of my Oppo. Until the content pushers have full al la carte, they can go pound sand.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #45 on:** 5 Jan 2014, 11:14 pm »

Quote from: Mike Nomad on 5 Jan 2014, 10:41 pm

Until the content pushers have full al la carte, they can go pound sand.

Ohh....that would be awesome.

WireNut · « **Reply #46 on:** 6 Jan 2014, 12:20 am »

I can't wait to cut the cable cord. I only have TWC basic with about 20 stations total. About six of those are local channels and the rest are shopping or PBS channels. What a waist, by this spring TWC can kiss my ........

fredgarvin · « **Reply #47 on:** 6 Jan 2014, 04:07 am »

Quote from: Bear on 6 Dec 2013, 08:05 pm

~~Palladia does not appear to be available based on the playon.tv website?~~

Never mind, my mistake...you were referring to Roku.

Ok, I do not see Palladia on Roku?

Oops, I think I meant Pandora when I typed that.

Early B. · « **Reply #48 on:** 6 Jan 2014, 06:14 am »

I cut the cord two months ago. I'm still deciding on my next move. I've had Amazon Prime for years, and I recently added Aereo, but need to buy a Roku to watch local channels on my TV. I may eventually get Hulu Plus and be done.

lokie · « **Reply #49 on:** 6 Jan 2014, 12:58 pm »

What are the options for us Cable Cutters and watching the Playoffs?

sts9fan · « **Reply #50 on:** 6 Jan 2014, 01:04 pm »

I am seriously considering this. Will do netflix and HuLu Plus for $16/m.
MLB is $24.99/year I think. Football is the major issue. I guess an antenna is the best option? I would love to hear a sports fan's experience with this. Are NFL Networks game the only NFL not on the airwaves?

mcgsxr · « **Reply #51 on:** 6 Jan 2014, 01:15 pm »

I am using a hacked Android box running Linux OS to stream (Flash streaming).

I was able to watch the NFL games yesterday on it, via Sky Sports streaming.

Free, but low rez. Perhaps there are high rez streams out there, the device is brand new to me, so I was just playing around.

Tons of good quality TV and movies available free with this device, but broadcast TV so far is not great rez, and on a 60 plasma it helps if it is!

TomS · « **Reply #52 on:** 6 Jan 2014, 02:15 pm »

Quote from: lokie on 6 Jan 2014, 12:58 pm

What are the options for us Cable Cutters and watching the Playoffs?

I watched the Cinci-SD game yesterday online for free on CBSSports.com. Lo-rez but good enough.

Unfortunately where we're moving to is too far away from local channels (60+ miles) in Ft. Wayne, South Bend, Toledo. I dropped the FIOS TV package we had at our house in Ft. Wayne last week and it felt good. I'm doing internet only for phone and whatever video I need with Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, etc. Mediacom internet at our new place still has clear QAM channels so I ordered a cheap adapter to get the local channel package. We shall see how that works out.

tomytoons · « **Reply #53 on:** 6 Jan 2014, 05:04 pm »

Sounds like everyone is sick of the cables bills.
I have the basic Cable and they just keep repeating the programing over and over.
I am down to $83/mo on basic cable and basic internet. Last year I called "retention" because my bill was to go up and told them I'm not paying a dime more, take it or leave it, my bill was lowered from $86 "special" to the current $83.

When I called, I asked why there was no relief talking to someone from the in-store locations?
The girl said because" I'm the last resort". LOL!
So if you are not happy bitch!!!!!!!!!!!!
Time Warner is BS and has to go. Pricing has been a rip off and creeps up without you paying attention. Then they may wonder why people are pissed. Everyone I have talked to feels the same way.

I have Netflix streaming but looking at Roku again. Much more offering now.
Problem is we watch CNN, Fox News, and HGTV my wife like DWTS on local channel. TV doesn't even come on till 6PM.
These Not offered via Roku or am i mistaken?

Is there a way around this?
I'll cut the damn thing immediately!
Boycott Cable!
Absolute garbage.

Is "PLay On" a solution? Reading through the pages here.

Nick B · « **Reply #54 on:** 6 Jan 2014, 05:47 pm »

I looked at the PlayOn site yesterday. Seems promising, but there are limitations as to what is available. Seems like I'd have to prepare a spreadsheet to figure it out. Anyway, I'm sick of getting gouged and have been looking for alternatives for a long time. This is a very useful thread

Photon46 · « **Reply #55 on:** 6 Jan 2014, 05:51 pm »

I've been reading over these posts and one things that's getting overlooked in the growing desire to not pay for what we don't personally consume (a la carte ) is the fact that by bundling content, cable providers are able to provide content that will not survive the market place if viewers have to pay actual costs. The only way Ovation, A&E, the Science Channel, the Military Channel, and all the other specialist tv networks survive is by piggybacking on the multichannel offerings that cost so much. Now if you're a tv viewer who doesn't watch anything but mainstream programming, you won't notice or care when these outlets go missing under a la carte pricing. I'm no apologist for the cable companies and I agree about lack of quality and all that. But using these technological end runs around the cable companies to get a lower bill can't go on forever if the variety of cable programming is going to remain available. In the end, we consumers will ultimately decide what our entertainment world is going to look like by choices we make now. Just like the desire to save a buck on our jeans ended up putting American businesses under because Walmart went to China to satisfy America's incessant thirst for cheap clothes.

rajacat · « **Reply #56 on:** 6 Jan 2014, 06:09 pm »

A couple ago I called Dish Network and told them that I wanted to drop the service. I mentioned that sports programming was my primary interest but @$80//mo it was just too much for the partial coverage. I wasn't on a 2 year contract. I was immediately connected with a supervisor and he cut my monthly bill $30 with no loss of programming.

So I guess I'm going to hang in there @50mo until I can figure out a way to cut Dish out completely. I plan to experiment with OTH programming and will buy a long range HD antennae. During baseball season I might subscribe to MLB.TV.

I suspect that cable and satellite providers are seeing a slow decline in subscriptions as the recession is eating away at the disposable income of the middle class.

bladesmith · « **Reply #57 on:** 6 Jan 2014, 06:18 pm »

Cable, more or less programs YOU, you don't really program it.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #58 on:** 6 Jan 2014, 06:20 pm »

As there is interest in this exploration, here is a link to the toy I bought.

http://hamilton.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-electronics-Android-TV-BOX-with-Linux-XBMC-Get-Rid-of-your-Cable-W0QQAdIdZ546403507

rajacat · « **Reply #59 on:** 6 Jan 2014, 06:54 pm »

Quote from: bladesmith on 6 Jan 2014, 06:18 pm

Cable, more or less programs YOU, you don't really program it.

Not just cable but broadcast TV too. Massive brainwashing to keep the populace under control and buying consumer goods. Really how much time does one want to waste looking at commercial TV? Commercial breaks chop up the drama of sporting events. No wonder there's an epidemic of ADD. What happened to reading books? At least there's some quality programming available on HBO, etc. but you have to pay a premium for it and still chopped up with sales pitches.