Anyone cut the TV cable?

ctviggen · « **on:** 23 Jan 2009, 05:17 pm »

I'm thinking of buying an iMac Mini (or similar), putting up an antenna, and joining Netflix, and then turning off my cable TV. Anyone cut the TV cable in a similar manner? Right now, I spend over $70/month for not many channels and a digital receiver (not even a DVR). I watch about 5 of the 70 or so channels I get. My wife and I have done some research, and we've found some possible places to watch cable shows, like the following:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/17/technology/internet/17video.html

Or:

http://www.boxee.tv/

I figure that I'd be saving at least $840/year, which means my return on investment would be somewhere around a year (for iMac Mini, external antenna, receiver, and Netflix).

We have a 32 inch TV in the living room and will have a 92 inch overhead projector in the basement. I think the projector would be limited to DVD and over-the-air HD.

Has anyone done anything like this, and if so, what's your experience been like?

chip · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 Jan 2009, 06:26 pm »

Yeah I am looking at dropping cable and even going with Tivo and I will still save money. I did a 5 year plan and TWC with my current cable would be close to $5,000. If I go with Tivo it was roughly a grand paying at in an Annual installment in case I wanted to drop it.

There are so many options out there....it just depends on what you want out of it.

soewhatman · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 Jan 2009, 06:32 pm »

I did pretty much just what you described about 1.5 years ago, and have been very pleased. I feel like I am getting good entertainment bang for my buck, only spending about $15 for netflix and $50 for high speed internet, which I would have anyways. Netflix has a sizable library of intantly viewable movies, and they get most tv series on dvd as soon as they are released in that format. I've watched Deadwood, Battlestar Galactica, Doctor Who, Mad Men, and a slow of other cable TV series by just getting the DVD's through Netflix.

I have a computer and x-box 360 wired up to my main room tv/audio system, so I can stream video and audio content off either.

It's just my wife and I, but she hasn't complained about this setup at all since I got it going.

WGH · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 Jan 2009, 08:18 pm »

Never had cable and I still don't miss it.

At first, when I visit my Mom or friends homes with cable I am initially intrigued to find out what I have been missing. After a day or two I find out I have been missing absolutely nothing except the commercials.

Digital OTA looks and sounds great and if nothing is on I spend more time reading or listening to music. I can rent whatever is on cable and with the internet haven't missed a single episode of Battlestar Galactica. My neighbor just loaned me Season 1 of Damages starring Glenn Close.

A digital TV card in my computer lets me record OTA shows, which still look great when viewed on the big screen and I can fast forward through commercials.

Wayne

groovybassist · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 Jan 2009, 08:39 pm »

I dropped cable and went to OTA digital/HD about 1 and 1/2 years ago. I'm renting, so didn't want to invest in a motorized antenna. I literally took down the DirecTV dish and hooked my HD antenna to the DirecTV mount. The only issue I've had with OTA digital/HD is the way my house is oriented. Since I'm not using a motorized antenna, I can't get all digital/HD channels available as they originate in different directions. I get all of the major channels, although one or two can drop out occasionally - don't know why, but they do. The picture is great. Beyond that, my wife and I rent a movie every once in a while.

I'm with WGH - every time I think I'm missing cable, I end up seeing it at a friend's house or while travelling, only to realize I really don't miss it at all. My only cost to go this direction was $40 for the antenna.

If you're serious about it, go to www.antennaweb.org - you can put in your address and the website will tell you who's broadcasting in digital in your area and which direction they come from. The site will also advise you on what type of antenna you'll need. Good luck!

-Mike

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #5 on:** 24 Jan 2009, 11:53 am »

Hey Bob, Did you see THIS thread?
I was "this close" to doing that but didn't. I still think it's looks like a good idea though.

Bob

griller · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 Jan 2009, 02:31 pm »

I gotta check this out!

MaxCast · « **Reply #7 on:** 24 Jan 2009, 02:37 pm »

You guys with blue and violet directional antenna's, what kind of distance are you able to get? The 4 networks are 38 miles away and I have another set 55 miles away. Is this too far for a good signal?
Also, do the tuners in HDTV's work with these antennas? Samsung DLP & Pannasonic Plazma both less than 3 years old.

GHM · « **Reply #8 on:** 24 Jan 2009, 04:23 pm »

I also did away with cable, I just use an antenna. Netflix does the movie thing for me. Most of the shows I watch are on the major networks any way. Maxcast..your TVs should work just fine with the antennas. An amplifier will help improve your reception.

ctviggen · « **Reply #9 on:** 24 Jan 2009, 05:22 pm »

Thanks for all the replies! I was thinking of going satellite of some sort, but I have some very tall trees around the house. I had someone come out to install a dish, but they said it couldn't be done. I don't quite believe them, because I think the locations of the satellites are such that I can put a dish in a particular location and still hit the satellites. I also installed satellite myself at my last two houses, and it's not that hard to do. Nonetheless, it might be a pain to do if I really can't get over the trees.

I've also done a ton of research on antennas, but that was a while ago. My wife is anti-huge antenna, but I think we would need one because of distance and tall trees. I think we'd also need a rotator to turn the antenna.

It seems as if the cable company keeps raising the cost every year and yet giving us less. Plus, I don't watch much TV. We have a Replay TV and tape delay everything, and I tape a few shows a day, and watch even less. So, I'll keep shopping around and see what I can find.

gonefishin · « **Reply #10 on:** 1 Feb 2009, 09:23 pm »

Quote from: ctviggen on 23 Jan 2009, 05:17 pm

I'm thinking of buying an iMac Mini (or similar), putting up an antenna, and joining Netflix, and then turning off my cable TV. Anyone cut the TV cable in a similar manner?

Has anyone done anything like this, and if so, what's your experience been like?

Hi guys

I've been cable free for over a year now. I decided to make the switch when I noticed that the wife and I really don't watch any Tv during the day, as we're chasing around three young children. At night time we'll usually watch one or two programs that were recording on the DVR. Nearly every program that we recorded was either one of the major networks or a PBS cooking or gardening show. I started to wonder why in the world was I paying cable for channels that were free?

My main criteria during the switch was maintaining HiDef dual tuner DVR capabilities with a full guided service. We ended up getting a Tivo HD with a lifetime subscription, which paid for itself in seven months. I couldn't be happier!

The Tivo box will also let you sign on to your Amazon Unbox, Netflix account too (among other download services).

Another HD download/streaming device that's out there is the VuDu box http://www.vudu.com/product_overview.html, though I haven't actually seen it or used it.

good luck,
dan

cornhulio · « **Reply #11 on:** 1 Feb 2009, 09:37 pm »

I haven't had cable in 10-15 years. I put a full size radio shack outdoor antenna in my attic 18 years ago. It pulls in the digital and hd signals with no problem using standard 75 ohm coax to my hdtv.

soloz2 · « **Reply #12 on:** 26 Feb 2009, 04:05 am »

my wife and I were just discussing canning cable earlier today as once again time warner increased their price... and the service has gotten crappier.

launche · « **Reply #13 on:** 26 Feb 2009, 01:23 pm »

I have recently come to Time Warner from Comcast, well I'll just say they make me appreciate Comcast and that's scary.
We've trimmed our package down since switching over and I don't really miss the extra channels, although I do miss having access to sports programs. But like anything you get used to it.

JeffBrown · « **Reply #14 on:** 26 Feb 2009, 02:27 pm »

My wife and I already had an Internet connected PC hooked up to the TV, and we found that between Hulu, and Netflix we almost never turned on the cable box. So we cut the cord, and since we had already adjusted to Internet TV it wasn’t a big deal. I don’t keep track of these things but I think the wife said we were saving about $65 per month. CBS, TNT, ABC, NBC, USA and probably any other network you can think of all offer their original programming from their websites with limited commercials, I don’t know what most people would even need an antenna for if they had the internet. Keep in mind that streaming multiple TV programs wouldn’t be possible for most people from a single wireless network, but run the cables and you’ll have all the bandwidth you need for Internet TV from a 5Mb broadband connection!

I’m thinking we were paying about $65 per month for Fios HD, and so our savings is about $800 per year. Not bad for not even missing it!

GregLee · « **Reply #15 on:** 28 Feb 2009, 02:58 am »

Yes, a year and a half ago, but in favor of satellite -- DirecTV. It was a little cheaper and has much more HD than TWC had. Also, the dvr box is much nicer. I don't get OTA at all, so that wasn't an option.

doug s. · « **Reply #16 on:** 28 Feb 2009, 05:16 am »

i haven't watched tv in years - cable, satellite, internet, antenna - nothing! my experience? awesome!

doug s.

BoB/335 · « **Reply #17 on:** 28 Feb 2009, 02:07 pm »

I need to look into this more. I hate my cable bill! I also have cable internet so if I can get everything from my computer to the tv would be great/ (Plus 3 bedroom tv's. ouch!)

Parnelli777 · « **Reply #18 on:** 28 Feb 2009, 02:18 pm »

Can anyone that has switched from cable to satellite speak to the overall quality and reliability? Anyone switch from satellite back to cable?

GregLee · « **Reply #19 on:** 28 Feb 2009, 10:51 pm »

Quote from: Parnelli777 on 28 Feb 2009, 02:18 pm

Can anyone that has switched from cable to satellite speak to the overall quality and reliability?

About the same, for me. But quality and reliability issues are mostly local for cable, and for reliability, at least, also for satellite. So, ymmv.