Goodbye Satellite TV, Hello Internet!

[CPRDrummer]

Wife and I finally decided to "cut the cord" from DirecTV and went with a nice setup that gets us all the TV viewing we could want, at a fraction of the cost of satellite/cable.

For local channels we installed an omni-directional HD antenna in our attic, and with its 30 mile radius, we actually pick up 20 or so HD UHF channels. Yes many are repeats of each other (NBC, ABC, etc) but they come in very clear...and free!

We also use 3 paid streaming services: Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon Prime. Why all 3?

Netflix: massive movie database with a so-so TV show database. At best, the TV show side is ~1 season behind. But with more movies than you could ever watch in a lifetime, it is my "go to" streaming service.

Hulu Plus: not as big of a movie database, but current shows typically stream a day or so after they air, so this offsets Netflix's shortcomings as far as current TV goes.

Both at 7.99 a month for unlimited streaming, you can't beat them!

Amazon Prime: I buy so much stuff from amazon.com it made no sense NOT to have it for streaming. Especially great for "movie night" where we can get a new release HD movie for $3-$4 and skip those $10 per person theater tickets, the $6 popcorn, $4 soda, and don't have to put up with other people's cell phones, crying babies, rowdy behavior, and kicking the back of my seat for 2+ hours. Besides, we have a nice home theater anyway!

Aside from these 3 and a home theater system, we also use our laptops on the go, desktop and a 24" monitor in the downstairs office, and even our cellphones from time to time.

Another item we have is the Roku XD but it is quickly falling to the wayside since Xbox Live upgraded their streamers.

Total cost per month for all of this: less than $30. Compare that to over $90 a month for DirecTV without any premium channels like HBO.

:thrasher:

 

[cursor system]

The different is clear: $30 per month to $90 per month. This is achievable in a country where internet connectivity is very cheap but continent like Africa, it is not palatable for one to be using internet TV

 

[mikedt]

Wife and I finally decided to "cut the cord" from DirecTV and went with a nice setup that gets us all the TV viewing we could want, at a fraction of the cost of satellite/cable.

For local channels we installed an omni-directional HD antenna in our attic, and with its 30 mile radius, we actually pick up 20 or so HD UHF channels. Yes many are repeats of each other (NBC, ABC, etc) but they come in very clear...and free!

I heard reports that NBC wanted your cable or satellite account number to prove that you're a subscriber before they'd let you watch something like the London Olympics online. Possibly same for things like MLB and AMC as well. Problem with a lot of the good online TV, seems to be US only, yet when I'm in the UK I can watch all the China Central TV online that I like. So I either have to watch cable(Chinese only) or download(pirate) it, e.g. AMC's Mad Men.

 

[zoxxo]

My problem is that I live too far away and in a geological depresion to receive locals. That's not so bad because I rarely watch local TV anymore.

But I do like cable only channels like Sci-Fy, AMC, USA, and several others. I've found most of the content for these channels is not available from Hulu Plus, or other on-line providers. I also don't like Hulu Plus where I'm charged for access, but I still get commercials in the show.

I would really like to cut the cord, but I need to solve several problems before I can make that happen...

 

[carolsinclair]

Thanks, CR Drummer. Would the omni-directional HD antennae work in rural eastern canada? Where (roughly) are you? Urban? American? What did you pay for it?

 

[carolsinclair]

Oky, sorry. I see now, Alabama. I like your idea and will try to find out locally what people are paying and how well it's working. Still, I'm curious what you paid for your initial set-up. C

 

[ApparitionXVII]

I pretty much do the same thing... haven't had TV service in 3 years and never looked back.

 

[Bob Maxey]

My problem is that I live too far away and in a geological depresion to receive locals. That's not so bad because I rarely watch local TV anymore.

But I do like cable only channels like Sci-Fy, AMC, USA, and several others. I've found most of the content for these channels is not available from Hulu Plus, or other on-line providers. I also don't like Hulu Plus where I'm charged for access, but I still get commercials in the show.

I would really like to cut the cord, but I need to solve several problems before I can make that happen...

My theory is . . . as soon as cable and/or satellite goes away and all we have is the net, we will watch prices rise. We want our entertainment and we will want to watch TV.

Not sure the Internet falls under the laws that prevent services like cable/satellite from raising their rates willy nilly. I do not see cable going away any time soon.

I am not sure about the laws that cover or would cover internet TV prices, or if this will happen and perhaps the government cannot regulate the net to prevent a Hulu from raising rates.

Anyone care to clarify my thinking?