cutting the (TV) cable....advice needed...

OhioEric · Jun 1, 2014

i spend way too much on TV and cell...like $500 a month.

how can i cut the cable, AND go 2 channel at the same time...

i already have Netflix. i am getting Hulu Plus... and i guess

a HD TV antenna?

and that friggin' soundbar is getting sh!tcanned too.

Times change...

How did you do it? Advice? thanks...

Qbert · Jun 1, 2014

The only thing I miss is sports - otherwise you won't miss a thing. The best part wasn't so much the saved money, but the found time.

ofajen · Jun 1, 2014

Qbert said:
The only thing I miss is sports - otherwise you won't miss a thing. The best part wasn't so much the saved money, but the found time.

We fired Mediacom at the start of the year. It's been fine. I really like decoupling from someone else's program schedule and being able to pick any available show at any time. Also fun to be able to go back and mine a show's catalog.

Otto

transmaster · Jun 1, 2014

The answer is what I am going to do. Get either a Roku, or Apple TV, most everthing you are going to want to watch will be found on these smart box's. Your Netflix account will be found there all you have to do is sign in. Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc. Get a VPN like I have and you can watch the excellent programing from the UK, or elsewhere. BBC-2, and especially BBC-4 are fantastic. You will not even miss "cable" roughly $80 bucks a year for a fully supported VPN service, A one time $99 buck each for the Roku, (Roku's are often discounted) and or, Apple TV. Subscriptions to you favorite app's (channels) which run about $10 dollars a month. you will be spending substantially less for a whole lot more, as for sports 20 plus years of Dish Network have ended that craving along with local network TV.

Oerets · Jun 1, 2014

We have Google Chrome Cast, less then $40 plugged in a HDMI port controlled by the wife's tablet to get NetFlix. Would think since we can do one, then any internet content will come through.

Barney

Mister Mike · Jun 1, 2014

I cut the cable about a year ago and never looked back. I have a Roku on every TV, and usually watch Netflix, Amazon and Plex (which allows you to stream many things using your home PC as a server). For antennas, I use the Monoprice 4729 on TVs with nearby windows, and in my main living room TV, I use a Mohu Leaf. HDTV reception is great -- better than the compressed cable signal, though I only watch network TV for live events. On a side note, I also had a landline through my cable company, but replaced it with Ooma VOIP, which is basically the same thing that my cable company offered, but it now costs me less than $4/mo. In the end, I'm paying about $50/mo. for internet access through my cable provider, and get just as much (if not more) entertainment than I did when I was paying them $250/mo.

Ottawa_Audio · Jun 1, 2014

I cut the cable about 3 years ago. I too was tired of paying outrageous amounts for a lot of content I had nary any interest in watching. I got tired of poor service, telephone trees to nowhere, bundled packages that force you to buy crap and a provider that would change my bill monthly every month. Enough!

I also moved my internet service to a reseller and my costs are half for broadband. I haven't looked back.

I use Netflix and a DNS spoof that allows me to watch content worldwide. As a hockey fan, I also subscribe to Game Centre which gives me access to every hockey game. I watch more sports now than I could with cable.

I also installed a rooftop antennae and watch over the air tv in the best, uncompressed video available. Over the air tv provides the best picture!

Do I miss cable? Not at all.

mfhale · Jun 1, 2014

It's been one football season for us so far...SEC football is the only thing we really miss.

Go to www.antennaweb.org and see what they recommend for an antenna. We were able to use an Antennas Direct DB2E in the attic. The antenna, mast and one booster cost us less than one month of DirecTV. We fill in the gaps with HuluPlus, Amazon Prime and Netflix.

Kyndcookie · Jun 1, 2014

+1

We were spending $160 month on non-movie channel cable and 18mb/s internet which was spotty at times. We were ecstatic to learn our new home was in a Verizon Fios area. Now we stream everything. Netflix/Hulu Plus/Amazon Prime/Vudu/Pandora One.

Now we have an 80mb/s screaming internet pipe and all the stuff we would normally watch for less than half what we were paying before. Once in a great while we miss something we'd like to see, but then we just do pay per view. No regrets at all,

Robinhawaii · Jun 1, 2014

no affiliation, this guy may be able to help, http://mrantenna.com/cincinnati/antenna-install/ his site covers many basic questions for your area.

I got tired of constantly experiencing cable outages, so I cut the cord a few years ago. Appletv fit in nicely.

good luck,

Rob

Beatnik · Jun 1, 2014

I have roku for netflix and just recently hooked the compter to the tv through dvi thanks to help from members here, so if its streamed, I can watch it. No need for even the roku now.

Put a $15 craigslist roof antenna in the attic, pole hung from the rafters. Used the free antenna helper app on my android phone to point it in the right direction and now I'm paying $8 a month for netflix and $41 for internet. I'd be paying for internet no matter what, haven't found a way around that one.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=potkay.tvantennahelper.free

Chris Brown · Jun 1, 2014

I agree that sports are what makes it the most difficult to cut the cord. Everything else can easily be found and downloaded, one way or another...

loopstick · Jun 1, 2014

My snowbird expressvu got shut down several years ago so I went rooftop antenna, with Series 1 TIVO. Never a lack of TV with all the sub-channels.

tom3 · Jun 1, 2014

OhioEric said:
i spend way too much on TV and cell...like $500 a month.

...

Might start by calling the cable company, ask for a much better deal for your package. Maybe reduce your service some too, get rid of the dvr and service, upper digital channels you don't watch. Our TW cable runs $114/month with the recorder, most digital channels, starz channels, fast roadrunner internet. Took 15 or 20 minutes on the phone to get them to come across on a 2 year plan. Also have an antenna setup, use it quite a bit actually.

specialone53 · Jun 1, 2014

For Over The Air reception of the digital broadcasts, don't let anyone tell you that you'll need some kind of "special" HDTV antenna.
Those "special" antennas are NO DIFFERENT than the age-old VHF-UHF antennas from the beginning of broadcast TV. - but of course cost "more", just because they're labeled "HD".
So hunt down a decent antenna for your area with that in mind.
Or use the one already up on your roof from the pre-digital days.

Beatnik · Jun 1, 2014

Lapslah · Jun 1, 2014

This is a very timely thread for me, as I'm looking into doing the same. I'd like to add the twist of a DVR that works with my OTA antenna. I've seen that there's a Tivo box that will work with antenna, but requires a monthly subscription of about $15. I've also seen the CableMaster DVRs that don't require a subscription. I've read that the Tivo is worth the monthly cost. Can anyone with experience tell me why?

I'd also like to hear about the various streaming services and what programming they offer. The various websites I've seen for them are often purposely vague regarding specifics like whether they offer current seasons of popular shows or only older episodes.

TEA FOR ONE · Jun 1, 2014

We've been without cable for about 4yrs now. I have made almost all the antennas in the house for a whopping $5 each. We have Netflix,and Hulu. I miss watching the Yankees on a daily basis,and Monday night football. However,saving over $100 a month eases the pain!

elza · Jun 1, 2014

We cut the cable a long time ago. Good @#$#%$%#$ riddance!!! Getting into my reasons would get political so suffice to say I don’t care for today’s programming. It hasn’t been missed in the least. We do have Netflix and thoroughly enjoy it. Along with a DVD player I’m ‘video satisfied’. Just a decent TV and a cheap surround sound system. I’ve never been a TV junkie even back in the days of my youth.

Now audio, on the other hand………….. (see my sig)

Ronald1973 · Jun 1, 2014

If not for Hee Haw on RFD-TV (don't laugh!) and Cardinals baseball, I'd drop it today. I have enough sense to know the entirety of Hee Haw will never be out on DVD because of music rights and the length of the show (23 years) so I'm stuck.

cutting the (TV) cable....advice needed...

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