Cable getting too expensive. In search of other options.

[S Freud]

So I constantly hear about people streaming Netflix and Hulu to their tv and avoiding the traditional cable set up. I am interested in getting in on this since we just had a roommate leave so our bills are going to go up a share each month. I am looking for an alternative set up for my cable and internet needs.

Right now I stream netflix to my Xbox and watch in on the PC and laptops but that is the extent of my streaming. I want to tap into what I see and hear about some people use so I can get rid of my cable service all together.

Streaming Hulu to their TV and computers throughout their house as well as netflix and other means of entertainment. What do you guys use and what is your set up like? PC connected to the TV? Mediabox? If you guys could point me to any links of tutorials it would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance.


P.S. I felt like OT was a good place for this since I was asking what people use and what services they use. If the Mods feel differently please move it. Thanks!

 

[waggy]

we cancelled satalite TV. we were paying $89 a month.

i got tired of that and went with just netflix and hulu online. it is working out great.

i use netflix on my PS3.

 

[Bignate603]

PC connected to a TV, I've got a panasonic plasma and it has a VGA input which works well with an old laptop I had laying around. I also have this to control it:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036E8V08

Cheaper than most blue tooth wireless keyboards but it still has enough range to reach from the couch to the TV.

 

[child of wonder]

I have a couple WDTV Live media boxes hooked up to my PCs. One is hardwired to my home network and the other uses a USB wireless NIC. Then I run Playon to stream Hulu, Netflix, and many, many other online streams to the WDTVs. Playon is pretty cheap and WDTV Lives can be had for around $50.

 

[S Freud]

Thanks everyone!

Hulu and Netflix seem like the way to go. Any input on how soon you see your shows there? My girlfriend loves watching Axemen and a few other shows but doesn't want to wait weeks for them to come out to either service. Do you guys find that the turn around time from live TV to Hulu it pretty quick?

 

[Vic Vega]

Another vote for Hulu/NetFlix.

My MCPC is small, fanless and looks like a cable box. Sits where the cable box used to. Connected to a 1080p plasma TV.

Forget cable/sat, it's just not worth it for me.

 

[olds]

Just got a dvd player that streams netflix and hulu. I signed up for the 1 month netflix and 3 month hulu trial. I canceled hulu after 3 days. I am not watching ads.

I am not sure how you'd watch sports or current tv shows with either.
But I do have a PC hooked up to my plasma tv and it has ways around that limitation.

 

[waggy]

Thanks everyone!

Hulu and Netflix seem like the way to go. Any input on how soon you see your shows there? My girlfriend loves watching Axemen and a few other shows but doesn't want to wait weeks for them to come out to either service. Do you guys find that the turn around time from live TV to Hulu it pretty quick?

my big complaint with netflix is it seems new releases take longer to get on then say redbox. Also they don't have enough movies or TV shows on streaming.

but i mainly have it for my kids. right now my 4 yr old discovered rugrats cartoons. good t hing they have like 5 seasons on streaming then i can start the dvd's heh. but there is always something on the two of them will watch.

 

[Bignate603]

my big complaint with netflix is it seems new releases take longer to get on then say redbox. Also they don't have enough movies or TV shows on streaming.

but i mainly have it for my kids. right now my 4 yr old discovered rugrats cartoons. good t hing they have like 5 seasons on streaming then i can start the dvd's heh. but there is always something on the two of them will watch.

People keep talking about netflix not having enough on streaming, but honestly the streaming only plan costs what? $9 a month? For what you get it's ridiculously cheap.

I don't care if it takes a week or two extra to get a new movie, it's a good service for what you pay.

 

[S Freud]

So I was looking at Hulu plus and after doing some searching I noticed some of the shows we watch aren't displaying new episodes. Worst Cooks In America being one of the shows that only has episodes from last season and nothing from this season. The debut episode was this past Sunday too.

Do you guys face any of these issues with the shows you watch?

 

[Bignate603]

So I was looking at Hulu plus and after doing some searching I noticed some of the shows we watch aren't displaying new episodes. Worst Cooks In America being one of the shows that only has episodes from last season and nothing from this season. The debut episode was this past Sunday too.

Do you guys face any of these issues with the shows you watch?

Some shows delay when they post new episodes, some used to be delayed by as much as a week.

 

[mmntech]

Just got a dvd player that streams netflix and hulu. I signed up for the 1 month netflix and 3 month hulu trial. I canceled hulu after 3 days. I am not watching ads.

I am not sure how you'd watch sports or current tv shows with either.
But I do have a PC hooked up to my plasma tv and it has ways around that limitation.

Simple. Mount an antenna. A high end setup will cost around $200. Most TVs have built in ATSC tuners today. That way you can watch network TV for free. Everything else online.

 

[bobdole369]

Wabbit ears gives you excellent HD stations, better than any content provider as currently they all compress the local stations.

Look into getting a TiVO. Sure it costs per month (like $12) but you get to put TV on your terms. TiVO supports Netflix and youtube and i know I hear Hulu support rumors too.

 

[S Freud]

Watching live sports and other live events was a problem I had thought about. But with sites like ESPN streaming most games and services from my phone I figured I could supplement that way.

Right now I am leaning towards hooking up my PC to my LCD in the living room and streaming netflix Hulu that way. Maybe in the near future replacing my launch Xbox 360 with a new model and putting the old one in the bedroom to stream netflix there also.

Thanks for all the replies everyone I am still interested in hearing about what everyone else uses.

 

[IGBT]

they are loosing subscribers like birds falling out of the air. People are finally realizing: It's only TV. It's not important.

 

[S Freud]

Any more advice on this topic? My cable/internet just went up this month and I am really tired of eating the $100 a month for both services.

 

[Shack70]

We are about to turn the TV part of or cable service off and go all internet. We already have Netflix and will most likely add Hulu. We use an X-Box 360 and a PS3 in different rooms to stream TV already. I have been looking at the Roku boxes as well.

If you have Comcast and your bill is too high you can call them and get a "deal" for a limit time. Right now I pay $60 for basic TV and Internet. Once that deal is over the TV part is gone. Tell them you are switching to Direct TV and the will offer you a deal.

 

[HAL9000]

Read a book? Just sayin'....

 

[Murloc]

I have an all inclusive service, everything goes through the dsl connection, the TV decoder and the phone are connected to the router.
I get all the normal free channels.

I would never pay for television (be it on-demand or premium channels), I can do just fine with the telefilms and movies they serve for free, otherwise there are other "means" to "get" the content.

 

[ivan2]

i have cable modem but no cable contract. i still get basic cable(for free with TV tuner) because they have to keep the line open for my cable modem.

 

[zerocool84]

If you don't watch sports then I guess you could ditch cable but no way could I ever ditch cable.

 

[Rifter]

If you don't watch sports then I guess you could ditch cable but no way could I ever ditch cable.

This, im literally keeping cable for the sole purpose of sports.

 

[boomhower]

This, im literally keeping cable for the sole purpose of sports.

Same here. When you have a family you just can't run out to a sports bar like people keep wanting to throw out.

 

[Rifter]

Same here. When you have a family you just can't run out to a sports bar like people keep wanting to throw out.

Not to mention even if you did hit the bar for the games your bar tab would exceed your cable bill

 

[gar3555]

Same here. When you have a family you just can't run out to a sports bar like people keep wanting to throw out.

I am also in this boat. I want to ditch cable, but I need my sports fix. I find the content on ESPN3.com to be pretty bad most of the time (quality-wise).

I know right now directv is running a special where you can get some money off in the second year of the contract, not just the first. I did some looking, and even in the second year, it is not more expensive than my cable right now.