How do I give up cable TV?

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DBissett

Senior member
Sep 29, 2000
240
1
81
I couldn't find a better section for this (perhaps we need one in the Consumer Electronics section) so here it is. For a complete novice in the area, would someone please explain what's required to replace the cable box on the TV, i.e. hardware, software, sources of content. If viewing includes major and cable networks, movies, and some sports channels, do you have to go to multiple sources/subscriptions to piece together cable replacements or what? Thanks.
 
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Genx87

Lifer
Apr 8, 2002
41,091
513
126
I dropped cable last Feb. In its place I use laptops connected to my TV's. I subscribe to a 16Mbps line from the cable company for 29.99 and use Netflix for most of my viewing needs. You could also watch episodes on the networks sites if you wanted.

The only thing I miss is college football.
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
7
81
Read a book?

Streaming is the real alternative (Hulu, Netflix, network sites), plus maybe a digital ATSC tuner and an external antenna for local stations.
 
bryanW1995

bryanW1995

Lifer
May 22, 2007
11,144
32
91
Genx87 said:
I dropped cable last Feb. In its place I use laptops connected to my TV's. I subscribe to a 16Mbps line from the cable company for 29.99 and use Netflix for most of my viewing needs. You could also watch episodes on the networks sites if you wanted.

The only thing I miss is college football.
Click to expand...

you can watch espn3.com, but the res is, um, terrible. I had to watch djokovitch-federer on it during the us open, the res was terrible even in windowed mode.
 
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Genx87

Lifer
Apr 8, 2002
41,091
513
126
I will check that out. I have watched games on espn360.com. But it is very limited. I just hit a friends house Saturdays and get my fix.
 
blastingcap

blastingcap

Diamond Member
Sep 16, 2010
6,654
5
76
DBissett said:
I couldn't find a better section for this (perhaps we need one in the Consumer Electronics section) so here it is. For a complete novice in the area, would someone please explain what's required to replace the cable box on the TV, i.e. hardware, software, sources of content. If viewing includes major and cable networks, movies, and some sports channels, do you have to go to multiple sources/subscriptions to piece together cable replacements or what? Thanks.
Click to expand...

I started to answer the question and then decided it was easier just to link to stuff. :)

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=26

That forum is by far the best place I've seen for advice on how to build an HTPC and comparing software and stuff. Good luck!

P.S. Live sports are the weak point of non-cable-TV. But movies, recording TV shows with TiVo-like software, watching TV shows on Hulu, etc. are easy.
 
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A

ArchAngel777

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2000
5,223
61
91
I have given up cable and switched to Netflix. Netflix is still in its infancy, but has improved 10 fold for streaming in the last year. I expect it to continue to get better and better.

Comcast on-demand just offers so very little. Where is the 'search' button? Why are some of the shows in the wrong categories? Why are the categories so stupidly labeled? Comcast is crap. They will never be able to compete until they figure out what people really want.
 
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imaheadcase

Diamond Member
May 9, 2005
3,850
7
76
I replaced my cable, for cable HSI for watching every TV show/movie online. Maybe not they legal way..but whatever works :D
 
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Daemas

Senior member
Feb 20, 2010
206
0
76
Destiny said:
Go to the gym for a few hours or play PC games instead of watching TV?
Click to expand...

winner winner

take up a hobby

working out, woodworking, clean your filthy cave, fix up your car on the cheap, shit, even get a girlfriend.
 
arredondo

arredondo

Senior member
Sep 17, 2004
841
37
91
Until I can get the NBA in HD over the internet (athd doesn't cut it), I'm stuck with cable.
 
Attic

Attic

Diamond Member
Jan 9, 2010
4,282
2
76
if you get the basic package, not basic premimum, I mean the lowest your cable provider offers you can get done for ~$15 a month.

A lot of HDTV's have built in tuners and you can run that cable line into the back of the TV and get HD network stations and sports on those stations. No need to pay ~$8/mo for a cable box and $0.67/mo for a remote.

Ditching cable all together is a great idea, but if you like live sports you can't cut the cord entirely yet from my experience.
 
arredondo

arredondo

Senior member
Sep 17, 2004
841
37
91
You can't get away with barebones cable for basketball, especially if you want HD. There are at least five stations involved to follow most of the action. For me to cut off cable I'd need:

Fox Sports HD (for home games)
Local station HD (for away games)
ABC HD (for major national games and the playoffs)
TNT HD (for interesting national games and the playoffs)
ESPN HD (for interesting national games and the playoffs)

I can't get all of those in HD without paying for a medium tier package. Believe me I've checked.


3DVagabond said:
Just go cold turkey. You'll hardly miss it.
Click to expand...

If I didn't wach basketball, I'd only watch the news. Nothing else interests me on TV. I have a life outside of TV by cutting out all of the scripted and reality stuff years ago.
 
Attic

Attic

Diamond Member
Jan 9, 2010
4,282
2
76
arredondo said:
You can't get away with barebones cable for basketball, especially if you want HD. There are at least five stations involved to follow most of the action. For me to cut off cable I'd need:

Fox Sports HD (for home games)
Local station HD (for away games)
ABC HD (for major national games and the playoffs)
TNT HD (for interesting national games and the playoffs)
ESPN HD (for interesting national games and the playoffs)

I can't get all of those in HD without paying for a medium tier package. Believe me I've checked.




If I didn't wach basketball, I'd only watch the news. Nothing else interests me on TV. I have a life outside of TV by cutting out all of the scripted and reality stuff years ago.
Click to expand...


True. I was peeved when I found i'd need to secure all those channels to see one of my teams on TV. ie) For my local sports team I would need all the stations you listed if I wanted to catch every game, which I do, but I decided to let it got and deal with <50&#37; game coverage. Collage football i've been pretty happy with though, solid coverage on abc and cbs for the big games.

I just can't stand to pay 70-80/mo for shitty Time Warner anymore
 
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manimal

manimal

Lifer
Mar 30, 2007
13,559
8
0
get the cheapest cable your local offers. Get a HD Homerun and use htpcs to time shift record with extenders in smaller rooms like xbox 360s.

I have uverse but still pay 15 bucks a month for bright house-time warner basic and use it on all the other tvs in the house...

I just couldnt justify 8 boxes at 10 bucks each more a month....we have a big house..
 
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