Cutting the cable / anyone else do it? Could use some help.

[BIGMAN131307]

Ok I've decided it's time to cut Cable TV cord. But before I can I need some help to get prepared for that big change. I currently have cable on 3 tvs, one has a DVR digital cable box with the cable modem close by. The other two tvs are wired through my apartment hookups. Each has basic cable. One having a few extra channels because it is an HDTV.

To explain it easier here's how it looks:

Room1: Old tv connected to Digital DVR box & Cable modem (wireless router to send signal)

Room2: Old tv connected to apartment hookup (basic cable)

Room3: HDTV (2yrs old) connected to apartment hookup (basic cable w/ a few bonus channels) + laptop connected to add internet service.
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Here's my ideal plan dump TWC digital cable. Just keep cable internet. Get Netflix streaming & Hulu Plus. The over-the air (OTA DTV) is what I will use. I also need to get two new HDTVs.
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Does anyone here have experience (or know someone that does) in this kind of setup?
Do I need an antenna? Do I need one of those special Boxee or Roku?



If you can provide me some help on this great. We all need to lounge around sometimes.
But it's more comfortable with television.

 

[Nakamova]

Not a clue. Good luck though!

 

[C0urt]

yeah, i havent had cable in years, it is easy to get used to, i just use hulu and hunt for stuff online, there really isnt much point for paying for stuff. or really watching that much tv

 

[serendipity324]

we cut the cable cord here a month ago.
after some researching.....I canceled cable, kept just Internet, got the Roku boxes (you'll need them or something like it) we bought antennas and we set it all up. We did have to replace the tv in our bedroom it was old LCD..whatever, but not up to date enough for getting local digital channels with antennas. but we figured for the basement we only really needed to stream via the roku and don't need it for local channels the older tv's will work. we did purchase good old "rabbit ears" antennas. the reception is great on the tv in bedroom. Had to purchase a "better" one for living room tv. In the spring, we will put one back on the roof. the only problems have been when it's really windy, reception can be sketchy.
we have wireless Internet, modem/router. a Roku box for each tv. i believe the only thing the televisions are "tied" to now are the Roku boxes. no cable lines. wires.

so with Internet, Netflix, and Hulu..we are saving 120.00 a month and still enjoying tv.

 

[CBernieBlack]

I haven't had cable tv in quite some years. I think 2005 or 06. I use a Roku box that has Netflix and Amazon Prime. With Amazon prime you can get a TV pass and select the shows you want. When the show airs on tv, a couple hours later your queue is updated with the new show. Works out really well and avoids going the pirate route. =) Although I'm not above the pirate level thanks to HBO. =)

 

[BIGMAN131307]

we cut the cable cord here a month ago.
after some researching.....I canceled cable, kept just Internet, got the Roku boxes
(you'll need them or something like it) we bought antennas and we set it all up. We
did have to replace the tv in our bedroom it was old LCD..whatever, but not up to date
enough for getting local digital channels with antennas. but we figured for the basement
we only really needed to stream via the roku and don't need it for local channels the
older tv's will work. we did purchase good old "rabbit ears" antennas. the reception is
great on the tv in bedroom. Had to purchase a "better" one for living room tv. In the
spring, we will put one back on the roof. the only problems have been when it's really
windy, reception can be sketchy. we have wireless Internet, modem/router. a Roku box for
each tv. i believe the only thing the televisions are "tied" to now are the Roku boxes.
no cable lines. wires. so with Internet, Netflix, and Hulu..we are saving 120.00 a month
and still enjoying tv.

Here is how my current three tvs are currently setup:

tv#1: Connected to Digital Cable DVR Box & Cable Internet (main computer & wifi)
tv#2: Digital cable through apartment connection (70 channels)
tv#3: Digital cable through apartment connection (70 channels + extra HDTV channels / internet when connected to laptop wifi)

Here is how my three tvs are currently used:

#3 Is primary tv used daily & used occasionally for delayed internet broadcasts
#1 Is secondary tv used to record shows to watch later / useful for mulitple shows on at the same time
#2 Is spare tv used when primary tv is used, and secondary can't be used.


My current HDTV (tv#3) receives a few OTA channels by itself. So an antenna should improve that. The other "downside" to that HDTV it needs to plugged into my laptop to get internet service. I'm planning on replacing my other two tvs with HDTVs with built-in Wifi.

Each tv will need an antenna? What is a good brand to look at?
So do you "need" to have a Roku box for each tv?

I haven't had cable tv in quite some years. I think 2005 or 06. I use a Roku box that has Netflix and Amazon Prime. With Amazon prime you can get a TV pass and select the shows you want. When the show airs on tv, a couple hours later your queue is updated with the new show. Works out really well and avoids going the pirate route. =) Although I'm not above the pirate level thanks to HBO. =)

What is Amazon Prime? How much does it cost (monthly/annually)? Is it worth getting?
I'm not really thrilled about paying $$ per tv show episode. Many of my shows get aired
online a day after their original broadcast.

The bare minimum I was looking to try is: Cable Internet + Netflix Streaming + Hulu Plus.
Is there anything worth adding to that? If so is it free, or reasonably priced?

 

[serendipity324]

Here is how my current three tvs are currently setup:

tv#1: Connected to Digital Cable DVR Box & Cable Internet (main computer & wifi)
tv#2: Digital cable through apartment connection (70 channels)
tv#3: Digital cable through apartment connection (70 channels + extra HDTV channels / internet when connected to laptop wifi)

Here is how my three tvs are currently used:

#3 Is primary tv used daily & used occasionally for delayed internet broadcasts
#1 Is secondary tv used to record shows to watch later / useful for mulitple shows on at the same time
#2 Is spare tv used when primary tv is used, and secondary can't be used.


My current HDTV (tv#3) receives a few OTA channels by itself. So an antenna should improve that. The other "downside" to that HDTV it needs to plugged into my laptop to get internet service. I'm planning on replacing my other two tvs with HDTVs with built-in Wifi.

Each tv will need an antenna? What is a good brand to look at?
So do you "need" to have a Roku box for each tv?

For us, all 3 of our tv's were hooked up through the digital dvr/hd boxes provided by Comcast. I guess the service ran through the outside cable wires from the line out back into our home (my husband would know more). we had a cable box for each tv and their wireless wi-fi router/modem. i know we had to return all boxes and the modem to them and they pushed a button from their offices and turned off our service. in the meantime, we switched cable companies for our internet and phone service. they provided the router/modem and we were good to go. I'm sorry i dont understand needing the needing the laptop for internet connection. we pick up internet tv via the wi-fi and roku box. makes the tv's "smart" tv's.
i'm sorry i also cannot remember what all i said/told you about this in my original post...thanks to e. my memory and comprehension are crappy. i will go back to it when done this...to see if i need to write anymore.

If you want OTA digital channels, you will need antennas for each. we chose to skip it for the basemnt tv..since we dont need local channels on that one.

if you're going the Roku route, you will need one for each. Upon researching, i chose the cheapest (LT) in their line for the basement tv. their next one up for bedroom tv (XD) and then the next one for our main tv. (XD 2) they have their "best" one next, (XS) but all my research said its not really worth it..not really that much better than (XD2). How many Roku boxes you need, will depend on how you plan to use the tvs now.
I don't know if I said this before....there is no DVR option, and no pausing. that is what we miss most here...really was used to that service.
i hope this helps and wasnt confusing.

 

[serendipity324]

What is Amazon Prime? How much does it cost (monthly/annually)? Is it worth getting?
I'm not really thrilled about paying $$ per tv show episode. Many of my shows get aired
online a day after their original broadcast.

The bare minimum I was looking to try is: Cable Internet + Netflix Streaming + Hulu Plus.
Is there anything worth adding to that? If so is it free, or reasonably priced?

Amazon Prime is "special" privileges type account with them. You do pay 80.00 per year, breaks down to about 7.00 monthly, it does include shopping extras. There are free movies and television shows. There are shows and movies you can pay for if you chose to..like OnDemand.
Netflix Instant and HuluPlus both cost 8.00 monthly. I already had a previous subscription with Pandora so we get that too.
There are plenty of free channels to choose from. there are plenty free and some that cost a few dollars. There are channels you can rent movies too. Its hard to explain the other free channels...there are soo many. some that you may be interested in, some not. I love finding old television shows too...like every episode of I love Lucy.
here, i pay 75.00 month for my internet,phone, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon.

 

[BIGMAN131307]

I'm sorry i dont understand needing the needing the laptop for internet connection.

The HDTV I have doesn't have wifi built-in. It just has RGB (VGA) computer connection on the back. That's were I plug a cable coming from laptop in. The laptop has wifi built-in.

we pick up internet tv via the wi-fi and roku box. makes the tv's "smart" tv's.

What are some sources (websites) do you use for internet tv? I know about Netflix, Huluplus, crackle. Are there any other good sites? Free would be preferred, but priced like Netflix & Huluplus would also work.

Tell me more about the Roku Box. Are there any special programs, services or whatever needed to run it?

If you want OTA digital channels, you will need antennas for each.

What models should I take a look at?

If you're going the Roku route, you will need one (antenna) for each.

Which one has better features? Is there anything that works with a Roku like a DVR?
That's one major feature that I will miss most is the DVR. Although it was limited, and flakey at times.

Amazon Prime is "special" privileges type account with them. You do pay 80.00 per year, breaks down to about 7.00 monthly, it does include shopping extras. There are free movies and television shows. There are shows and movies you can pay for if you chose to..like OnDemand.

Is it worth the cost? What are the "shopping extras"? How is there OnDemand setup?
Do you pay $$ for a tv show per episode to watch/own it? Are the movies similar to OnDemand like the cable companies do? IE: $4 to rent/watch a movie for 24hours

What movies and television shows do you get for "free"?

Netflix Instant and HuluPlus both cost 8.00 monthly.

I'm planning on both of those.

There are plenty of free channels to choose from. there are plenty free and some that cost a few dollars. There are channels you can rent movies too. Its hard to explain the other free channels...there are soo many. some that you may be interested in, some not. I love finding old television shows too

I basically like classic tv shows also shown on: ME-TV, TVLAND, Antenna TV, ThisTV, RetroTV. Early days of tv to around 2000, after that it's a mixed bag.
Free channels that air that would perfect.

 

[serendipity324]

these will help you with explaining. the roku site explains everything.

http://www.roku.com/why-its-cool
http://www.roku.com/roku-products
www.roku.com.
http://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/5-reasons-why-roku-best-internet-tv-streaming-box-choice

Roku site will have all your roku answers...better than me. well other than telling you that we really love it.
I'm still not sure about your HDMI with RGB(VGA) connection working with Roku, but they have a great "chat now" option, that was very helpful to me.
I am sure though that if you want OTA channels, your tv needs to be digital ready.

as far as antennas...we bought RCA Basic Antenna ANT111 ones for 8.00.


there are options out there that offer DVR capabilities to the ROKU box....but they cost about 150. each, with monthly fees and can only DVR the OTA digital channels or cable subscription channels. i guess for those who do not have DVR cable boxes.
one is Simple.tv. the other is StreamWebTown. as much as i missed the DVR option, i really dont feel the need to buy into these options, it has been just fine without it.

Amazon Prime offers next day free shipping to its members on any "prime Ready" item. we shop often on Amazon, my kids even come to "visit" us..but really to have access to my Prime account. I like having it. As far as Amazon Prime for Roku or any streaming unit I guess...there are free tv shows and movies that are free to Prime Members. and yes, their OnDemand service is the same as cable companies.some as cheap as .99 and some are 2 days rentals. Vudu is a pay movie channel. you rent or buy the movie that is then yours digitally to own. i personally want the dvd in hand if im buying a movie.

Popflix is a classic tv channel thats not bad. PopcornFlix is movies. Vguide is also movies. Vanguard Independent. but again, there are so many other channels for so many needs. I believe Roku boasts 700 right now. I think by Spring, Time/Warner will be available through Roku.
I hope this helped somewhat. if i can help anymore i will try. But really check out roku.com. that is where I got all my answers.

 

[RobinN]

I have AppleTV and I love it.... however I am still connected to cable. Like you, I have difficulty cutting it off, but would love the savings. There is no cost to my AppleTV.

I can purchase TV shows through my AppleTV, movies can be rented or bought through iTunes,
I have never wanted to use NetFlix because I don't want another monthly fee.

I also love to view my photos on my HDTV

 

[DancesWithPugs1980]

I got rid of cable about 1.5 years ago and haven't missed it. We didn't really watch a whole lot of tv, and for "our shows" that are on premium channels... we just have tv nights at friend's houses since we all have similar tastes lol. That way we can still get our fill of Dexter, True Blood, Shameless, and American Horror Story Mostly though, we just watch Netflix.

 

[BIGMAN131307]

I've spent a few hours checking the websites of the main tv stations that we watch. Most of the "main" ones offer delayed online viewing of some of their shows. I have used this several times before.

A few stations show "some" of their shows online, or wait longer before they completely show. Unfortunately one station now requires you the login using password through your cable provider. That just %^& me off. First that station cancels a few good shows. Now they are making it harder for me to view a couple of my favorites.
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I'm checking out all the possible online sites (free & free/paid) for a nice variety of entertainment. Hopefully I can get this all done before the end of the year. That's
when I plan on making the big cut is feasibly possible.