Could you live without TV?

[Imp]

How do you tell when somebody doesn't "watch TV?"

You don't, they'll inevitably tell YOU.

I've noticed that... a lot. Then they go on about all the stuff they watch on Netflix and their lifestyle.

I could go without, but I don't want to. I enjoy live stuff and stumbling across new shows or movies I'd have never thought of watching.

And I think the price is fair given the price of other shit I blow money on that provides fewer hours of entertainment per hour: video games, movie tickets/rentals, eating out, books, etc.

 

[KeithTalent]

How do you tell when somebody doesn't "watch TV?"

You don't, they'll inevitably tell YOU.

Haha, totally. Cord cutters are usually blowhards.

KT

 

[rh71]

can't really cut the cord as I still watch some programming randomly but I never tune in for an episode of my favorite shows anymore... torrents.

 

[Newell Steamer]

Yes and no.

If you mean NO TV as in no TV content whatsoever; no. I like Breaking Bad. Walking Dead. The Simpsons, etc. And, I do watch these entire series and runs all at once.

As for commerical TV (from cable, satellite, etc.); yes. And, I have done so for the past 5 years. Most of it is just bloated prolonged content that can be enjoyed in one weekend/sitting. Fuck that.

 

[iGas]

<--- no TV since 1991, and I don't bother to hook up TV to cable when free cable is included with the rent.

 

[eng2d2]

Maybe the people who has no tv have the internet filling their void.

 

[Imp]

Maybe the people who has no tv have the internet filling their void.

You're probably suggesting Netflix and torrenting, but it's probably also a shit ton of Facebook and the like too.

 

[Uppsala9496]

Thanks to this thread, as I mentioned earlier, I called comcast to inquire about dropping the price I pay each month.
First time they stood firm and said no.
Second time I called and they did offer about $50 off my current bill. Still said no and am now going with internet only for $65 + tax. That saves me $100 a month and I can still use the comcast id for the service at my lakehouse to log on to watch the olympics.

Now to figure out the best software to have my HTPC record OTA programming since my wife has a few shows she likes record.

 

[SMOGZINN]

Now to figure out the best software to have my HTPC record OTA programming since my wife has a few shows she likes record.

If it is in your area you could check out Aereo.com for the streaming TV and DVR options.
If the questionably legality does not bother you, you can check out sickbeard/sabnzbd+. Either will cost you $10-20 or so a month, much cheaper then cable.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Now to figure out the best software to have my HTPC record OTA programming since my wife has a few shows she likes record.

HDHomerun!

 

[Uppsala9496]

HDHomerun!

Thanks. Looking into this now.

Anyone have suggestions on the best way to get my Harmony One remote to work WMC?

 

[MrSquished]

This thread may be of interest to folks wanting tips on cutting the cable cord.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2365159&highlight=pixelsquish

My Redbox 3 is here. Amazon Prime is signed up for. My HD Antennae is in possession. I move to my new place Sunday. Monday Morning my 50/25 Optimum internet will be hooked up without any cable tv package. Tuesday I'll sign up for Hulu Plus with one free week. And that's gonna be it.

I think it's going to be fine. but will post in my thread how it goes.

 

[andylau09]

I've been in America for four years and I don't have a TV. That's no a big deal to me since I can watch most of my favorite shows online

 

[Arcadio]

Why do people think Netflix doesn't count as TV? If you watch Netflix, you are watching TV.

 

[MrSquished]

Why do people think Netflix doesn't count as TV? If you watch Netflix, you are watching TV.

hell yes it's still watching tv. even though i won't be paying for cable, when i watch tv shows via Roku 3, Hulu Plus & Amazon Prime, I'll still be watching tv.

just not paying for traditional cable delivery of tv.

 

[PricklyPete]

Yes.

 

[Tango]

No TV since 2002.

P.s. The reason why people who don't have television tend to say it very soon after you meet them is often because they soon do not get some pop culture/television show reference and immediately make people know they should not assume everybody understands these. At least that's why I disclose it.

 

[Mixolydian]

By no tv, I mean no tv content whatsoever - regardless of how you actually receive said content. So netflix and other online video services still count as TV.

Watching breaking bad on your computer is still watching tv content.

Could you live without any tv content?

 

[Chaotic42]

I could. I enjoy Netflix, however, because there really are some good television shows. It would be like living without reading books or listening to music. I could, but why do it?

 

[AViking]

No TV since 2002.

P.s. The reason why people who don't have television tend to say it very soon after you meet them is often because they soon do not get some pop culture/television show reference and immediately make people know they should not assume everybody understands these. At least that's why I disclose it.

Probably been easier over here since none of my friends watch TV but yeah in the states one of the first topics of conversation is generally about some TV show. Lots of interest in reality TV, True Blood, Game of Thrones, Nascar, and NFL among my friends at least. What am I supposed to say? I say I didn't watch most of it and that inevitably leads to the reason. Much better now though since my friends understand that I live overseas and am just home visiting.

Really though if one of the main things you have to talk about is your True Blood night and Survivor and 5 other shows you probably need to get a hobby besides sitting on the couch. Yeah Spartacus was awesome but how much conversation can that possibly stimulate? "Yeah I liked the boobs and blood!" End of discussion.

 

[AViking]

By no tv, I mean no tv content whatsoever - regardless of how you actually receive said content. So netflix and other online video services still count as TV.

Watching breaking bad on your computer is still watching tv content.

Could you live without any tv content?

None? When I travel I do without it so I have gone without it for as long as a year or so straight. However in a normal urban environment I'm going to download a show or whatnot when it's -10 outside and I have a flu at the very least. I generally watch 2 series a year so that's a good solid 20 hours worth of entertainment. Figure Game of thrones is about 10 hours and something like Spartacus was another 10 hours. Add another 10 hours in there for something else miscellaneous like "True Blood Night" when I'm home visiting friends.

 

[Howard]

How do you tell when somebody doesn't "watch TV?"

You don't, they'll inevitably tell YOU.

Well, how would you find out if any given person doesn't watch TV, if they don't tell you? Are you a psychic now?

I feel like a law-abiding black person, with all these stereotypes flying around.

 

[KlokWyze]

Yeah, we've done it before. TV is so utterly useless, but there's also something so comforting about having it on... lol

As far as actual shows that we enjoy to watch. Netflix & Hulu supply most of what we want, piratebay fills the rest.

 

[OverVolt]

By no tv, I mean no tv content whatsoever - regardless of how you actually receive said content. So netflix and other online video services still count as TV.

Watching breaking bad on your computer is still watching tv content.

Could you live without any tv content?

Yup. I'd be the happier for it. Now just need everyone else to cooperate and enjoy just hanging out, no not drunk hanging out.

 

[UberNeuman]

Wot's TV? Haven't watched it in a dogs age...