Ditching cable TV.

[sourceninja]

My wife and I are playing with the idea of ditching cable tv. We only watch a few shows and all of them are available on the internet via legal means (itunes, hulu, fancast, amazon video on demand, etc). We realized that we pay around 80.00 a month for TV service. Our plan was to replace our tv service with something that can let us get our content from the internet.

We have two tv's (one downstairs and one in the bedroom) and both are 1080p, so having high def content is important. I've been playing with this idea for a few days and just wanted some feedback on how others may have done this. So far I've broken this idea down into a few possible configurations.

1) 2 appletv's. Jailbroken so I can stream my movie collection from upstairs (or I guess I could convert it all to itunes compatible formats) and buying season passes to shows we want to watch from itunes. Netflix possibly as a backup for 'background' content.

2) Buy another xbox360 (or 2 ps3's) and get netflix, hulu (it's coming to the 360), and streaming from my computer.

3) Roku box - It not only has hulu, amazon on demand, and netflix, but apparently can stream the UFC's live with a UFC channel. That would be nice as I sometimes don't feel like heading to the bar to watch the fights. Only downside is no streaming from my computer.

4) mac mini (or build my own variant). This let's me have full access to any content. Only problem is how to handle the second computer. I guess I could stream to a appletv or some other device. It's not really feasible to buy 2 mini's to accomplish this task. However with a dedicated mini I could host all my movies there and re-encode them to itunes compatible format. I could also throw a tuner card on there and record ova channels.

In any case, I'm looking for input from anyone who has done this or is thinking of doing it. If it helps our favorite shows are mostly on USA/Comedy central/over the air tv (nbc, cbs, etc) and the history channel.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

I just dropped cable. I use a laptop converted to an htpc that streams movies stored on my desktop in another room. I also made a homebuilt antenna to get OTA signals.

Prior to re purposing the laptop as an HTPC I had used my xbox360 to stream from the other PC but it was just too inconsistent.

 

[sourceninja]

i have a old core2duo macbook pro (with a nvidia 8600), but i'm worried about it overheating.

 

[puffywulf]

What I did with my setup is I bought a Lenovo IdeaCentre Q150 for around $299 from Amazon (Note: For all the HDMI cables and Digital audio cables I got from PI Manufacturing - http://www.pimfg.com, because it was cheaper). I then installed XBMC - http://www.xbmc.org on the computer. I also bought a a NAS (Synology DS210) to store and stream all my movies, tv shows, etc. to XBMC.

They have plugins in XBMC to install Netflix and Hulu, however, it kind of lags on the Lenovo, so I have a second system (PS3) to view content from Hulu and Netflix.

You could build a system, but that's costly so I recommend you get a faster Nettop PC to use for your setup. If you find one, you can stream movies on your hard drives, NAS, and view Hulu and Netflix also. Plus, since it is a desktop, you can purchase stuff on iTunes, Amazon, Vudu, etc. and use it as a personal computer for general surfing as well. My problem with the Apple TV and Roku is that it's limited to just videos and not all content and formats can be played on them. I know the Roku definitely cannot stream content from NAS' or hard drives. (Btw: for XBMC, you can control the interface with an iPhone - like a remote which is really cool).

 

[sourceninja]

I'm going to grab my old macbook pro and use it as a pilot for a week or two. See if I can pull this off. I'm going to install XBMC and see how that pairs with hulu and itunes. IF that can meet my needs I can save $80.00 a month.

Now I need to find a DVI to vga converter. My TV's only have HDMI and VGA inputs. Obviously if I decide this is worth it I'm going to buy a device that does HDMI.

 

[Shadowknight]

I'm going to grab my old macbook pro and use it as a pilot for a week or two. See if I can pull this off. I'm going to install XBMC and see how that pairs with hulu and itunes. IF that can meet my needs I can save $80.00 a month.

Now I need to find a DVI to vga converter. My TV's only have HDMI and VGA inputs. Obviously if I decide this is worth it I'm going to buy a device that does HDMI.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041903

 

[Emulex]

the key is to drop tier slowly so everyone can get use and roll in a win7 media center with a hdhomerun (gets free ota/qam). hulu sux; netflix rules. some free torrent options (legal!) help like UK nova. XBMC for sure on the win7 box. win7 box can record use hdhomerun ($54 for single now!).

so as you roll the tiers back to nothing you use more and more of your htpc and realize that you've been wasting money; then buy a new 60" to congratulate yourself on saving $70 a month

 

[Ghiddy]

I ditched cable almost a year ago and haven't missed it much. Only time I have missed it is when the new season of Real Time with Bill Maher started. I'm very happy with the amount of money I've saved, around $100 - $120 per month. For that price I can buy 3 or 4 seasons worth of shows on Blu-ray or DVD each month. I compared that against the number of shows I actually watched, maybe 4 total, and cutting the cable was a no brainer. I watched a lot of random movies on HBO and showtime too, but to be honest most of the time when I felt like watching a movie there wasn't anything that great anyways.

I use Netflix, both online and blu-ray + DVD disc rentals through the mail. I don't watch anything on hulu but my girlfriend sometimes does when she's over. When I'm out of more mainstream stuff to watch I'm pretty happy to explore obscure movies on Netflix streaming, but I don't think a lot of people are as willing as I am to use that as the primary form of entertainment. Their streaming selection is pretty limited.

The other big service I use is Amazon VOD, for things like Mad Men, Archer, 1-2 other shows, and also movies that sometimes aren't available on Netflix. I have to watch these on my laptop for now, but I just ordered a Displayport to HDMI cable so I can start watching Amazon VOD on the TV's big screen (PS3 doesn't have a way to watch Amazon VOD).

Some movies that stream on Netflix via the PS3 have crappy black levels and f'ed up contrast in very dark scenes. For this reason i've considered a Roku, as well as to be able to watch Hulu (for the gf), and Amazon VOD on the big screen. I'd probably watch more things if I had a Roku but I don't care enough to buy one. The main reason I considered one was my gf watches tons of random online shows on Hulu, and also on some other sites, and Amazon VOD, but she has to watch those on a laptop when she's over.

I have purchased movies on the Playstation Network (streamed), which is convenient about 3 times so far, when the gf didn't want to watch something on Netflix streaming. But it's pretty expensive and I hate navigating their menus. I probably would never use it if it weren't for her.

 

[sourceninja]

Well, we think we pulled it off. We picked up a mac mini at the apple store with our EDU discount. I got it home and set it up with hulu desktop and xbmc. So far everything is working great. I'm going to cancel my tv service today. Not sure how we are going to handle the upstairs TV yet, but we almost never use it anyway.

 

[thomsbrain]

I ditched cable. I have a PS3, Netflix, and torrent a few shows that aren't broadcast on any channel in the US anyway. I had a Roku but I gave it away for free. It can't do Netflix 1080p or DD5.1 like the PS3 can, so what's the use of it?

 

[Ghiddy]

thomsbrain, how is netflix on the PS3 compared to the roku? I almost got a roku because the image quality in dark scenes on Netflix-streaming/PS3 sucks. I don'tknow how to describe it in terms of video terminology, but it's got something to do with colors and/or brightness.

I searched online and several people with both devices found the issue on the PS3 but not on the Roku. My internet connection is 50Mbps/5Mbps so it's not the connection speed. I don't get the issue when I watch on my computers either (haven't tried hooking up any comp's to the TV to test it there, but the problem doesn't happen on blu-rays or when I had cable, so i know it's not the tv).

 

[bobdole369]

One of the keys for me to do this is that I already have a tivoHD. Hook that up to wabbit ears and we have most of the series that we actually watch. Everything else is attempted to be obtained legitimately. If totally unavailable - then we go to torrents. Have PyTIVO running that means I can drop in avi's, mpg's, mp4's, mkv's and it streams right to the Tivo in HD.

I don't think I could have made it happen were it not for the Tivo - thus I still pay monthly for it.

 

[tradersgroup]

1) ANTENNA Did this last fall and went with OTA (over the air) feeds from ~ 17 digital channels we like - others we screened out of our lineup on our HDTV Panasonic remote. For the OTA feeds we purchased a Terk "Omnidirectional" Antenna for ~ $100 at Best Buy -- based on our research specific for our home, location, needs, & wants. We have plenty of "yellow" channels available but also wanted some of the others - reason for this antenna. Didn't want the analog channels OTA. Determine available for your home at antennaweb.org. Each location different on availability & signal strength.
2) INTERNET CONNECTION -- Purchased the LinkSys (Cicsco) E3000 Wireless Router as it served both our "wireless" (computer) needs (different rooms) but also we wanted to hardwire via the RJ45 jacks on its back to my computer BUT ALSO TO our Panasonic Blu-Ray BD-65 (has a RJ45 jack). Didn't want that stupid $80 Blu-Ray "dongle" sticking out the front of the Blu-Ray player and research said -- connection would be better for streaming hardwired. Yes - it's carefully "under the carpet" out of foottraffic. Used this to stream via Netflix or whatever and it's a perfect, uninteruppted, FAST and great connection. NO pauses. No holds. No lost connections, etc. Favored by us over wireless, but wireless would work. Easy, affordable to use the Blu-Ray as we don't have the game consoles and it serves a good dual purpose for our needs as we still also get HD BluRay documentary discs in mail from Netflix as well as stream movies.
3) HARDWIRED the Blu Ray with a 50' CAT 6 Gigabit "shielded" patch cable with gold RJ45 jacks. Panasonic book called for "shielded" cable. Hard to find but found this length and the other combined features I wanted at Provantage online. Mfr was Tripp Lite cable.
4) INTERNET - we have performance Internet from Comcast -- only 12MB but with the Cisco Linksys E3000 AND our new Motorola SB6120, I'm amazed that the speed is actually rather consistently MUCH higher than we were getting before both of these were installed.
VERY PLEASED WITH ALL OUR CHOICES -- the Antenna (but you have to get one specific to your area - see antennaweb.org - the Router, the new DOC SIS 3.0 cable modem, the Tripp Lite Cat 6 50' cable (great signal) and our new performance internet speed. Of course, Netflix is great. We now can watch 17 OTA channels -- almost all broadcast in HD --- including all the major ones we want, but we find we spend most of our time watching movies, streamed from Netflix. DON'T MISS PAID CABLE AT $120 A MONTH AT ALL! We even have great FREE sports channels OTA for hubby.

 

[Sentrosi2121]

Been wanting to do this since the first of the year. I've run into roadblocks from my wife. Watching TV is really her one vice, and she loves watching Food Network and a host of other shows. She and I take care of a lot of things at home while watching out for our two children (6 and 2). But after we put the kids to bed, she wants access to her TV shows. I don't watch all that much tv on cable but I do DVR a few shows. If we could drop our phone and cable, that could save us $80/month. Even when I show her these figures, she still won't budge. She likes the simplicity of having a cable box with DVR service.

 

[soulcougher73]

I use an Antenna for our living room TV and it picks up about 20 stations in uncompressed HD (so technically better then anything youll get from a provider). For the downstairs theather room i have my PS3 wirelessly networked to my desktop in the office. It also has an antenna hooked up to the tuner card. I use Windows Media Center 7 as our DVR for the antenna channels.

Im slowly ripping my movies to my desktop to eventually turn into a total HTPC with Media Browser Plug in. We have a Wii hooked up to the TV in the living room for Netflix and obviously the PS3 downstairs has netflix as well.

For any obscure shows not OTA or on Netflix i use EZTV.net to torrent shows. That website seems to have everything. And since i have the home network i can just access the torrents on the PS3 if i dont want to sit at my desktop.

So all in all i play $19.95 for internet and $13 for Netflix a month. That is the extent and i have access to pretty much anything..albeit some not so legal with the torrenting now and then, but i dont care.

 

[sourceninja]

My next step is to hook a tv tuner card up to my mini and record OTA TV. This should get me better quality for the shows we watch the most (Like NCIS).

To handle the upstairs TV, our solution has been to get a ps3. The PS3 has hulu to handle the shows we watch there, netflix, and with ps3 media server I can stream my OTA tv that I've recorded.

We never watch liveTV due to work schedules, so this will be perfect.

 

[rdp6]

I'm going to grab my old macbook pro and use it as a pilot for a week or two. See if I can pull this off. I'm going to install XBMC and see how that pairs with hulu and itunes. IF that can meet my needs I can save $80.00 a month.

Now I need to find a DVI to vga converter. My TV's only have HDMI and VGA inputs. Obviously if I decide this is worth it I'm going to buy a device that does HDMI.

Use a DVI to HDMI adapter + hdmi cable from monoprice instead of a DVI to VGA adapter for the best results. Analog connection will require a very good cable for 1920x1080 at 60 hz; the cables I have at home are not sufficient even at 6'. The cheap hdmi adapter and cable from monoprice does the job flawlessly.

All that aside I think we are going to drop DirecTV this summer. Nearly $90/month is just too much. That translates to ~$1080 for iTunes rentals / purchases in a single year. That is insane.

edit: p.s. I use the PS3 for netflix but colors do seem strange. Also, Handbrake for DVDs to iTunes / Front Row with the apple $20 remote control or BT keyboard works great for me.

 

[LikeLinus]

Is there a way to bypass using a cable box from a cable company and take the coaxial into a card and use it that way? The reason why I ask is that I'm building a XBMC box this week and I'm also interested in the possibility of running everything through the HTPC. It could be used as a DVR type box as well as the media server. Is that possible? What software do you use to view the feed and do you have a guide?

Sorry for the noob questions, we've always had DTV and I've never messed with using a cable/tv tuner type card before and don't know much about it.

 

[fredd3]

I ditched cable. I have a PS3, Netflix, and torrent a few shows that aren't broadcast on any channel in the US anyway. I had a Roku but I gave it away for free. It can't do Netflix 1080p or DD5.1 like the PS3 can, so what's the use of it?

I ditched cable about 8 years ago when local stations from NYC and Philly started broadcasting in HD. The only thing I still miss sometimes is ESPN & MNF although we still get Giants, Jets, & Eagles when they play Monday night games. All for free off a 50 year old antenna no less.

Re. your sig., John Stuart Mill was a liberal in his day but would be considered a conservative by todays' "liberals". (and he'd probably be saying something similar about them d8o).

 

[Tifababy]

Is there a way to bypass using a cable box from a cable company and take the coaxial into a card and use it that way? The reason why I ask is that I'm building a XBMC box this week and I'm also interested in the possibility of running everything through the HTPC. It could be used as a DVR type box as well as the media server. Is that possible? What software do you use to view the feed and do you have a guide?

Sorry for the noob questions, we've always had DTV and I've never messed with using a cable/tv tuner type card before and don't know much about it.

You'll need a tuner card that has a cable card slot (unless you only want unencrypted qam and analog channels). Most cable companies will charge $2-3/cable card. But the only PC tuner that I know of that has a cable card slot is the ceton 4-tuner card and that runs around $400.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

Is there a way to bypass using a cable box from a cable company and take the coaxial into a card and use it that way? The reason why I ask is that I'm building a XBMC box this week and I'm also interested in the possibility of running everything through the HTPC. It could be used as a DVR type box as well as the media server. Is that possible? What software do you use to view the feed and do you have a guide?

Sorry for the noob questions, we've always had DTV and I've never messed with using a cable/tv tuner type card before and don't know much about it.

I do it using a Hauppage 2250 along with another PCI tuner card so I have 4 tuners total. Actually only 3 are for ClearQAM/analog and one is for OTA. Basic cable is provided as part of our homeowners association fee and has about 70+ channels that are unencrypted, including all of the locals in HD, though the majority are analogue signals.

I'm using Win7 Media Center along with the Netflix Plugin, MyMovies plugin, and a Hulu plugin. Using TMT5, which integrates nicely into 7MC, for BD playback. I have another system that I use as storage to stream movies.

Once Silicon Dust comes out with their SD Prime I'm going to pick one of those up and go the CableCard route over Verizon FIOS.

 

[LikeLinus]

I do it using a Hauppage 2250 along with another PCI tuner card so I have 4 tuners total. Actually only 3 are for ClearQAM/analog and one is for OTA. Basic cable is provided as part of our homeowners association fee and has about 70+ channels that are unencrypted, including all of the locals in HD, though the majority are analogue signals.

I'm using Win7 Media Center along with the Netflix Plugin, MyMovies plugin, and a Hulu plugin. Using TMT5, which integrates nicely into 7MC, for BD playback. I have another system that I use as storage to stream movies.

Once Silicon Dust comes out with their SD Prime I'm going to pick one of those up and go the CableCard route over Verizon FIOS.

But when you asy "unencrypted", I'm assuming that means basic Cable channels that are equal to OTA and not something like ESPN, HGTV, Food and others? Right? So I would be limited to just the basics of basics.

This is on Comcast by the way.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

But when you asy "unencrypted", I'm assuming that means basic Cable channels that are equal to OTA and not something like ESPN, HGTV, Food and others? Right? So I would be limited to just the basics of basics.

This is on Comcast by the way.

I get ESPN, ESPN 2, Food Network, HGTV, A&E, Bravo, and a host of others that are analogue broadcasts over cable and are unencrypted. Generally you can find out which unencrypted channels are available from your provider by going here:

http://www.silicondust.com/support/channels/

 

[LikeLinus]

I get ESPN, ESPN 2, Food Network, HGTV, A&E, Bravo, and a host of others that are analogue broadcasts over cable and are unencrypted. Generally you can find out which unencrypted channels are available from your provider by going here:

http://www.silicondust.com/support/channels/

Great website, thanks for the link.

That sucks though, we get almost nothing. Oxygen Channel? WGNHD? and a bunch of local and music channels. That's comcast for you though. They're worthless. Guess I will keep my Media Center as movies & music only.

 

[rockyjohn]

I am another that replaced cable with Netflix and am extremely happy with their service. I think it is only $8 per month for unlimited downloads of movies and TV shows in their library. It is quite a large library, although is still missing many things, particularly current tV. I chose to pay $18 per month to be able to also get 3 DVDs at a time - and you can cycle them very quicly and get the latest movies soon after they come out on DVD. I just watch it on my computer monitor and quality is great.

Comcast did lure me back with a 1 year offer of basic digital plus HBO for less than $10 per month. Not sure what I will do when the year runs out.