16 replies to this topic

[McNulty]

I cut the cord when I moved to NY in April.  I've barely noticed its gone.

 

I have a few things working in my favor, being out of market for the O's, and being able to use my parents FIOS log on for just about everything (Watch ESPN, HBO Go, etc).  Even Mad Men or some dumb show I watch is almost always available on iTunes for very cheap (Pirate Bay aside, wink wink).  The Daily Show is free.  I've even been able to watch the NBA Finals from my OTA antenna (or Watch ESPN), and the Stanley Cup playoffs (NBS Sports has an app for the iPad).

 

Anyway, I guess I'm just wondering why people are still paying $100 (or more) for cable.  I pay 60 after taxes for the internet and I was able to stream 3 live events last week with no problems, and that's it.  

[You Play to Win the Game]

I have DirecTV, and it sucks having to pay like $120/month. But living in market, I can't watch the O's without having some kind of package anyway, and DirecTV gives me the Sunday Ticket for free, which I eat up.

 

Ironically, most of my TV show's I watch, I end up getting through PB, even though they are in my line-up.

[BSLMikeLowe]

I've had DirecTV since 1996, when I was living in Texas. I got it so that I could follow the O's and Ravens (although I ended up missing all of the Ravens inaugural season because I deployed to Bosnia). Back then it was cheaper (though you had to buy the hardware back then) and had a ton more channels than cable, since most cable systems were still analog. And their customer service was usually a pleasure to deal with. And I loved Sunday Ticket so much I kept on subscribing to it when I was  back in Baltimore from 1998-2006

 

I can't say exactly when, I'm sure it was gradual, but eventually they became just like any other cable company....overpriced and often sub-par customer service. But I keep it because being in Portland now I don't want to be without ST, even though last season a lot of the Ravens Sunday afternoon games were carried locally here....and if they are doing well I imagine the same will hold true this season, plus the nationally televised games. I'm sure I could save money by going to a bar the weeks they aren't on out here, even though I talk DTV down on the price of Sunday Ticket by about 25% or so every year....but I just prefer the convenience of being able to stay home.

 

If I ever do get fed up enough to ditch DirecTV, I won't be replacing them with anything else. I get more and more tempted to be a cable-cutter. In the other cable thread we were listing the only channels that we watch regularly. For me, the only ones I can honestly say I'd miss are the three ESPNs, NFL Network, TBS/TNT, and the Big Ten Network (once the Terps join in 2014). Everything else I can get online or just wouldn't miss.

[DJ MC]

I have Comcast.

 

I hate Comcast.

[You Play to Win the Game]

I have Comcast.

 

I hate Comcast.

 

I know that game.

[BobPhelan]

I have Directv for cheap for another couple months and then it bumps up a little for another year. After that I'll probably seriously consider cutting bait.

[SammyBirdland]

I'm a cord-cutter.   I have a cable internet connection and it comes with all the local channels in high def for free via Clear-QAM.

 

I use XBMC to get other regular television programming from sources like Hulu, etc.   I also pay for MLB.tv.   PM if you want details on how I do it in-market.

[glenn__davis]

Cord cutter here.  The only thing I miss is being able to watch the O's, but honestly I'm just fine listening to Joe and Fred while working on projects around the house.

[KRL224]

I have been in a new place for just over two months now and have yet to call and schedule an install. Not sure at this point whether it will be Comcast or Dtv, but the longer I wait the more likely the answer becomes neither. Surprising how much I have enjoyed not having anything at all.

[BobPhelan]

I have been in a new place for just over two months now and have yet to call and schedule an install. Not sure at this point whether it will be Comcast or Dtv, but the longer I wait the more likely the answer becomes neither. Surprising how much I have enjoyed not having anything at all.

If you want a 100 dollar rebate from directv let me know, I'll give you a referral code.

[You Play to Win the Game]

I'm a cord-cutter.   I have a cable internet connection and it comes with all the local channels in high def for free via Clear-QAM.

 

I use XBMC to get other regular television programming from sources like Hulu, etc.   I also pay for MLB.tv.   PM if you want details on how I do it in-market.

 

I'm going to take you up on this. I'm quasi-tech savvy, but not enough. I've never been able to crack the code to watch games in-market. I'll hit you up soon, later tonight probably.

[McNulty]

I'm a cord-cutter. I have a cable internet connection and it comes with all the local channels in high def for free via Clear-QAM.

I use XBMC to get other regular television programming from sources like Hulu, etc. I also pay for MLB.tv. PM if you want details on how I do it in-market.

Your inbox is full, but if I'm messaging you, I'm sure you know why.

[DJ MC]

I'm a cord-cutter.   I have a cable internet connection and it comes with all the local channels in high def for free via Clear-QAM.

 

I use XBMC to get other regular television programming from sources like Hulu, etc.   I also pay for MLB.tv.   PM if you want details on how I do it in-market.

Do you have a dedicated computer for this?

[Oriole85]

I have DirecTV, and it sucks having to pay like $120/month. But living in market, I can't watch the O's without having some kind of package anyway, and DirecTV gives me the Sunday Ticket for free, which I eat up.

 

Ironically, most of my TV show's I watch, I end up getting through PB, even though they are in my line-up.

 

I'm spending a little less than $90 (I was paying ~$70 until recently) between Internet/cable on Comcast (I actually really like my rep and she's helped me reduce my packages several times). Just the O's alone are well worth my investment. I have no interest in MLB.TV, if I lived out of market I'd get it -- I look at the Nats games as bonus. I add a minimum sports package so I can get RedZone during the NFL season.

 

I've wanted to increase my TV options but I'm trying to spend my $ wisely.

[SammyBirdland]

Do you have a dedicated computer for this?

 

Yes, I have one computer set up per TV (two).   I bought a little tiny PC from Craigslist to start out with. It's very quiet and runs well.  You don't need a beefy machine.  After I decided I was sticking with it, I bought one of these Foxconn computers for my main tv downstairs.

 

I just cleared out my PM box.  Sending details to Ricker and McNulty awhile.

[DJ MC]

Yes, I have one computer set up per TV (two).   I bought a little tiny PC from Craigslist to start out with. It's very quiet and runs well.  You don't need a beefy machine.  After I decided I was sticking with it, I bought one of these Foxconn computers for my main tv downstairs.

 

I just cleared out my PM box.  Sending details to Ricker and McNulty awhile.

Would you recommend buying a specific "HTPC" or just looking for whatever's cheap enough to do what is needed? I've looked into this a bit so I can also have a working DVR without going through Comcast or Tivo.

[SammyBirdland]

Would you recommend buying a specific "HTPC" or just looking for whatever's cheap enough to do what is needed? I've looked into this a bit so I can also have a working DVR without going through Comcast or Tivo.

 

The biggest concern for me is noise.  I don't want any fan noise while I'm watching TV.    A laptop would probably be good.  Again, you don't need anything extremely beefy or capable (which was shocking for me).

 

Here's what I ended up buying:

 

http://www.amazon.co...0?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I got it as "like new" from a seller on Amazon for around $100.  It's about the size of a Nintendo Wii, only half as thick.

 

Another thing -- you don't want to use wireless.  HD video doesn't do well over a wireless network connection, even N.   Use an ethernet cable if possible.