Archive

TV/Video Packages (Getting rid of Cable) - NSFW!!!

  • ernest_t_bass
    When my cable package runs out, I'm thinking of getting rid of it altogether, and just go with internet from a cheapest provider. From your experiences, what would be the route to go for TV/Movies? I already have Netflix, Amazon Prime streaming (haven't used it yet). Here is what I'm looking to do:

    Internet
    Netflix
    Hulu or Hulu+ (know nothing about this)
    Perhaps an Apple TV, so I can just stream directly from my laptop and iPad

    Any other options? I'm very hesitant about dropping cable b/c of the ability to just turn on the TV and surf until you find something. Is what I listed a good way to go? Is DVR capabilities even necessary with Hulu?

    (Disclaimer: This is srz bznz, so all thread shitting will be reported, in ETB fashion)
  • Commander of Awesome
    I'm also getting rid of cable, outside of Sports I don't watch TV. No reason to have cable, since I go to browns backers to watch them anyway, got an ESPN TV app, and NBA on my computer package.
  • Automatik
    I scrapped cable almost a year ago. I honestly don't miss it at all.

    Hulu
    Netflix
    Torrents
    VIPbox
    Frontrow sports

    I do occasionally miss SportsCenter, but I usually catch that at the gym.

    Get an adapter for HDMI out to your TV and you're set.
  • ernest_t_bass
    What does one do for live sports? I plan on downloading the Watch ESPN app. I'll probably have to get a digital box for local channels as well.
  • Automatik
    http://www.vipbox.tv/
    http://www.firstrowsports.eu/
  • ernest_t_bass
    Never heard of either. Cool. Do you stream on your laptop?
  • hoops23
    Yes

    You can also watch PPV events in UFC or boxing
  • OSH
    Yeah, no cable or dish for me either. Haven't had it for a year now. I had cable with my internet when I lived out west, it was $10 more...so it was worth it.

    Not now. Crappy deals here.

    I have Hulu+, the only thing I pay for viewing. I also downloaded Crackle to stream some movies -- it's free. I have yet to get into Netflix. Probably will eventually. I definitely FirstRowSports it all the time! I use WatchESPN whenever I am at school -- all universities have this capability, my ISP doesn't (screw you TWC...but not really, been good thus far). I don't watch television shows, but if you wanted to check out Channel 131, my buddy told me about it.

    I figure when I move again, it'll happen in the next 6-12 months, I'll invest in either a Boxee or Roku.
  • Ytowngirlinfla
    I do the same thing. No cable just OTA HD channels. Which oddly enough I pick up espn2 but not real well. I have a Vizio tv which I use netflix(free for a month) and hulu plus(just cancelled it). I use ESPN3 a lot and MLB tv I have subscribed to. I just read an article where Microsoft is using the Xbox 360 as the new media center. They are bringing in more apps in the near future.
  • I Wear Pants
    Pretty soon Hulu is going to require a cable subscription because Rupert Murdoch is evil so that's not really a great long haul plan.
  • Automatik
    ernest_t_bass;1192377 wrote:Never heard of either. Cool. Do you stream on your laptop?
    No I stream them directly to my optical nerve. It's crazy.


    Someone once mentioned streaming satellite TV to their computer to watch soccer games. It was a pay service, but I'm not sure on the cost or website. I believe it was that nutjob Rock?
  • OSH
    Ytowngirlinfla;1192972 wrote:I just read an article where Microsoft is using the Xbox 360 as the new media center. They are bringing in more apps in the near future.
    Yeah, that's the rumor...but some of those apps will do the same as this:
    I Wear Pants;1192975 wrote:Pretty soon Hulu is going to require a cable subscription because Rupert Murdoch is evil so that's not really a great long haul plan.
    We'll see when that happens, or if it really will happen. That's pretty lousy. I heard about that a month or two ago. I didn't see a date when it was going to take affect though.

    In a few months, we'll look at our viewing options again. I do think Roku or Boxee may be the way to go. I'll be able to stream the MLS Direct Kick through Roku, so that may be an option. If I need to order UFC fights, I can do that through my Xbox -- but watching them on FirstRow is excellent.
  • bases_loaded
    No CBS meant no Criminal Minds or Big Bang, so hulu wasn't an option.

    Have the hopper from DISH
  • OSH
    bases_loaded;1193044 wrote:No CBS meant no Criminal Minds or Big Bang, so hulu wasn't an option.

    Have the hopper from DISH
    Hulu has Criminal Minds now doesn't it? I thought it may on the online version only...I could be wrong though. Like I mentioned earlier, I don't watch much in terms of television shows.

    If I were to watch one...it would be Criminal Minds though!
  • thePITman
    My fiance's aunt & uncle do not have any TV service anymore. They simply use NetFlix and another online subscription where he can search for and download ANY movie, TV show episode, or entire season in HD. We visisted them last weekend, and I tested him with "Troll 2"... they had it, and he downloaded it. They have a dedicated computer tower with their HD TV as the "monitor" (and cordless keyboard & mouse on the couch). They have a piece of software on the computer that sorts and displays all downloaded videos very professional-looking, into Movies, TV Shows, etc. Very neat. Also, any TV in the house works as long as it's on the network (via a PS3, Wii, X-Box, or the like). Unlike TV services, where you only have so many TVs hooked up.
  • bases_loaded
    OSH;1193049 wrote:Hulu has Criminal Minds now doesn't it? I thought it may on the online version only...I could be wrong though. Like I mentioned earlier, I don't watch much in terms of television shows.

    If I were to watch one...it would be Criminal Minds though!

    Sorry I meant streaming through the roku or tv. I believe it's online only
  • dlazz
    I had an Apple TV and it was shit.

    I got a Boxee Box and it's awesome.
  • fan_from_texas
    We ditched cable a year ago and just rock the old school antenna. We then supplement with Netflix. It sucks for some sports (especially as I'm a fan of Northwestern/Rice), but whatever. It's worth saving $80/mo.
  • I Wear Pants
    OSH;1193036 wrote:Yeah, that's the rumor...but some of those apps will do the same as this:



    We'll see when that happens, or if it really will happen. That's pretty lousy. I heard about that a month or two ago. I didn't see a date when it was going to take affect though.

    In a few months, we'll look at our viewing options again. I do think Roku or Boxee may be the way to go. I'll be able to stream the MLS Direct Kick through Roku, so that may be an option. If I need to order UFC fights, I can do that through my Xbox -- but watching them on FirstRow is excellent.
    Not really a rumor, Microsoft announced a ton of new media partners at E3 this week. That includes things like Amazon Video, Crackle, and Vudu which is nice since MS has their Zune service on there already which I figured would keep them from adding other similar services.

    And it's finally getting a browser as well.
  • OSH
    I Wear Pants;1193104 wrote:Not really a rumor, Microsoft announced a ton of new media partners at E3 this week. That includes things like Amazon Video, Crackle, and Vudu which is nice since MS has their Zune service on there already which I figured would keep them from adding other similar services.

    And it's finally getting a browser as well.
    It's not a rumor...you are right, I just have my doubts in how much it'll be around with the 360 since the 720 is coming out -- and what will be new with it. Crackle is out already and I enjoy it, I wouldn't mind a few more newer movies. I think I've got Vudu as well.

    Not really thrilled about Internet Explorer being the browser...it sucks.
  • Scarlet_Buckeye
    ernest_t_bass;1192367 wrote:What does one do for live sports?
    THIS!

    I too would probably do away with cable and just go internet, but I could never survive without live sports!
  • I Wear Pants
    OSH;1193109 wrote:It's not a rumor...you are right, I just have my doubts in how much it'll be around with the 360 since the 720 is coming out -- and what will be new with it. Crackle is out already and I enjoy it, I wouldn't mind a few more newer movies. I think I've got Vudu as well.

    Not really thrilled about Internet Explorer being the browser...it sucks.
    Um, the 720 or whatever it'll be called isn't coming out. Not for at least two years.

    As for Internet Explorer, it sucks in the sense that it isn't as feature packed as Firefox or Chrome and doesn't have the extensions but for a browser you'll be using with a tv casually it should be perfectly fine especially if they're basing it off one of the newer versions of IE which is likely. The newer ones are not nearly as abysmal in standards compliance as the spawn of Satan that is/was IE6.
  • Con_Alma
    Disconnect TV every June - August.
  • I Wear Pants
    Con_Alma;1193153 wrote:Disconnect TV every June - August.
    This guy gets it. Though truly we should extend that even further.

    Barely related anecdote: One thing that always confused me was how many parents tell their kids to stop playing so many video games for various reasons and yet themselves watch like 20+ hours a week of television.
  • Scarlet_Buckeye
    Con_Alma;1193153 wrote:Disconnect TV every June - August.
    So what do you do then? Pay the $250 installation price or whatever it is each time?