Most liked posts in thread: Cutting the Cable TV Cord - I have Questions

  1. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    I called the company as said that their competition in the area is offering the same internet speeds for $20 less a month. They had someone from the retention department call me back. We talked for about 15-20 min. My bill has dropped significantly, from ~150 mo for 50/5 internet and 108 channels, HD and DVR to ~106 mo for same internet speeds and now 350 channels plus the HD and DVR. Those figures include the fee's and taxes. I use WoW and most of my neighbors have Time Warner. So even though the cable internet is a "shared service" in the neighborhood since so few of my neighbors are using the same company I'll not see that evening speed drop that they see.

    Now if only I could get faster upload speeds.

    The most frustrating part is AT&T ran fiber in the neighborhood last year. I can almost reach out and touch the lines from the house. Yet the best speed they offer is 18/3. I do miss the 30/30 FiOS I had in Dallas.

    Sure do wish that Google Fiber came in and offered 1GB like they do in Kansas City, Austin and Provo. Not that I'm not already beholden to the Google for so much already, yikes.
     
  2. minirab

    minirab Well-Known Member

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    I'm not worthy, I feel so low tech!!!!
     
  3. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

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    Too bad you don't have AERO in your zip....so close to Boston (one of the rollout/rest markets)...
    One tip though...
    Watching broadcast TV hdtv on an anteana is actually BETTER than cable...no compression...
    One more tip...
    The BEST HDTV I have is an old analog RadioShack one..cost about $15...it has a pair of bowties in front of a wire mesh...gets signals from 45-50 miles away fine...about the size of a hardcoverbook...the 50-100$ trecks, etc are all marketing...making an anteana "look" cool is not important...and usually gives up functionally....
    Look up antenna web.org (not sure of the exact address)... They will give you a list of stations you can receive based on WHICH SIZE ANTENNA you use and where you point it...good info.
    Nothing bests live sports UNCOMPRESSED ON BROADCAST HDTV when available...
     
  4. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

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    Just read your last post Nathan...good to hear you figured out a good way to make it work and save some $$.
    We use Comcast here...its ok....
    We have dead, half installed FiOS from verizion, hanging on the pole next to the house....verizion sold all NH service ( land line etc)and stopped installs a few yeas ago citing dying " landline service" and the need to get cash to continue FiOS expansion in other states...
     
  5. Zapski

    Zapski Well-Known Member

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    #19 Zapski, Dec 1, 2013
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2013
    Nathan - I've been cable TV free for years now. Here's what I do: I've got an old Mac Mini (mine's pre mid 2010 when they changed the form factor) hooked into the TV, Hulu Plus and Netflix. That's it.

    The Mini plays DVDs for me, and anything else I want as well, and by not using an Apple TV or similar box, I get to watch those programs that Hulu won't let you view outside a web-browser on a full blown computer (for example The Simpsons).

    Googling "Watch _______ online free" gets me a lot of other content, streaming, not downloaded so I don't worry about piracy. And being on a Mac, NO VIRUSES! (sorry PC folks, it's still true.)

    I do however install Glimmer Blocker and AdBlock to cut down on the more obnoxious ads that show up on the "Watch _______ online free" sites.

    For everything else, I use a plain old antenna.

    Plus, since I know you are familiar with how to get Top Gear episodes, you can watch any format on the Mini with VLC.

    As for BluRay, a used Play Station 3 is a good option, and allows you to play Gran Turismo as well.

    I've been doing this since 2007.

    My recommendation would be to get a Mid 2010 model used, not the server version. The Mid 2010 still has a DVD drive, that was removed on later models. If you don't have too many DVDs, though, any of the post 2010 models would be best - they all have HDMI ports.

    Oh, and I speak as an IT pro, specializing in Macs.
     
  6. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    Cut the cord today. Keeping the internet for obvious reasons.

    Don't plan on replacing broadcast TV. For me, I'd sit there late and night and graze while pretty lights flickered images of stuff in front of my face.
     
  7. Zapski

    Zapski Well-Known Member

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    Cool Beans!

    Since I wrote the above post, I did get an Apple TV, and I gotta say I love it. It makes accessing some sites much better, and Hulu has gotten rid of the stupid "this content only available on mobile" restrictions. I still have the Mac hooked up too, but it's used less frequently now.

    I also got a nice powered antenna for the OTA stuff, and there's a lot in the area.

    Still haven't missed Cable at all for the last 7 years.
     
  8. vetsvette

    vetsvette MINI Alliance Ambassador

    Nov 9, 2013
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    #22 vetsvette, Sep 30, 2014
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2014
    Cable has never been an option for me. The road I live on isn't anywhere near cable access. I have Dish satellite TV and am happy with the quality and service (except during heavy rain). I envy you guys streaming live over the net. The only way I can get relatively fast internet service is via satellite (Exede) and my allowance is 10g per month. Anything over that limit drops quickly toward the dialup realm. I do have free unlimited data between midnight and 5AM so that's when I download videos or do large software updates. I have an old Mac Mini hooked up to my 50" plasma that I watch some movies on (again, after midnight) using Amazon Prime. Even with my satellite, compared to some of y'all, I feel like I'm using carrier pigeons (12/3 on a very good day). But, I can only type with two fingers so I guess it can keep up with me without too much trouble for most things.
    Still would not trade my quiet country road for the city though.
     
  9. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Verizon FiOS just completed a new upgrade and for a current customers they now match upload and download speeds for free. I now have 150/ 150 for free a.k.a. "same price".
     
  10. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    I wish I had FiOS. Around here I have a choice of AT&T, Time Warner and WOW. None offer more than a 50/5 internet connection.
     
  11. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

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    I gave up cable/satellite a few years ago. Eighty-something a month for hundreds of channels I don't watch was pure nonsense, to me.

    I still have cable-internet, because I need it for business.

    I have an AppleTV unit on my home-theater system, and I rent movies, and buy seasons of the few TV shows that I watch on iTunes. I only pay for the shows I watch -- and no commercials!

    I added Hulu-Plus last month, but probably won't keep it. I'm not getting much out of it.

    CD
     
  12. eMINIparts

    eMINIparts Well-Known Member
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    Break the addiction to TV.....I wish I could...:crazy:
     
  13. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Hope the Wifi never goes down...but if it ever does see below. :ihih:
     

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  14. GokartPilot

    GokartPilot Well-Known Member

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    I have contemplated cutting the cord on a few occasions and I am about gnat’s butt from doing it. I am just getting tired of paying for a lot of fluff I don’t watch. I live in an area where TWC has cornered the market, only service I can change providers with is TV by way of satellite, the internet and phone still has to go through TWC. I am not a huge sports fan but I do like to watch football, both types and I can see all I want with something other than cable from what I have been reading. I just need to get the wife to agree. :fingerscrossed:

    As far as F1 goes... Sports Mobile | NBC Sports
     
  15. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    I'm now resigned to the fact that I've just got to get better at gaming the system and bouncing back and forth between cable and satellite every 2 years.

    Loving our transition from TWC to DirectTV right now. Saves a ton of money in year one. In year two... not so much.
     
  16. Zapski

    Zapski Well-Known Member

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    My main reason was because it's an obsolete model of business. And money savings, but really even with cable, I was using streaming services or DVDs more than watching whatever was on.

    Appointment based television is soooooo last century (except sporting events).

    I figure it's the 21st Century, and while I can't get a jet pack, or a flying car, or live on the Moon (which by now should be hurtling through space with the inhabitants of Moon Base Alpha) I darn well am going to enjoy what I can of it. Which pretty much amounts to nifty phones and on-demand streaming of HD TV.
     
  17. Apok

    Apok New Member

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    Me and my lovely 2010 MAcBook are a huge fan of The Pirate bay. I'm just sayin....
     
  18. old81

    old81 Club Coordinator
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    Nathan, what antenna did you get from your wish list, need for a future conversion, if I drop Comcast Cable. I get 50 mg. download, so I might stay with their Blast Internet.

    Thanks, Don
     
  19. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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  20. ejwjcw

    ejwjcw Active Member
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    Do you still use cable for Internet.