I do spend more and more time on Netflix and read online news to stay informed.  But I do still watch local news to keep myself connected to current events and what matters to my community.  Oh and I watch sporting events on TV, too.

Thanks for all your input.   

For now, we've picked up a Roku. 

We'll see how it goes once it gets here.

Quote from: il d00d on February 15, 2012, 10:28:28 PM
What I miss already is the DVR - there are some shows I just don't want to wait until the next day to watch on Hulu Plus, if they are there at all.  Anyone use an OTA DVR setup?  I am looking to avoid any Tivo products and their monthy charges.  Any recommendations on good, small antennas? 

If you have a spare computer and Windows 7, the Media Center add-on will suffice. There are good Linux alternatives if you like to roll your own.

I don't watch much TV and I refuse to pay for cable. Plus I'm a technerd, so it was a fun project for me.  I grabbed an antenna from this guy (ton's of great info there) http://www.dennysantennaservice.com. Antenna's in my attic to keep things simple and it gets pretty good reception. You'll need a TV tuner for the PC to pull in the antenna signals (add-on card, I grabbed one by Hauppage). They have relatively inexpensive USB options now, too.  The PC has HDMI that I run to the TV.

There are Netflix, Hulu, and other plug-ins for Media Center so you can access content from within Media Center. Or you can just pull up a web browser and play content like normal. I also rip my DVDs to the PC hard drive so I don't have to screw around with discs.

Quote from: DesmoDiva on July 03, 2012, 06:34:41 PM
Thanks for all your input.   

For now, we've picked up a Roku. 

We'll see how it goes once it gets here.

BTW--

the app to get all the US over the air network channels is USTV. It's one of the ones that you have to get the code, and then type it in on the PC, but it's free. I think all the channels are local to NY or LA...can't remember, but you get the programming just the same...just not local news to your area.

Also, the nowhereman app has a TON of content. And if you like soccer and/or cricket, download the ustream and justintv...someone is always rebroadcasting sports from their local TV  (quality varies, as does language!)

Received and set up our Roku.

So far not that impressed.  Everything that we want to watch we have to buy a subscription for.  How is that any different than paying for cable/Fios service?

Quote from: DesmoDiva on July 08, 2012, 04:54:44 AM
Received and set up our Roku.

So far not that impressed.  Everything that we want to watch we have to buy a subscription for.  How is that any different than paying for cable/Fios service?

When I got my Roku, I already had a subscription for Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. I haven't added any additional subscriptions, but those three together are far cheaper annually than my cable bill used to be.

Watched UFC on Saturday via Roku. Worked great, HD quality and only $45 directly from UFC instead of $55 from Verizon. Plus, could stream the weigh in, pre and post fight press conferences.

I haven't completely cut cord. I went from two HD boxes with Verizon and most movie channels, home phone, and 35/15 Internet at about $250 a month to a TiVo with a Verizon cable card, three rokus, a Netflix and Amazon Prime accounts, and 75/35? Internet at about $150.

I guess I am on about month six of cutting the cord.  I still don't miss cable, but I am having to resort to less than strictly copyright-friendly ways of keeping up with a couple of my shows.  On a completely unrelated note to HBO: I would very happily pay for HBO Go as a standalone service. 

I do miss Sunday morning PBS - I'd like to be able to record OTA, but I am unwilling to shell out more than a couple hundred dollars to do it.

My only regret is not getting a Roku - my WD live in the spare bedroom and my PS3 work fine for Netflix, Hulu and now (yay) Amazon, but Roku seems to have more development efforts behind it.  Also, I am having to update the PS3 just so I can get to Netflix every couple months or so.  Pisses me off.

Quote from: D3vi@nt on July 04, 2012, 09:08:21 AM
If you have a spare computer and Windows 7, the Media Center add-on will suffice. There are good Linux alternatives if you like to roll your own.
....

I thought about this before I canceled cable - this is a good option for some, but I want a minimum amount of fuss.  I didn't want to have to rip things, keep keyboard in my living room, have another PC to maintain, etc.  I run Ubuntu at home, but I don't want to have to drop to a command line to restart xwindows... so I can gelatinize my brain.  When I get a rare opportunity for mindless entertainment, I just want to mash buttons with my fist and have moving pictures appear.

Quote from: DesmoDiva on July 08, 2012, 04:54:44 AM
Everything that we want to watch we have to buy a subscription for.  How is that any different than paying for cable/Fios service?

Are you talking Netflix or movies (Vudu and the like?).  It was a big different in cost for me.  I am saving about 100/mo even with subscriptions to everything I can get on the PS3.  Something like $25/mo for Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon vs about $125 for basic cable, HD, box rental, and one premium channel...

You guys are still connected to cable with using there modem, no?   Unless your in asia where the get free wifi/t1 service to their huts...

Cutting the cord generally means canceling cable TV service. 

http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2012/02/your-guide-to-cutting-the-cord-to-cable-tv-updated-2012-edition052.html
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203550304577138841278154700.html

Quote from: il d00d on July 10, 2012, 09:40:05 PM
ut I am having to resort to less than strictly copyright-friendly ways of keeping up with a couple of my shows.  On a completely unrelated note to HBO: I would very happily pay for HBO Go as a standalone service. 

QFT and +1 

Bought Game of Thrones on Amazon on DVD when it was listed and got it the day it came, even though I had already watched all the episodes from Season 1...