Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

Give it up. Sometimes you miss it, but I haven't called them back yet.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

Same here. We get our locals in high definition (720p) using rabbit ears, then we watch DVDs of TV shows (Weeds, 24, Miami Vice, and some cooking shows) that I picked up off of eBay. We also rent one or two movies a week from Redbox ($1 each). Plus maybe one or two shows a month off of iTunes ($1.99 each).

I'm considering a standalone DVR, like the HDHomeRun mentioned above. Mr. Payroll, what do you think of that unit? How hard is it to, say, record a show off of antenna then watch it on your TV?

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

I was doing the $14 basic cable thru comcast... however I decided to upgrade to basic digital for $20 first yr, $30 after that. I also don't watch a ton of tv, but it'll be nice to have the sports, news and music channels when I want em, plus when friends come over.

Well, the HDHomeRun would not be a "standalone DVR". You have to hook it up to your computer, which serves as the harddrive and runs a 3rd party software (like SageTV)

http://www.silicondust.com/

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

Count me in as another who dropped cable (and in Canada it's crappier and more expensive). Unless you watch sports or other reality tv (HGTV, Food etc) you can get it at a much better deal elsewhere.

Funny thing is if my cable co. hadn't have dicked me around when trying to pear down my service I would still have something with them butt with HD OTA, iTunes, Hulu, TVonDVD and Zip (crappier CDN version of Netflix) it just doesn't matter.

I may see if whatever that new version of Dish Now/Ya sttill offers HBO ala cart since that was the only "good" channel in my package but if not/until then the DVD sets will do me fine.

Oh and the addict cravings subsize after about 30 days w/o cable so if anybody out there is planning to do it plan a busy month and then you'll be fine.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

While I would never cancel cable all together, yesterday we finally made the decision to get rid of every preminum movie channel. When we signed up, they gave us a "great" deal on the entire HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, etc movie channels, but honestly, aside from some HBO series I follow, we never watched the 40+ movie channels. I cut them off and some others and now I save $50 a month on my bill.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

Re: HBO series - if all the cable/sat co's allowed ala cart ordering just for HBO I suspect it'd become the most watched network even beating NBC, CBS etc...

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

I just canceled my cable.

When the guy on the phone asked me why, I said, "Because they won't let me watch the shows I want to watch. Every time I try to watch a show on, characters from other shows start running around the screen, covering up the show I'm trying to watch. Fortunately, this problem doesn't happen when I watch TV shows on DVD, so from now on, that's how I'm going to be watching TV."

Here's a great rant about this annoying trend. I especially love the two different Simpsons clips that are included. The narrator does use some foul language, so it's not safe for work. Embedding on this one is disabled, so here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mTOI0x3hzs

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

I almost did this when I moved a few months ago but I was only able to get 2.5 over the air channels in this small town and I have quite and addiction to History/Discovery/Comedy Central.

It is still an option for me someday though...

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

I was in Best Buy the other day, and the DirecTV dude came over and asked if I'd be interested in a promotion. I said "no, we had DirecTV awhile back but decided just to go with antenna only." He looked at me like I'd grown a second head. He said "Well, let me tell you about our deals." I said "No thanks, I'm good."

It's like he couldn't believe I was surviving. Honestly, outside of a few USA and FX shows I have to track down through other means, I really don't miss having cable/satellite in the slightest.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

I cancelled Direct TV when the football regular season ended (hope the online option is available next year, if not there are a few "establishments" enearby that have NFL ticket.

I added a TV tuner to a computer (our house came with an antenna in the roof, we get everything but ABC over the air). The computer has an HDMI out, I bought Hulu Plus and already have a Netflix subscription. Between all that, I really do not feel like I am missing much. With the money I am saving, I plan on buying the MLB online subscription this year.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

Same here. It's been almost three years.

AMC shows (The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad) are the only thing that I've had to 'dig' for. If I want to watch some Conan Obrien, he's just a few clicks away.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

My main problem with the online options like Hulu is that they aren't very good for interrupted viewing, meaning that if I have to leave for something in the middle of the show I can't just pause it like a DVR and easily come back to the same spot later. Things like skipping ahead and back are also a pain because of the way they structure the mandatory commercials. So far it's still too frustrating an experience to be anything more than a last resort backup plan if I somehow forget to record something.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

I'm pissed with Dish Network at the moment. I have the America's TOp 200 package and HD. A few days ago I notice that ll of my HD channels disappeared except for SyFy. They weren't blocked out. They were just plain gone. I called them up and they gave me some BS that some of their customers weren't receiving a proper signal and that's why they weren't getting HD. I told the guy that the only way that would make sense is if the channels still showed up on my guide but were blank when I tuned them in rather than be missing from the channel list altogether. He just told me to call back in a few hours if the problem persisted.

A few hours later I called back and a more helpful person simply walked me through rebooting my box and that did the trick. Or so I though... Sometime later I noticed that two of my HD channels were still missing. Those were HD Theater and HDnet Movies. I call back once more and a third person responds. This one first tries to BS me into believing that I never had those channels. I tell him that's not true as the reason I picked the package I have is because those channels were a part of it. Then he tries to convince thatwhat I was seeing was a 6 month preview. Again, BS since I've had Dish for almost a year so that preivew would have died out ages ago. Then he told me is that Dish Network had migrated me to a different package (without my consent no less) because I was no getting "free HD for life". I asked them how could that be since I joined before that promotion rolled along and I refused to pay the $100 and enroll for an extra 2 year commitment they asked of me back when I inquired about that "deal". They simply said they decided to give free HD for life to all their customers and that required migrating me to a new package (which in theory is still the same America's Top 200 but with channels missing :whofart: ). The only good news is that my bill was now going to be $10/month less.

So I inquire as to how to get those two missing channels back. He says I can upgrade to their Platinum Package which has those two channels and 18 other HD channels (none of which I recall since none sounded all that interesting). I decide, screw it, I'll just be paying what I was paying before anyway so I decide to go for it. Then all of a sudden he tells me I can't have that package because I live in Puerto Rico. Funny since he had accessed my account at the beginning of the call and this wasn't an issue when he made his sales pitch. He insists that the only way I can get HDnet Movies back is if I go for one of their Dish Latino packages (the 255 channel one). This is a no-go for me since the Dish Latino packages tend to dump most of the other channels I do watch and replace it with programming that either does not appeal to me in the slightest or I can get locally without the aid of a service provider.

So I'm thinking of checking out that Hulu Plus deal since it offers shows in HD and it's way cheaper than Dish. The only things I'll truly miss are BBCA and any show I might catch on CW (since they block access to the online versions in PR for whatever reason).

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

Hulu Plus only has select ABC, FOX and NBC shows in HD 720p. The shows that aren't produced by those networks aren't available in HD and have expiration dates and aren't available for streaming through the HDTV/Blu-Ray players. Also, Cable shows on USA, FX aren't in HD and have anywhere from 8 day to 1 month delays. I have Hulu Plus, but only use it as a last resort in case I am running low on DVR space.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

hulu also needs a way to favorite shows or subscribe to a show. its such a pain to just scroll through all the shows when i have no idea what i want to watch. i see things i would like to watch later but the i forget about them next time around. also a favorite networks list would be nice too. i hate scrolling through all the goofy ones just to get to the real ones. oh and a "hide all clips" options. they are pointless.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

You might want to consider the Channel Master CM-7000PAL Digital Video Recorder for ~ $350. This is the only exclusively OTA recorder I've seen. I was actually waiting for this to come to market but grew impatient and dedicated a PC to the task.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

unless i am missing something you are trying to do, you can absolutely subscribe to tv shows in Hulu. They show up in your queue

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

I think setting up an account with Hulu will fix both your problems.

If you are logged into your account, Hulu will remember where you left off of a show you were previously watching.

If you subscribe to a show, Hulu can send you an email when new episodes are available.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

I lived without cable for a few years when our budget was tight. It wasn't bad at all. I read a lot of books and joined Netflix. It's pretty great to watch a whole season of a show in a short time with their discs. I also don't have a cell phone. It's amazing what you don't really need.


I also want to add, there are some funny, entertaining shows on regular t.v.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

That is very odd because you can pause hulu. You can even turn it off and when you come back it will be where you left all. At least that how it works for me. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to pause a show, watch another show and come back to where I left off. Now that I think about that might be a function of my browser and not hulu.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

I am subscribed to a few shows like Naruto but for some reason I wasn't able to subscribe to Soul Eater. I thought they might have removed the function but maybe I need to try in a different web browser.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

Assuming it's the right Soul Eater.... I went to find it and just subscribed and, right now at least, confirmed it's there in my list of subscribed shows.

I'm using Chrome primarily, but verified the subscription shows in Firefox and Safari.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

Been talking about cancelling mine for about a year now, but finally cleared off my DVR and plan to call and go internet only when I get home tonight.

Most shows that I watch are available OTA or on the web, so I should have done this years ago.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

My DVR up and died a few months ago, which was the perfect impetus for me to finally quit my cable. Since I don't don't really watch sports or news, it's been easy peasy.

Funny thing was that when I did call to cancel, since I've been such a good customer for a long time having always paid my bills on time, it was like breaking up with a girlfriend. They kept begging me to stay with them and asking what they can do to keep me. I finally had to say "it's not you, it's me!" Seriously, I could've gotten so much free shit out of them, but it's nice to be finally free and clear.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

I found two informative discussions about available non-subscription DVRs

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...6#post17063966

http://forums.roku.com/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=37370

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

Anyone tried the $199 OTA HD DVR box? I'm trying to see if I can make the jump to cancel cable too.

http://www.amazon.com/brite-View-BV-...dp/B004XIB9UA/

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

I finally canceled cable myself and I am surprised by how much I don't miss it. Most of the stuff I was watching was pretty much just stuff to pass the time that I didn't care too much about.

I am concerned about the coming season of Breaking Bad though. I know I can't legally watch it free online, but do itunes and/or itunes make the episodes available for sale as they air? Or do I have to wait for the seasons to be released on DVD for them to sell the episodes like that?

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

Amazon will have it available for $1.99/2.99(HD) the day after they are shown. If you have a Roku box you can stream it to your tv.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

Really?

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

Great news. I get Amazon video on demand through my tv so I am good to go. Thanks.

I guess it was a stupid question? I just know that HBO and Showtime don't let you purchase their shows right away. I was worried Breaking Bad, for whatever reason, may be the same.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

*snip*

I snipped the other day. I realized that, since taking the kitchen tv out (which was primarily used for catching syndicated eps of the Simpsons, which I have on DVD, while making dinner), I haven't had the TV on for content in months. If it's on, it's either a DVD (see collection) or a video game. Granted, I only had broadcast cable, but still, that was 20 bucks a month for something I never used. I might even drop my broadband internet down, but their main offerings are one extreme or the other (allegedly 10Mbps, although I usually get 5, or 1.5 Mbps). So I cancelled cable tv. The guy didn't even try to convince me to stay.

The only thing I miss is 'event' type things - Simpsons THoH, Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown,the Christmas specials, etc. Granted some of those are available on DVD, but I recall the family gathering around watching the Grinch or A Christmas Story each year, and that was something special. Although I wonder if I miss the gathering, more than the thing being gathered about.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

Cancelled 4+ months ago and don't miss a thing. Every show I watched on cable streams for free at it's network web site.

Well, I slightly miss timely sports highlights, but I can find them all online within a few hours of the event usually.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

Cutting cable is not an option if you are a diehard sports fan. There is simply too much sports content that can't be legally seen any other way.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

MLB.TV, NBA on Demand, and ESPN360 helped ease the pain of not having sports.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

For me, it's the bar.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

Which is a huge reason why COnferences can get huge$$$$$$ for sports. Because besides the news..its one of those few things that people will try to watch live.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

Funny thing is, at least for me, it's one of the reasons why I canned cable since knowing that sports channels (which I channel blocked along with the church shit) got the biggest payout of any of the channels I actually watched pissed me off.

As far as live news BBC World News has a live video feed for free 24/7 with the Livestation app so that works for me.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

I've got the Magnavox one - PVR'ing anything I might want to watch and then adding on whatever cable series are worth getting on disc has basically been the same for me as when I was paying for cable.

Re: Well, I cancelled cable
 

I cancelled maybe 4 months ago and I miss it. I miss having all my HD channels. Netflix is the biggest disappointment in my recent life. It's all garbage and a few gems, which... i have already seen long ago.
My antennae doesn't get ABC.. and fox cuts out every once and a while.
Hulu plus is the only way to get my network shows on my TV-- (streaming in a browser is not really what I bought a TV for) and its interface is a nightmare, that is when it's not freezing my Roku and forcing me to hard reset the box. Oh and all the shows I really enjoy... don't stream to TV! So there I am sitting at the dining room table on my laptop watching TV. Lame.
I hate torrents, the crap that comes with them, and the PITA it is to find a good copy.
The end result: I just watch less TV now.
I miss DVR. I think streaming TV is all hype and is headed in a direction what will have people running back to cable. I find it funny how Hulu is turning into a worse solution than cable... prices are sure to rise and soon they will be forcing people to watch just as many uinskippable commercials and take stupid surveys, or wade through 1000 unheard of shows just to find one network show, which happens to not stream on this particular device. Sorry, I don't see how this is any better than just typing 13 on my cable remote and watching my shows.
I'm turned off by the whole streaming as a substitute thing. It's not. It's a pale alternative.