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Now Cable-Free

So Long, Cox

By Daiwa on May 13, 2012 1:39:42 AM from JoeUser Forums JoeUser Forums

Daiwa

Join Date 07/2001
+191

After months (OK, years) of fuming at my cable bill, asking myself why I'm paying $92 a month for cable TV (with NO premium channels) when I hardly watch anything but the Science Channel & NatGeo anymore, I finally broke out of my inertia & pulled the plug.

Fortunately, digital antennas have improved to the point that OTA HD channel reception is as good as cable or dish, at least here.  

We have 4 TV's in the house (2 of which were old CRT behemoths until earlier this year).  I now have 3 of them on $30 RCA flat-box antennas and one on a $13 RCA rabbit ear version, all with great reception.  I bought 2 Apple TV's and a Netflix subscription.

Old = $1100 a year (it's always frosted me they charge monthly rent for the remotes, FCOL).

New = $350 one time cost & $8 a month, $96 a year.

I think I like New.  I'll add stuff a la carte for sports & series I really want to watch (like Hell on Wheels) & I'll be able to watch them on my schedule - don't even need a DVR.

Now to figure out what else to do with all that money I'm saving.  After I finish kicking myself for not doing this long ago.

53 Replies
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Reply #26
LizMarr
Join Date 05/2006
+46
May 18, 2012 5:08:09 PM from WinCustomize Forums WinCustomize Forums

OK, how do you get your internet?  With us, the choices are cable or DSL. DSL runs at about 10 and cable runs 20 (although we pay for 35) The phone line hasn't been used in years and two many storms has made it so that we would have to replace it ($$$) if we wanted to use it. What happened to service to the house? When I test drove DSl a few years back, they kept taking my pair and giving it to someone else and then telling me it was my problem. "No mam, this is not the symptom that I need to reconfigure the modem."  Cable is right out the next day, although I haven't called them to complain about the net speed. I could show them the SpeedTest.NET record. Double digit years ago I had satellite - the type that is two way. It was just faster than the modem where I lived - about 20 miles past any type of internet.

Anyway, how do you get your internet and how fast is it?

My housemate has DirecTV for TV because they carry NBA channel. She is worse fan than any man I've seen and spends hours a day typing on the Laker USENET on the computer. She is a Blazers fan, but says the Lakers channel has much more interesting activity.

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Reply #27
DaveBax
Join Date 10/2007
+364
May 18, 2012 5:40:52 PM from WinCustomize Forums WinCustomize Forums

I must be really lucky. I have Verizon. They supply my Internet, Phone and TV. My internet speed is 35/35 mbps and actually it runs at higher speeds as the 35/35 is the lowest it will go. My phone has all the goodies like caller ID, voice, etc. The TV has more HD channels then I can watch with Starz, Sports package, Max, Encore, and all the standard channels. The great part is I have never lost service. It may sound like a lot of money to some but it's only $130/Mo. Also it includes a HD/DVR box and an additional HD box for the second TV. I have two major compaines in my area of NJ and they are always trying to out do one another which works out for the customers. This isn't a plug or anything like that as Comcast also has a good package but the one I have is just a bit better for the price. I for one couldn't go back to watch anything if it wasn't in HD and especially the sports.

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Reply #28
Daiwa
Join Date 07/2001
+191
May 18, 2012 6:04:51 PM from JoeUser Forums JoeUser Forums

I still have cable internet & phone, just dropped TV from the bundle.  At the moment, the cost for cable internet is about the same as going Verizon 4G here, the only difference being the upfront cost of the 4G device.  A mobile hotspot is worth considering in some cases, though, since it is 'mobile' where cable is not.

And (here, anyway) the OTA channels are beautiful HD quality, as is everything you get through Apple TV.

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Reply #29
ElanaAhova
Join Date 09/2008
+57
May 18, 2012 6:30:09 PM from Elemental Forums Elemental Forums
I ditched land line phone and cable 4 or 5 years ago. I use an inexpensive cell. No cable, watch most of what I wish on Hulu (not plus), occasionally crackle (dot com), and the major broadcast web sites. Only show I can't get is Dr. Who (sad). Its a lot less than cable, etc. Put the big fat dinosaurs out of their misery.
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Reply #30
Old Crab
Join Date 03/2001
+20
May 18, 2012 7:09:14 PM from WinCustomize Forums WinCustomize Forums

What's TV? Gave Satellite the boot 2 years ago. My Heebie-Jeebies lasted about 2 weeks until I realized there is so much more than watching a box filled with cololred pixles dancing around. I've even limited my Computer time to 2 and a half hours a day or less. (Horrors!)

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Reply #31
ice27828
Join Date 12/2008
+33
May 20, 2012 12:01:30 AM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums

Practically these days with unlimited internet you can pretty much all the shows you ever need to watch. The only reason I ever watch TV is that you can't get CNN streaming online, nor live sporting events, well maybe hockey, but not MLB

There is always just buying the shows you watch on iTunes, or be like every teenager out there, torrent/download.

 

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Reply #32
Philly0381
Join Date 11/2004
+782
May 20, 2012 12:49:07 AM from WinCustomize Forums WinCustomize Forums

ice27828 get yourself a subscription to MLB.TV, it's cheaper then getting it on Direct TV (satellite) and you can watch archieved games.  Check it out if you like baseball.  The only games you will not see are those that are blacked out in your area (ZIP Code) because you are in the viewing area.

 

 

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Reply #33
Dr Guy
Join Date 09/2004
+125
May 21, 2012 4:45:35 PM from JoeUser Forums JoeUser Forums

Quoting DaveBax,
reply 27
I must be really lucky. I have Verizon. They supply my Internet, Phone and TV. My internet speed is 35/35 mbps and actually it runs at higher speeds as the 35/35 is the lowest it will go. My phone has all the goodies like caller ID, voice, etc. The TV has more HD channels then I can watch with Starz, Sports package, Max, Encore, and all the standard channels. The great part is I have never lost service. It may sound like a lot of money to some but it's only $130/Mo. Also it includes a HD/DVR box and an additional HD box for the second TV. I have two major compaines in my area of NJ and they are always trying to out do one another which works out for the customers. This isn't a plug or anything like that as Comcast also has a good package but the one I have is just a bit better for the price. I for one couldn't go back to watch anything if it wasn't in HD and especially the sports.

I had the same package - until I changed Voice. And then only because Vonage has free over seas calling. I have had NO (Emphasize NO) problems with any of their services.  Others have told me horror stories, but I am not going back to Comcast anytime soon!

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Reply #34
DaveBax
Join Date 10/2007
+364
May 21, 2012 4:59:14 PM from WinCustomize Forums WinCustomize Forums

Quoting Dr Guy,
reply 33
Others have told me horror stories, but I am not going back to Comcast anytime soon!

I thibk the horro stories may come from certain locations. I had none from either but very happy with Verizon. My situation may be a bit different from many. I'm retired, live alone since my wife passed, and as long as I have my present services it helps me stay busy. I have no need for those fancy cell 4G phones but knowing from my grandchildren that is all they know and those phones can do a lot. I enjoy being home so I get to watch and do things on bigger screens. lol. It is really something however the way the world is thinking and going.

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Reply #35
ice27828
Join Date 12/2008
+33
May 27, 2012 11:09:54 PM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums

@Philly A season of MLB is like 120 bucks, although because basic cable don't come with sports channel well not in Canada, by the time I add sports channels and tax I am probably looking at the same price for the same period of time.

I don't understand why people get bundles, are they really cheaper?

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Reply #36
Timmaigh
Join Date 05/2009
+26
June 3, 2012 10:08:21 AM from Sins of a Solar Empire Forums Sins of a Solar Empire Forums

to me, TV is dead. I just upgraded my net connection to optic-fiber one, 40/20 Mbit no FUP for 12 EUROs per month and i am going totally rely on that - even for watching TV stuff. Sopcast FTW!

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Reply #37
LizMarr
Join Date 05/2006
+46
June 3, 2012 11:04:02 AM from WinCustomize Forums WinCustomize Forums

Quoting Timmaigh,
reply 36
to me, TV is dead. I just upgraded my net connection to optic-fiber one, 40/20 Mbit no FUP for 12 EUROs per month and i am going totally rely on that - even for watching TV stuff. Sopcast FTW!

Sigh. Fiber is a pain to work with but worth all the results.

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Reply #38
taltamir
Join Date 01/2006
+33
June 3, 2012 3:00:46 PM from JoeUser Forums JoeUser Forums

I haven't had a TV since I moved out of my parents house at 19.

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Reply #39
Dr Guy
Join Date 09/2004
+125
June 5, 2012 1:42:55 PM from JoeUser Forums JoeUser Forums

Quoting DaveBax,
reply 34
I have no need for those fancy cell 4G phones but knowing from my grandchildren that is all they know and those phones can do a lot

Put a rotary phone in front of them and see how bewildered they become.

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Reply #40
taltamir
Join Date 01/2006
+33
June 5, 2012 11:15:27 PM from JoeUser Forums JoeUser Forums

Quoting Dr Guy,
reply 39

Quoting DaveBax, reply 34 I have no need for those fancy cell 4G phones but knowing from my grandchildren that is all they know and those phones can do a lot

Put a rotary phone in front of them and see how bewildered they become.

Pfah, give them a telegraph and a morse code chart!

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Reply #41
Solam
Join Date 03/2007
+15
October 16, 2012 12:37:32 PM from Stardock Forums Stardock Forums

I'm glad I don't live where you guys are at.

 

I'm in Canada and my cable charges are 160$ a month that includes digital tv high speed 1.5 connection and local phone.

 

60% of my charges is internet. We don't have unlimited connection here so I have to pay by quantity. I have three kids with ipods and wifi connected. It gets expensive when I have to pay for 200 gig download a month. Streaming costs a lot for us Canadians.

 

 

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Reply #42
Daiwa
Join Date 07/2001
+191
October 16, 2012 8:10:06 PM from JoeUser Forums JoeUser Forums

6 months later.  New hardware costs now more than paid for by the monthly savings and still happy as a clam.  Don't miss the cable channels a bit.  Happened to be in a hotel for the past 4 days & channel surfing fully reinforced my decision - wasn't diddlysquat worth watching except football.  History, TLC, Discovery (the ones I used to really enjoy) - all have gone to hell, have practically nothing relating to their channel names & are completely worthless now.

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Reply #43
taltamir
Join Date 01/2006
+33
October 17, 2012 3:00:47 AM from JoeUser Forums JoeUser Forums

Glad to hear its working out for you.

Now to figure out what else to do with all that money I'm saving.

Upgrade the old CRT behemoths to new svelte LCDs?

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Reply #44
Daiwa
Join Date 07/2001
+191
October 17, 2012 4:00:16 PM from JoeUser Forums JoeUser Forums

The CRT's were retired just before the switch.  One was a ~29" JVC box that weighed at least 100#, purchased prior to 1990.  We've come a long way.  The cost of these displays is dropping like a rock and they're getting thinner by the minute.

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Reply #45
Jythier
Join Date 02/2003
+47
October 18, 2012 2:50:02 PM from JoeUser Forums JoeUser Forums

I wish they'd work on making better pictures than just making them lighter and thinner.

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Reply #46
Daiwa
Join Date 07/2001
+191
October 19, 2012 12:36:04 AM from JoeUser Forums JoeUser Forums

Well, can't blame the display for the content.  57 channels & nothin' on... but nothin' never looked better!

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Reply #47
taltamir
Join Date 01/2006
+33
October 19, 2012 11:15:38 PM from Elemental Forums Elemental Forums

Quoting Jythier,
reply 46
I wish they'd work on making better pictures than just making them lighter and thinner.

Quoting Daiwa,
reply 47
Well, can't blame the display for the content.  57 channels & nothin' on... but nothin' never looked better!

I believe he meant pictures as in image quality improvements not movies (which is a rather obscure slang, but one I came across before)

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Reply #48
Daiwa
Join Date 07/2001
+191
October 20, 2012 12:30:23 AM from JoeUser Forums JoeUser Forums

There is some room for improvement of display quality, I suppose, but not a lot, at least in my retina's opinion.

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Reply #49
taltamir
Join Date 01/2006
+33
October 20, 2012 2:22:13 PM from JoeUser Forums JoeUser Forums

Quoting Daiwa,
reply 48
There is some room for improvement of display quality, I suppose, but not a lot, at least in my retina's opinion.

Small devices have the highest quality displays because its easier to make it small and the ROI is higher.

Scaling it up to 24+ inches is harder... So there is definitely room for improvement.

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Reply #50
Jythier
Join Date 02/2003
+47
October 22, 2012 11:16:15 AM from JoeUser Forums JoeUser Forums

It was a double-meaning.  How about them apples?

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