Cutting the cord - anyone else have experience - Page 2

wcc · 10-12-2011, 03:47 PM

We don't have u-verse in my area otherwise it would be a no brainer. I've been waiting for it for a long time.

fxeditor · fxeditor's Garage

I dumped my U-verse TV over a year ago and couldn't be happier! Between Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon for VOD I miss nothing I want to watch. Granted these days there isn't much I really want to watch but The Office stillkeeps my attention and I am starting to really like Parks and Recreation. My bill dropped from $120 per month down to 29.95 per month.

I am using a home theater PC that is running Windows Media Center as well as Boxee and Hulu's desktop app. I really like this setup.

Good luck on your switch!
Michael

Scuba Steve · 10-13-2011, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wcc

Great timing because we are thinking about doing the same thing. Shut off Comcast cable and internet and going with DSL and using Netflix, Hulu, etc.

But what's my snag is live TV/Sporting events. For example MSU vs UM this weekend we'd like to watch. My son loves to watch hockey especially Red Wings.

So my question related to this process is where do you guys watch live sporting events or TV for that matter on line?

ESPN3 mostly. Or ABC/CBS/... if it's broadcast. If it's being shown on something I really can't get I'll go somewhere, usually with other people I know. Beats hanging out alone with the game on.

fuelie600 · 10-13-2011, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s_wilwerding

Anyone use Roku? It looks like it does the same thing as AppleTV, but provides 1080P and with a software update, can stream shows like a jailbroken AppleTV.

Have appleTV and have been thinking of moving to Roku to use amazon streaming with prime membership. AppleTV is very limited. Unless you jailbreak, you have to rent everything from apple.

fuelie600 · 10-13-2011, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotaBRG

For everything else it's NetFlix through the Wii.

FYI, the Wii is a lousy streaming device. We tested all of our streaming capable devices and the Wii had the worst picture. Others were, xbox360=fair, samsung blueray= good, appleTV=best. The user interface varies between each also. If you do alot of streaming, and want a HD picture, it would be worth picking up an apple TV.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuelie600

Have appleTV and have been thinking of moving to Roku to use amazon streaming with prime membership. AppleTV is very limited. Unless you jailbreak, you have to rent everything from apple.

Jailbreaking opens up a lot of options but I find ATV's selection to be quite good actually.

You can purchase most of the TV programs so you actually own the content. Most movies you can only rent, which bites a little, but then again how often do you watch the same movie (and if you do, why not just go buy the DVD for 10 bucks)?

Paul_Heery · Paul_Heery's Garage

Also, it is important to note that the AppleTV2 is only 720p.

If you choose to jailbreak it, you can stream from Amazon with an AppleTV2.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

True, if such things matter to you.

I rented Star Trek in HD last night and it looks spectacular. Honestly I didn't notice the difference between that and the supposedly 1080 HD that I used to get before cutting the cord. Yes, there's probably a difference but it isn't significant enough for me to really care.

I also have an HD output to my PC (and to my laptop) that I can plug into and pipe 1080 MP4s and other stuff I have. Works really nice.

fuelie600 · 10-13-2011, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul_Heery

If you choose to jailbreak it, you can stream from Amazon with an AppleTV2.

Been a while since I looked at JB capabilities on the ATV2. Google turns up a bunch of info. Before I start digging, which JB did you use? What software are you using to stream Amazon?

Thx.

on2wheels52 · on2wheels52's Garage

How much video memory would be required to store all the important tv moments I've missed in the last 40 years? And does anyone have a copy to share?
Jim

fuelie600 · 10-25-2011, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul_Heery

Also, it is important to note that the AppleTV2 is only 720p.

If you choose to jailbreak it, you can stream from Amazon with an AppleTV2.

To follow up:

I got this to work, but the results are underwhelming.

I JB the aTV and installed XMBC. This allows me to use Playon to stream amazon movies to the aTV from my PC. The problem is in picture quality. HD streams look bad, just like using a Wii for netflix. The user interface for navigating the movie selection is also weak.

A funny sidenote, I can access the Playon streams from my directv box and the picture is better than the aTV. The user interface is worse though.

Still not ready for primetime.....

Tim Hancock · 10-25-2011, 07:33 AM

We get ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS and FOX on our old antenna. Cable is not available in our rural area. Works out fine for us. If I had cable, I would waste even more of my shop project time by watching dicovery and History channels instead of building/restoring stuff.

fuelie600 · 10-25-2011, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

We get ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS and FOX on our old antenna. Cable is not available in our rural area. Works out fine for us. If I had cable, I would waste even more of my shop project time by watching dicovery and History channels instead of building/restoring stuff.

If I had your shop, I wouldn't need a TV!