Seeing as some networks have their shows available on their websites and services such as Netflix, Amazon, BestBuy's CinemaNow, etc. gaining momentum, I'm contemplating to drop Comcast, install an outdoor antenna and get one of the digital entertainment contraptions.

Under consideration are:

- the new Tivo
- Apple TV
- Shuttle X350ION with a Logitech diNovo keyboard

Does anyone else use any of these in lieu of cable and did I leave anything out?

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"It's not exactly a rocket surgery." D.J.

I don't use it, but Google TV is an option. It really hasn't kicked ass yet, according to the reviews I have seen. Apple TV is not yet HD (could be wrong on that).


And wouldn't Tivo require cable still (again, could be out of the loop)?

Tivo can work with cable of antenna. But it's also capable of putting Netflix and Amazon up on the TV screen. Sure I won't get full blown cable or premium cable programming, but for a couple shows that we watch, renting by episode is a much more desirable set up than paying in the neighborhood of $100/mo for cable.

Google TV - heard of it, even checked out the website, but I'm still confused as to what it is (does.)

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"It's not exactly a rocket surgery." D.J.

Google TV might still require Cable. Basically it just adds internet to your TV. So you can use Youtube, and other video websites and some streaming sites. It might work with Antenna, but not sure.


From a buddy I talked to who tried to rid himself of cable, he said it wasn't easy. But if you are ok getting rid of the live cable channels, you can live off Antenna, Torrents and streaming companies.

I thought about this,too. I have Comcast (for 23 years now). I would hate to see what it has cost me over the years. I have one of my TV's hooked up to an indoor HD antenna. Cost me 30 bucks and I can get all the free HD channels crystal clear (NW suburbs) EXCEPT of course WBBM (ch.2) which has had shit reception ever since we were all children.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

That's good info. Thanks. Might give it a try instead of drilling through brick, welding, and who knows what else.

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"It's not exactly a rocket surgery." D.J.

Do you already have cable/satellite, Vinny? I just hopped up on the roof and hooked my antenna up to the old DirecTV coax. Works great.

Cable and the RG-59 runs through GRC but nowhere near the roof or anything useful for this purpose.

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"It's not exactly a rocket surgery." D.J.

The utilization of cable by our household is minimal. The extent to which we use it is replaceable by published features of those three options I listed. The biggest drop from cable may potentially be my ability to access the White Sox games, but I think the MLB.TV subscription should take care of it granted I get something like the Shuttle box.

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"It's not exactly a rocket surgery." D.J.

Our Comcast rates are gonna go up on March 1st. Did you guys get that nice little letter?
I've had Comcast for 15 years or so. As soon as the bill hits $200 (which it could do in March) I'm going to start looking around. Maybe go U-Verse until the NFL season...

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@audioidkid

I have more than cable with Comcast but our bill has been virtually $200 for a couple of years now (s180-$190). When you add in the 2 or 3 movies my son "accidentally" orders each month we get pushed over the top. I tried another company a few years ago but they didn't have NFL Network. That was a deal breaker for me even though their cost was about half of what Comcast charges.

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your son already orders movies?

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"It's not exactly a rocket surgery." D.J.

Yes. He likes to watch some kids shows On Demand but he doesn't know how to work the remote well enough to do it himself. When he gets tired of asking his sisters to help him he tries to do it on his own. He doesn't seem to care that some movies cost. Probably mins after I made that post earlier he ordered Toy Story 3.

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Yeah, Comcast has been raising their rates a couple bucks every few months. It's becoming ridiculous. When I can find a good option to stream everything online, I am dumping cable.

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Really? I pay about 157 bucks a month for the "triple play" I get HD & HBO for about 57 bucks a month. That's not bad. If it gets crazy,I'm thinking the best option is basic cable and use a splitter to switch over to antenea TV for free HD broadcast channels.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

I'm at $187. I have the HD package, triple play, and sports package with HBO, modem rental, etc...

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@audioidkid

Have you tried calling Comcast to see if they can sale you a better package? That is how I got my rate to 150 for all 3. Sometimes they have deals going on,but they don't inform the regular subscribers. Doesn't hurt to ask.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

I need to do that again. The last time I called I spoke to someone who likely repeated 3rd grade a few times. It was a waste of time.
I'm thinking of actually going to an office and seeing what they can do.

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@audioidkid

[

Your son "accidently" ordered MILFS In Heat and Latin Cum Queens?

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"Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public." ~ H.L. Mencken

No I didn't. Thanks

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I've been doing a little research on this, and would really like to make the switch to one of these streaming players. GoogleTV, AppleTV, Roku, or others all seem to have their issues though. Basically I think i'll neet to wait to get something in the future.

1. There isn't an option for HBO shows, which is basically the only reason I currently have HBO on cable. If I can't watch new episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Treme, Bill Maher, etc.... That's a deal breaker. How long does it take for these shows to get to Hulu Plus, Amazon Video On Demand, or AppleTV? If it's a few days that okay, but I don't want to wait 6 months.

2. The sports offerings seem to be lacking for most of these products right now. I would be willing to purchase an MLB, NBA, NFL product where I could follow my local teams. This kind of option is not available though. I think the current subscription based services that the leagues offer are only for out of town teams. Another deal breaker. I can't believe the leagues haven't cashed in on this stuff yet.

3. Regular TV shows seem to show up quickly on these players, but not all network shows are supported. I would be willing to pay a few bucks a month for the few channels I watch.

Can any techies here comment more on some of the current options out there. Specifically Roku, AppleTV, and GoogleTV?

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IVY TV was good,but they just had a cease and desist order slapped on them. They were broadcasting live network TV across the internet.
They were planning to convert to some type of TV app,too.


http://blog.ivi.tv/

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Do any of these gadgets carry HDNet?

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"It's not exactly a rocket surgery." D.J.