Oh boy... I can do it to and invite all my relatives over to watch the Super Bowl on my 13 inch laptop. Well I hope they all shower before they come. Pay the damn bill or just don't worry about it and unplug everything. You can get news on the internet free. LOL
You do realize the newer computers hook right up to the TV in full High def right? I am not talking about watching TV on my computer screen. I'm talking about using my internet connection to provide TV programming on my TV.
Brad, we've been w/o TV service for 2 years. We have Netflix, both streaming & DVDs. We watch a lot of tv shows too, but they are all a season behind live tv. They're made available when the Season DVDs are released. We've been plugging the laptop into the TV up until now. Monday we get our Apple TV (same thing as the Roku box). I went with Apple because of some of the features that I'll use like iTunes and my iPhone. I don't really miss regular TV much. I catch it every once in awhile when having dinner at my dad's house. Local news is about all I miss. We can't get anything through bunny ears, plus the local isn't that local, it's out of Duluth (a 2hr drive).
I have already done what you are seeking to do. I have been doing this since 2001. My current setup allows me to use my ps3, nintendo wii, Ipad, or network drive to play Netflix, movies, YouTube, and just about anything on a computer to my tv. So far the best investment for this has been my router, then ps3, and the network drive. The ps3 is a powerful media device that plays DVD, blu ray, Netflix, and connects to my network or computer to play music or movies.
Tread carefully here. I too would like to give up cable per se. But 80 a month for direct is no comparison when you start adding everything else in. It going to cost more to upgrade to a high speed DSL which is needed to stream media, Netflix is going to run you 8 bucks a month. Netflix has very little in the way of new shows. For new shows HULU plus is a given. Add the three things together and your only saving 50 bucks a months tops. I would skip a meal out at a restaurant. Best best is unplug and rabbit ears or suck it up. All the alternatives at this point are severely lacking and crippled for a reason. The big media does not want you to get prime stuff for free. Netflix just lost stars at the end of feb and its already thin streaming movies got even thinnner. Not saying it can't be done, its just not as cut and dry as it seems.
Initial cost can add up but I have had my Current equipment ( router hs Internet, & ps3) in place for three years and even if the first two years were break even. Then I still have one year of saving $50.00 for the year which adds up to $600 for a new bow.
I haven't had cable tv for about a year and don't miss it one bit. I have high speed and a Netflix account. I'm big on sports and I found a website that airs every single sporting event including the UFC and Boxing PPV's. After some of the games on espn, they'll continue to stream Sportscenter for my enjoyment. You have to deal w/pop ups for the first minute but you can eliminate them if you go to full screen.
My calculations tell me that it will take me 9 months to pay off the investement. After that, the $60/month savings is all mine!
I do ...> I do.. just making fun. My son works for Bill Gates company in Bellvue. He keeps me informed. LOL BUT... I don't think you're going to save a lot of money for all your trouble if you take into account all the things you'll probably by or have to subscribe to of special things. Hell, I just went the other way.... did away with my regular phones and went cable phone, subscribed to a couple more special packages so I can watch whatever in heck I want... when I want. And I saved money in doing so. LOL You don't want TV... just unplug the sucker and be done with it. Since they've gone to all this reality crap there's really not much worth watching anyway. Hey wait.... I've been screwed. I'm paying for crap I don't like to begin with. Honestly, all these non reality reality shows have just killed TV. I don't want to be a millionaire. I don't want to be the next super model. And I dang sure don't want to hang out on some island for a month with a bunch of losers. They can produce these Dancing with the Stars for almost nothing and charge millions for adds. TV has been destroyed.
Thanks guys. I am starting slow. I ordered a new upgrade for internet which should be done on Tuesday. I also ordered a Roku box. It's a cheap way to get started and see if we like it.
