Anybody ditch cable?

[Doewhacker]

We are considering an alternative to cable due to its cost and a waste of channels we just don't watch. Has anyone gone the internet TV route or even Direct tv? I realize Direct tv isn't much better than cable, I am just curious.

There are probaly a few options but we are looking at getting a Boxee perhaps?

Personally all I want to watch live is Hockey every thing else I can deal with watching on the net.

[NYBowhunter]

May not be in your area, but I switched from cable and went with Verizon Fios. Best move ever made, saved $50 each month and also got an extra box and DVR and all the channels one could ever need, internet speed is way faster in comparison to cable.

[Doewhacker]

No Fios in our area, we are in the country.

[virgil]

i have cablevision and i hate them. as a sports fan, i hate the idea of putting any money in the pockets of jim dolan. the service keeps getting worse and the price keeps going up. don't have fios in my area yet- long island. will probably go with fios as soon as it's available. although, if i can't my hockey games in hd, it'll be a tough decision.

[Dom]

I wish my wife would see it my way and switch but wont.Cable is just a big scam and not worth a damn,the cost is way to much for so little.

[Cabin Fever]

We've been talking about it, but just haven't pulled the trigger. Sure would save a lot of money! I've found many sites that you can watch favorite TV shows online, but it would take some adjusting to do it. Certainly not as convenient as turning the TV on and scanning through the guide for something to watch. One big plus for watching online is NO commercials!!

We've also been thinking about getting rid of TW digital home phone and either using our cell or trying that Magic Jack thing.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Doe, I got rid of cable a long time ago, they suck. Dish TV is ok, but DirecTV is where its at. Way more channels, and about 3 times the HD channels, plus their equipment is a ton nicer than Dish. Looks like you are using your cable for internet access? If so, youll want to keep that or go to DSL, as any sattelite based access (Hughesnet) is slow and expensive.

Also, with my iPad, I can stream TV to it from anywhere I am connected to the net with it. Its cool stuff.

[WNYBuckHunter]

i have cablevision and i hate them. as a sports fan, i hate the idea of putting any money in the pockets of jim dolan. the service keeps getting worse and the price keeps going up. don't have fios in my area yet- long island. will probably go with fios as soon as it's available. although, if i can't my hockey games in hd, it'll be a tough decision.

Verizon has decided not to expand FiOS coverage from what I have heard. They are trying to concentrate on wireless access instead. I wish they would bring FiOS in where Im at, its great stuff.

[Doewhacker]

We've been talking about it, but just haven't pulled the trigger. Sure would save a lot of money! I've found many sites that you can watch favorite TV shows online, but it would take some adjusting to do it. Certainly not as convenient as turning the TV on and scanning through the guide for something to watch. One big plus for watching online is NO commercials!! We've also been thinking about getting rid of TW digital home phone and either using our cell or trying that Magic Jack thing.

The Boxee organizes all of the internet tv stuff for you, makes it easier to find shows and watch them, you might want to look into it. Plus you can buy an add on and still get live tv.

[Doewhacker]

Doe, I got rid of cable a long time ago, they suck. Dish TV is ok, but DirecTV is where its at. Way more channels, and about 3 times the HD channels, plus their equipment is a ton nicer than Dish. Looks like you are using your cable for internet access? If so, youll want to keep that or go to DSL, as any sattelite based access (Hughesnet) is slow and expensive. Also, with my iPad, I can stream TV to it from anywhere I am connected to the net with it. Its cool stuff.

Yes we are going to keep cable internet I have read that by doing this I can effectively use the coaxel as an antenna to get those free over the air channels. To my understanding the boxee will transmit the HD stuff in HD still.

[Cabin Fever]

The Boxee organizes all of the internet tv stuff for you, makes it easier to find shows and watch them, you might want to look into it. Plus you can buy an add on and still get live tv.

Interesting! Never heard of the Boxee! I'll be looking into that!

[WNYBuckHunter]

If you dont mind not watching live TV, those streaming video boxes are good, but you are also limited to programming that is put out on the net to begin with. Not everything is. As far as the HD antenna thing, see if you cant borrow an HD antenna first to see if it actually works in your area. The digital over the air broadcasts are not as powerful as the old analog TV was, and wont reach alot of areas, especially in the country.

[Doewhacker]

Wny thats why boxee came up with the add on, its basicaly a USB with threads on the end of it to receive a coaxel cable line thus eliminating a true antenna.

[WNYBuckHunter]

I know, but trust me, the digital reception is not as good as the old analog signals and getting reception can be tricky depending on the area you are in. Just sayin.

[BizCT]

I just bought a co-op in westchester and my building has cablevision/optimum or Fios. I chose Cablevision/Optimum over Fios.........havent heard much positive from the people I know who have Fios.

[wooffer]

I have FIOS and it is great, but turned in all but one box and put Roku (www.roku.com) boxes streaming Netflix on all other tv's in the house. You might be able to hook a laptop up to your tv to get the hockey games.

[Doewhacker]

I know, but trust me, the digital reception is not as good as the old analog signals and getting reception can be tricky depending on the area you are in. Just sayin.

Roger that...That is part of the unknown for me at this point. I can almost guarentee I will jump into this head first and find out after what sucks about it..lol

Perhaps there is an app on the boxee that will let me stream live hockey, I know I can watch game on the internet that aren't on tv? If so that would be heaven.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Im not sure. I did see they have some affiliation with the NHL. If you are trying to watch out of market games you might be ok, but the blackout rules with in market programming are goofy. I love having MSG on Direct so I can watch my Sabres games.

[BizCT]

Hockey is still a sport?

[Doewhacker]

Im not sure. I did see they have some affiliation with the NHL. If you are trying to watch out of market games you might be ok, but the blackout rules with in market programming are goofy. I love having MSG on Direct so I can watch my Sabres games.

Most Bruins games are out of market so that might be ok for me, Timewarner got rid of MSG on me due to a contract fall out between them...nice huh? So now I have like 3 of the NHL network instead which does not show as many games like MSG.

[Doewhacker]

Hockey is still a sport?

If you ever want to get punched, make a joke about hockey to a hockey fan..lol

I like it best because of its much faster pace over Baseball and Football.

[greenecounty]

We are considering an alternative to cable due to its cost and a waste of channels we just don't watch. Has anyone gone the internet TV route or even Direct tv? I realize Direct tv isn't much better than cable, I am just curious.

There are probaly a few options but we are looking at getting a Boxee perhaps?

Personally all I want to watch live is Hockey every thing else I can deal with watching on the net.

I have directv in the country and have only lost a signal once (when there was literally a black cloud thunderstorm the size of madagascar over our head)

cheaper than cable with sports package

[BizCT]

If you ever want to get punched, make a joke about hockey to a hockey fan..lol

I like it best because of its much faster pace over Baseball and Football.

Lol, the last time I remember watching hockey was when "Step-on-my-toe" scored on a wrap around, there was guy named Jeff "Book-eee-Boom", and Pavel Bure lost in the stanley cup.

[virgil]

Easy BizR. What doe said is true, most of us hockey fans would be quick to drop the gloves to defend our religion, i mean hockey. And regarding 'Matteau!!!!'- as a diehard Islander fan, i still get sick over that memory. Thanks for reminding me.

[Doewhacker]

If you really want to get beat up go to Montreal and make a joke about the Canadians sucking...haha Every one up there loves hockey.