Help on course of action

[FNG212]

Here is what I want to accomplish, help me figure out the best way.

End state: Stop paying $80+/mo for cable that I never watch live. I want access to Netflix, Hulu and any other TV/movie streaming website I may not know about.

We live off TiVo. The only thing I ever watch live is Football, and I recently learned I can get Fox HD over-the-air so I have found no need to pay for cable. My wife can watch most of her favorite shows either on Netflix on-demand or Hulu or NBC/ABC/CBS websites. Basically we can watch what we like somewhere on the internet.

Do I build a HTPC that can output HD straight to my TV, I'm fully capable; having built my own computers for the last 10+ years or so but I'm way out of touch with tech in the last couple years. Or are there one of these set-box deals that will stream these channels/services. I don't mind paying a subscription to some of these websites out there, I just want to stop paying Charter for so many channels I don't watch.

Thanks!

 

[sturgl]

You could sure go the HTPC route. You'd just need an OTA HDTV tuner to pull in your local Fox affiliate and other ATSC broadcasts - easy enough to come by. Between Hulu Desktop and Netflix, you should be able to round out your (video) media. On the OS side, you could go Windows 7 - the media center interface is quite good, and will give you DVR capability, allowing you to throw out the Tivo and its associated fees as well. Your other option (that I know of) is Linux. Look at MythTV or SageTV. Of the two, I like Mythbuntu - it's Ubuntu with a MythTV overlay.

The problem, as I see it, is that no HTPC is ready to be a consumer electronics product yet. Some technical expertise is absolutely required. If you go the HTPC route, best to think of upgrading and maintaining your HTPC as a whole new hobby. Good luck!

 

[jinjuku]

Do you have need of Blu-Ray?

If not check out the Dell Zino. Make sure to get the 3250e processor option.

I think a non-cable ready HTPC has been viable for years now...

 

[FNG212]

Though capable of building one myself I am very out of touch with available technology.

Does anyone have experience with this? http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/index.php Looking at the A-200.

I don't need a BR player, my tv is 720 and about 15 feet away, so any resolution increases would most likely be wasted. Plus, my receiver can't work with much anything digital.

Is there much out there about how much bandwidth is necessary to stream HD content? I have either 3 or 5Mb feed from Charter (I know I should really figure that out someday) and Netflix pauses sometimes in the middle of HD shows.

Thanks every one!