Is It Time to Drop Cable TV for Netflix, Hulu Plus and Antenna?

[admin]

According to an article at the Financial Times (which we won't link to since you have to pay to read it) research firm SNL Kagen reported that cableTV has suffered its largest customer drop in the past 30 years. We're talking big numbers. The drop, which numbered 741,000 over just the third quarter seems to indicate that consumers are jumping ship for Internet, web-based solutions over traditional cable. The article indicates that it's simply a younger, more tech-savvy crowd leading the charge, but we have an alternate opinion, and one we've been putting forth for over a year now in articles and personal evangelism: CableTV is expensive. That's right, paying over $100/month for TV and Internet is fine when the economy is going strong and your job is secure, but when it tanks, overpriced cableTV - let's face it - should be one of the first things to go.

Discuss "Is It Time to Drop Cable TV for Netflix, Hulu Plus and Antenna?" here. Read the article.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Initial Costs: $109.99 (estimated based on ColorStream2 antenna with mount, add more for dual antenna, or amplifier)

It's actually CLEARSTREAM2
http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-C2-CLEARSTREAM2-Antenna/dp/B0017O3UHI and it's current price (bundled with the mount) on amazon is $92.60 with free shipping (about $100 with NYC Taxes)

You could also get a more budget friendly DB2 Antenna with comparable (or better) specs for less money (Granted less eye pleasing )
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882790014&Tpk=db2 antenna

 

[Audioholics]

I fixed the reference - thanks.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I fixed the reference - thanks.

Cool...
Im in the same boat, already got the db2 antenna, just need to attach it somewhere and test the reception.

 

[hodedofome]

It's not just cable tv, it's the content providers as well. They want to jack up the prices for their content each year. I cut off my cable 4 years ago and it gets easier each year. All I really need that's not available via QAM channels is ESPN, Discovery, and a few others. Those aren't really available to their full extent online but I'm willing to wait. I'm not paying for overpriced channels anymore.

To me Google tv makes sense. Content providers could sell subscriptions for individual shows or channels directly to the customer. All your subscriptions could show up in Google tv so you just watch the shows you want. To content providers and distributors: conform to the modern world or die

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

To me Google tv makes sense. Content providers could sell subscriptions for individual shows or channels directly to the customer. All your subscriptions could show up in Google tv so you just watch the shows you want. To content providers and distributors: conform to the modern world or die

Thats the problem - Content providers don't want to sell you individual shows or channels (aka A-la-carte). They love bundles. This way they make more money.

 

[swspiers]

I don't care what the program providers or the carriers want anymore.

I cut cable in 2006, ever since I found 'Greys Anatomy' ( TV time with the wife) on abc.com. Since then, I got the Roku box, a laptap for my HTPC and now a seemingly endless source of content.

If content isn't offered, then I guess they don't want me as a consumer. So be it.

I'm just glad the trend is catching on!

-S

 

[krzywica]

Its all about the contracts....each channel or network has a nice hefty sum that must be shelled out to enable the cable and satellite companies to broadcast their feeds.

I haven't had cable/satellite for a few years now and haven't missed it for a second (other than the occasional sporting event).

 

[94danstang]

I would love nothing more than to ditch cable. I love the idea of getting what I want when I want it. However - two points to think about:

- with the bundle pricing via the cable companies, doesn't the price difference come out less? I bundle cable, internet, and phone. Sure my bill is $140 a month, but that is for 20mb internet and all I can eat local/ld calling as well. Divide it by 3, and that is only $46 a month for cable (HD and DVR included). Not such a big difference any more...?

- Quality - what about HD. I put ALOT of money into my system (as I am sure many of you have). I WANT 1080P video - on ALL my channels. I WANT at least 5.1 audio for all my channels. I can't get that streaming from the internet. I am the first to admit, the HD cable feeds are not awesome by any means, but they are tons better than quote 'hd quality' being streamed.

Now maybe I am missing something with these services as I have not tried all of them. So please - let me know your experince - is the quality out there and I just haven't found it? How can I get things like SyFy, Discovery, Cartoon network, etc in HD over the internet? Thoughts?

 

[smurphy522]

Saturday Night Live (SNL) has a "Kagan" division doing research now? Lorne Michaels is always full of tricks

 

[Audioholics]

Quality - what about HD. I put ALOT of money into my system (as I am sure many of you have). I WANT 1080P video - on ALL my channels.

If I have HD on my networks, and the ability to rent BD movies - I'm golden. I'm simply patient enough to enjoy select stuff now on HD, and then pick up the Blu-ray versions later to watch series, etc. Plus then you get to skip all the commercials.

That's why I included Netflix into the mix.

Bundle pricing should be considered, but the bottom line is that you can typically just subscribe to Internet service and get everything else much cheaper. As much as this article is about cutting cable, even more people have cut their home phone lines or gone with the unadvertised $10/month Vonage plan with unlimited incoming calls.

 

[krzywica]

- with the bundle pricing via the cable companies, doesn't the price difference come out less? I bundle cable, internet, and phone. Sure my bill is $140 a month, but that is for 20mb internet and all I can eat local/ld calling as well. Divide it by 3, and that is only $46 a month for cable (HD and DVR included). Not such a big difference any more...?

This not a valid argument as the only thing you will be paying for is internet as OTA TV is free.

- Quality - what about HD. I put ALOT of money into my system (as I am sure many of you have). I WANT 1080P video - on ALL my channels. I WANT at least 5.1 audio for all my channels. I can't get that streaming from the internet. I am the first to admit, the HD cable feeds are not awesome by any means, but they are tons better than quote 'hd quality' being streamed.

You are not getting 1080p from any cable or satellite source right now so that point is mute. OTA TV will have better quality most of the time as there will be less compression.

 

[jostenmeat]

Yep. I recently read/heard on NPR that our bandwidth is now more taxed by streaming services like Netflix than any other service. However, I never even stream, let alone pay for cable.

My monthly total combined for cell phone, land line phone, internet, and unlimited bluray rentals is less than $100. Yep I got OTA too.

The best part is that everything I watch, and hear, is superior to any cable station.

I am not current on how much cable companies gouge these days, as it's been a number of years since I've had that service, but why wouldn't I be surprised that one month's subscription to cable+HBO will eventually buy me the entire collection of The Pacific. I bet a month+Discovery is more than the going price of Life. And oh yeah, I get 1080p and Attenborough to boot.

 

[alphaiii]

So help a guy out here...

I haven't been keeping up with the online content, and have yet to take advantage of OTA broadcasts.

I'm usually up on things... but this is a bit beyond my comfort zone.

Let's say I'm sick of comcast and want to drop cable.

Looking at the gear I have in my sig...

I can get unscrambled QAM for free on my LN46A630... I buy an HD antenna and get OTA for free to both TV's...

I can use Hulu via the PS3, and soon through the Panny BD65 I just got, or possibly through a new Samsung TV in the bedroom with Samsung Apps...

And then there is netflix - disc and streaming through PS3, BD65 (and possibly new Samsung TV)...

Does that cover what I'd need to drop comcast (TV at least) from my life... think I'm stuck with their internet.

 

[krzywica]

So help a guy out here...

I haven't been keeping up with the online content, and have yet to take advantage of OTA broadcasts.

I'm usually up on things... but this is a bit beyond my comfort zone.

Let's say I'm sick of comcast and want to drop cable.

Looking at the gear I have in my sig...

I can get unscrambled QAM for free on my LN46A630... I buy an HD antenna and get OTA for free to both TV's...

I can use Hulu via the PS3, and soon through the Panny BD65 I just got, or possibly through a new Samsung TV in the bedroom with Samsung Apps...

And then there is netflix - disc and streaming through PS3, BD65 (and possibly new Samsung TV)...

Does that cover what I'd need to drop comcast (TV at least) from my life... think I'm stuck with their internet.

I get OTA HD with my LN46A650 with an old school antenna. Doesn't matter what antenna you use, the tuner in the TV will dictate if its HD or not. Don't pay more for an "HD" antenna, unless you also have "1080p HDMI cables" to match.

 

[alphaiii]

I get OTA HD with my LN46A650 with an old school antenna. Doesn't matter what antenna you use, the tuner in the TV will dictate if its HD or not. Don't pay more for an "HD" antenna, unless you also have "1080p HDMI cables" to match.

So basically any decent antenna will do?

I'm all for saving cash...

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I get OTA HD with my LN46A650 with an old school antenna. Doesn't matter what antenna you use, the tuner in the TV will dictate if its HD or not. Don't pay more for an "HD" antenna, unless you also have "1080p HDMI cables" to match.

Some newer antennas for specialized (or limited) to UHF band - I'm not an expert in RF, but dedicated antenna to single band should perform better than multi-band one. Lately such UHF only antennas called HD

 

[Swerd]

So basically any decent antenna will do?

There are two catch-phrases that apply to antennas and OTA reception:

• Location - Location - Location
• Aim for Good Enough antenna performance rather than over-kill

The type of antenna you should look for depends on where you live, what broadcasts are available on what channels, and how far away are the broadcast towers.

Go to AntennaWeb.org, enter your address and see what results you get.

Follow their recommendations for the type of antenna to get, as too much gain from an antenna meant for more distant stations can create problems. The more gain an antenna has, the narrower is its angle of reception, and the more likely you will need a rotor.

 

[94danstang]

This not a valid argument as the only thing you will be paying for is internet as OTA TV is free.

You are not getting 1080p from any cable or satellite source right now so that point is mute. OTA TV will have better quality most of the time as there will be less compression.

Krzywica - thanks for your reply. Perhaps I wasn't clear in my post before. I am comparing costs of MY cable to the costs of NetFlix and Hulu+ as stated by the author. $46 vs. $17 is a bit different than $78 vs. $17. As one needs internet service to take advantage of NetFlix/Hulu et al, the costs there can be considered a wash. The only other cost is phone service - some need it some don't. Not germane to the discussion as we are comparing cable to Netflix and Hulu+, not cable vs. just OTA. So not really sure why the argument is invalid - there are costs to either solution, I am just trying to point out that the costs for cable MAY not be as exorbitant when bundled.

Secondly - I am fully aware that OTA is not only free, but possibly the 'best' quality source material besides BR. And I am fully aware that BR is probably the only 1080p material out there right now - not even OTA is 1080p. However - I do get 1080i and 720p from my cable company -still better than any online streaming I have seen. And I get things like Discovery, SyFy, TLC, etc. in HD - UNLIKE OTA, where I only get a handful of channels. Not sure how my point is MOOT. I am merely stating that the HD I get from cable is better than anything I have seen on Netflix and Hulu - and that until internet streaming services can match at least cable HD quality, I don't think it is a viable substitute - for ME.

So please - if your experiences are different - especially in the areas of quality for the channels I mention above, please let me know what you are doing. I am here trying to learn like the rest of us.

DAN

 

[krzywica]

Krzywica - thanks for your reply. Perhaps I wasn't clear in my post before. I am comparing costs of MY cable to the costs of NetFlix and Hulu+ as stated by the author. $46 vs. $17 is a bit different than $78 vs. $17. As one needs internet service to take advantage of NetFlix/Hulu et al, the costs there can be considered a wash. The only other cost is phone service - some need it some don't. Not germane to the discussion as we are comparing cable to Netflix and Hulu+, not cable vs. just OTA. So not really sure why the argument is invalid - there are costs to either solution, I am just trying to point out that the costs for cable MAY not be as exorbitant when bundled.

Secondly - I am fully aware that OTA is not only free, but possibly the 'best' quality source material besides BR. And I am fully aware that BR is probably the only 1080p material out there right now - not even OTA is 1080p. However - I do get 1080i and 720p from my cable company -still better than any online streaming I have seen. And I get things like Discovery, SyFy, TLC, etc. in HD - UNLIKE OTA, where I only get a handful of channels. Not sure how my point is MOOT. I am merely stating that the HD I get from cable is better than anything I have seen on Netflix and Hulu - and that until internet streaming services can match at least cable HD quality, I don't think it is a viable substitute - for ME.

So please - if your experiences are different - especially in the areas of quality for the channels I mention above, please let me know what you are doing. I am here trying to learn like the rest of us.

DAN

Ahh ok when further extrapolated I now understand. I thought you were referring to ota and streaming of 1080p that you would be missing out on coming from cable. AFAIK there is not currently any solution that can meet your needs....for the most part. I have all my tv shows on a central server that I stream to popcorn hour devices in each room. PM me if you want further details.