Comments on: Why I Can’t Break Up With Cable http://newteevee.com/2008/05/27/why-i-cant-break-up-with-cable/ NewTeeVee Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:11:15 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Amy http://newteevee.com/2008/05/27/why-i-cant-break-up-with-cable/#comment-240645 Amy Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:41:23 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=4160#comment-240645 <p>Hi Chris. You can get free HD broadcasts on most network shows via over the air digital TV. If you have a HD or flatscreen TV, just hook it up to a decent VHF/UHF antenna and select ATSC input.</p> <p>We canceled cable this year and now watch all our favorite shows this way. Since it's digital (and not as compressed), the signal is actually much clearer and sharper than our old digital cable was.</p> <p>We also signed up for a basic Netflix subscription, which we use to watch our favorite HBO and Showtime shows as well as thousands of 'free' pay-on-demand via their Instant Watch feature. Hulu.com and Itunes come in handy for timely shows (Daily Show, etc.), so we can pretty much watch all our favorite shows without spending thousands on cable TV.</p> <p>We blogged about our experience at: <a href="http://www.cancelcable.com" rel="nofollow">CancelCable.com</a> and are posting screenshots and sample videos of our setup and the quality of the broadcasts we are receiving. .</p> <p>P.S. If you are looking for extra motivation to cancel, checkout <a href="http://www.cancelcable.com/why-keeping-cable-tv-is-like-buying-a-new-plasma-tv-each-year-and-tossing-it-in-the-dumpster/14/" rel="nofollow">this page</A> which tells you how much money you would earn if you canceled cable and invested it instead!</p> Hi Chris. You can get free HD broadcasts on most network shows via over the air digital TV. If you have a HD or flatscreen TV, just hook it up to a decent VHF/UHF antenna and select ATSC input.

We canceled cable this year and now watch all our favorite shows this way. Since it’s digital (and not as compressed), the signal is actually much clearer and sharper than our old digital cable was.

We also signed up for a basic Netflix subscription, which we use to watch our favorite HBO and Showtime shows as well as thousands of ‘free’ pay-on-demand via their Instant Watch feature. Hulu.com and Itunes come in handy for timely shows (Daily Show, etc.), so we can pretty much watch all our favorite shows without spending thousands on cable TV.

We blogged about our experience at: CancelCable.com and are posting screenshots and sample videos of our setup and the quality of the broadcasts we are receiving.
.

P.S. If you are looking for extra motivation to cancel, checkout this page which tells you how much money you would earn if you canceled cable and invested it instead!

]]> By: keith http://newteevee.com/2008/05/27/why-i-cant-break-up-with-cable/#comment-238434 keith Wed, 28 May 2008 14:50:09 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=4160#comment-238434 <p>For those sports fans check out espn360.com. It has streaming ESPN with content that spans all of the ESPN properties. Your internet provider pays to subscribe (which of course is passed onto you) so you might as well use it!</p> <p>Also the majority of the Beijing olympics will be streamed over the web as well!</p> For those sports fans check out espn360.com. It has streaming ESPN with content that spans all of the ESPN properties. Your internet provider pays to subscribe (which of course is passed onto you) so you might as well use it!

Also the majority of the Beijing olympics will be streamed over the web as well!

]]> By: William Hughes http://newteevee.com/2008/05/27/why-i-cant-break-up-with-cable/#comment-238426 William Hughes Wed, 28 May 2008 12:25:33 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=4160#comment-238426 <p>I stopped watching Cable in January of 2007. Over the past 10 years I watched as the quality of TV Shows headed south with each passing year. Two things have contributed to this.</p> <ol> <li><p>The replacing of Quality Drama and Comedy Shows with Cheaply-Produced "Reality", Game and News Shows.</p></li> <li><p>The Amount of Commercials that viewers have to contend with when watching a show. 10 years ago a viewer watched about 10-12 minutes of Commercials for each Hour of Programming. Now, a person has to contend with 20 -26 minutes of Commercials each hour! Many of them are for products I have absolutely no interest in buying, and many of them are presented to me in a way I find Obnoxious and/or Offensive. (Some of the Ads for certain Medical Products approach being Pornographic in nature, and are shown at times when Children are watching!) And if that isn't enough, Ads are now run during the program! (In the form of Banners, Scrolls and "Pop-Ups". I finally decided it was no longer worth it. If they are making more money by selling more commercials they obviously no longer need my $65.00 Subscription Fee each month. I now use that $65.00 to purchase DVD Box Sets of my Favorate Programs. (And some I never got to watch when they first came out.) By keeping my eyes on the Bargain Bins, I can get 3 to 5 of these sets each month. I have now accumulated over 7,000 hours of Programs and Movies. I actually enjoy my evenings in front of the set. Gone are the days where I have to keep my finger on the remote's "Mute" switch, ready at a moment's notice to snuff out an offending Ad. There are no distractions on the screen, and the only inturruptions are if the Phone rings or someone is at the Door. whenever this happens I just pause the program! (For Phone Calls I check the Caller ID, a Toll-Free Number, Out of State Number where I know nobody, Customer Service or "Unknown Caller" prompt gets my "Two-Fingered Salute" (Press Talk and End in rapid succession)) There are no schedules to adhere to, and best of all, after I am done watching the program, I GET TO KEEP IT!</p></li> </ol> I stopped watching Cable in January of 2007. Over the past 10 years I watched as the quality of TV Shows headed south with each passing year. Two things have contributed to this.

  1. The replacing of Quality Drama and Comedy Shows with Cheaply-Produced “Reality”, Game and News Shows.

  2. The Amount of Commercials that viewers have to contend with when watching a show. 10 years ago a viewer watched about 10-12 minutes of Commercials for each Hour of Programming. Now, a person has to contend with 20 -26 minutes of Commercials each hour! Many of them are for products I have absolutely no interest in buying, and many of them are presented to me in a way I find Obnoxious and/or Offensive. (Some of the Ads for certain Medical Products approach being Pornographic in nature, and are shown at times when Children are watching!) And if that isn’t enough, Ads are now run during the program! (In the form of Banners, Scrolls and “Pop-Ups”. I finally decided it was no longer worth it. If they are making more money by selling more commercials they obviously no longer need my $65.00 Subscription Fee each month. I now use that $65.00 to purchase DVD Box Sets of my Favorate Programs. (And some I never got to watch when they first came out.) By keeping my eyes on the Bargain Bins, I can get 3 to 5 of these sets each month. I have now accumulated over 7,000 hours of Programs and Movies. I actually enjoy my evenings in front of the set. Gone are the days where I have to keep my finger on the remote’s “Mute” switch, ready at a moment’s notice to snuff out an offending Ad. There are no distractions on the screen, and the only inturruptions are if the Phone rings or someone is at the Door. whenever this happens I just pause the program! (For Phone Calls I check the Caller ID, a Toll-Free Number, Out of State Number where I know nobody, Customer Service or “Unknown Caller” prompt gets my “Two-Fingered Salute” (Press Talk and End in rapid succession)) There are no schedules to adhere to, and best of all, after I am done watching the program, I GET TO KEEP IT!

]]> By: Riley http://newteevee.com/2008/05/27/why-i-cant-break-up-with-cable/#comment-238402 Riley Wed, 28 May 2008 01:19:08 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=4160#comment-238402 <p>I think it boils down to value for your dollar. I was not watching enough television to justify the monthly bill. I use netflix and the internet to satisfy my entertainment needs. If you feel like you are getting a good bang for your buck keep paying the bill...</p> I think it boils down to value for your dollar. I was not watching enough television to justify the monthly bill. I use netflix and the internet to satisfy my entertainment needs.
If you feel like you are getting a good bang for your buck keep paying the bill…

]]> By: GigaNET PM: Cable Woes, Whiteboards, Open Source Google - GigaOM http://newteevee.com/2008/05/27/why-i-cant-break-up-with-cable/#comment-238392 GigaNET PM: Cable Woes, Whiteboards, Open Source Google - GigaOM Tue, 27 May 2008 23:15:02 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=4160#comment-238392 <p>[...] NewTeeVee: Try as he might, writer Chris Albrecht just can’t break up with cable. Any suggestions? [...]</p> [...] NewTeeVee: Try as he might, writer Chris Albrecht just can’t break up with cable. Any suggestions? [...]

]]> By: Steve http://newteevee.com/2008/05/27/why-i-cant-break-up-with-cable/#comment-238390 Steve Tue, 27 May 2008 22:54:40 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=4160#comment-238390 <p>I cut the cable and gave away my TV several years ago. It was tough at first. But eventually I found ways to fill the time. I don't regret it at all. Now, I find the shows rather boring. I'm still captivated by commercials though.</p> <p>So, I'd recommend going cold turkey. Forget Hulu, apple TV or whatever else is online. The medium is new, but the message is the same.</p> <p>My tips for quitting are to pursue neglected interests. You mentioned novel writing in your post. To get a kick start, I recommend nanowrimo. I also started reading more without cable's sweet siren song.</p> <p>Also, line up other diversions. I took up tango dancing. It had three key elements. It was entertaining (to me at least), soaked up lots of time, and I got to meet women. For a mindless distraction there is always drinking. Sports are also a good for mindless fun, and are more healthy.</p> I cut the cable and gave away my TV several years ago. It was tough at first. But eventually I found ways to fill the time. I don’t regret it at all. Now, I find the shows rather boring. I’m still captivated by commercials though.

So, I’d recommend going cold turkey. Forget Hulu, apple TV or whatever else is online. The medium is new, but the message is the same.

My tips for quitting are to pursue neglected interests. You mentioned novel writing in your post. To get a kick start, I recommend nanowrimo. I also started reading more without cable’s sweet siren song.

Also, line up other diversions. I took up tango dancing. It had three key elements. It was entertaining (to me at least), soaked up lots of time, and I got to meet women. For a mindless distraction there is always drinking. Sports are also a good for mindless fun, and are more healthy.

]]> By: Robert Seidman http://newteevee.com/2008/05/27/why-i-cant-break-up-with-cable/#comment-238367 Robert Seidman Tue, 27 May 2008 18:07:22 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=4160#comment-238367 <p>If not for sports and love of HD on the bigscreen (mostly for Sports and Movies) I could give it up. For most things that are in at least good quality 480p, (tv shows, movies) I could probably suffer through the lack of HD and download everything via iTunes (or other services) and beam it to the big screen from my media server. But, I'm just too hooked on live sports to completely cut the chord.</p> <p>And though it all winds up being pricey, I really like On Demand...a lot. Am about to binge on the entire 3rd season of Showtime's Weeds via On Demand.</p> If not for sports and love of HD on the bigscreen (mostly for Sports and Movies) I could give it up. For most things that are in at least good quality 480p, (tv shows, movies) I could probably suffer through the lack of HD and download everything via iTunes (or other services) and beam it to the big screen from my media server. But, I’m just too hooked on live sports to completely cut the chord.

And though it all winds up being pricey, I really like On Demand…a lot. Am about to binge on the entire 3rd season of Showtime’s Weeds via On Demand.

]]> By: seriouslytech » Blog Archive » Poll: Are You Still Watching Cable TV? http://newteevee.com/2008/05/27/why-i-cant-break-up-with-cable/#comment-238365 seriouslytech » Blog Archive » Poll: Are You Still Watching Cable TV? Tue, 27 May 2008 17:54:35 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=4160#comment-238365 <p>[...] Albrecht has a post on NewTeeVee this morning asking for suggestions to help him break up with cable. Even though cable prices have gone up 77 percent since 1996, which according to the New York Times [...]</p> [...] Albrecht has a post on NewTeeVee this morning asking for suggestions to help him break up with cable. Even though cable prices have gone up 77 percent since 1996, which according to the New York Times [...]

]]> By: Brian E http://newteevee.com/2008/05/27/why-i-cant-break-up-with-cable/#comment-238363 Brian E Tue, 27 May 2008 17:41:51 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=4160#comment-238363 <p>I still pay my cable co (Time Warner, which is crap) for their Internet pipe, but I recently canceled my actual cable TV subscription with them. Most of the stuff I watched on cable is now free on Veoh, Hulu, ABC.com, etc. I just plug my laptop into my flatscreen, which isn't ideal, but it sure beats paying $70 a month plus tax. Losing my ESPN channels was painful, but now I just go down to my local sports bar and watch my games there.</p> I still pay my cable co (Time Warner, which is crap) for their Internet pipe, but I recently canceled my actual cable TV subscription with them. Most of the stuff I watched on cable is now free on Veoh, Hulu, ABC.com, etc. I just plug my laptop into my flatscreen, which isn’t ideal, but it sure beats paying $70 a month plus tax. Losing my ESPN channels was painful, but now I just go down to my local sports bar and watch my games there.

]]> By: steamboat willie http://newteevee.com/2008/05/27/why-i-cant-break-up-with-cable/#comment-238360 steamboat willie Tue, 27 May 2008 16:52:09 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=4160#comment-238360 <p>Um, it's about SPORTS. That's why we can't quit cable anytime soon.</p> Um, it’s about SPORTS. That’s why we can’t quit cable anytime soon.

]]> By: Daisy Whitney http://newteevee.com/2008/05/27/why-i-cant-break-up-with-cable/#comment-238356 Daisy Whitney Tue, 27 May 2008 16:12:49 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=4160#comment-238356 <p>I haven't cut the cord either even though I know I should. It's expensive and works poorly and yet I still really like VOD and I use it for the workout videos and for the kids shows. I guess that makes the ridiculous price of admission worthwhile. That and the fact that I just don't think connecting your computer to your TV is ready for prime-time yet.</p> I haven’t cut the cord either even though I know I should. It’s expensive and works poorly and yet I still really like VOD and I use it for the workout videos and for the kids shows. I guess that makes the ridiculous price of admission worthwhile. That and the fact that I just don’t think connecting your computer to your TV is ready for prime-time yet.

]]> By: Chris Albrecht http://newteevee.com/2008/05/27/why-i-cant-break-up-with-cable/#comment-238352 Chris Albrecht Tue, 27 May 2008 15:42:55 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=4160#comment-238352 <p>Hey Nat,</p> <p>I read your post, and you're an inspiration. I just don't know if I'll muster the energy to do all that. Though I think I'll look into that Elgato device. Thanks!</p> Hey Nat,

I read your post, and you’re an inspiration. I just don’t know if I’ll muster the energy to do all that. Though I think I’ll look into that Elgato device. Thanks!

]]> By: Nat http://newteevee.com/2008/05/27/why-i-cant-break-up-with-cable/#comment-238351 Nat Tue, 27 May 2008 15:34:15 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=4160#comment-238351 <p>I cut the cord last year when we realized that we preferred downloading our shows to watching them on the Comcast DVR. I wrote a lengthy blog post about how we did it:</p> <p>http://nattarbox.com/blog/2007/08/rejecting-cable-monopoly.html</p> I cut the cord last year when we realized that we preferred downloading our shows to watching them on the Comcast DVR. I wrote a lengthy blog post about how we did it:

http://nattarbox.com/blog/2007/08/rejecting-cable-monopoly.html

]]> By: Eddie G http://newteevee.com/2008/05/27/why-i-cant-break-up-with-cable/#comment-238349 Eddie G Tue, 27 May 2008 14:52:15 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=4160#comment-238349 <p>I get all my needs covered by d-addicts.com, the Wire and Sopranos on DVD, and renting blu-rays at my local video store. I have basic cable (which here in Sweden is like 16 channels) since it's included in my rent but I never watch it. It works for me since I'm into Asian dramas, a few high quality series, and high quality movies.</p> I get all my needs covered by d-addicts.com, the Wire and Sopranos on DVD, and renting blu-rays at my local video store. I have basic cable (which here in Sweden is like 16 channels) since it’s included in my rent but I never watch it. It works for me since I’m into Asian dramas, a few high quality series, and high quality movies.

]]> By: Michael http://newteevee.com/2008/05/27/why-i-cant-break-up-with-cable/#comment-238347 Michael Tue, 27 May 2008 14:29:46 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=4160#comment-238347 <p>I'm actually trying to decide if I should go back to cable or if I should just get an over the air antenna right now. I haven't had cable in 2 years and sometimes I miss being able to just turn on the TV and be entertained almost instantly. The reason I'm trying to make the decision between Cable and over the air though is because where I live I should be able to get ABC, NBC, Fox, and CBS in HD over the air and it should only cost me about $60 for the antenna, but I would love to be able to watch TBS and TV Land so I don't know what to do either.</p> <p>If I were you however, I would probably stick with cable, at least for another year or so. You have an HDTV and currently HD on the internet is a little hard to come by.</p> I’m actually trying to decide if I should go back to cable or if I should just get an over the air antenna right now. I haven’t had cable in 2 years and sometimes I miss being able to just turn on the TV and be entertained almost instantly. The reason I’m trying to make the decision between Cable and over the air though is because where I live I should be able to get ABC, NBC, Fox, and CBS in HD over the air and it should only cost me about $60 for the antenna, but I would love to be able to watch TBS and TV Land so I don’t know what to do either.

If I were you however, I would probably stick with cable, at least for another year or so. You have an HDTV and currently HD on the internet is a little hard to come by.

]]> By: Lawrence http://newteevee.com/2008/05/27/why-i-cant-break-up-with-cable/#comment-238344 Lawrence Tue, 27 May 2008 13:51:55 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=4160#comment-238344 <p>For me, DSL sucks, so I have internet through Comcast. Second, satellites just never worked for me, especially when a storm was approaching, you did receive a 20 minute warning of snow/interference.</p> <p>I do need to drop HBO, I rarely watch it, especially after the Wire and Sopranos are gone. I rarely navigate over 75, unless I tune into ESPN news, the Encore channel group, HBO and the MTV set from time to time.</p> <p>When the Apple TV comes up with a subscription i will likely cut my services down to basic. Until then, I'm stuck watching how stuff is made and the history channel, trying my best to account for my $125 cable bill (including internet).</p> For me, DSL sucks, so I have internet through Comcast. Second, satellites just never worked for me, especially when a storm was approaching, you did receive a 20 minute warning of snow/interference.

I do need to drop HBO, I rarely watch it, especially after the Wire and Sopranos are gone. I rarely navigate over 75, unless I tune into ESPN news, the Encore channel group, HBO and the MTV set from time to time.

When the Apple TV comes up with a subscription i will likely cut my services down to basic. Until then, I’m stuck watching how stuff is made and the history channel, trying my best to account for my $125 cable bill (including internet).

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