Getting rid of cable?

[daflyboys]

Re: Getting rid of cable?

TV companies are going to recognize the trend and adapt. I think the majority of the people have always wanted cable a la carte but were forced to buy 7,349 channels because they've wanted only 3 or 4 channels on the "higher tier" packages and paid the price. But with these alternatives, cable companies will also need to adapt or die, just like Blockbuster.

[Unoriginal Name]

Re: Getting rid of cable?

Might want to watch this 10 min. episode of HD nation: http://revision3.com/hdnation/bestovertheairtv

Go to www.antennaweb.org and put in your info. Then it'll calculate what channels you can expect.

Go to your local Walmart, Target, etc and buy a couple of powered indoor antennas. Start with the cheapest one. If it gets all the expected channels you're done. Take the rest back.

I went through 3 of them before I found one. Finally settled on a Phillips model.

I bought a Radio Shack rabbit ears back in January when we ditched cable. I get about half the channels I should get. I have been thinking about stepping up a model and seeing if that helps any.

What Phillips model do you have?

[Chef Matt]

Re: Getting rid of cable?

Both my TV's are rockin this model antenna. I get 80% of all the local channels broadcasted in my area. The ones I don't get are some hmong stations, and a few weird old movie stations. All the major network stations I get though.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Multi-Directional-Digital-Flat-Amplified-Antenna-Sleek-Home-Theater-Design-Black/10828412

[videobastard]

Re: Getting rid of cable?

Both my TV's are rockin this model antenna. I get 80% of all the local channels broadcasted in my area. The ones I don't get are some hmong stations, and a few weird old movie stations. All the major network stations I get though.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Multi-Directional-Digital-Flat-Amplified-Antenna-Sleek-Home-Theater-Design-Black/10828412

Whats the cost of this antenna. Walmart's site does not list the price for this.

[Chef Matt]

Re: Getting rid of cable?

Whats the cost of this antenna. Walmart's site does not list the price for this.

Mine were 29.99

[videobastard]

Re: Getting rid of cable?

Ok Thanks!

[CMH]

Of course there's always my personal favorite, the super-awesome VGA+3.5mm combo cable.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...+audio&x=0&y=0


Especially the 25 foot edition, for when you want to run it all the way around the room.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

Is there a VGA to HMI version of this? My set only RCA and HDMI inputs but my laptop is VGA.


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- Sent from my mobile device.

[snepp]

Re: Getting rid of cable?

What's the model number of your set?


The only problem with going from the VGA/3.5mm outputs, to the HDMI input, is the conversion from analog to digital. You'll need an additional piece of hardware to do the work.

Something like this:

Spoiler

http://www.mycablemart.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=2445

I don't know how cheaply they can be had, a quick search looks like $30-35.


Here's a Monoprice listing if you wanted to get one at the same time you get a cable.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

[CMH]

Re: Getting rid of cable?

Guh.

It's an Insignia™-42" Class / 720p / 600Hz / Plasma HDTV-NS-42P650A11

[snepp]

Re: Getting rid of cable?

Looks like it has 2 sets of component inputs, are either of those inputs available? They would be the best option, due to being analog. You could just use a vga-to-component conversion cable and not require the additional hardware.

I should note this may or may not work this way, the video card in the laptop has to support component output.

[CMH]

Re: Getting rid of cable?

Looks like it has 2 sets of component inputs, are either of those inputs available? They would be the best option, due to being analog. You could just use a vga-to-component conversion cable and not require the additional hardware.

I should note this may or may not work this way, the video card in the laptop has to support component output.

Yea, the component inputs are free. Completely overlooked those.

I have to check on my video card anyway. I keep downloading an update, but sometimes it still crashes when I play videos from vimeo or youtube. Can't really explain why that happens.

[snepp]

Re: Getting rid of cable?

What model is your laptop? More specifically, what is the video card in it?


Worst case you can always do the HDMI converter route, it'll just cost you a little more.

[CMH]

Re: Getting rid of cable?

What model is your laptop? More specifically, what is the video card in it?


Worst case you can always do the HDMI converter route, it'll just cost you a little more.

How convenient. My device manager isn't showing an option to view my display adapters. I can't restart now. I'll check on this later.

[ESPNdeportes]

Re: Getting rid of cable?

Just ordered the El Gato EyeTV One for my mac mini HTPC

http://www.elgato.com/elgato/na/mainmenu/products/EyeTV-One/product1.en.html

Should complete my setup. It will serve as a DVR for over the air TV. Pretty much only gonna use it for football, because in the fall I'm always busy with outdoor stuff and miss a lot of the early NFL and college games.....but no more. For other live sports, I have ESPN3 and of course over the air.

I use Hulu desktop for all my shows (Daily Show, The Office, Parks & Rec) and then watch DVD's otherwise. I don't watch CBS shows but if I did I could now record them on my mac.

We had netflix but cancelled and it and now we just get DVD's from the library. Takes a little longer but we probably watch 1-2 DVD's a month.

The only show I can't watch is PTI, but I have the podcast and listen to it in the car or when I'm messing around. I also don't get NFL network games or TBS/TNT baseball or basketball playoffs.

Mac Mini is a great HTPC, I can control everything with the apple remote, very easy to use

[Dirty Turtles]

Re: Getting rid of cable?

I called to cancel DTV and got offered the SELECT package that meets 95% of our TV needs, at a 10$ discounted rate for two years. They gave me free DVR service for a year, the Sports Package for free for 6 months and NFL Sunday Ticket at half price this year. I decided to stay for that offer, it'll save us 1500$ over the life of the contract and by then I'll be out of school and hopefully be situated in a cushy high paying job.