Sony Vue via PlayStation, Roku...
If you are planning on using DirecTV, inexpensive is not the word to use.
It all depends on how far from the OTH main antenna you are.
Research that first before you cut the cable.
A DirecTV solution could easily cost 2x more than you are already paying.
There are a few ways to achieve your goal. You will need High Speed unlimited internet.
1 KODI (XBMC), using the Exodus and PearTV addons will get you EVERYTHING. FOR FREE!!!
2. If you are looking for LIVE TV you could always try iptvzeta.com and do some research.
I have internet and ROKU 3. Ask your ISP about a deal with internet and digital landline phone.
Last year I gave up my cable based “bundle” of cable phone, TV and internet. I bought an HDTV, a $20 antenna, and internet access. My work pays for my cell phone. I sometimes wish I had a landline, but I get along with out it just fine. I went from paying $170 a month to paying less than $80 (Internet plus HBO Now).
I continued an Amazon Prime membership. There are plenty of TV shows and movies on Amazon and Youtube (I just finished a 7 hour long British TV series on youtube. FREE).
Many people get Netflix. I have not done that yet. Online TV services are getting better. I might get one eventually. I refuse to pay for liberal channels like ESPN, however.
There are lots of options out there.
Apple TV then pay about $9 a month for Netflix and Hulu. Also, if you have Amazon Prime, which is $99 a year, there are lots of free shows and movies, not to mention a lot of other great benefits. Get rabbit ears for local programs.
If you have broadband internet, Sling starts at $20 a month for cable channels, pick and choose what you need at a fraction of the cost of cable and watch anywhere:
On method is satellite internet. If cable is not a viable option and cell phone coverage is sporadic, satellite or WiMax is what is left. Expensive and the download speed is severely reduced (500 kbps).
Get a Roku box and Netflix streaming. If you can wait a while till your favorite cable shows come out on Netflix (up to a year), you can save a lot of $$. But you likely won’t break free of your cable provider if you get your Internet from them too (as I do).
There are many options as long as you have high speed Internet/Wifi. We canceled cable long ago but did go with Sling TV through our Roku device. About 22 channels for 20/month. I still keep my land-line because I have a home office and went with Ooma at around $4/month after purchase of box which paid for itself in 3 months. Works great and have had it around 4-5 years. And because I still have my land-line I do not need an expensive monthly cell phone plan. Have TracFone and works fabulous. Never have dropped calls no matter where in the country we go.
Get a High Def projector (prices coming down) and hook it up to a cheap laptop. Use a wireless keyboard as your remote.
Add a 2.1 or 5.1 sound system, computer speakers work great.
Get HULU, $9 per month. Everything else can be found on YouTube.
I spend $50 per month for connectivity through my local provider (Sonic.net) which includes a land line with unlimited domestic calls.
Cut the TV cord 20 years ago. My son grew up without TV and is the better for it.
PS. You might want to look into a directional antenna
http://www.ccrane.com/Antennas?by=Category
Oh yeah, TV over the airwaves is still free, if you want it.
Are you a member of Amazon Prime? If so, you will not need Netflix, Hulu, etc., as Amazon has its own streaming service.
I have a nice antenna on the roof of my house, and I use a Channelmaster DVR PLUS to record any shows I want to watch. I get about 90 broadcast TV channels here.
I recommend the one with external hard drive.
I have not paid for cable or satellite TV in my life, other than when I was married, and that was because my wife insisted.
For internet I have a $40/mo fast cable account with internet only. I also have a netTALK phone for those rare occasions when I can’t find my cell phone and I need to call it. :) The netTALK phone works about like a regular phone, but it uses the internet. I think it’s about $40 per year.
Fl
We just canceled cable two weeks ago. Best move ever! Cable got to $160/month. The principle of paying that much with less and less content and more and more commercials was sickening.
We have smart TV’s that can connect to the Internet, but also bought an Amazon FireStick for the one TV that wasn’t a smart TV.
We purchased a Netflix account for $12/month, Hulu for $12/month and CBS-All Access for $6/month. We can watch those on any device; TV, FireStick, laptop, tablets, phone.
So far, Hulu isn’t as good for us and we may cancel that, but it is a good provider and many people like it.
We found Sling TV, a Dish Product, may be good for us at $25/month for about 45 channels.
Other channels, like local stations, are live online by simply going to their web site and clicking to stream their content.
So far, we’ve found FAR more available outside cable that we actually like to watch.
Everyone will find something, but the biggest thing is to simply cut cable and work on your own solution.
If you have cable now...ask them if they have a Basic/Basic package.
Where I am I can get Comcast Basic/Basic for $8 per month.
Keep that for awhile while you figure out the wonders of TV viewing online.
bookmark - good post.