Comments on: Cutting the Cord, Part 2: Devices

By: IMAO » Blog Archive » Gameville

IMAO » Blog Archive » Gameville — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 14:22:46 +0000

[...] I’m not even an off-line gamer. I have an Xbox, but I don’t have any games for it. I got it for the ESPN app to watch college football games. Other than fall Saturdays and bowl season, it sits [...]

By: Ryan

Ryan — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 20:23:37 +0000

I use Apple tv, Roku, an Hd antenna and occasionally hook my lap top to my tv. Those options have worked out wonderfully. Paired with an ipad the apple tv is pretty spectacullar. Many blue ray players do streaming too but they don’t have very helpful interfaces. Over all I think that your take on things is spot on.

By: Fly

Fly — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 17:27:07 +0000

Thanks, Basil!

By: Basil

Basil — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 08:37:02 +0000

Fly:
Xbox does have a browser of sorts (a version of IE) included, but it doesn’t support Flash — none of the boxes I use do. C-SPAN’s online streaming content is in Flash. Fact is, many streams for a browser use Flash.

It’s also unlikely C-SPAN would make apps for any of the STBs since those are popular with cord-cutters, and C-SPAN stands for Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network. It’s funded by cable and satellite services.

Having said that, HBO does have an app (HBOGO, for Roku and Xbox, plus other boxes and mobile devices) but you must log in with your cable/satellite provider account to view it; it’s pretty much designed for taking HBO with you on trips, or adding it to a second TV in your house.

By: Fly

Fly — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 08:16:15 +0000

Nice review, Basil, thanks!

No C-SPAN? That’s sad. Do any of the devices support arbitrary web streaming? (other than HTPC, obviously) I think some C-SPAN can be watched on their site.

By: Basil

Basil — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 22:09:59 +0000

Calvin A:
I had TiVo before and after. No change for me. Internet remained the same for me. Cable dropped from $60 to $0, while Netflix and Hulu Plus added $16. That’s a net $44/month for me. If I want to buy the current season if, say, Breaking Bad rather than wait for it, it’s PAYGO, but not $44 x 12. I’m coming out way ahead. Your mileage may vary.

By: Calvin A.

Calvin A. — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 21:56:35 +0000

Basil,

I seem to be missing the point of your exercise. I pony up about $60 a month for cable (possibly a little less since they “claim” they give a discount for having high speed internet and TV together). By the time you pay for all these subscription services are you really saving anything? $15 for the TIVO, $8 Netflix, $8 Hulu Plus, Paygo for various other things seem like it could add up to close to the cost of a single cable bill pretty quickly.

New laptops have a built in HDMI port which plugs into the new televisions. I can stream stuff off my laptop straight to my TV so although it isn’t “point a remote at the TV”, it is just as easy to stream stuff off the internet.

Watch less TV. I have been agonizing over the past year about not watching sports as most of the programs I want to watch are available somewhere on the internet, even if it is after the season is over (what do I care, it’s fiction) but sports often aren’t. OTOH, I have missed a lot of sports programming over the past few years and not really minded so maybe hitting a bar or a friend’s during the playoffs might be the way to go.

Watch complete seasons after they are over. Easy, available readily, watch at your own convenience.

A device you haven’t considered: Bio-Optic Organized Knowledge Device, tradenamed – BOOK.

By: Robotimecop

Robotimecop — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 18:23:33 +0000

I’ve hooked up my desktop PC to the TV through an HDMI input. If you have good bandwidth, the resolution is 720p. I’m able to watch new TV shows on Hulu (not hulu plus) and Netflix, you can also go to some of the network sites and watch streaming video as well. The downside is that there is no live sports broadcasts. With a cordless mouse as a remote, you can access the world from your couch.

By: Basil

Basil — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 17:04:37 +0000

Ogrrre:
CNN? They have a TV channel?

The think I like about my setup is, if I want to watch a show, I watch it. Haven’t done the NCIS thing, but might give it a try. I think it’s on Netflix.

Like you, never seen a “Snookie” — I’m not even sure it exists. Kinda like Bigfoot.

By: Ogrrre

Ogrrre — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 16:46:48 +0000

Basil, I haven’t watched tv in years, and I don’t have cable or satellite, either. I have a nice television, and it is hooked up only to a vcr/dvd player/recorder. I don’t have to listen to Il Douche lying his lips off. Nor, when channel surfing, do I have to risk losing IQ points by the device stopping momentarily on PMSNBC or CNN, or any of the alphabets. I know there is such a thing as a “Snooky” that has something to do with New Jersey (I’m assuming), but I’ve never seen or heard it. From what others have said, I’m not missing anything.
There is one program I watch, and that is NCIS … when I remember, and I do that by going to CBS’s website. I have the expense only of the high-speed internet bill, and the money saved by not subscribing to cable or a satellite provider, I can use to stock up on ammo.

By: IMAO » Blog Archive » Cutting the Cord, Part 1: Content

IMAO » Blog Archive » Cutting the Cord, Part 1: Content — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 11:05:33 +0000

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