Nothing political here, just a question. It’s about that TV show on TNT,
Let me pause for a moment and let you know my situation. A couple of years ago, I dropped cable. I watch TV over the Internet, mostly using a Roku, but I also get content via Apple TV and Xbox. I can also watch or record over-the-air (OTA) content using Simple.TV (it plays through Roku), but I generally use services like Hulu Plus to watch current content, even if it’s also OTA.
And that’s the problem. As much money as I’m saving by using streaming services rather than cable or satellite — and I’m saving a lot — the downside is that shows that aren’t OTA or included in Hulu Plus, well, I have to buy those a la carte. Or wait a while to watch them. Keep in mind that even using pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) for current content, I still pay a lot less for TV than I did in 2010.
Some people, Frank J included, use a computer to watch TV. That home theater personal computer (HTPC) approach works well enough; in fact, some prefer that setup. I’m one of those that doesn’t. I’ve tried it, and I’ve tried other devices, but, for me, I’ve limited myself to using my three set-top boxes.
I realize that this means I’ve put some limitations on myself, and could solve things by removing those limitations. But, honestly, I don’t want to. I’m aware of the limitations, and have decided to go the way I’ve gone for cost and simplicity. I’m at the balance I want, insofar as ways to watch TV. That may change, as technology changes, but for the foreseeable future, I’m using Roku, Roku/Simple.TV, Apple TV, and Xbox.
Those limitations also mean I have to make some choices. And I’m asking for input so I can make a choice.
Last year, I finally watched Falling Skies. I had already dropped cable by the time it premiered on TNT, and never got around to checking it out. I’m an Amazon Prime member. That means that, not only do I get better shipping terms, I get a shipload of TV and movies available for streaming to my Roku and Xbox, as well as to my mobile devices.
Falling Skies is one of those shows. I watched the first two seasons, and am looking forward to the new season, which actually began last night.
Since I don’t have cable, I didn’t see the show. Now, I have a couple of choices: I can buy the season for $1.89 (SD) or $2.84 (HD) an episode. That means, for the full 10-episode season, it would be $18.90 – $28.40.
Now, if I wait until late in the year, it’ll be available for a discount of around 25-40% off. And, if I wait until even later, it’ll likely show up on Amazon Prime.
So, I can buy shows now, buy shows later at a discount, or wait several months and watch them all for no extra money.
Did you see the episodes last night? Were they great? Did they suck? And, if they were great, should I go ahead and pony up the money to watch the shows?
Whaddaya think?
I saw the 1st season before I dropped cable. It was OK. I’d watch more for free – I wouldn’t pay to see any more of it. But that’s a taste & preference thing – you may like it more than I did.
I don’t think it is anything that would be so much better in HD than SD – the FX are not super – just OK for TV. If you decide to buy I’d say try an episode in SD and one in HD – see if it’s worth ansd extra buck for you.
I like it. There was a little bit of a stutter in the 1st season with too much infighting and cheesy themes but it sorted itself out. Overall its a a good show with good production value.
the acting is at times a bit too actory but I like it more than “Defiance” which I’m not impressed with so far.
one more thing….its no Firefly, but its what “V” could have been.
I have the episodes recorded but I haven’t seen them yet….went deep sea fishing with the family instead. I’ll let you know when I see them.
I opted to watch the Cardinals / Reds game and taped the episodes to watch tonight. (looking forward to skipping through the commercials)
BTW, Cardinals scored 7 runs in the 10 and beat the Reds 11-4. Woot!
what i would do is watch other stuff until i no longer have anything in the pipeline. then i would spend a buck eighty-nine on an episode to see what i think.
jw:
That’s a huge pipeline. I’m only up to the year 1968 with Mission: Impossible on Amazon Prime.
basi, then it would be free by the time you needed it. if money is the factor that wins. if curiosity is the factor, spend a $1.89.
that’s just me
oops “basil” sorry
You might see if your library has the first year or two available on DVD. Not so much trouble to find out if it’s something you want to invest much time in, not to mention money. You can always purchase the entire series or the ones you haven’t seen yet.
Basil – you can buy a used copy of Season 1 on DVD at Amazon for $11.99 (that’s $15.98 delivered).
@11 DamnCat i thought he had seen season 1 and 2. the question is season 3, i think.
ThePirateBay.sx
PeerBlock
uTorrent
Kinda enjoyed last season. Watched the first hour of this seasons premier last night. yawn. That’s an hour I’ll never get back. Would rather watch paint dry.
When a show like Firefly is possible, why do they keep coming up with c r a p like this?
Mission: Impossible, at least the early seasons that looked like they were filmed in cold war Europe…I’m not particularly fond of the later seasons, most of which were more 70’s themed and all too often revolved around Barney getting captured and needing to be rescued by the rest of the team.
I just saw the 2 new Falling Skies episodes and here’s what I thought:
meh.
It’s no better or worse than season 2. The acting is still a bit to stiff and overdone – especially the child actors, the writing is lazy and cliché-ridden (oh no!!! my glasses! I can’t see without my glasses!” to “look at the innocent children….they’re so innocent”) but it’s a nice story and narrative. I wouldn’t pay for it. if you can wait and see it on Amazon Prime for free I’d wait. It’s not Earth shattering television but pretty entertaining if you’re willing to overlook the pitfalls of formulaic sci-fi.
Basil,
isn’t there enough to watch as it is? The amount of content available is like drinking from a firehouse. I wouldn’t pay for it unless you are a monster fan.
Can’t you watch it for free on their website?
I dumped cable and watch a lot of things through my PS3 with a program called PlayOn (http://playon.tv)
I’ll check tonight to see if the new falling skies are available…
I watched it for the first time last night and I agree with blarq 15. One cool thing though. There is a character that I see everywhere. Same actor, only knows one character, different shows. Just as I was saying to myself that I was really tired of seeing this guy, somebody blows him away! pretty cool. Might watch it again because there is this other actor that I’m not to fond of.
Thanks to all for the responses.
What is this DVD of which some of you speak? Physical discs? That is so 2010.
Having already watched the first two seasons via Amazon Prime, and based on the early reviews from you that have seen the episodes, I think I’ll await the Prime arrival later in the year.
Again, thanks.
God, I hate the idiots that give people crap for still buying DVDs. I know you think your cool and hip for it, but you’re not. I laugh at people that brag about throwing away all their physical media because everyone is on Netflix, et. al., now. Soon they are whining because, what they wanted to watch is gone, because of the last spat between companies. I can watch my DVDs anytime I want and no one take them away. Better yet, they are all ripped to my media server and safety stored away as backups.
Gosh, I hate idiots that troll Websites. You know, ones that leave fake email addresses because they’re too big of a p***y to man up and let me know who they really are. Does your mom know you’re on her computer?
By the way, I was looking to buy some buggy whips. You seem like you would know where they’re available.