Just a few years ago, pay TV was the only game in town: you paid their price and watched valuable money go down the drain. Well today, the game is different - you have so many choices these days when it comes to TV that cable and satellite providers must be shaking in their boots. In their minds, people who pay for their services are really too lazy to make the change, so they'll continue to pay for their low-quality transmissions, poor customer service, and DVR's without batting a lash. But you are different: you see the choices out there and want to make the change. But with so many choices and possibilities for error, which road to do you take?
Before I share the simple answer, a quick story. I called my local monopoly cable company to share the good news, that I was leaving them forever. Much to their amazement, the couldn't believe my words. I was quickly routed to "customer retention" (this department tries to keep you with the company), with a person who extolled the virtues of their product. When they realized that 'No' meant exactly that, I was offered a deal: keep the cable, return the DVR, and we'll charge you only $13.00 for all the stations you get now. That's still over $155 per year (minus tax of course), but I wasn't having it. With one click of the phone, my relationship was over - YEAH! So, how do I get along without pay TV? What's the secret?
Here is the simple answer: watch what is available through the Internet, and get the rest of your programming through over-the-air stations. The process is simple:
1. Turn off your pay TV immediately, or reduce it down to the minimum number of stations. Give them back the DVR and ask for a digital cable conversion kit, which contains a very small converter box. This will show local stations, CSPAN, and a couple of access stations. If you have satellite, decide whether you need pay TV at all.
2. If you want live television for news or sports, you'll need a digital antenna and possibly other materials. Determine how many TV's you have, and which can be used with an internal antenna. Many are available, but you need a south window with little obstructions. I live in a very compact neighborhood, so I needed an external antenna, which I attached to my local cable connections located inside my walk-in closet. This antenna is very small and mounted to my garage roof in my alley. By running it through my cable distribution center, I get signals in every room, and simply use the old cable wiring from the wall. Go to your local electronics store and purchase an external antenna which can be mounted.
3. In #2, I mentioned 'other materials' - there are a couple of options, each of which I will go into in future editions. Simply choose the one that best fits your needs. For now, let's talk about viewing over-the-air: if you have HDTV-ready TV's, all you need is the antenna. Plug it into your HDTV-ready sets through the cable connection or through the internal antenna, and you're ready to go. If you have older sets, you'll need a converter box. Again, visit your local electronics store. Purchase one with a programming guide built in, or choose one that can simply plug into your computer. If you choose indoor antennas, consider ones which are powered - these are plugged into an outlet to help pull in weaker signals. Again, we'll dive into other options to receive AND record OTA in later editions.
4. Tune to the exceptional choices out there on the Internet. Here are just a few: Hulu, Livecast, and the networks like CBS, NBC, and ABC. All offer clear signals and few commercials - yes, they have to monetize this thing, otherwise you'll never see it for free. You can watch programming on your computer, or consider throwing it up on your flat panel. For now, check out the above sites and see if your favorite programming is available.
If you have a TiVo, we'll talk about this as well in future editions. Enjoy the wide variety of choices out there, and kiss that pay TV bill goodbye!
Before I share the simple answer, a quick story. I called my local monopoly cable company to share the good news, that I was leaving them forever. Much to their amazement, the couldn't believe my words. I was quickly routed to "customer retention" (this department tries to keep you with the company), with a person who extolled the virtues of their product. When they realized that 'No' meant exactly that, I was offered a deal: keep the cable, return the DVR, and we'll charge you only $13.00 for all the stations you get now. That's still over $155 per year (minus tax of course), but I wasn't having it. With one click of the phone, my relationship was over - YEAH! So, how do I get along without pay TV? What's the secret?
Here is the simple answer: watch what is available through the Internet, and get the rest of your programming through over-the-air stations. The process is simple:
1. Turn off your pay TV immediately, or reduce it down to the minimum number of stations. Give them back the DVR and ask for a digital cable conversion kit, which contains a very small converter box. This will show local stations, CSPAN, and a couple of access stations. If you have satellite, decide whether you need pay TV at all.
2. If you want live television for news or sports, you'll need a digital antenna and possibly other materials. Determine how many TV's you have, and which can be used with an internal antenna. Many are available, but you need a south window with little obstructions. I live in a very compact neighborhood, so I needed an external antenna, which I attached to my local cable connections located inside my walk-in closet. This antenna is very small and mounted to my garage roof in my alley. By running it through my cable distribution center, I get signals in every room, and simply use the old cable wiring from the wall. Go to your local electronics store and purchase an external antenna which can be mounted.
3. In #2, I mentioned 'other materials' - there are a couple of options, each of which I will go into in future editions. Simply choose the one that best fits your needs. For now, let's talk about viewing over-the-air: if you have HDTV-ready TV's, all you need is the antenna. Plug it into your HDTV-ready sets through the cable connection or through the internal antenna, and you're ready to go. If you have older sets, you'll need a converter box. Again, visit your local electronics store. Purchase one with a programming guide built in, or choose one that can simply plug into your computer. If you choose indoor antennas, consider ones which are powered - these are plugged into an outlet to help pull in weaker signals. Again, we'll dive into other options to receive AND record OTA in later editions.
4. Tune to the exceptional choices out there on the Internet. Here are just a few: Hulu, Livecast, and the networks like CBS, NBC, and ABC. All offer clear signals and few commercials - yes, they have to monetize this thing, otherwise you'll never see it for free. You can watch programming on your computer, or consider throwing it up on your flat panel. For now, check out the above sites and see if your favorite programming is available.
If you have a TiVo, we'll talk about this as well in future editions. Enjoy the wide variety of choices out there, and kiss that pay TV bill goodbye!
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