After verifying that you have satisfied your contractual obligation, cancel your satellite or cable TV service. You may be feeling a bit of panic setting-in at this point, because there is probably a LCD or plasma flat screen television sitting in the corner of your living room that "NO LONGER WORKS!"
You shouldn't be panicking, in fact you should be celebrating, because you just eliminated a monthly bill. Next the fun part begins. You will soon have more television options than you could possibly need......did I mention no contract?
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Step 3: The Decision
When we were ready to "dump the dish," there were not quite as many choices as there are today. When I say choices, I am referring to the growing number of platforms that are available to help you bring the internet into your living room - via your TV. There seems to be a new one everyday, and each one is marketed as more user friendly than the last. Just a few of the more popular ones are Google TV, Boxee, Apple TV, Roku, and WD TV.
Another available option is often referred to as a Home Theater Personal Computer or HTPC. If you asked 10 people "what is a HTPC", you would probably get 10 different answers. However, for the purpose of this blog we will use the term HTPC to simply refer to a computer that is being used as a dedicated media device to bring content to your TV.
For our family, the decision was fairly easy to make. We elected to go with a HTPC, because it would allow us to achieve 100% of our goal (see last blog post). All of the other available options, in our opinion, would have required the sacrifice of at least some portion of our goal.
As I mentioned, there are many more options that are available today when compared to the timeframe when we made our decision. However, I can say that I would make the exact same decision if I were asked to decide today. I say that not only because our set-up has worked so flawlessly, but also because I feel that no other current option is as functional as a HTPC. While I do not have first-hand experience with all of the other options, I have read a great deal about many of them. While there are some really great user-friendly features that many of these options include, I feel that each of them has at least one weakness. Those weaknesses are differenet depending on the platform, but can include: 1) access blocked by the content provider, 2) no full functioning web browser, 3) additional fees 4) no DVR capabilities and 5) no TV tuner.
Perhaps one of these other platforms would serve your needs, but for us, none of them could offer everything that is offered by a HTPC.
Another available option is often referred to as a Home Theater Personal Computer or HTPC. If you asked 10 people "what is a HTPC", you would probably get 10 different answers. However, for the purpose of this blog we will use the term HTPC to simply refer to a computer that is being used as a dedicated media device to bring content to your TV.
For our family, the decision was fairly easy to make. We elected to go with a HTPC, because it would allow us to achieve 100% of our goal (see last blog post). All of the other available options, in our opinion, would have required the sacrifice of at least some portion of our goal.
As I mentioned, there are many more options that are available today when compared to the timeframe when we made our decision. However, I can say that I would make the exact same decision if I were asked to decide today. I say that not only because our set-up has worked so flawlessly, but also because I feel that no other current option is as functional as a HTPC. While I do not have first-hand experience with all of the other options, I have read a great deal about many of them. While there are some really great user-friendly features that many of these options include, I feel that each of them has at least one weakness. Those weaknesses are differenet depending on the platform, but can include: 1) access blocked by the content provider, 2) no full functioning web browser, 3) additional fees 4) no DVR capabilities and 5) no TV tuner.
Perhaps one of these other platforms would serve your needs, but for us, none of them could offer everything that is offered by a HTPC.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Step 2: Define the Goal
The ultimate goal for our family was to eliminate both our monthly satellite TV payment and the multi-year contract that went along with it. However, we wanted to still be able to watch our favorite network (NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, The WB, etc.) shows, live sports, as well as the various other programs we enjoyed on other networks (USA, Bravo, HGTV, DIY, the History Channel, ESPN, Nick Jr., etc.). Finally, we wanted to continue having DVR functionality and to gain access to as much HD content as possible.
Nothing like setting your sights high, right?
Nothing like setting your sights high, right?
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Step 1: Assess the Current Situation
In our case we had a pretty standard satellite package that consisted of about 120 channels and two (2) receivers - one (1) receiver was a DVR. For this "luxury," we sent the satellite provider about $65.00 a month. This included the cost of our package, the rental fee for two (2) receivers plus the never ending taxes & fees. Notice that I didn't mention any fees for access to high definition (HD) channels. That is because I could never stomach the idea of paying extra just so I could access HD channels - so unlike most people, we "suffered" with only our standard definition (SD) channels. We also did not have any premium movie channels such as HBO or Showtime.
I was constantly irritated by promotions (i.e. free DVR, free HD channels, free premium channels, etc.) from our provider that were for new customers only. The other thing that infuriated me was that I had a television that was capable of displaying a beautiful HD picture, but the satellite company "wouldn't allow it" unless I paid an extra $10.00 per month. I wanted HD, and I wanted it without additional cost. Something had to change.
I was constantly irritated by promotions (i.e. free DVR, free HD channels, free premium channels, etc.) from our provider that were for new customers only. The other thing that infuriated me was that I had a television that was capable of displaying a beautiful HD picture, but the satellite company "wouldn't allow it" unless I paid an extra $10.00 per month. I wanted HD, and I wanted it without additional cost. Something had to change.
Why the blog?
About (1) one year ago, we decided that we were sick and tired of sending a monthly payment to the satellite company. However, we didn't want to be without access to our favorite shows, movies and live SPORTS. After some basic research, we discovered that we could still enjoy all of our favorite shows, movies and live sports without the monthly payment and long-term contract. So we took the plunge, canceled our satellite service and have never looked back. Now that we are almost (1) year into this "experiment," I feel confident in saying that it was a smart money decision - and an easy lifestyle change.
So why the blog? Many people ask us, "how did you do that," "don't you miss it" or "I bet it was complicated." This blog is intended to answer all of those questions in VERY SIMPLE BASIC LANGUAGE. I hope that each post will read as a baby step towards canceling your pay TV service.
So why the blog? Many people ask us, "how did you do that," "don't you miss it" or "I bet it was complicated." This blog is intended to answer all of those questions in VERY SIMPLE BASIC LANGUAGE. I hope that each post will read as a baby step towards canceling your pay TV service.
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