Dropping cable and/or dish.- Page 2

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 6:21am

I realize many people have their Internet service via cable, and that makes the switch more complicated (aka, more expensive). We didn't have that problem, because our Internet service is via AT&T U-verse. We have a land line (because my partner insists on it, not because I particularly want it), so we have 250 long-distance phone minutes (we both have cell phones, too), plus U-verse Internet, which is strong enough to stream those HDX movies via WiFi that I described above. It's about $40 per month for that package.

We had that anyway, in addition to our pricey cable TV subscription, and we were waiting to see if the U-verse Television would be available in our area, but it stops just a few blocks from us with their fiberoptic lines, and they haven't expanded it in four years now. We gave up waiting on the hope that we could bundle all three for a good rate.

So killing cable came with no strings attached for us.

[Luscious]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 8:16am

Hi Betsy, Glad the transition from cable to streaming has been a relatively smooth one for you. I, myself, haven't drudged up the nerve to do it just yet, but I have subscriptions to almost all of the same streaming services that you do, and my observations and opinions about each are very close to yours. In regards to VUDU, I've been enjoying their picture/audio quality for some time now. I've uploaded about a 1/4 of my DVD/Blu-ray movie library (over 200 titles) to VUDU and have enjoyed watching my movies via their site for some time now. Tip... if you link your Ultraviolet and VUDU accounts, whenever you add a UV title to VUDU, it will automatically be added to your UV account (and vice versa). Your UV account allows for up to five users. So you can create usernames and passwords for 4 family members or friends. A great way to share your library! Also, many of those non-Ultraviolet DVDs and Blus that you own are available for conversion via VUDU, although it can be somewhat pricey. Less so if you do it in groups of 10. For instance, if you have a standard DVD that you would like to add to your VUDU library, go to the Disc to Digital > Convert DVDs area of the site and search for the movie you would like to convert. If the title is available for conversion, you can choose to convert your standard DVD to HDX quality for $5.00 If you add 10 titles or more at a time, the price drops by half to $2.50 per title. Non-UV Blus are just $2.00 per title, or $1.00 when you add 10 or more. The one drawback is, if your computer doesn't have a Blu-ray drive, you'll have to take your non-UV Blus to your local Walmart to convert/upload. And yes... Walmart owns VUDU. Something I discovered after the fact, and not something I'm particularly thrilled about. But, then again, it might assuage your fears about the service suddenly going out of business. Hope this helps. Happy streaming!

Updated On: 5/11/14 at 08:16 AM

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 9:16am

Thanks so much for that info, Lucious! All good to know. I did notice the ads on VUDU for disc-to-digital conversion.

Although, with a disc collection of over 1,700 titles now, it's not really practical for me. And I don't mind watching discs, either. Perhaps at some point, I'll test the conversion out, and perhaps I'll change my mind about the convenience over time.

I did notice one thing after watching during two Saturday nights. It seems to be the only time when I have had a movie pause and reload the cache (aka, weaker bandwidth). Also the image popped back (downgraded) to SD a couple of times while we were watching. I'm sure it's because Saturday night is the most popular time for streaming content at home. Perhaps the servers are overloaded.

Even if that's not the case, it's only happened twice ... both times during "prime hours" on a Saturday evening.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 9:31am

I could never not buy the physical movies. Owning a film "virtually" is something that I have absolutely no interest in and I think I've come to the realization that I never will. I know that most people 20 years old and younger see no point on owning an actual hard copy of these films when they can just have everything in their cloud, but I don't think we're anywhere near the point where I'd trust that. Plus, I have thousands of films here. And I much prefer standing in front of that wall where they're all shelved and giving them a look over to see what I want to watch, than scrolling through lists on my computer or phone. It's tedious enough trying to do it on Netflix, I certainly don't want to do it with my own collection.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 1:03pm

Thinking about doing this as well. What do people do about live shows like say the Tony Awards or the Oscars? I glanced at some of the comments on here, but didn't notice any comments speaking to that. Thanks for this thread, Besty.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 1:09pm

ray, you can pick up a digital antenna for a pretty low price. Mine was $15 or $20 at Best Buy a few years ago. This will bring in over the air broadcasts (i.e. the major networks like NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, local PBS and a handful of other channels depending on your area). The signal comes in in HD and is pretty reliable.

[Luscious]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 4:43pm

"I did notice one thing after watching during two Saturday nights. It seems to be the only time when I have had a movie pause and reload the cache (aka, weaker bandwidth). Also the image popped back (downgraded) to SD a couple of times while we were watching. I'm sure it's because Saturday night is the most popular time for streaming content at home. Perhaps the servers are overloaded."

Yes, Betsy, it does happen from time-to-time during peak viewing hours, especially with a wireless connection. It was happening often enough to me to warrant a 150 foot run of ethernet cable between my Roku and Playstation to my router. Since wiring both devices a few weeks ago, it hasn't happened at all. Also, in regard to Netflix, they've started streaming some of their content in what they call Super HD. IMO, it's comparable to VUDU's HDX, but not yet available for all content. Just something to be on the look-out for. And I completely understand about not having the desire to convert your entire collection to digital. With the exception of some MGM and Disney titles, (neither studio has signed onto UV yet), I'm pretty much done with my catalog titles, and will only be adding new movies as I purchase them. And, yes, old habits die hard. 90% of my movie purchases are still Blu-ray. But, occasionally, I'll add a digital-only copy of something, especially if I catch a sale. VUDU offers select titles at the reduced price of $7.88 for HDX. The selection changes monthly. They also have other holiday-themed and flash sales. Enjoy!

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 5:03pm

I will definitely be on the lookout for Super HD via Netflix, thanks again!

Also, one very nice thing, for those who have multiple TVs in the house ... your subscriptions work from all the TVs, provided you have a "smart" feature (like the TV itself or a Roku, Apple TV, PS3, or a BD-Live player). If they have the channels you subscribe to, like Netflix, VUDU, etc., as "apps," you can watch your programming from any room that gets the signal. We just set everything up in one of the bedrooms upstairs. It's now fully loaded with all channels.

Another nice feature ... since everything is server-based, instead of end-user-based, if you start a movie in one room, then go to the other and "resume programming," it picks right up where you left off. This is similar to a shared DVR offered via cable or dish. And I love it!

[javero]

Posted: 6/6/14 at 11:45am

bump

Bought and setup a Google Chromecast dongle yesterday. Will be saying bye bye to Comcast tomorrow.

Streaming has made TV watching a fun experience again. I don't think I'll ever purchase or order a hard copy of a movie title again unless it's something extra special. Thanks to the Chromecast dongle, my iPad mini now replaces Comcast's god-awful remote control.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 6/6/14 at 12:47pm

I'm prob gonna go digital antenna next year . Right now my cable is 85 w taxes and i'm kinda expecting an increase soon. I like having options but they come w so many features i'll never use . I think I watch 2 much TV as it is- so prob help to cut that down .

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 6/6/14 at 1:58pm

In Canada, a law was just passed that cable companies can not pick which channels consumers pick or not. Detractors claim this will mean we will no longer have arts channels, because nobody will pick them--but the fact that (Canadian) Bravo, for example, went from showing Into the Woods when it started to now showing endless Due South and CSI reruns, makes me doubt that.

[javero]

Posted: 6/7/14 at 12:28pm

Picked up an indoor antenna for the digital tv set earlier. Watched Maria Sharapova win her 2nd French Open title via the NBC affiliate's over-the-air transmission. Need to re-learn the broadcast tv channel lineup.

Don't miss Comcast one bit!

[Sketkh]

Posted: 6/9/14 at 12:02am

I don't miss anything, get a roku box, and all you need is netflix, hulu plus and amazon video, then Youtube and you have a hella ton of tv for less than 40 bucks.