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So how many Gaffers are done with cable subscriptions?
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Marty Chinn
Member
Dude, NSFW!
You also have to pay $600 to $800 upfront if you buy a smartphone. Not sure what the non-smartphone prices are. People don't like the huge upfront cost in many cases either. The other issue is unlike TV, carriers bank on you going over to get more money out of you. You couldn't do that with a TV model.
its youtube and I didnt have to login. thought i was safe. sorry.
Marty Chinn
Member
I killed it fast, but at a glance, it looked like a bunch of girls in underwear.
Conrad Link
Member
Sport is pretty much the only reason I still have pay tv here, so many 'channels' full of crap.
Kyleripman
Member
Yeah, good point. I wouldn't know how to make it financially viable for the cable companies. But as a consumer I would love it.
To take it one step further...let's say I only wanted the National Geographic channel. What if I could purchase a subscription to it, directly from them, and simply stream it over the internet? I could watch it on the computer or TV however I chose. Just pipe dreams and probably not worth it for the companies to provide it...but it would be pretty cool to see that kind of content delivery in the future.
NullPointer
Member
Dumped it a little more than a year ago.
I miss nothing (except cooking shows).
I miss nothing (except cooking shows).
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Vilix
Unconfirmed Member
You can get a season pass for some episodes on XBL. But, I only rent movies on XBL. I agree that Netflix doesn't have a lot of current episodes. But, you there are websites that you can stream them for free. Just have to look.
shanshan310
Member
I don't see the point of cable. For the first day when you're on holidays and its there you think its great, but then you realise its all repeats and even though you're paying more than 30 bucks a month you get more ads than regular tv.
I'd consider getting foreign cable programs, but you have to buy a huge ass satellite for that on top of monthly fees.
I'd consider getting foreign cable programs, but you have to buy a huge ass satellite for that on top of monthly fees.
Marty Chinn
Member
You can stream for free, but then you get forced on unskipable commercials which what this line of posting stemmed out of. On top of that you don't get a unified interface and the experience is all over the place when you're going from site to site. It's a worse user experience.
People need to discover what a DVR is. They've existed well over a decade now.
Have not had cable tv for a year, and never been happier. Fuck commercials, fuck paying easily over $100 a month, fuck allllll that.
I just use my internet for everything I want, movies, shows, etc.
Netflix too is ok ... but bleh they don't update enough.
The only thing that sucks is no sports, the live streams are shit. I should just get mlb.tv again next year, costs $100 + but one time payment at least =/
I forget if they show play off games on mlb.tv though, since I have no cable tv that would be a problem now.
Just checked mlb.com yep US and Canada only no black outs!
I just use my internet for everything I want, movies, shows, etc.
legally .... obviously
Netflix too is ok ... but bleh they don't update enough.
The only thing that sucks is no sports, the live streams are shit. I should just get mlb.tv again next year, costs $100 + but one time payment at least =/
I forget if they show play off games on mlb.tv though, since I have no cable tv that would be a problem now.
Just checked mlb.com yep US and Canada only no black outs!
Triple Oceans
Member
Wow, this is pretty much me.
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Vilix
Unconfirmed Member
Yeah, I forgot you have to watch a commerical before each episode. That's one commercial though. You're also correct about the interface not being unified. But, I will never go back to cable for the simple fact that you're paying to watch commericals. IMO cable and bottled water are the biggest scams consumers have bought into.
I wouldn't really say that.
So many people only watch the major networks when yet they still have cable. So many would save money if they just got an antenna.
It's funny because so many who have HDTVs don't even get HD cable and only watch major networks. They could watch major networks in HD for free with an antenna and in much better quality. So funny to me.
"Watch a lot of TV" all depends on what someone watches. If someone just watches major networks and a few cable networks that show reruns of classic sitcoms, there's no point. To be honest, outside of being really big on sports, and/or absoulutely needing to see a show as soon as it comes on, cable isn't worth it in my opinion unless you can get a good deal for it with an Internet plan (bundled package).
Buddha Beam
Banned
I gave up cable back in 2006 or 2007. I just... don't watch TV. It's ultimately cheaper for me to have Netflix + the occasional season pass on iTunes. All anyone needs anymore is an Apple TV or Roku box.
For the rare time I want something live, I can usually find a stream, even though I sometimes have to settle for someone broadcasting a crappy stream on one of the live stream sites. That's maybe the only downside... but honestly, it so rarely comes to that anymore. I can't recall the last time I had to resort to that. I think it was msnbc on the 2010 election night.
For the rare time I want something live, I can usually find a stream, even though I sometimes have to settle for someone broadcasting a crappy stream on one of the live stream sites. That's maybe the only downside... but honestly, it so rarely comes to that anymore. I can't recall the last time I had to resort to that. I think it was msnbc on the 2010 election night.
NullPointer
Member
Netflix + Zune episodes/seasons works for me. Occasionally I'll watch the Daily Show and Colbert on the comedy central site. I'm also watching the debates on C-Span or YouTube online.
So $8 a month for Netflix. Even if I buy whole seasons of shows on Zune (like Top Gear US and Walking Dead), it comes out far cheaper than a month of cable.
So $8 a month for Netflix. Even if I buy whole seasons of shows on Zune (like Top Gear US and Walking Dead), it comes out far cheaper than a month of cable.
Marty Chinn
Member
It's not just before each episode. There are commercial breaks within the episodes too. As for paying to watch commercials on cable, while I don't go with cable since I have satellite, I haven't watched a commercial in a decade. Having a DVR means you can skip commercials.
Zune!?
I haven't had cable in last 2 years.
I have a WD TV+ Live box. The box can play Netflix Hulu and a bunch other stuff. It's missing MLB.tv but fortunately my Panasomic plasma has it. I get over the aire HD channels for CBS/NBC/FOX/ABC/PBS. I don't get TBS and WB (used to be WB I don't know what it is called now.)
So I pay for Netflix and Hulu+ (share with a family, so only $8 a month), plus mlb.tv postseason.tv, which only cost my $8 for the whole postseason. 98% of stuff I watch are downloads and I couldn't be happier.
In fact I got a second WD TV+ Live box.
I have a WD TV+ Live box. The box can play Netflix Hulu and a bunch other stuff. It's missing MLB.tv but fortunately my Panasomic plasma has it. I get over the aire HD channels for CBS/NBC/FOX/ABC/PBS. I don't get TBS and WB (used to be WB I don't know what it is called now.)
So I pay for Netflix and Hulu+ (share with a family, so only $8 a month), plus mlb.tv postseason.tv, which only cost my $8 for the whole postseason. 98% of stuff I watch are downloads and I couldn't be happier.
In fact I got a second WD TV+ Live box.
NullPointer
Member
Zune software for PC. I started buying TV episodes on the Xbox (which was later rebranded as Zune), and now I do everything on PC, but the software crosses all MS devices. So I can watch on the Xbox or on my PC, both of which are connected to my HDTV.
That and I really don't like iTunes.
Mister Wilhelm
Member
Never paid a cable bill in my life.
I don't see the point when the internet exists and you are resourceful.
I don't see the point when the internet exists and you are resourceful.
Cut it six months ago. Been an interesting experiment, almost went back, but I'm going to attempt to go through the end of the year before I make a decision.
Only real issues I've noticed:
1. Sports
2. Convenience if DVR
Using an OTA antenna, but really need to find a solution for the DVR. Looking at buying/building a small box with a tuner sometime soon.
Shame I still have to pay Comcast so much for Internet. Kinda cuts back on what I'm saving.
Only real issues I've noticed:
1. Sports
2. Convenience if DVR
Using an OTA antenna, but really need to find a solution for the DVR. Looking at buying/building a small box with a tuner sometime soon.
Shame I still have to pay Comcast so much for Internet. Kinda cuts back on what I'm saving.
I had a Zune and loved it. Just seeing it spelled out put me in shock. Carry on.
Marty Chinn
Member
As it has been said before:
- Better video quality (with the exception of OTA networks)
- Better audio quality
- Premium channels
- Unified interface and in many cases a better UI
- Content available in a timely manner
- Sports
- Commercial free (if you understand how to use your DVR)
Cable/Satellite is a better product and service than what you get over the Internet. You of course pay for that experience, but it is better. There are of course ways to get some of that content without paying as much but you're getting a worse product as a result of saving money and of course you can't get everything through those means.
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Vilix
Unconfirmed Member
Then you're not looking at the right sites.
Darth Pinche
Member
You have to find the right girl. The other day, I came downstairs and I found my wife of 13 years watching Star Trek TNG episodes via our PS3/Amazon. Ditching cable was her idea originally.
SunhiLegend
Member
There are some sites which charge a fraction of cable (around £6 a month for me) where you get HD streams of nearly every major sport and network channels, with a tvguide, and PPV's also included. However, you don't get a DVR experience online because it's all streamed, and you still get commercials.
Marty Chinn
Member
Are we talking about legal means? Because I'm talking about going to the network's site or Hulu and there are more than one commercials shown when you go there.
I can only speak from a US perspective where such a thing does not exist.
SunhiLegend
Member
Trust me, it does
But like I said, the site I use usually only open for subscriptions once every couple of months or so, which means if you want to register you have to wait.
Haha ok... We get it. You are okay with cable.
Not everyone is and/or feels that it's worth the price. "Better" all comes down to the person and depends on what content he/she likes.
More channels/content doesn't really mean anything if a person doesn't like the channels/content.
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Vilix
Unconfirmed Member
Even then you're not having to pay to watch those commericals.
EDIT: except for Hulu. The sites I go to are legal. You only watch one in the beginning.
Marty Chinn
Member
Trust me, it does
But like I said, the site I use usually only open for subscriptions once every couple of months or so, which means if you want to register you have to wait.
Like where? Since you're not listing an actual place, that sounds sketchy on the legality.
I'm not saying it's for everyone or that everyone wants to pay for it. I think it's good for some, and it's not good for others. I'm just addressing the notion that someone can't see a reason one might want Cable or Satellite over the Internet streaming. There are valid reasons.
I don't have to pay now to watch commercials and with Hulu+ you are paying to watch commercials.
Which sites? I just went to USA and there were more than four commercial breaks. How do I want USA Network content with only one commercial?
lunchtoast
Member
Nah, never paid for it. If I can get every show I watch online I don't see the point. Plus all the shows I have on HDD I can just play as background noise or whatever.
Trust me, it does
But like I said, the site I use usually only open for subscriptions once every couple of months or so, which means if you want to register you have to wait.
Are you in US? And you are paying 6 pound for access. Don't you need to pay for a proxy too?
NullPointer
Member
Same. You can legally pay for all of your content and pay so much less than a single month of cable its ridiculous.
Not into Hulu though as I don't like paying for services with ads.
* glares at xbox *
freenudemacusers
Member
I only watched a few shows (all of which are on iTunes etc) so it was easy to kill. We found ourselves just watching shit to watch it, and most of it was shitty reality tv.
I like watching TV too much, so no.
My ISP charges 2 bucks a month for the modem and I don't care because they will replace it with a brand new one anytime it has problems. I can buy a modem for 80 bucks, but I would just rather pay the 2 bucks a month.
I get a good deal with the combined services though.
My ISP charges 2 bucks a month for the modem and I don't care because they will replace it with a brand new one anytime it has problems. I can buy a modem for 80 bucks, but I would just rather pay the 2 bucks a month.
I get a good deal with the combined services though.
Marty Chinn
Member
It really depends on how much TV you watch. If you pay per episode, you can only watch 20 episodes of TV a month. That's less than 1 show a day, or in other words, you can only watch 5 TV shows. That's not a lot to some. This assumes $3 an episode, and a normal $60 a month bill.
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Vilix
Unconfirmed Member
You mean people want more bang for their buck? Yes, you're right.
NullPointer
Member
And assuming all the episodes are bought yes. Netflix is my go to for video, or individual websites. But if there is a show out right now that I want to watch (think Breaking Bad, Walking Dead) I'll buy the season or episodes - but even then each of these shows only has 4 episodes a month to buy, if that.
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