I don't understand satellite providers

[SMaxxin]

How many of you you use a satellite provider? I have been on satellite for a while now and every two year when the contract ends I call and ask to have my contract renewed but with the new customer upgrades and every time I'm told the same thing....NO!

Why wouldn't they want to secure my business for two more years with a little upgrade? Tomorrow were switching back to Direct tv and canceling Dish network, two years from now I'll be going back to Dish. It's a vicious cycle!

 

[hamz9561]

Here are a few hints:

http://www.caring.com/articles/secret-to-slashing-your-cable-bill

 

[WoodiE]

@SMaxxin I used to do the same thing going between DirecTV and Insight Cable. I cut the cycle by cutting the cable.

I instead picked up a Clearstream 2V antenna (though depending on your location the Mohu Leaf is another excellent choice) along with a Netflix and Amazon Prime (I use the shipping benefit more than the content at the moment to be honest) subscriptions.

The wife and I don't miss a thing. The antenna picks up all the local and not so local stuff just fine. Because I still use Insight Cable for my internet access I can watch http://espn.go.com/watchespn. On top of that we're saving $90 a month after you subtract the cost of Netflix and Amazon each month compared to what we was spending on DirecTV.

 

[hamz9561]

I also cut the cable and use Netflix and Hulu plus to fill in the cable gaps. I use the Clearstream 1 antenna to get all the locals in my area except ABC which is out of the reception footprint of the antenna. It's great to get HD network TV for free...

 

[SMaxxin]

I wish I would looked into one of the antenna services before I signed up with direct tv again. We also have netflix and Hulu but we rarely watch them anymore.

 

[WoodiE]

...It's great to get HD network TV for free...

In deed it is. It's also nice having TV reception even if it's raining outside. At my current house if the clouds got to thick I'd lose my DirecTV.

 

[hamz9561]

I even have an HD DVR to record my programming so I can watch it later.

 

[WoodiE]

I even have an HD DVR to record my programming so I can watch it later.

This is something I need to do as well for the wife. Did you buy a TiVo?

 

[Alexander_0_1]

Ya, did you get TiVo?, my HD PVR is part of the receiver, I need dual cables running to the dish bolted to the roof. My provider is star choice, or shaw direct...same thing different name

 

[hamz9561]

I got the new TiVo Roamio and it has 4-receiverws so it can record 4 shows at the same time. It also allows you to stream from Netflix, Hulu and Amazon. Unfortunately it won't work with Satellite but will work with cable if you get a cable card from the cable company. The only draw back to the basic Roamio is that you need to buy the external adapter to watch TiVo anywhere but from the main box. The higher price versions only work with digital cable.

 

[WoodiE]

The Roamio looks cool. I've thought about buying a TiVo for the wife so she can record some of her over-the-air content. But I'm cheap.

 

[Rolex]

I have the Comcast Cable Tivo unit. It's another $10 a month, but when cable goes out I still have programs to watch.
I'm also paying for Netflix and my Comcast bill is $117 a month without internet. Internet and phones are through AT&T. I'm going nuts watching commercials for Progressive Insurance with that moron Flo. I thought commercials were for COMMERCIAL TV. Paying that kind of money and watching commercials for half of every hour program is sickening.
I'm about to drop to basic cable and stick with Netflix.

 

[flm_savage]

Cut the cable and use a Roku 3 for everything including media stored on the HTPC

 

[Rolex]

Not familiar with that. I guess I'll do some research.

 

[WoodiE]

Cut the cable and use a Roku 3 for everything including media stored on the HTPC

Yup, I have a Roku 2 XS in the bedroom.

 

[hamz9561]

I have a WD TV in my living room that I use all the time. I use an HTPC in the bedroom. I also have a 1st gen AppleTV that I occasionally use.

 

[WoodiE]

@hamz9561 - Does Tivo have any kind of referral service? I'm looking at buying one tomorrow or this weekend, I'll give them your account # / name if that do.

 

[hamz9561]

Not that I know of, Woodie. Thanks, though.