Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? in

Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? in http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r22001603 en Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:12:47 EDT Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:12:47 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22021835 jazzlady :

said by Anonymous_

said by jazzlady

Anonymous_

FOX11 HD looks is neer downloaded quality from torrent

624 x352 is comparale to TWC's "1280x720"

So that's why those divx files look so sharp on my old analog set...

I've noticed that anything I download looks 10x times better on my analog set than the analog cable signal does.

sorry my OLD analog set is a HDTV LOL :D(1920x1080i@16:9)

it does not have a ATSC tunner... there for is old analog set

most HDTV downloaded from torrent is 1280x720 rez 4.5mbps x264 format

LOL

I know, I have the oldest tv of anyone on this forum probably... :-)

And if you think my tv is old- you should see my cell phone! It's one of the ones with the monochrome screen. I love it and won't give it up until it dies.

The files I download are HD source downsized to 624x352 or thereabouts. They are xvid files, I can't play x264 or 1280x720 on my dvd player.

I'm not kidding, those xvid files look amazing on my old set. I didn't realize the tv was capable of that kind of quality.

Just goes to show you how many years I've enduring a crummy fuzzy cable signal and didn't know any better... :-(]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22021835 Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:53:32 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22021711 Anonymous_ :

said by jazzlady

Anonymous_

FOX11 HD looks is neer downloaded quality from torrent

624 x352 is comparale to TWC's "1280x720"

sorry my OLD analog set is a HDTV LOL :D(1920x1080i@16:9)

it does not have a ATSC tunner... there for is old analog set

most HDTV downloaded from torrent is 1280x720 rez 4.5mbps x264 format

i am compreing it from a HD cable box via component video]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22021711 Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:36:56 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22017892 me1212 : If its an HD it you can just hook your tv up to it, and even if its not you may still be able to do so.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22017892 Thu, 05 Mar 2009 07:09:29 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22017459 Mark F : Verizon just did an upgrade of their Media Manager software. The help menu has a number of pages mentioning video but the software itself doesn't allow it, so no Hulu on the big TV, yet. But, that's a likely sign that it's coming. Maybe in the first half of 2009, or thereabouts.
Mark F]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22017459 Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:37:23 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22014307 me1212 : Your welcome.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22014307 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:49:58 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22014167 jazzlady :

said by me1212

:

Oh and sears also has a $500 720p »www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260···1318000P its about $30 less than the vizio, and WM has a 5.1 channel sound system for $40, it works great, the catch is it only has the red and white audio inputs, so its not true 5.1 sound(dolby[sp?] digital) its proligic2 (simulated 5.1.) but true 5.1 systems are like $100 for for $60 less I will take the PL2, and the ONLY difference between the 2 in DD is more booming and PL2 is less booming so for $60 I will take a bit less boom.

Plain old stereo works fine for me.

I have 2 old stereo speakers hooked up to my 27" set now. It's fine for my setup.

I only use the speakers when my husband is watching anyway. When he is asleep is when I do most of my viewing, and I am using wireless headphones anyway so I don't disturb him.

So no Dolby 5.1 doesn't matter to me.

But thanks for the info. I am still leaning towards the hi res Vizio, but maybe when some of this damned snow melts from my driveway I can get out and look at the thing.

You've been really helpful. Thanks!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22014167 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:28:42 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22013973 me1212 : Oh and sears also has a $500 720p »www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260···1318000P its about $30 less than the vizio, and WM has a 5.1 channel sound system for $40, it works great, the catch is it only has the red and white audio inputs, so its not true 5.1 sound(dolby[sp?] digital) its proligic2 (simulated 5.1.) but true 5.1 systems are like $100 for for $60 less I will take the PL2, and the ONLY difference between the 2 in DD is more booming and PL2 is less booming so for $60 I will take a bit less boom.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22013973 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:58:33 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22013762 me1212 : Yup! We get what we paid for.

As for the stars, WM IS WM and sears is sears, WM most likely get more business.

If you could get OTA tV and had a converter box it would be similar, digital tv like dish or ur cablecos digital box would look better too. But they still are nothing to HD with HD IF I want to when a foot ballgames on I can count the blades of grass, and thats just on a 720p a 1080p I could probably count the blood drops in boxing. But 720p IMHO is almost as good as real life. and on a 32" you cannot tell much difference between a 720p or a 1080p now a 50" on the other hand...... But 720p on a 32" perfect!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22013762 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:29:04 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22013575 jazzlady :

said by me1212

:

I do not work for sears, I am just a happy costumer.

And I know what you mean as far as the bod mboard. I had my 7yr old pc go out for the same reason last year windows ME, it was a good pc but we got a better one. Sucks that stuff goes out ya know. Make sure you print out the page with the tv on it so you can show them they do have it, not all sears have everything.

I was looking in to HDs for over a year, so I know where the best place to buy what size it, depending on the res.

My local Sears lists this TV as in stock. My local Walmart lists it on the site, but not available in my location and out of stock online. But they have it for less than Sears.

Walmart has that free site to store shipping, which might work out for me when they get the thing back in stock.

I have to look at it. I'm in no rush. I'm still just amazed by the quality I'm seeing on those HD divx files on the analog set.

As far as motherboards going bad- hey, you got 7 years from yours, and I got 5+ from mine, and it wasn't new when I got it.

So I guess we both got our money's worth... :-)
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22013575 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:01:01 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22013399 me1212 : I do not work for sears, I am just a happy costumer.

And I know what you mean as far as the bod mboard. I had my 7yr old pc go out for the same reason last year windows ME, it was a good pc but we got a better one. Sucks that stuff goes out ya know. Make sure you print out the page with the tv on it so you can show them they do have it, not all sears have everything.

I was looking in to HDs for over a year, so I know where the best place to buy what size it, depending on the res.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22013399 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:29:14 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22013264 jazzlady :

said by me1212

:

Well I think I know the Tv ur talking about, and you can get if for less at sears.

Do you work for Sears? :-)

I might just go look at that set. I've never actually seen it in person.

I don't know if verizon offers this speed where u live, but up to 7.1m

I know for sure I can't get that kind of speed here.

When I check my phone number at the VZ site, it only lists 1.5 Mbps as my maximum speed- but I know their phone number checker is notoriously inaccurate, and that a year or so ago when I checked my number DID say I could get 3 Mbps. I don't think the speeds could have gone down.

Plus I seem to remember them calling me a couple of times and trying to sell me the 3 Mbps package.

I'll have to call them and find out for sure, but I'm pretty sure it's still 3.

EDIT: BTW verizon offers a $5 a month dial tone, like for 911 use mostly, and you can gte a UPS(back up power for ur internet ect.).

Well, if I had to, I could use my cell for 911.

And I DO have a UPS in my living room for my 2 desktop machines.

BTW in case you're wondering why I'm looking for a new computer when I have 2 is because I have the Dell Inspiron which is fairly new, and the other system is a 5 year old Athlon 64 2800.

I would have gutted this machine and used it in the bedroom- except that there is a problem with the motherboard. It's got a bad sata controller, and has a tendency to just freeze up and lose the hard drives when I reboot.

It's a socket 754, way too old to be worth fixing...

And all that info was way more than you wanted to know for sure! LOL :-)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22013264 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:05:55 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22013022 me1212 : Well I think I know the Tv ur talking about, and you can get if for less at sears. For like $50 a month you can get dish 100 chaneld hd and 2(really 4) drvs 1 HD tv 3 SD and take about $5 off for all 4 sd and they will be digital ether way.

»www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10153···22+vizio the 720p is $530 and the 1080p is $630, so its $100 more to go from 720p to 1080p.

VOIPo is $13.25 a month, is you do the pay for a year thing(I use VOIPo and recommend it to any1). I don't know if verizon offers this speed where u live, but up to 7.1m »www22.verizon.com/Residential/Hi···alue.htm the cost> »www22.verizon.com/Residential/Hi···lans.htm $30 for 3m $20 for 1m $42 for 7.1m so IF you can only get 3m its about $94 for tv phone and internet, and $109 for the 7.1m and tv and phone. they have PAYG phone as low as $0.10 a min.(not verizon but I know of cellcos who do).

EDIT: BTW verizon offers a $5 a month dial tone, like for 911 use mostly, and you can gte a UPS(back up power for ur internet ect.).

EDIT#2: you said ur dvd player has an HDMI right? well they u got an upconverter, if you plugg it HDMI in to and HDset and go to the menu and tell it to put ot hd you will be able to watch DVDs in HD. And the tv also have pc jacks so u can hook ur pc t o the tv for hd hulu veoh netflix and youtube.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22013022 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:34:24 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22012962 jazzlady :

said by me1212

:

Does your DVD player have an S-video port? most do.

Ok, I thought it did- but I just checked and surprisingly it doesn't.

What it does have is an HDMI port.

If you are in the market for an Hd set, I know where you can get the bets deals around. a 32" 1080p lcd for under $700 or a 50" plasma 720p with built in 5.1 channel sound for like 1,200.

I think a 32" LCD will do me nicely. I don't have a very big bedroom.

BTW I have been looking at a Vizio 32" LCD that is hi res and is getting very good reviews. My local Walmart has this set...

The thing that is keeping me from getting an HDTV right now is the fact that I keep reading how awful an analog cable signal looks on it.

I do intend to hang onto the cable for another several months, until I decide what to do.

You said you could get verizon, it may be slower, but depending on what you pay for ur cable bundle it may save you enough money that you could live with the slower speed. and I don't mean just the internet, but like a pick and choose set of sat tv verizon and VoIP, but IDK what verizon DSL is.

For your set up as it is now it would be I think about $72 for tv and $11.25 or $20-ish for VoIP, depending on when the end the sale. BTW the phone has 2 lines.

I can get Verizon DSL here. Last I checked my top speed was 3 Mbps.

I don't have a cable bundle really, just the tv/internet.

I still use a landline for my phone for local calls, and a cell for long distance.

I keep the landline because we have a lot of power outages here, and the landline never, ever goes out.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22012962 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:23:21 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22012842 jazzlady :

said by nasadude

said by jazzlady

:

.... Time for an unlimited tier for their broadband customers. I'd pay an extra $15 or $20 a month for unlimited with no caps.

I'd still be willing to pay $15-20 more for a connection with a reasonable cap.

Comcast's 250 GB's is more like it, but I think I would want 500 GB's minimum if I were going to be streaming all the time.

It's a whole hell of a lot better than the stinking 80 GB cap I have to deal with now.

The problem is the providers are not willing to be reasonable.

That's really galling when you think about Japan with it's symmetrical 100/100 connection and 1 TB caps... for less money than most customers pay for broadband here. :-(

Broadband in this country will not improve until the government gets involved and sets some ground rules for these services- like they do for electric utilities.

In the meantime- the telco/cableco's will strive to give the customer the least amount of service for the highest price they can get away with. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22012842 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:06:44 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22012827 me1212 : Does your DVD player have an S-video port? most do.

If you are in the market for an Hd set, I know where you can get the bets deals around. a 32" 1080p lcd for under $700 or a 50" plasma 720p with built in 5.1 channel sound for like 1,200.

You said you could get verizon, it may be slower, but depending on what you pay for ur cable bundle it may save you enough money that you could live with the slower speed. and I don't mean just the internet, but like a pick and choose set of sat tv verizon and VoIP, but IDK what verizon DSL is.

For your set up as it is now it would be I think about $72 for tv and $11.25 or $20-ish for VoIP, depending on when the end the sale. BTW the phone has 2 lines.

EDIT: the $72 if for 205 channels and 2 dvrs(2 boxes 4 tvs each with a DRV if costs less or the same to get the DVR).]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22012827 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:05:21 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22012656 jazzlady :

said by me1212

:

Its not so much the res, but the type of signal. analog VS digital, if get get a converter box you will see similar pictures. I know I've tried. Also how do u have ur tv hooked up? is the just the plane antenna cable, yellow cable S-video?

Ok, for the analog cable- I have no box. The coax cable just screws into the back of the set.

The dvd player is hooked up with plain vanilla RCA cables.

if its the antenna cable that IS part of the problem its not as strong as the other cables, is you have a last gen game system you should be able to recreate this. I had my game cube hooked up with the yellow cable and the moved it when we got our 2nd HD(hooked the wii up to it with component cables and ED is WAY better than SD) tv and used the antenna cable it I can tell a difference, it may be similar with ur tv, and DVD player, if the DVD player is hooked up with the antenna cable too.

I don't have a gaming system of ANY kind- I'm not a gamer.

The only game I play is Descent, which is so old it's from the DOS days... somebody ported it to work with XP. But that's the only game I play.

What you are doing is pushing 480i to its limit so it WILL look better. Also do any of ur tvs have an S-video jack if so do what you did with the antenna cable and yellow cable, but after the yellow use the s-video an it will be even better.

Ok, the set we are talking about DOES have an S-video port. I have never used it. So the quality might be even better using that.

And I use veoh and youtube for anime(only for shows that I cannot get in the US yet.), so I wont hold what you do against you. However, if you got and HD set and hooked ur computer up to it(most HD sets have a com jack) and did and HD vid on it, you would see a world of difference.

I'm sure you're right. I wish I had a decent laptop with an S-video port. I'd love to hook it up to this old tv just to see what it looks like.

As for directv's $30 a month, do you mean the family pack? if so that its always price Dish's is $20...

Also I just checked directv and it seem they have uped their prices by $3, so dish is less once again, looks like I will be sticking with them. Dish costs less, if you don't mind less HD Dish is a bit better IMHO.

Actually, I'm not sure which package is $30. I really haven't investigated it. I just noticed the commercial the other day and the $30 price.

I'll have to wait for warmer weather, and get them out here to test the signal- when the leaves are on the trees...

In the meantime, a bedroom PC is still a good idea.

I'm kinda thinking about a refurbed Dell. They have some small Inspiron models that might work for me, for not too much $$$$.

The Inspiron 530 I got back in April has been a great machine, and I picked it up for a bargain price.

Thanks for all the info BTW. You've been very helpful. :-)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22012656 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:35:25 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22012442 me1212 : Its not so much the res, but the type of signal. analog VS digital, if get get a converter box you will see similar pictures. I know I've tried. Also how do u have ur tv hooked up? is the just the plane antenna cable, yellow cable S-video? if its the antenna cable that IS part of the problem its not as strong as the other cables, is you have a last gen game system you should be able to recreate this. I had my game cube hooked up with the yellow cable and the moved it when we got our 2nd HD(hooked the wii up to it with component cables and ED is WAY better than SD) tv and used the antenna cable it I can tell a difference, it may be similar with ur tv, and DVD player, if the DVD player is hooked up with the antenna cable too.

I think directv is $4? after the introductory price. While dish has 100 channels for $10 + 50 HD for a few month, so 10+ 5 for the other 2 tvs is $15 for 6mths then $50 after that
»dishnetwork.com/packages/program···ult.aspx look at the regular price thing and add $10 for HD and $5 for DVR. Each DVR has 2 tuner so 1 box 2 tvs and the HD DVR has 2 tuner also so you would need 2 boxes total for ur tv and the would ALL be digital. We have the 205 so for 4 tvs 1 hd 3 SD it would be $82 and they would ALL have a DVR and the HD one would be HD, but we may be willing to drop the 3rd SD for the 2x HD that directv has. and as for rivaling HD its more the native res(ur tv is 480i and an my HD is 720p) What you are doing is pushing 480i to its limit so it WILL look better. now if you hooked a dish HD box up to an HD(720p) tv and was watching TRUE HD show you would see a difference, and if you hooked a blueray up to a 1080p it would blow us both out of the water. Dish and directv would look better(quite a bit) than ur cable not, but if you just use an antenna cable you won't get the same pic as the avi file, and do any of ur tvs have a yellow jack is them? if so plug your dvd player into it with the antenna cable watch 5min of a movie and the use the yellow cable and watch the same 5min you should see a difference. Also do any of ur tvs have an S-video jack(it looks round with a bunch of prong holes in it) if so do what you did with the antenna cable and yellow cable, but after the yellow use the s-video an it will be even better. And I use veoh and youtube for anime(only for shows that I cannot get in the US yet.), so I wont hold what you do against you. However, if you got and HD set and hooked ur computer up to it(most HD sets have a com jack) and did and HD vid on it, you would see a world of difference.

As for directv's $30 a month, do you mean the family pack? if so that its always price Dish's is $20(»https://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/wizard/bu···vtype=-1)

Also I just checked directv and it seem they have uped their prices by $3, so dish is less once again, looks like I will be sticking with them. Dish costs less, if you don't mind less HD Dish is a bit better IMHO.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22012442 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:53:40 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22012233 jazzlady :

said by me1212

:

Dish has 100ch+ 50 HD for 45 thats for 2 tv and $50 for 4 tvs 1 hd 3 sd. $62 for 200 ch and 60HD and $82 for 250 sd and 65 hd, those r all for 3sd and 1 HD. take 5 bucks off for 2 tvs taken away.

Directv's HD is $83 for 150 channels and IDK how many HD with 1 HD set and 3 SD $87 for 200+ 130Hd for 1 HD set and 3 SD. take 70ish bucks off for each tv you take away.

For 1,2,&4 Dish for 3 direct, as dish's DRVs r dual tuner(2 TVs for each box) and the price for 4 tvs from dish(1HD 3 SD) is the same as 3(1HD 2SD) and its about the same as directv' 1HD 2SD for the 200+ and 130HDs VS 65HDs. I have 1HD and 2SD, so directv is for me.

For you, depends on how many tv 3 direct 1/2/4 dish. unless you NEED 2x HD channels.

Sounds interesting...

I have to admit I've never given satellite more than a passing thought. But I have been seeing ads for DirecTV for 100 channels for $30 a month- for 6 months, anyway. That's half what I'm paying for cable. Of course, I haven't checked the fine print of that deal.

Of course, this is still assuming that ANY kind of satellite is going to work in my location.

I also do have to factor in the fact if I drop my cable tv, my cost for the cable internet will go up $15 a month...

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

OT question: you're a technically knowledgeable guy- I have noticed something interesting with my analog tv.

I don't want to get into the legality of downloading a show. This is what I have noticed:

With the regular analog cable feed the picture on my 27" analog set is meh. It's watchable, but nothing great.

When I download a divx avi that was recorded in HD (but reduced and compressed), and play it back through the USB port on my Philips DVD player from a thumb drive- the picture quality is unbelievable.

This is an analog tv- yet with those HD source files I can literally see individual hairs on peoples heads with crystal clarity. It's even better than when watching a dvd.

I go back to my analog cable feed and it looks like crap in comparison.

This is an old tv- 15 years old at least. It's a "Memorex" brand purchased from Radio Shack way back when...

I assumed since it's an analog tv it shouldn't have that kind of sharpness and clarity. It rivals any of those new HDTV's I see in Best Buy, at least when playing one of those HD avi's...

Can you explain this? ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22012233 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:08:58 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22009679 me1212 : Dish has 100ch+ 50 HD for 45 thats for 2 tv and $50 for 4 tvs 1 hd 3 sd. $62 for 200 ch and 60HD and $82 for 250 sd and 65 hd, those r all for 3sd and 1 HD. take 5 bucks off for 2 tvs taken away.

Directv's HD is $83 for 150 channels and IDK how many HD with 1 HD set and 3 SD $87 for 200+ 130Hd for 1 HD set and 3 SD. take 70ish bucks off for each tv you take away.

For 1,2,&4 Dish for 3 direct, as dish's DRVs r dual tuner(2 TVs for each box) and the price for 4 tvs from dish(1HD 3 SD) is the same as 3(1HD 2SD) and its about the same as directv' 1HD 2SD for the 200+ and 130HDs VS 65HDs. I have 1HD and 2SD, so directv is for me.

For you, depends on how many tv 3 direct 1/2/4 dish. unless you NEED 2x HD channels.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22009679 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:16:17 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22009478 jazzlady :

said by me1212

:

jazzlady, how many would you like to have and what res is what I need to know in order to know which sat tv provider is best for you, as they each have different types of boxes. SO just tell me how many you want hooked up for the DTV thing, and if you plan to go HD within the year and how many HD sets. if its two(SD or HD, or both SD[I have to look to make sure on the both SD one]) Dish would be better 3-4 SD I think dish, but again I have to look to be 100% sure 2-3SD and one HD directv, as that what we have now, and we will be getting HD in the fall, and it will be the same price for both, but DT have like 2x HD. So let me know and I should be able to tell you, also what package, 100/200/250 ect.

I'd like to just start out with 1 HDTV- the one in my bedroom. All my other sets are analog, and I don't plan on replacing them until they die. I do 90% of my viewing in the bedroom. SD is fine for the rest of them, all I ever have on in the other rooms is CNN anyway... :-)

Of course, I DO have to buy an HDTV first... LOL

I would like a very basic satellite package, but I also would like to have a PC or whatever in the bedroom for Hulu and surfing. And I'm thinking that a $10 a month Netflix streaming account sounds like a good deal as well.

So, what do you recommend?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22009478 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:43:44 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22009097 me1212 : You may be able to hook up the pc you have now to your tv, if it has the right jack. and some boxes are as low as $99.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22009097 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:48:15 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22008831 Mark F : With finances and the economy, a new PC isn't something we can afford right now. Even some of those boxes, like Vudu, are expensive. So, what ever I do, it must not be to costly.

I saw the Slingcatcher at Best Buy, it allows streaming from the most popular sites, but I fear that as soon as I shell out the money, Verizon will start offering the same streaming ability for free, or a small monthly fee.

So, I'm just looking for the most cost-effective solution. But, I may have to wait and see what Verizon does, as I've read that it might offer this later this year. Maybe.
Mark F.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22008831 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:05:16 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22008704 me1212 : Is it an HD tv? If so how much would you be willing to spend on a desktop pc, or a laptop?

EDIT: and what would you want the computer to be able to do?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22008704 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:44:44 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22008695 Mark F : I only watch TV and movies on the internet occasionally.

I also use the PC for surfing, managing music and family photos, burning music to CD and photos to DVD, printing labels and greeting cards, etc. And, I play a PC game once in a while. I have no problems playing music or watching any internet content on the PC.

I know there are other gadgets out there- Roku, Vudu, Slingcatcher, Vunow pod, Amazon Unbox, etc, but they offer limited streaming content from a limited number of websites. I just wish that Verizon would finally enable internet-to-TV streaming, via their software and DVR, from any site that allows it.

A bigger monitor might be nice, but I'd still be watching on the computer instead of a big screen TV in the comfy living room.
Mark F.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22008695 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:42:27 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22008536 jazzlady :

said by rradina

said by jazzlady

:

If I could get Hulu to work properly... their Flash based streaming is not smooth on any of my systems- even my quad core, and I have a 15 Mbps connection, so that's not the problem.
(snip)

My bet is that this has more to do with the video card than your processor. For years (and several generations of chips) we've been able to watch smooth DVDs (MPEG2) on entry level desktops. The streams you are watching might be MPEG4, which does require more power to decode but if you say your connection is not the problem, a quad-core should have plenty of power to decode as long as your video subsystem can render it. My son has a TV tuner card in his PC and until I bought him a new graphics card, 1080 HD video was not smooth. He was using the built-into-the-motherboard video which was not very powerful. It didn't matter that he had a dual core CPU. However, after we upgraded his video card to, by today's standards, a modest nVidia 8600GT, the problem vanished.

FWIW- I just tried Hulu again with my quad core Dell Inspiron 530, and even on the hi-def setting it seems to be playing fairly smoothly. Perhaps that won't be the case later on this evening, but it's playing pretty well now.

This system has an nVidia GeForce 8300GS card in it with 128 megs of ram. It came with the machine. It's good enough for what I use it for, but I would definitely look for something better for a machine for tv streaming.

I'm tempted to just get another Inspiron 530 and put a better video card in it. I bet it would be just fine and dandy for streaming. Prices on the refurbed ones are really low right now too.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22008536 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:14:49 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22008453 me1212 : jazzlady, how many would you like to have and what res is what I need to know in order to know which sat tv provider is best for you, as they each have different types of boxes. SO just tell me how many you want hooked up for the DTV thing, and if you plan to go HD within the year and how many HD sets. if its two(SD or HD, or both SD[I have to look to make sure on the both SD one]) Dish would be better 3-4 SD I think dish, but again I have to look to be 100% sure 2-3SD and one HD directv, as that what we have now, and we will be getting HD in the fall, and it will be the same price for both, but DT have like 2x HD. So let me know and I should be able to tell you, also what package, 100/200/250 ect.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22008453 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:58:34 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22008421 me1212 : What would be an ok price to u for a set top box, or a pc? I know how to get rid of the running cables, and I know the sell boxes that have a one time fee and the let you "surf" to a few IPTV sites. and what kind of tvs do you have?

EDIT: what kind a pc user are you? If you have an HD set, it may be smater to just get a new PC, but it depends on what you do on the com, ie just huluing or just web surfing, or go you game too and if so how much?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22008421 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:53:21 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22008364 Mark F : We once had Comcast, AT&T internet, and Verizon (formerly GTE) phone. Now, all are Verizon FIOS for a lot less money. And, FIOS high-speed internet is great for watching TV and movies on the PC. Now, if we could only watch such content on our big TV.

There are boxes and gadgets to do that, but one I saw online once had these drawbacks.
1. The box was unweildy and took up space in the living room TV cabinet.
2. It connected to the PC in another room via a long cable that must run through the house.
3. You couldn't wach streaming content (on the fly), as they only offered downloaded content, which takes drive space and wastes time.
4. You got to choose from a rather small selection of movies (no TV shows) to download.
5. The price was $400 plus a monthly fee.

We need a way to watch TV and movies from any internet source we choose (ABC, CBS, HULU, AOL, etc), on our big screen TVs in another room, easily and for a reasonable fee.
Mark F]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22008364 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:44:01 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22008290 jazzlady :

said by me1212

:

How many tvs(HD/SD/ED?) will be hooked up? Dish may have less ture HDs but theres a certain point where dish costs, IMHO, enought less to justify getting less HDs. IF you don't want it on ur roof, you could get a bigger on and put it on the ground.

I'm willing to just settle for the tv in the bedroom for now being hooked up.

I don't have ANY HDTV's right now. I have 4 tv's but they're all analog.

Now a big dish on the ground I could do. I have a big yard. But what about the angle? Doesn't it still need a clear line of sight to the south at a certain angle????]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22008290 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:29:19 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22008163 me1212 : How many tvs(HD/SD/ED?) will be hooked up? Dish may have less ture HDs but theres a certain point where dish costs, IMHO, enought less to justify getting less HDs. IF you don't want it on ur roof, you could get a bigger on and put it on the ground.

I can understand trees messing stuff up. We have a WISP and we almost have too many trees to use it, when we got it installed the dude said there were too many trees, so the owner took a look and there was a dip in the trees and it was just enough to get it working. We put the receiver on a tree, thats why I asked if a tree would work for you.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22008163 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:08:45 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22007887 jazzlady :

said by me1212

:

Could the put the dish on a TALL tree? Or you could pay some1 to build a tower.

No, putting it on a tall tree really wouldn't work. There's an entire forest behind my house, on the southern side which is the side I need for a sat signal.

Putting it on some kind of mast perhaps on the roof *might* work. I would have to look into the logistics of that.

Perhaps when the weather gets better I will call DirecTV and have them come out and take a look.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22007887 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:17:07 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22007613 me1212 : Could the put the dish on a TALL tree? Or you could pay some1 to build a tower.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22007613 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:19:57 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22007582 jazzlady :

said by me1212

:

I recommend them to any1 looking for a good com. and BTW all labor/wor kthat has to be done on the PC, and tech support for the 3yrs after you buy the PC are FREE!

Oh and HD directv and dish may not cost too much for you, they are less than most if not all HD cablecos.

I definitely like what they have at Vision... :-)

I've considered satellite, my problem is too many trees.

I don't have a clear line of sight without cutting down a LOT of trees, which I don't want to do.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22007582 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:15:19 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22007494 me1212 : My dad heard of vision on the radio. We got our com for $200 19" lcd monitor(square it was free so I didn't care about the shape, I now have a wide screen hooked up to it no), About 450-500gb hard drive, 2g ram, vista 32b, dvd drive, dvd recorder, 7 in 1 card reader, 512 video mem, and the second best sound card card the offered with that pc.

I recommend them to any1 looking for a good com. and BTW all labor/wor kthat has to be done on the PC, and tech support for the 3yrs after you buy the PC are FREE!

Oh and HD directv and dish may not cost too much for you, they are less than most if not all HD cablecos.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22007494 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:56:21 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22007488 jazzlady :

said by OverModded

said by jazzlady

:

So I have to download the stuff the networks won't put online because I refuse to watch it in 4:3.

I would watch legally, but I don't have that option. I'm sure I'm not the only one in a rural area in the same situation.

Sure you have the option. You just choose to ignore legalities because you want something. The same excuse used by criminals for all time.

And my options are....?

a) watch a half assed 4:3 broadcast of a widescreen program

b) sign up for digital cable and increase my cable bill by at least 50%

Since I don't have the option of OTA, and CBS refuses to put the shows I want on their website, which of these options is the better one to watch a FREE tv show?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22007488 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:55:52 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22007413 OverModded :

said by jazzlady

Sure you have the option. You just choose to ignore legalities because you want something. The same excuse used by criminals for all time.
--
My BLOG .. .. Internet News .. .. My Web Page]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22007413 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:40:22 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22007395 jazzlady :

said by BF69

said by Mchart

:

Well, the stuff thats not on Hulu I just download. Doesn't take to long to download the 720p HDTV rips via rapidshare, and usually the rips hit the internet only a few hours after the show airs on TV.

I know you don't care, but that's illegal. Not sure why you just don't do things legally. People like you ruins shit for the rest of us.

I do the same thing.

I watch everything I can on the network sites, but at least in the case of CBS- there are many shows that are not available for online viewing.

So what is the alternative? For me, it's to watch an awful looking center cut show on my analog cable- or download it from usenet.

I don't get any kind of OTA signal where I live. Zero, zip, nada, nothing whatsoever. So I have to download the stuff the networks won't put online because I refuse to watch it in 4:3.

I would watch legally, but I don't have that option. I'm sure I'm not the only one in a rural area in the same situation. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22007395 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:37:46 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22007315 jazzlady :

said by me1212

:

If it helps, I buy ALL of my pcs from them, got one for the last 2 yrs and will get a laptop for college, so that will make it 3(pcs) for 3(yrs). The tech support if great they helped us with every problem we had they even worked over time for us. They sell HD tvs too, but sears has them for less.

There are only 3 reviews of Vision on Resellerratings.com, but at least they're all positive...

I've never heard of them, but thanks for the lead. I will definitely price a machine from them.

I have a Sears and Best Buy here. I will buy a TV locally. No shipping, and I can return it if there's a problem.

They will put a wifi receiver card in the PC if you want, for using internet, or you can use the 10/100/1000 ethernet port the com has built in.

I would probably use ethernet, and I can always add a wifi card later. Stuff like that I can do blindfolded... :-)

I wish you luck starting your own ISP... too bad you're not in Pennsylvania... ;-)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22007315 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:22:41 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22007013 me1212 : If it helps, I buy ALL of my pcs from them, got one for the last 2 yrs and will get a laptop for college, so that will make it 3(pcs) for 3(yrs). The tech support if great they helped us with every problem we had they even worked over time for us. They sell HD tvs too, but sears has them for less.

They will put a wifi receiver card in the PC if you want, for using internet, or you can use the 10/100/1000 ethernet port the com has built in.

Well I just hope they get LTE or DSL here with in 2 yrs, wireless is ok, but I would like more speed for less. Which is why I am going to start my own ISP and service rural areas first and have no or a 1tb cap, depending on how much the costumer will pay.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22007013 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:31:43 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22006879 jazzlady :

said by me1212

:

Wow... maybe that means no cap for them(I don't think they have one now[correct me if I'm wrong]) hope fully they will blaze the path of no cappingness(Is that a word?).

I just wish the had it where I live, but I doubt they will EVER get it in to rural areas like mine.

Yeah, same here.

I would kill for FIOS, but I doubt it will get to this backwater in my lifetime... :-(]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22006879 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:07:34 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22006858 jazzlady :

said by me1212

:

Do you know what a wireless gaming adapter is? Basically they both plug into a ethernet port and make it wireless compatible, so you do not have to run cables. »visioncomputers.com/items.asp?Cc···TOPS&Bc= they have PCs starting at $500 with 3yrs free tech support on par with VOIPo, they have everything from a nothing but surfing/vid pc to just about the strongest gamming pc you can get for under 12k.

And 720p should be enough for surfing the web.

I'm not familiar with this builder, but they have some very nice machines for not too much $$$$. I like what I see so far.

It wouldn't be that much of a problem to run a cat6 cable to my bedroom- but I can do wireless. That's good too. ;-)

I have also been considering a build from Cyberpowerpc.com.

My main obstacles to building it myself is not that I can't do it. I've built computers before. But not for quite some time....therefore... I don't have any spare parts lying around like DDR2 ram, or a pci-xpress video card. Or even a spare motherboard or current power supply.

Ergo, I order a whole bunch of parts from newegg, then wind up with a defective one- how in hell do I diagnose a problem with no spare parts to swap?

I read the reviews on newegg all the time- and the amount of people complaining about DOA parts scares me... I think building is more trouble than it's worth nowadays.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22006858 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:03:55 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22006572 jazzlady :

Anonymous_

FOX11 HD looks is neer downloaded quality from torrent

624 x352 is comparale to TWC's "1280x720"

So that's why those divx files look so sharp on my old analog set...

I've noticed that anything I download looks 10x times better on my analog set than the analog cable signal does.

But you can't really use an analog tv with a computer because of the low-res, right?

I've almost plugged the trigger for the HDTV, but I keep reading how awful an analog signal looks on an HDTV... and I'm not ready to drop the cable just yet...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22006572 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 11:10:43 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22006501 jazzlady :

said by Corehhi

:

Newegg newegg newegg. I just had a thought, I wonder how cheaply you can make a computer to HDTV setup for???? You can get 40 inch HDTV's for for not that much. »www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a···89253161. Smaller TV and a cheap computer build and under $1000 is doable.

LOL

Newegg RULES! ;-)))

I get lots of stuff from the egg, much to my husbands dismay... ;-)

I am torn between buy or build though. For a cheap machine just for tv I may go with a refurbed Dell.

I got a refurbed Inspiron 530 back in April '08. It has an Intel Q6600, 4 GB's of ram, 500 GB hard drive, and an ATI Radeon 3450 video card. It was $550 including shipping. Came with XP Home, I've reformatted to XP Pro. It's a reasonably fast machine, and it's been great.

Something like this would be ideal for my bedroom, even if I would have to upgrade the video card.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22006501 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 10:55:26 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22005940 me1212 : Wow... maybe that means no cap for them(I don't think they have one now[correct me if I'm wrong]) hope fully they will blaze the path of no cappingness(Is that a word?).

I just wish the had it where I live, but I doubt they will EVER get it in to rural areas like mine.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22005940 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:43:28 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22005496 anon : At a certain point the cable and fios companies that have tv offerings are going to ask themselves and the content providers (otherwise know as networks) "Why should I pay you X dollars per month.. this content is no longer exclusive over my media... you GIVE this content away for free."
When these cable and fios providers ask that question and cut back how much money th content providers receive we'll see a change, but I'm not sure what direction the scales will tip in.
It takes $ to create tv shows and movies, those $ (and a profit) are recouped by the content providers (ABC, NBC, FOX, HBO ESPN etc) through ad sales, product placements, merchandising and selling the distribution rights.
Silly as it sounds the content providers also care about their "branding" or brand image. When you take away the content from a very neatly controlled distribution method like TV you begin to erode the brand.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22005496 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:34:55 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22005863 Mark F : Verizon FIOS has been promising for some time now that we would soon be able to stream TV shows and movies from the internet, via their Media Manager PC software and their DVR, to any TV we have connected to FIOS.

Watching that type of internet content on a big TV, from a comfortable chair or couch, beats watching it on a small PC monitor. Verizon needs to get with it and offer streaming video (not downloaded video which takes lots more time and lots more drive space).

I occasionally watch TV on the internet because I can watch something I missed and see older shows and movies not available on cable. And, Youtube has become the biggest jukebox around.

So, I use the internet to suppliment cable, not replace it. I just wish that there was an easier way to watch it on our big TV, like Verizon has promised.
Mark F.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22005863 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:16:55 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22005050 Mchart :

said by BF69

said by Mchart

:

I don't do things the 'legal' way, because as I just explained, the 'legal' way is me spending $30 on an HD Antenna and thats it. However, the benefit to downloading the rip is that I can watch it when I want, where I want - Instead of being forced to buy some overpriced DVR unit that also has another monthly free attached to it. Not to mention, many of the networks have begun broadcasting their shows lately in a fashion that makes it so playback from a DVR is impossible.

Once again, it's free for me either way. Either I can spend 30 bucks on an HD antenna and get the content for free, or spend nothing and continue downloading the rips.

Watching TV isn't my highest priority, thats why I don't pay for cable television and watch a few select shows on services which are completely legal like Hulu; Or occasionaly download the HD rips of shows like Lost.

My argument isn't flawed at all. Free is free. I could give a rats ass about the technicality of it. Comparing what i'm doing to raping someones daughter is absolutely rediculous.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22005050 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:19:35 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22005041 BF69 :

said by Mchart

The thing is you don't have a "right" do do that. Hence the flaw in your argument. If you want to watch that content whenever where ever then PAY for it like you should. Is $2 too hard to come by? if so then maybe watching Tv shouldn't be your highest priority.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22005041 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:15:37 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22005034 BF69 :

said by Mchart

said by BF69

said by Mchart

I know you don't care, but that's illegal. Not sure why you just don't do things legally. People like you ruins shit for the rest of us.

Downloading TV shows that are being shown over the air in HD anyways is illegal? Maybe it is by technicality - But lets be realistic here. For $30 I could buy an HD Antenna and hook it up to my TV and have watched the same show in the same quality anyways. So me downloading it is nowhere near illegal on any normal human beings moral compass. I'm not ruining anything for anyone. The only people 'ruining' anything are the people still paying $80 a month for a service that provides commercials 80% of the time.

I don't do things the 'legal' way, because as I just explained, the 'legal' way is me spending $30 on an HD Antenna and thats it. However, the benefit to downloading the rip is that I can watch it when I want, where I want - Instead of being forced to buy some overpriced DVR unit that also has another monthly free attached to it. Not to mention, many of the networks have begun broadcasting their shows lately in a fashion that makes it so playback from a DVR is impossible.

I know your pissed because you still spend a fortune on your AD TV - But get with the program, honestly.

There is nothing "technial" about anything. And no I'm not pissed at anything other than people that steal and break the law. Is that the best point you can make? You know serial killers and child molesters justify their ways too doesn't make it ok.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22005034 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:12:56 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22004992 Mchart :

said by BF69

said by Mchart

I know you don't care, but that's illegal. Not sure why you just don't do things legally. People like you ruins shit for the rest of us.

said by Mchart

I know you don't care, but that's illegal. Not sure why you just don't do things legally. People like you ruins shit for the rest of us.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22004853 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:22:43 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22004843 BF69 :

said by jazzlady

said by badtrip

:

At first my wife protested a bit but when I showed her how well Hulu works on the PS3, her complaints dissipated. Further, the PS3 plays damn near any media file I throw at it. I can no longer justify paying monthly for video entertainment.

Tell me more...

How do you access the net with a PS3? Can you surf with it?

The PS3 has a web browser. It works. I've watched Hulu on it.

I did consider this route with either a PS3 or XBOX, neither of which I own, so any info you can give would be appreciated.

No web browser with the 360. Though you can stream Netflix. You have to have a XBL gold membership which is $50 a year. And of course a Netlfix membership which is going to be $9 a month.

PlayOn will allow 360 owners to stream Hulu and allow PS3 owners to stream Netflix. It's $40 one time charge and has a 2 week free trial.

»www.themediamall.com/]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22004843 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:21:04 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22004746 BF69 :

said by ITALIAN926

A) OTA HD is better than HD via cable/sat

B) OTA SD is better tha SD via cable/sat

C) who says you have to watch TV on your PC? I can watch netflix via xbox 360. With a PS3 on can use the internet browser to watch sites like Hulu on their TV. Or like many people hook the PC to the TV. My friend just got a new 42 inch TV and he has his PC hooked up to it via HDMI.

You obviously have very narrow and obtuse view of things.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22004746 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:01:55 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22004230 me1212 : Do you know what a wireless gaming adapter is? Basically they both plug into a ethernet port and make it wireless compatible, so you do not have to run cables. »visioncomputers.com/items.asp?Cc···TOPS&Bc= they have PCs starting at $500 with 3yrs free tech support on par with VOIPo, they have everything from a nothing but surfing/vid pc to just about the strongest gamming pc you can get for under 12k.

And 720p should be enough for surfing the web.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22004230 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:27:14 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22003787 jazzlady :

said by me1212

:

Well, unless you WANT a new com, you may be able to get away with a IPTV STB, you will need a wireless router and a wireless bridge for it to work best(non-wired) sears sells a 32" 720p tv for under $400, so that would be a decent priced one at least. And I think an HDMI.

The people at »TV over IP may be able to help you find a box that can get hulu, netfilx, youtube, and veoh. I think they go for about $200, but don't be mad at me if the price is not spot on.

IF you do go IPTV most would suggest getting a netflix account.

Actually- I DO want a new desktop computer- but that is for the living room- not my bedroom where I do most of my tv viewing...

In case you're confused- I want a new quad core high end machine for general use, PLUS possibly a dual core smaller system to be used to bedroom TV/surfing. So I want 2 new computers. But I'm assuming that a machine just for video streaming doesn't have to be a screaming machine.

So I'm really kind of weighing my options for the bedroom at this point. Either a regular but smaller PC for the bedroom, or XBOX/PS3, or some kind of set top box like you're suggesting.... I'm not really sure which way to go and I see I'm going to have to research this.

Ok, I already have a wireless router, but what is this wireless "bridge" thing?

And 32" is exactly what I had in mind, but I've been told to go for a high resolution model in case I want to surf the web....

Thank you for the info. :-)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22003787 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 20:04:20 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22003680 Corehhi :

said by jazzlady

said by james

said by jazzlady

:

lately the stations that used to show better stuff like TLC, Discovery, and History have switched to mind numbing reality tripe.

Like you I would like to set up a PC and HDTV, but really don't know much about doing this.

Newegg newegg newegg. I just had a thought, I wonder how cheaply you can make a computer to HDTV setup for???? You can get 40 inch HDTV's for for not that much. »www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a···89253161. Smaller TV and a cheap computer build and under $1000 is doable. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22003680 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 19:47:42 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22003496 me1212 : Well, unless you WANT a new com, you may be able to get away with a IPTV STB, you will need a wireless router and a wireless bridge for it to work best(non-wired) sears sells a 32" 720p tv for under $400, so that would be a decent priced one at least. And I think an HDMI.

The people at »TV over IP may be able to help you find a box that can get hulu, netfilx, youtube, and veoh. I think they go for about $200, but don't be mad at me if the price is not spot on.

IF you do go IPTV most would suggest getting a netflix account.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22003496 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 19:16:43 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22003139 jazzlady :

said by me1212

:

Well, do you mind increased lag? if not, what is the price for 2 DSLs? you could have them bonded, but it ups the lag. Or you could have one run to more than one com, for no extra lag. If it makes you feel better about less speed I have 512dl 128ul no cap for $55.

Funny you should mention that... I was thinking about doing that if it comes to it.

Right now I'm kind of taking a wait and see attitude. I'm waiting until after the "real" DTV transition to see how bad things get with my cableco.

I will need:

a) a new computer, something that will be able to use a pci-express video card

b) an HDTV

I don't think a computer hooked up to my analog 27" set will look very good... ;-)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22003139 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:16:18 EDT Re: Cable will start bill-by-byte tiers http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22003072 jazzlady :

said by OverModded

:

You still need to get the video to your house somehow. If people stop using linear cable TV and use the internet to watch Network series & movies, the ISPs(also the same people as linear TV providers - like Comcast, TWC, AT&T, Verizon fios, etc) will just start charging more for the internet connections. And the best way to do that will be to start charging by bill-by-byte tiers. That way the more video you watch, the more they make to pay for all the costs of providing fatter pipes(including upgrading networks to fiber) for the last mile.

You know, I'm actually ok with that type of billing if the price was fair. But like the cell phone companies- they will rape you.

They'll be charging 5000% more than it costs them and still they'll be bitching they're not making enough money...

P.S.>> If people stop watching Broadcast Network & Cable TV networks over cable, the Networks have to recoup the cost of providing the shows somehow. So, expect to see advertisements embedded in their online video offerings even more than they are now. No more 2 mins of ads added to 40 min drama series shown online. It will be back to the 20 mins of ads like they have on cable TV.

You're probably right- and if they think piracy is bad now wait until they pull that kind of crap.

Then even Grandma will learn how to use bittorrent... LOL]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22003072 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:01:53 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22003035 jazzlady :

said by badtrip

Tell me more...

How do you access the net with a PS3? Can you surf with it?

I did consider this route with either a PS3 or XBOX, neither of which I own, so any info you can give would be appreciated.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22003035 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:54:38 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22002996 jazzlady :

said by tapeloop

said by jazzlady

:

Like you I would like to set up a PC and HDTV, but really don't know much about doing this. I'd need another PC, and I'm still using my old analog tv. I still have analog cable, and I've read that analog cable on an HDTV looks pretty awful, that's why I haven't gotten a new set yet...

You might want to check out:
»www.mythtv.org/

If you don't mind Linux, that is.

LOL

I *like* Linux.... but only use it on my old laptop right now. I dual boot XP and Ubuntu 8.10.

I am in the market for a new system, and I would like to dual boot that as well.

Linux sucks for streaming though. I've noticed a lot of sites that use the Move media player like ABC don't work with Linux.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22002996 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:46:28 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22002973 Titus Pullo :

said by jester121

:

EDIT -- this has gone pretty far off topic from the news thread so I'm dropping it.

Good. Don't let the door ...
--]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22002973 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:42:57 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22002720 jester121 : Wow, you're really angry -- it's amazing that the country can even get itself out of bed in the morning. Should we just turn off the lights and go home until the government sorts things out?

It's weird -- I still sit in traffic while driving to my job every morning; do you think all the other drivers are headed to the unemployment office to pick up their check? I dunno, there were still people shopping at Costco and the shopping center when I was out this weekend, and plenty of people pushing carts out to their mostly modern cars. The restaurant where I had lunch today was full too, I even saw some people paying cash -- so it's not a credit card max out going on.

You can whine and moan all you want, but things aren't really that bad in the real world. Despite the efforts of the media to prop up the new president's messiah status and set him up to save the day, the real America continues working and taking care of their families as much as possible -- cutting back as needed but certainly not languishing in real poverty like the rest of the world knows.

EDIT -- this has gone pretty far off topic from the news thread so I'm dropping it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22002720 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:02:55 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22002692 Laughing Man : Just drink a lot of vitamin d milk and enjoy your tv even longer ;)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22002692 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:56:19 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22002587 Titus Pullo :

said by jester121

:

Errr.... okay, so 20-25 percent where you are (assuming we throw the Labor Department official numbers out the window and use the ones you cherry picked)?

Just want to be 100% clear on what you mean by "everyone".

Good thing they expanded the digital converter box coupon program, eh? No wait, I forgot -- people in the boonies all have satellite dishes don't they?

You're a utter tool, aren't you? And that rhymes with . . .

Read some facts and quit gilding a wilted lilly:

»www.infowars.com/real-unemployme···artment/

EDIT: and I didn't "cherry pick" anything. I googled "real unemployment figures" and picked from the top four results. What is you want to defend when people are suffering in a terrible economy? The market? The left, the right, the middle, what? whom? what the hell is wrong with you? Really, man; what is your problem?
--]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22002587 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:38:50 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22002580 ShadowMastr :

said by asd454 :

Cable really doesn't offer much. I dropped it a year ago and haven't missed it. I guess if I suddenly develop a taste for lowest common denominator reality shows, mindless sporting events,fluff piece news, and crappy a$$ movies I'll consider picking it back up.

I'm in the same boat (by choice) as you.

I moved to Arkansas 5 years ago, rural enough so the only ota tv we got was the 1 pbs station. Good enough. One of my lady's kids moved in, and had to have a dish, I only watched sci-fi channel for Galactica, some Discovery like Mythbusters, and Comedy Channel cuz it's funny sometimes.

Moved to Florida about 6 months ago, person I moved in with has Comcast bundle, We watch 0 percent of the tv, it's for her kid.

Instead of running a cable to my tv tuner in the computer, I just catch Galactica on the sci-fi.com site, and been doing Hulu occasionally.

Most tv is just designed to numb your brain in between work and chaos and distract you from the important things in life, like family, friends and personal exploration.

If tv blew up or disappeared, no loss. We'd just have more people waking up to the crap government/big business is trying to force feed us, and maybe DO something about it.
--
Follow Your Bliss -- Joseph Cambell
I reject your Reality and substitute my own! -- Adam Savage, Mythbuster]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22002580 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:37:27 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22002409 MrMaster :

said by jester121

ahem...I promise not to drop a ton of f-bombs this time. :)

Many people in the 'boonies' don't have cable and many of us "urban folkz" choose not to be raped by the cable companies.

I just received my digital converter box this weekend. I gave all my previous coupons to my parents who really do live in the 'boonies'. So layoff.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22002409 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:08:48 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22002314 jester121 : Errr.... okay, so 20-25 percent where you are (assuming we throw the Labor Department official numbers out the window and use the ones you cherry picked)?

Just want to be 100% clear on what you mean by "everyone".

Good thing they expanded the digital converter box coupon program, eh? No wait, I forgot -- people in the boonies all have satellite dishes don't they?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22002314 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:51:04 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22002225 SLD : If only HBO and Showtime would make their shows like Weeds available on Hulu! I don't mean two-seasons ago content.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22002225 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:35:00 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22002222 SLD : Lately, Hulu seems to be getting choppy at prime watching time.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22002222 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:34:32 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001769 me1212 : Well, do you mind increased lag? if not, what is the price for 2 DSLs? you could have them bonded, but it ups the lag. Or you could have one run to more than one com, for no extra lag. If it makes you feel better about less speed I have 512dl 128ul no cap for $55.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001769 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:25:02 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001740 jazzlady :

said by me1212

:

Hmm. Well I just know that the ones around here are no cap for business lines. What cableco? are there any others/any DSLs(with no cap) where u live? I know one way to have no cap legaly, but not that much speed(1m-ish).

Prolog is the ISP, Blue Ridge Cable is the conduit. They're all part of PenTeleData corp anyway.

The business account is 5 Mbps, I forget the price- with a 75G/75G cap.

I don't need the upload, just the download. My cap is between 80-100 gigs now on the 15 Mbps tier. So their business offerings are worthless to me.

The only other alternative I have is Verizon 3 Mbps DSL. Since that is uncapped I'd go with that if I have to.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001740 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:19:58 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001697 Titus Pullo :

said by jester121

:

So 12-16 percent then? Got it.

Hyperbole much?

Ignorance of one's current reality, much?

Actual unemployment rate 13.9%: Merrill Lynch
»www.financialweek.com/apps/pbcs.···yAlert01

and that's a month ago. Check out the rust belt for unemployment numbers NOW, like, uh ... today.

Are you really this daft? Do you live in Lush Rumball's world?
--]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001697 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:13:39 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001659 Mchart : There are a few cases where the show usually airs in Canada first, but thats pretty rare.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001659 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:06:21 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001603 jester121 : So 12-16 percent then? Got it.

Hyperbole much?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001603 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:58:55 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001535 Anonymous_ :

said by ITALIAN926

:

Everyone you talk with is dropping cable?? LOLOL What world do you live in? Hardly anyone is dropping cable.. no matter how many bbr geeks say they are. Most of the world still want high quality pictures on their TV's... not their PC's. Once ISP's start capping their service, this wonderful idea of TVip will be dead. Even FiOS will eventually add caps when too much of their video revenue becomes depleted.

VoIP has only survived bc of its very small amount of data consumption.

downloaded video is higher quality compared to Time Warner CAble

FOX11 HD looks is neer downloaded quality from torrent

624 x352 is comparale to TWC's "1280x720"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001535 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:50:13 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001521 me1212 : Hmm. Well I just know that the ones around here are no cap for business lines. What cableco? are there any others/any DSLs(with no cap) where u live? I know one way to have no cap legaly, but not that much speed(1m-ish).]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001521 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:47:56 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001510 Anonymous_ :

said by Mchart

said by RARPSL

said by Mchart

:

I have no problems using Hulu. In fact, because of Hulu, and I stopped paying for cable TV a while ago. Now i'm just paying $50 a month for my internet bill. Granted, I don't get every TV show out there - But there is usually nothing good on Cable TV anyways. You are paying money for something that shows something you want only 10% of the time. Hence why people are so attached to their Tivo-esque devices these days.

The advantage of Hulu (and the Network's Streaming Content) is that if you are willing to wait 1-8 days after the original broadcast of an episode, you can see it whenever you want (even "older" episodes) and not get locked into needing to watch (or DVR Record) it when the network wants to air it. Also, when there are more shows airing that you want to watch than your DVR can handle (there are cases where 3-4 shows are airing opposite each-other) you can stream (or P2P) the others to see them later.

some times it's faster to download them and watch them before it airs]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001510 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:46:18 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001478 Mchart :

said by RARPSL

said by Mchart

Well, the stuff thats not on Hulu I just download. Doesn't take to long to download the 720p HDTV rips via rapidshare, and usually the rips hit the internet only a few hours after the show airs on TV.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001478 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:43:02 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001455 james :

said by jazzlady

:

So I will need a new PC, sufficiently fast enough for the task, and an HDTV to replace my old analog set. Plus a wireless keyboard of some kind of course...

I'm seriously considering it...

The PC doesn't have to be fast at all, the one I'm using is only 1Ghz and has 512MB of ram, the only thing you need alot of is hard drive space to store the tv shows and a decent video card that can display higher resolutions at a decent refresh rate.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001455 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:39:27 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001452 anon : Cable really doesn't offer much. I dropped it a year ago and haven't missed it. I guess if I suddenly develop a taste for lowest common denominator reality shows, mindless sporting events,fluff piece news, and crappy a$$ movies I'll consider picking it back up.

said by ITALIAN926

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001452 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:39:17 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001451 RARPSL :

said by Mchart

said by james

said by jazzlady

I don't buy anything unless it's on sale!!! LOL ;-)

As far as buying shows- I don't want to own them. I just want to watch them.

The PC to HDTV thing now... that's a bit more complicated. I want to do this in my bedroom, where most of my tv viewing is done.

So I will need a new PC, sufficiently fast enough for the task, and an HDTV to replace my old analog set. Plus a wireless keyboard of some kind of course...

I'm seriously considering it...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001401 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:33:09 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001396 tapeloop :

said by jazzlady

You might want to check out:
»www.mythtv.org/

If you don't mind Linux, that is.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001396 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:32:18 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001352 james :

said by jazzlady

Luckily you can buy most of the shows from Discovery and TLC directly from them, or you used to be able to.

As far as doing the PC to HDTV thing, it's not that complicated, it's just expensive (unless you're patient and wait for sales).]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001352 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:23:41 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001300 badtrip : When my Dish contract is up, I'm gone. I'm tired of paying for commercials and channels I never watch. I basically watch HBO and a little Comedy Central and Cartoon Network.

At first my wife protested a bit but when I showed her how well Hulu works on the PS3, her complaints dissipated. Further, the PS3 plays damn near any media file I throw at it. I can no longer justify paying monthly for video entertainment. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001300 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:15:16 EDT Cable will start bill-by-byte tiers http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001282 OverModded : You still need to get the video to your house somehow. If people stop using linear cable TV and use the internet to watch Network series & movies, the ISPs(also the same people as linear TV providers - like Comcast, TWC, AT&T, Verizon fios, etc) will just start charging more for the internet connections. And the best way to do that will be to start charging by bill-by-byte tiers. That way the more video you watch, the more they make to pay for all the costs of providing fatter pipes(including upgrading networks to fiber) for the last mile.

P.S.>> If people stop watching Broadcast Network & Cable TV networks over cable, the Networks have to recoup the cost of providing the shows somehow. So, expect to see advertisements embedded in their online video offerings even more than they are now. No more 2 mins of ads added to 40 min drama series shown online. It will be back to the 20 mins of ads like they have on cable TV.
--
My BLOG .. .. Internet News .. .. My Web Page]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001282 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:12:17 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000832 anon : I too hate commercials. I built a home theater pc/DVR to record the shows I watch. I don't watch commercials any longer, and can watch a show whenever and however I like. You may want to look into doing something similar.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000832 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:11:24 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001260 rradina :

said by jazzlady

:

If I could get Hulu to work properly... their Flash based streaming is not smooth on any of my systems- even my quad core, and I have a 15 Mbps connection, so that's not the problem.
(snip)

said by me1212

:

"But the more they meter, the more they're going to lose with people switching to uncapped alternatives like FIOS and DSL."

Yup, there will always be a ISP with a huge cap(1tb like in Japan) or no cap, there will always be a market for that, even if we have to par a but more(like $15-$20) for a business connection.

I was investigating a business connection with my cable ISP- only to find out it's more expensive, 1/3 the speed- and has a lower cap that I have now.

Makes no sense...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001151 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:51:51 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001074 jazzlady :

said by Mchart

If I could get Hulu to work properly... their Flash based streaming is not smooth on any of my systems- even my quad core, and I have a 15 Mbps connection, so that's not the problem.

I can watch the same shows at the network sites- like CBS.com- and the streaming is much smoother.

I would love a la carte cable. I want to dump 90% of the channels I have because I don't watch them. And it really pi$$es me off every time my bill goes up because of them. Disney comes to mind with all it's offshoots. Ka-ching, ka-ching...

Hulu is the wave of the future. They're even advertising on tv. And now there is a plethora of other sites as well like tv.com, joost.com, veoh.com, sling.com and several others.

The handwriting is on the wall for the cable companies. They better forget about providing video and stick with just being a dumb pipe or else they'll just disappear altogether.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001074 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:41:28 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001021 Titus Pullo : They'll know they've won when cable is reduced to reruns of:

Cops
Dog the Bounty Hunter
Cheaters
Wildest Police "(insert something here)"
House Porn (HGTV)
The Kardashian enema
Lockup "RAW"

(the last two are in their order on purpose!)

And ESPN, of course, where men gourmandize their way to the Cath Lab
--]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22001021 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:30:22 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000987 me1212 : Yup, if you were in an area that had a few DSLs with no cap or, FiOS, or both along with cable internet, which would you choose?

I can understand a bit more, or a business connection for no cap, if it does not cost more than 30%(even thats a bit much) more than caped internet.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000987 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:24:58 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000906 jazzlady :

said by james

said by ITALIAN926

:

Most of the world still want high quality pictures on their TV's... not their PC's

Oh, ok. Enjoy all your commercials while I enjoy high quality pictures on my second PC, which happens to have a DVI to HDMI cable that hooks directly to a 42 inch HDTV.
So you just keep on watching your "reality tv" garbage...

Hey- I resent that remark.... ;-)

I will admit... I do like a couple of reality shows. I couldn't live without "No Reservations" and "Bizarre Foods" on the Travel channel, and I do like Iron Chef on the Food network and Ghost Hunters on SciFi.

But for the most part I HATE reality shows.... and lately the stations that used to show better stuff like TLC, Discovery, and History have switched to mind numbing reality tripe.

Like you I would like to set up a PC and HDTV, but really don't know much about doing this. I'd need another PC, and I'm still using my old analog tv. I still have analog cable, and I've read that analog cable on an HDTV looks pretty awful, that's why I haven't gotten a new set yet...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000906 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:09:26 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000846 me1212 : "But the more they meter, the more they're going to lose with people switching to uncapped alternatives like FIOS and DSL."

Yup, there will always be a ISP with a huge cap(1tb like in Japan) or no cap, there will always be a market for that, even if we have to par a but more(like $15-$20) for a business connection.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000846 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:58:16 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000836 me1212 : Ifthe owners of FiOS were smart they would get together with the IPTV cos(like netflix, hulu, ect.) and get a bundle and keep the no cap, but charge a bit more for that package, and offer it with or with out normal tv. That would deal a blow to cablecos.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000836 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:55:50 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000827 jazzlady :

said by Titus Pullo

:

That's an angle you don't hear as often as you should: cable (content) channels supposedly pushing up the rates for cable providers, who pass it along to you, advertising the hell out of you anyway. The ratio of commercials to content on a prime-time network show is ridiculous; I don't, and won't, watch it. Five minutes of show, four minutes of commercials. It's stupefying why anyone would sit through that. Cable started out that way (nearly no commercials), and now they're almost as bad as the networks.

Right you are- about both points.

My cable bill went up $5 a month when they added the Disney channel.

Hey- I don't have kids- and I've NEVER watched it. Not one single time. So I've paid hundreds of dollars for a channel I don't watch and would dump in a hot minute if I were able to.

Makes me feel justified when I "acquire" some of their films. They owe me.

Stupefying is a great way to phrase it. The amount of commercials is mind numbing. I tape anything I want to watch that is still broadcast in widescreen, so I don't have to sit through the commercials. I've seen as little as 4 minutes of the show interspersed with 5 minute commercial breaks. It's truly unbearable.

The dumb pipers will meter bandwidth for sagging revenue. I don't believe a word regarding their increasing numbers -- everyone I talk with is either considering dropping cable or already has. If they have kids, they'll hang onto it as long as they can. Single people increasingly get what they need on the net and these guys have no recourse but to gouge your eyes out for access.
Why they bother with their own flavor of online content is beyond me ... it smells like bad PR -- the stink before the flush, so to speak.
--

LOL

That cracked me up. :-)

But the more they meter, the more they're going to lose with people switching to uncapped alternatives like FIOS and DSL.

Are they too stupid to realize that giving people unlimited access, and charging a bit more for it is much better than losing the customer altogether?

Apparently so...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000827 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:54:39 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000824 james :

said by ITALIAN926

:

Most of the world still want high quality pictures on their TV's... not their PC's

Oh, ok. Enjoy all your commercials while I enjoy high quality pictures on my second PC, which happens to have a DVI to HDMI cable that hooks directly to a 42 inch HDTV. It streams commercial free tv shows I actually like constantly, plus has a library of Tv shows from The Three Stooges and Our Gang, through the Honeymooners and Flintstones, all the way up to today, with everything in between.

So you just keep on watching your "reality tv" garbage, I'll be laughing from my grave (because I'll die from lack of vitamin D because my TV shows are so awesome).]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000824 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:54:21 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000823 Titus Pullo :

said by ITALIAN926

:

Everyone you talk with is dropping cable?? LOLOL What world do you live in? Hardly anyone is dropping cable.. no matter how many bbr geeks say they are.

In a world that values reading comprehension, evidently :)

"everyone I talk with is either considering dropping cable or already has"

You're in CT, I'm in a rural area where unemployment is probably 1.5x to 2x the national average.
--]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000823 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:54:10 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000755 jazzlady :

said by jazzlady

:

This makes no sense.

I am paying for cable- so I can watch clear, good quality with the cable- or I can deal with herky jerky video streaming instead?

I think I need to clarify that statement- it's a bit confusing.

I meant why watch Comcast/Your Cable Provider online- if you're already paying for regular cable service from Comcast or whomever?

Why would someone with cable service watch the same cable offerings online? They wouldn't. It makes no sense. They would just ditch the cable altogether and watch the stuff offered for free.

The free offerings are numerous, and increasing every day, but the streaming quality issues need to be resolved.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000755 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:41:00 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000752 ITALIAN926 : Everyone you talk with is dropping cable?? LOLOL What world do you live in? Hardly anyone is dropping cable.. no matter how many bbr geeks say they are. Most of the world still want high quality pictures on their TV's... not their PC's. Once ISP's start capping their service, this wonderful idea of TVip will be dead. Even FiOS will eventually add caps when too much of their video revenue becomes depleted.

VoIP has only survived bc of its very small amount of data consumption. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000752 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:40:28 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000723 Mchart : I have no problems using Hulu. In fact, because of Hulu, and I stopped paying for cable TV a while ago. Now i'm just paying $50 a month for my internet bill. Granted, I don't get every TV show out there - But there is usually nothing good on Cable TV anyways. You are paying money for something that shows something you want only 10% of the time. Hence why people are so attached to their Tivo-esque devices these days.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000723 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:36:29 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000722 nasadude :

said by jazzlady

:

.... Time for an unlimited tier for their broadband customers. I'd pay an extra $15 or $20 a month for unlimited with no caps.

unfortunately, that's exactly the attitude the cablecos like to see - someone willing to pay more money for an uncrippled connection.

there shouldn't be caps or throttling and if there were competition in the U.S. market, we wouldn't even be discussing caps.

however, I'm guessing it will cost you more than $15 or $20 a month for no caps, assuming they even allow accounts with no caps.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000722 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:36:22 EDT Re: why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000701 Titus Pullo : That's an angle you don't hear as often as you should: cable (content) channels supposedly pushing up the rates for cable providers, who pass it along to you, advertising the hell out of you anyway. The ratio of commercials to content on a prime-time network show is ridiculous; I don't, and won't, watch it. Five minutes of show, four minutes of commercials. It's stupefying why anyone would sit through that. Cable started out that way (nearly no commercials), and now they're almost as bad as the networks.

I suppose I'm spoiled by Netflix and PBS shows ...

The dumb pipers will meter bandwidth for sagging revenue. I don't believe a word regarding their increasing numbers -- everyone I talk with is either considering dropping cable or already has. If they have kids, they'll hang onto it as long as they can. Single people increasingly get what they need on the net and these guys have no recourse but to gouge your eyes out for access.
Why they bother with their own flavor of online content is beyond me ... it smells like bad PR -- the stink before the flush, so to speak.
--]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000701 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:33:39 EDT why watch tv online if I already have cable? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000634 jazzlady : This makes no sense.

I am paying for cable- so I can watch clear, good quality with the cable- or I can deal with herky jerky video streaming instead?

What, do people need to watch tv while they're at work, visiting Grandma, at the supermarket, driving to work? What is the point of this?

Believe me, I have cable and would love to ditch it in favor of internet video, but I think the quality of what is available online has some quality issues that need to be resolved.

I have major problems with Hulu, with jerky, choppy video, and so do a lot of other people from what I read online.

I do watch some stuff online already, because I'm tired of the cropping the network/cable company does. So I'll watch stuff at the network websites, which usually work better than Hulu for me. And for the stuff that isn't available- which is a lot- I grab it from the newsgroups.

The cable industry isn't going to stuff this genie back in the bottle.

Cable and satellite are yesterdays technology. They need to move forward or become extinct. People want to watch stuff online because there are FAR LESS commercials. Not to mention it's free...

I can't stand the amount of commercials on cable anymore. $60 a month for this BS? If I never ever see another car commercial or fast food ad as long as I live I will die happy.

IF I could get any kind of OTA signal where I live I would have ditched cable already. But I can't. So next best choice is online video.

The cable companies better adapt or die. Time for an unlimited tier for their broadband customers. I'd pay an extra $15 or $20 a month for unlimited with no caps.

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22000634 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:21:29 EDT