Cutting the Cable --- or, um... Satellite!!!

[Cow Poke]

Unfortunately the channels I watch the most are not broadcast. BBC America, TCM, Nick (for the grands), AHC (American History Channel?), and the like. And the local cable company (yes we only have one), just moved TCM to the Encore package so that's an extra fee. I don't normally watch a lot of sports unless there's nothing else on, and then it's only the Royals or Chiefs, so I could easily live without all the ESPNs, the Golf Channel and even the new SEC channel that Suddenlink added to our line up. I really, really, really wish all these networks would stop tying channels together so we could order "a la carte". And then if there was something I wanted to watch on a channel I didn't get, treat it like pay per view.



end rant

Yeah, I'm figuring out I can do without a lot of that stuff I "want".... when I grow up (if that should ever happen) I want to be just like Jed!

[Sparko]

The only reason I haven't cut the cable/satellite is I only get about 6 or 7 channels on the antenna. I spent $100 on a really good antenna and I spent about $75 on a preamp, but I'm just too far away from the big city to get much more. I guess I could put my antenna higher, but it's already about 25-30 ft in the air mounted on a 10' pole at the peak of the gable. I really don't want a 50 ft. pole with guy wires and I can't afford a tower that doesn't require one...(those babies are expensive.) Also, if I were to go without Directv or the like, I want to get a OTA DVR. Cuz I LIKE skipping commercials, and recording shows for later. But that's about $350

If you have windows 7 you should already have windows media center (its a separate purchase for windows 8) so all you need is a TV capture card. A good one is Silicon Dust. http://www.silicondust.com/
They have several products that will convert cable or TV antenna signals and stream them to your computer, tablets, etc. And using windows media center you can record and schedule the shows to record (it comes with a tv guide). they have boxes that can record two and three channels at once.

[Jedidiah]

I do have cable for internet, but it is not connected to my TV.

[Littlejoe]

If you have windows 7 you should already have windows media center (its a separate purchase for windows 8) so all you need is a TV capture card. A good one is Silicon Dust. http://www.silicondust.com/
They have several products that will convert cable or TV antenna signals and stream them to your computer, tablets, etc. And using windows media center you can record and schedule the shows to record (it comes with a tv guide). they have boxes that can record two and three channels at once.

Yeah, that would certainly work! However, you're still going to spend at least $250 - 300 by the time you by the dual channel version and an external HDD for storage and pay for shipping etc. Also, the Win 7 pc that I have only has onboard Intel video. It's a SFF (slim line pc) and a decent video card will run around $100, so now I'm right back to the $350... Does the onboard intel usually do a good enough job?

[moreta]

If you have windows 7 you should already have windows media center (its a separate purchase for windows 8) so all you need is a TV capture card. A good one is Silicon Dust. http://www.silicondust.com/
They have several products that will convert cable or TV antenna signals and stream them to your computer, tablets, etc. And using windows media center you can record and schedule the shows to record (it comes with a tv guide). they have boxes that can record two and three channels at once.

I have windows 8 but I will look into that. Thanks.

[Sparko]

Yeah, that would certainly work! However, you're still going to spend at least $250 - 300 by the time you by the dual channel version and an external HDD for storage and pay for shipping etc. Also, the Win 7 pc that I have only has onboard Intel video. It's a SFF (slim line pc) and a decent video card will run around $100, so now I'm right back to the $350... Does the onboard intel usually do a good enough job?

The dual tuner HDhomerun is only $129. You can get a terrabyte drive for around $50.

I don't know about your onboard graphics, but if you can watch HDTV videos on it, it should be fine. you could download some and check it out. You can download some HD movie trailers here: http://www.hd-trailers.net/

[One Bad Pig]

So I bought a GE Attic Mount Indoor Antenna for about $35 at Walmart --- supposed to be good for a range of about 60 miles, and that should reach most of the stations coming out of Houston and surrounding area. I had a cheaper version that worked "ok", but signal seemed to fade in and out sometimes, causing pixelation..... I'll try this either Sunday afternoon or sometime on Monday.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1947[/ATTACH]

Just picked up one of these. It's not quite in my attic (by about 3 feet, in a closet), but I can finally get CBS.

[KingsGambit]

Just picked up one of these. It's not quite in my attic (by about 3 feet, in a closet), but I can finally get CBS.

I'm sure you were pleased about what you saw today.

[Cow Poke]

Just picked up one of these. It's not quite in my attic (by about 3 feet, in a closet), but I can finally get CBS.

Wasn't it fun putting it together? It reminded me (somewhat) of my Erector Set days.

erector-set_0.jpg

I'll set it up and play with it tomorrow. Any tips? Did you just point it in the general direction of where you thought the broadcaster's antenna was?

[Cow Poke]

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed my Erector Set -- I built all kinds of motorized gizmos, draw bridges, trucks, tanks....

So I just ordered one for Spongebob, my grandson.

[Littlejoe]

The dual tuner HDhomerun is only $129. You can get a terrabyte drive for around $50.

You know, I read it wrong, I thought the $129 was a single tuner and the dual tuner was $169, but the difference is the $169 one let's you watch HD anywhere on wifi, (pc, phone, tablet) which might be worth TBH.

I don't know about your onboard graphics, but if you can watch HDTV videos on it, it should be fine. you could download some and check it out. You can download some HD movie trailers here: http://www.hd-trailers.net/

I have a vga input on my HDTV, but it doesn't play from the pc in HD. But I'm thinking that is a function of the VGA input of the TV. I need to get a DP (digital port) to HDMI converter and check it that way. If that plays in HD, it might be ok!

[Teallaura]

Baylor doesn't play Notre Dame this year, but they will have to play against #4 Oklahoma.

BTW, just in case anyone is wondering, Notre Dame beat Michigan, 31-0, first shut-out since they first starting playing each other back in 1887, the greatest rivalry in the history of college football.

Heretic! Alabama/Auburn is the greatest rivalry in college football.

[Teallaura]

You know, I read it wrong, I thought the $129 was a single tuner and the dual tuner was $169, but the difference is the $169 one let's you watch HD anywhere on wifi, (pc, phone, tablet) which might be worth TBH.


I have a vga input on my HDTV, but it doesn't play from the pc in HD. But I'm thinking that is a function of the VGA input of the TV. I need to get a DP (digital port) to HDMI converter and check it that way. If that plays in HD, it might be ok!

I don't speak that language...

[Cow Poke]

Heretic! Alabama/Auburn is the greatest rivalry in college football.

Alabama has football?

[Teallaura]

Alabama has football?

Oh, you're in for it now!