[PSUSMU]

I'm a noob with TV stuff.
I'm moving into a new home where Comcast is unavailable (previous provider, who I HATE).
Cox Communications is the primary Internet provider in my new area. No FiOS
Cox bundles are $25+/mo more than what I've been paying ($100/mo vs. $125+) for equivalent service.

I really only watch TBS, Travel, Discovery, ESPN, occasionally Spike and Speed.
I want HBO and HD DVR or ability to stream HD movies/TV.
I want fast internet as I will have many wireless devices connected (15Mbps minimum, 18-25Mbps+ preferred)

How can I forego a cable subscription in lieu of a streaming TV service, and just have a high-speed Internet subscription? What are the best streaming devices/setups?

Thanks

[Maestro]

Here is what I do, I have Directv for my real time video viewing, Comcast does my internet and ooma for my phone and I have netflick for my kids who want to stream content to either our TVs or computers. The only thing I use wireless for is for cellphones and Ipad, or laptops. Everything else is hard wired, because wireless has issues especially for streaming content.

My Driectv TV set is all HD and I have whole home DVR for 3 TVs this set up is far less then what you can get from any cable operator.

[PSUSMU]

I forgot to mention: DirecTV and Dish Network are also available in my new area

[SS32]

Originally Posted by Maestro

My Driectv TV set is all HD and I have whole home DVR for 3 TVs this set up is far less then what you can get from any cable operator.

The fuck? How much are you paying?

[PSUSMU]

From what I see, DirecTV HD DVR + 3 HD Receivers is only like $5/receiver?

[PSUSMU]

Is there a way to subscribe to/legally consume HBO/HBO GO without having a cable provider subscription?

[kevinbahnz]

I have ATT Internet I think it's fiber optics for 25/mnth. I can not get Dish in my complex and I refuse to get cable. I have HULU plus and netflix for 7.99/month and I can cancel anytime. For News I have an HD antenna for 20 bucks and get about 30 channels in HD for free. HULU plus has a lot of tv episodes most are full seasons and only a few days late. I've been watching Hulu for over a year and just recently upgraded to PLus for 7.99 a month because most of the programs are in HD. I've just finished my free month of Netflix and it renewed by itself for 7.99/month. Netflix has more newer released movies than hulu plus.

[Maestro]

Originally Posted by SS32

The fuck? How much are you paying?

My total bill is about $80 with taxes and such. Whole home DVR is $3/month, and HD content is $7/month on top of the. I know the Cable guys charge $10/month for whole home and $15 for HD content plus the fees to rent each STB.

I know some people like watching TV shows from either Hulu or Netflix, but I any shows I am interested i record on my DVR and watch them when ever I like, I can also stream them to my Ipad if I like while in the house. Also Directv now allows you to watch content on you iPad anywhere you like, not restricted to you home as in the past. Here is the problem I have seen with Netflix, first the quality is just okay compared to Driectv, and on the weekend starting around 6 or 7 on Friday through Sunday the content has to re-buffer a number of times. This I believe is due Netflix of Service provider network bottle necks. Any other time Netflix if fine and streams without issues.

I have been with directv since 1997 so I have been extremely spoiled with its video quality, the only provider who has anything close if Verizon. All the Cable operators are still using analog system with Digital content encode on the analog signal so they still have issues.

[PSUSMU]

Originally Posted by kevinbahnz

I have ATT Internet I think it's fiber optics for 25/mnth. I can not get Dish in my complex and I refuse to get cable. I have HULU plus and netflix for 7.99/month and I can cancel anytime. For News I have an HD antenna for 20 bucks and get about 30 channels in HD for free. HULU plus has a lot of tv episodes most are full seasons and only a few days late. I've been watching Hulu for over a year and just recently upgraded to PLus for 7.99 a month because most of the programs are in HD. I've just finished my free month of Netflix and it renewed by itself for 7.99/month. Netflix has more newer released movies than hulu plus.

Do you use a Roku, Boxee, etc.? I have PS3, but am considering getting one of these devices. Any suggestions?
Do you pay $8/mo for Hulu Plus and $8/mo for Netflix? I may do one or both.
Just purchased Cox Internet (25Mbps) for $40/mo and free $90 cable modem.

[kevinbahnz]

Originally Posted by PSUSMU

Do you use a Roku, Boxee, etc.? I have PS3, but am considering getting one of these devices. Any suggestions?
Do you pay $8/mo for Hulu Plus and $8/mo for Netflix? I may do one or both.
Just purchased Cox Internet (25Mbps) for $40/mo and free $90 cable modem.

I was streaming from my PS3 and Xbox360 until recently upgrading to a Samsung smartTV. the subscription is $8/month for each but you can use hulu for free with limited programming if you stream from your computer.

[PSUSMU]

Made some purchases today:

Cox Premier (25Mbps) Internet - $40/mo for 3 months then $63/mo
Free Motorola SB6121 SURFboard Cable Modem
ASUS RT-N56U Wireless Router Dual Band N600 - $120
Roku 2 XS - $75 (factory refurbished)

I will be doing Netflix and maybe Hulu Plus.

[kevinbahnz]

Originally Posted by PSUSMU

Made some purchases today:

Cox Premier (25Mbps) Internet - $40/mo for 3 months then $63/mo
Free Motorola SB6121 SURFboard Cable Modem
ASUS RT-N56U Wireless Router Dual Band N600 - $120
Roku 2 XS - $75 (factory refurbished)

I will be doing Netflix and maybe Hulu Plus.

damm I have a DSL modem/wireless router for sale. ATT gave me one for their fiber optics line.

[PSUSMU]

Make/models?

[kevinbahnz]

Originally Posted by PSUSMU

Make/models?

Actiontec 300 Mbps Wireless-N DSL Modem Router (GT784WN). Bought it from amazon 5 months ago 69.99. i'll let you have it for 40.00 shipped.. Nothing wrong with it. I upgraded to ATT fiber optics internet 2 months ago and they gave me a new modem.

[Maestro]

I personally would not recommend Streaming over Wireless, you may not be happy with the overall experience. All my devices that support streaming like my Blueray player, Media room box and Sharp TV support wireless streaming to Netflix and Hulu and I hard wired them to my router/cable modem because I kept having intermittent problems and the streaming keep re-buffering. Since going hard wire I had little to no issues. Also keep in mind that Netflix tests your bandwith before they begin streaming if it detects a slow connection like wireless problems it will stream you the lower bandwidth version of the content.

[PSUSMU]

Originally Posted by kevinbahnz

Actiontec 300 Mbps Wireless-N DSL Modem Router (GT784WN). Bought it from amazon 5 months ago 69.99. i'll let you have it for 40.00 shipped.. Nothing wrong with it. I upgraded to ATT fiber optics internet 2 months ago and they gave me a new modem.

No, thanks. Getting a dedicated modem and dedicated dual-band router.

Originally Posted by Maestro

I personally would not recommend Streaming over Wireless, you may not be happy with the overall experience. All my devices that support streaming like my Blueray player, Media room box and Sharp TV support wireless streaming to Netflix and Hulu and I hard wired them to my router/cable modem because I kept having intermittent problems and the streaming keep re-buffering. Since going hard wire I had little to no issues. Also keep in mind that Netflix tests your bandwith before they begin streaming if it detects a slow connection like wireless problems it will stream you the lower bandwidth version of the content.

I will be hardwire ethernetting every device that I can, but I still want good wifi for other devices (tablet, speakers, etc.)

[yakev724]

Originally Posted by PSUSMU

Is there a way to subscribe to/legally consume HBO/HBO GO without having a cable provider subscription?

I believe not at the moment--and they're getting a ton of heat from it from people who regularly use netflix/hulu and don't pay for TV. It's one of the reasons their shows are pirated by tons of people.

[PSUSMU]

Roku lists HBO GO, but says you must be an HBO subscriber, which means you must be a cable subscriber.

I can't pirate/torrent. Grrr.

[darkcloud]

I'm pretty much forced into cox as well. I could get direct or dish but I don't feel like going through the whole switch over process.

Anyways, when your Internet special ends or is close to ending call cox up and bust their balls about the price and you are thinking of leaving. They put you back on the promo price every time. They just bank on the fact that a majority of people don't bother with calling and bitching.

I do every year. Promo pricing for cable/Internet/phone is $135. Non promo is like $190, fuck that.

Actually I just got the option of uverse. Wanna talk about a rip off! Even their promo pricing for my similar package was $150ish. Granted they give a $300 gift card but the non promo bump is over $200 and I have no clue if they are as easy to get you back to promo pricing as cox is?

[PSUSMU]

Cable/internet/cell service providers have monopolies and it sucks, which is why I'm cutting the cord on cable.

[number335]

Any solutions on being able to watch NFL games without cable or satellite? I can catch the games on-line, but with very poor quality. If there is a way to stream football games to my TV, I would cut the cable chord. Satellite isn't an option where I live so I can't purchase NFL Ticket. I think Playstation offers NFL Ticket, but I would need to purchase a Playstation.

[CoconutPete]

The best thing I finally realized with the cable company ....... you just have to budget 15 - 20 minutes once a year to "renegotiate" with them. The trick is to call and push the prompts that say "add to your service" - those people are MUCH better to deal with. My bill has been the same for years - sometimes it even goes down a few bucks. Movie channels come and go, but no radical changes in my bill.