OT: Cutting cable and going with an antennae - any recommendations?
bobbyw8469
Posts: 7,139 ✭✭✭
I am tired of paying high cable bills for what little TV I watch. Just curious if others here have did away with cable and what antennae you went with?
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because there is only 2 stations in a 100 mile circle here. I dont know the brand name of it, but it cost around $400
installed. And of course to get that range I also had to have a booster. You might not need that depending on where you live.
Kind of a funny story. It was the first digital antenna our local tv guy installed. Every few days I bet for a month or so, he
would call us and say can I bring my cousin Fred or aunt Sally or whoever by and check out your reception. I got a kick outta
that. (Yea, I live in a Mayberry kinda town just so you know)
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
Omnidirection HD antenna
They may be able to work with you.
You should call them.
From my research, one of the biggest things my family would miss without cable would be live sports, in particular, local sports teams. NFL is no problem, the major networks show your hometown team every week. With other sports, though, like MLB and NHL, they have regional broadcasts. I think the NBA is similar although I don't watch it.
The Orioles, for example, are on Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) and from what I could find, you can only get that network through a cable provider. The Capitals are on Comcast SportsNet, again, a network that you have to get through your cable provider. Often there are tighter agreements between those regional-broadcast type leagues and the cable companies, so getting content is nearly impossible without a cable subscription (assuming you are getting the content live and getting it legally). Here's an example to show you what kind of a racket they have going. Verizon FiOS adds a surcharge of a couple of bucks to the bill of every HD subscriber in the Baltimore-Washington area to support MASN, whether you actually get MASN or not.
On a final note, for the purposes of my post, I am using the term "cable provider" to also include dish-type companies like Dish TV. I have never subscribed to a dish-based service, but I believe they generally have offerings similar to what cable companies have.
Best of luck. I'm sure options vary from region to region throughout the U.S.
http://www.avsforum.com/t/798265/how-to-build-a-uhf-antenna/1230
Made my own antenna.
Also try tvfool site to research available stations and expected reception at your location.
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The omnidirectional sounds like a great outdoor antennae. I just can't mount anything on the outside. I am thinking of a Mohu Leaf Ultimate.
Cable and satellite TV is the biggest rip-off around! You pay for the service and still have to watch the commercials.
Of course now that I don't have satellite, they can give it to me MUCH cheaper (for a while) F them.
I hope you are happy with your decision. I know I am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Common sense is the best distributed commodity in the world, for every man is convinced that he is well supplied with it"
For me, the thing I'll miss most will be college football in the fall. But I'll make do with whatever is shown over the air or going over to someone's house. Don't watch sports in the summer. In general, I don't watch much TV - I'll just watch Netflix or play video games.
Our last bill was $216. With the changes we're making, we'll be somewhere around $70 after taxes and modem rental.
<< <i>Google the term "cord cutters" and you can find a lot of info. I did some research a few months ago. In particular there was an article -- I believe in the L.A. Times -- where the writer did "cut the cord", and he explains what he went through.
From my research, one of the biggest things my family would miss without cable would be live sports, in particular, local sports teams. NFL is no problem, the major networks show your hometown team every week. With other sports, though, like MLB and NHL, they have regional broadcasts. I think the NBA is similar although I don't watch it.
The Orioles, for example, are on Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) and from what I could find, you can only get that network through a cable provider. The Capitals are on Comcast SportsNet, again, a network that you have to get through your cable provider. Often there are tighter agreements between those regional-broadcast type leagues and the cable companies, so getting content is nearly impossible without a cable subscription (assuming you are getting the content live and getting it legally). Here's an example to show you what kind of a racket they have going. Verizon FiOS adds a surcharge of a couple of bucks to the bill of every HD subscriber in the Baltimore-Washington area to support MASN, whether you actually get MASN or not.
On a final note, for the purposes of my post, I am using the term "cable provider" to also include dish-type companies like Dish TV. I have never subscribed to a dish-based service, but I believe they generally have offerings similar to what cable companies have.
Best of luck. I'm sure options vary from region to region throughout the U.S. >>
IF (and that's a big IF) the blackout rules ever get axed, this becomes a no-brainer, as you'd be able to subscribe to MLB.tv or get the NHL package. Now, if you want to watch your local team, your hands are sort of tied.
SCAregalia.com - Masonic Regalia & Supply
I've tried a lot of indoor powered antennas but none of them work. Does anyone have a recommendation?
<< <i>IF (and that's a big IF) the blackout rules ever get axed, this becomes a no-brainer, as you'd be able to subscribe to MLB.tv or get the NHL package. Now, if you want to watch your local team, your hands are sort of tied. >>
I am fortunate in that I live 2500 miles from my favorite teams (live in Spokane, WA but am a Detroit fan from childhood) so the blackout rules don't apply to me. That said, I haven't been willing to pay the prices they want for the league packages yet. I may do so next year for the NHL. We'll see.
Now? Two Rokus, two HD antennas ($20/ea at Target, gets me NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, and some local channels), subscription to MLB.tv and NHL Gamecenter, NetFlix, HBOGo, Showtime Anytime, PBS app, Watch ESPN app, and $5/month for unblock-us and I'm happier than a pig in sh1t. Paid for the MLB and NHL packages up front so looking at $13/month with no blackouts. Not to mention the many places online you can watch anything for free. Wish there was an AMC, FX and Sundance Channel app but I've got no problem watching those 3 shows online for free on my laptop.
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