Can You Drop Cable/Satellite?

In addition to Brotha Tech, I also do Residential Electronics Integration (I install TV’s and other stuff). I am currently working a friend/customer on hooking up her place with some nice new toys. One of her concerns is that she isn’t sure if wants to pay for cable. The initial thought that popped in my head was “I am about to hook your place up with some very nice gadgetry and you are not gonna use it?”

But, as I learned from a short stint in sales, you are not supposed to object to any customers concerns. You listen, qualify, and determine the best solution based on their needs/wants. So I am gonna talk to her about dropping cable and using her nice new shiny televisions as giant computer screens to watch TV over the internet.

The Lowdown:

Which made me ponder the question, “Could I drop my own cable/satellite provider?” In order to do that, I would first have to list all of the shows and events I watch regularly.

Sports (duh!)

Kids shows (I my daughter loves SpongeBob SquarePants and I Love Carly)

Comedy (mostly Comedy Central…and I too don’t like bears)

Movies (movie tickets are getting mad crazy expensive these days)

That’s about it. Now the question is can I find alternative ways to enjoy TV without cable? Well let’s run through the list:

Sports – I never REALLY needed cable to watch all the major sporting events in the first place because they have been broadcast free via the major networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC). All I would need now is a TV with a built-in digital tuner (or use my current TV and buy a digital set-top box) and maybe a digital antenna if I get a crappy signal.

Kids shows & Comedy – Hulu.com (among others) does a great job at throwing up a huge number of television shows for free (for now)…AND the commercials are short. I just have to make sure I browse for complete episodes (and not the tons of clips and exclusives that may cloud up your selections)

Movies – Netflix, itunes, amazon…take your pick (more are popping up daily) – All are offering ON DEMAND TV shows and movies for very nominal rental/subscriptions fees compared to the monthly charges I could rack up messin’ around with cable/satellite.

[image courtesy of moko.labs]

The downside:

Equipment – I can’t get away from the devices cluttering up my entertainment center. So in order to get rid of the cable/satellite set-to box, I would have to replace it with a box that will enable to get the free network broadcast signals, surf the web, and download on-demand movies. Luckily, I know of one box that do all of that – my computer! I don’t have to, my current computer setup could handle it (I don’t have anything special), but that would give me the chance to upgrade my computer with a TV tuner video card, and upgraded audio card (for surround sound). Or I can just use my computer to browse for the shows on the net and use the built-in tuner in my TV (since the digital switch, just about all TV’s have a built-in tuner).

For my movies from Netflix, Amazon, and other places, I can use my computer as well, or purchase a box that will enable me to connect to these services without the need for a computer (PS3 and XBox have these features built in as well as some nicer DVD players and other boxes specifically designed to utilize these services)

HDTV – The ONLY thing cable/satellite is good for is HDTV. Cable/satellite providers are pushing out a great of HD programming. Add that with the fact that the internet is not big enough to handle ALL of us streaming pure, uncompressed HDTV signals to our computers, and your average computer can’t display that nice image (yet). BUT, if I can get the free network broadcast signals, I am good on getting the major network signals in HD. The rest (internet shows, and on demand movies) aren’t too far off from the quality they currently display. Good enough that I could consider sacrificing quality for the savings I get if I ditch cable/satellite.

Here are some other links/resources on the subject.

TV Over Net
Cancel Cable
Web Browser TV
Boxee TV
Devices To Help You Ditch Cable TV

So to answer my own question of whether or not I can live without cable/satellite, the answer is “sure”. The real question is can you?

[image courtesy of moko.labs...he made the switch!]

Best Media Remote For your Digital Living Room

…One of these days, Brotha Tech will be large enough to where my inbox will be full of messages from companies itching to send me their products so I can bless them with my insightful, witty reviews. Until then, there are some other folks out there who are already where I am trying to go. So instead of ignoring their existence until I am put on, I will gladly support other great sources for great tech products.

The Lowdown:

One such source is Digital Living Room. The article that caught my eye was “Top 3 Media Remotes for your HTPC Media Center”.

A Media Remote is a little different than your average TV, VCR, DVD, AVR remote…actually, it’s all those remotes with the addition of an PC remote all rolled up into one. For those who don’t know (this IS a place for learning), a Home Theater PC is a computer that can handle most if not all of your typical media. Whether it be music, home videos, streaming movies, online and broadcast TV shows, and movies you’ve saved (legally of course) on your PC, a HTPC has “upgraded” equipment and software than can handle the load most media can throw at a device…I should’ve just quoted from the article myself…it did a better job!

A Media Remote is one of the most important elements of your digital living room as that determines how comfortable you are able to control your HTPC Media Center. The key contribution of this article is to help you first to recognize what do you expect from your HTPC Media Center and then suggest the best media remote for those activities.

Since nobody wants to fumble around with a large keyboard and mouse in your lap (I used to do it with a TV dinner tray) just to get to the content on your PC, a Media Remote is the best choice.

That’s where the article comes in and gives you a breakdown of the top remotes that can control your HTPC. So check it out: Top 3 Media Remotes For Your HTPC Media Center.

If you are not buying the biggest, don’t get the best

…when it comes to deciding which HDTV resolution display to buy.

I found a great article @Frugal Home A/V that explains why you probably don’t need a 1080p display.

When deciding whether or not to give into the salesman and buy that shiny 1080p TV that is beautifully displayed in the “Home Theater Center”, with the super surround speakers and nice leather couch; or be sensible and get the 720p joint they have tucked in the back corner all dimly lit, there is one question you need to answer “What size TV am I going buy?”

Like the article suggests, If you are buy anything under 50 inches, and will be sitting 13 feet or closer, chances are you will NOT be able to see the difference between a 1080p and 720p display. Conversely, where a 1080p resolution shines is if you are buying a larger TV (or projector) and have a HUGE living room or dedicated home theater to put it in.

I know it will be hard to resist temptation, but save yourself some dough and get the 720p TV. A brotha would prefer you take the difference and invest it in a nice surround system that will compliment your new TV and give you full entertainment experience…you’ll thank me later.

[via: Frugal Home A/V]

Why you DON’T need to leave your couch for quality entertainment

Three words: Streaming Digital Multimedia. It is as simple as firing up your TV, DVR, computer, or gaming system, finding a TV show, movie or podcast (and I’m not talking about old reruns either, I’m talking real-time, as soon as it’s been recorded entertainment) and enjoy! As technology is making it easier for consumers to access a wide range of multimedia content over the internet, more and more companies are coming out with ways to deliver media to you on your couch, in your PJ’s…after you have showered of course?

The Lowdown:

When Al Gore created the internet (chuckles), the only way digital content was delivered to your home was via dial up connectivity (I can still hear the dial up tone buzzing out the back of my PC). That method didn’t have enough bandwidth (space) to carry the large media files necessary to stream anything of decent quality – and let’s be honest; your computer wasn’t powerful enough! As technology advanced, the way content was delivered to your home advanced as well from dial up over telephone lines, to satellite, broadband, ( DSL, and cable) to fiber optic – and now your computer is powerful enough (maybe).

Add those together (larger bandwidth to deliver the content, and a powerful processor to view the content) and you’ve got the basic ingredients for a DECENT delivery of multimedia content to your home. I say decent, because allot a great deal of the content is still compressed in order to be delivered. And with the advent of beautiful High-Definition media, most Audio and Videophiles (like myself) would still prefer uncompressed media (or as uncompressed as possible) for our enjoyment purposes.

But, MOST consumers are not that picky, so decent will do just fine. As a result, steaming multimedia content via the internet has become a popular option for folks who are looking for a quick way to get the most out of their home entertainment components without having to spend 100 dollars for a night out at the movies (well, it FEELS like 100 dollars).

All the more reasons why companies are embracing this technology and making sure they bring their versions of streaming digital multimedia to the table. Companies like Amazon, TiVo, Netflix, Blockbuster, Sony, LG, Yahoo, Apple, Best Buy, and others are coming out with ways to provide customers with the ability to stream and download content available almost immediately. These companies know that:

1. We love technology
2. Our access to and understanding of technology is getting easier
3. Our money is tight nowadays
4. We are getting lazy (yeah, I said it!)

The reasons above would behoove any company to “get right, or get left” (translated: It is probably a good idea to get out ahead then to be left behind)

So companies are either creating their own methods, or partnering up with each other To make sure they are on your “list” when it comes to which service provider and/or company you plan to give you lazy dollars to in order to be entertained from your couch (remember; shower first!)

“The Takeover”

A study done by The Cable and Telecommunications Association for Marketing reports that 52 of America’s living rooms have an HDTV as it’s centerpiece (yes, it’s safe to hang it over the fireplace…that portrait that you currently display is whack anyways).

It’s safe to assume that the number is so big as a result of the digital transition major networks took part in back in June. It looks as if folks are finally dragging themselves onto the inevitable HDTV takeover bandwagon and purchasing their first TV sets with built-in digital tuner.

With more manufacturers producing and selling cheaper more aggreassively prices HDTV’s; with more networks broadcasting/simulcasting in HD; and more households buying HD sets, my question to you is: What are YOU waiting on?

[via] hometheatermag.com