Getting rid of Dish, Cable. Directv?

[daves100]

TV

What I love about Satellite TV(Dish) is that you can hack the HU card, and program your own channels as well open every single channel possible.

Direct TV put a end to that awhile ago, unless someone knows something i do not


Can the dish be hacked

[FastFinger]

Thanks for all the great info!

Right now we have 2 att pots land lines with unlimited LD and att DSL - almost $110/month right there. I bought a ooma voip system, and have one phone on it, I'm going to install the 2nd number soon (scout) and migrate to those two. Probably keep one POTS line with just the limited service. May or may not stay with ATT DSL. That should save $50/m or so. The voip quality is pretty good - not quite as clear as ATT pots, but close.

And I think I will dump Dish and go with another system, or combo of systems. although I can get a pretty good DirecTV subscription for about $60/m for two years.

Decisions decisions.

I'm amazed at all the options out there. Netflix seems like a no-brainer. We both like docs and obscure movies that are impossible to find now that all the vid rental stores are going out of business.

Thanks for all the tips - keep 'em coming!

No matter how expensive my cable gets I can't let go of cable TV, I must watch my regular shows. I spend 15 hours a day on a computer the least thing I want to do is watch Videos through a Computer,

That was a concern of mine also, but the way my friend has it set up it's not like a computer thing at all - just a souped up TV media system. What's appealing is that it all runs through his Apple TV, the remote is simpler than a typical DVR remote, he says that Apple is coming out with a significantly better system soon. But I'm a bit Apple-Adverse, don't know why, just am. So I'll be looking for a Windows or other non-apple solution.

What I love about Satellite TV(Dish) is that you can hack the HU card, and program your own channels as well open every single channel possible.

You mean DirecTV right?

[2DoorImpala]

Most FTA receivers like Dish

[kapache]

Direct TV put a end to that awhile ago, unless someone knows something i do not


Can the dish be hacked

Yes, as well for direct TV.

[pat038536]

Since DirectV went to the P4/P5 smart card, the DirecTv hacking fell to zero.

Dish recently switched to a new encryption sequencing and the hacking is slowly going down. Dish hasn't used the HU card in a while since the last card change.

[pat038536]

Yes, as well for direct TV.

I haven't heard of any DirecTv hacks recently. If they are out there, who ever is doing it is keeping it low key.

[cindynles]

I can't cut the cord. I need my NFL Sunday Ticket.......Peyton will get his 2nd ring this year. He will, he will, he will.

[Dangerpin]

I have ultra basic cable with internet service. You have to ask for the lowest end of basic, they won't advertise it. It gives only local channels and a few others but we don't care because we rarely ever watch it, and even then just sesame street for the kids.

All my television is streamed to my TV through my PS3 using a combination of Vuze and the PS3 Media Server java application.

[Pyrodyne]

I haven't watched TV in about 10 years. I could put up an antenna but then I think of all the retarded commercials and crappy audio mastering and drop the idea like a hot potato.

I especially hate the practice of making all the shows REALLY quiet and then they jack up the volume for all of the commercials. The internet can provide with netflix, any DVD store can fill in the rest.

I never got the idea of paying extra to get more channels where you still watch ads. Also, I will never forget the herpes commercial that came on during kid's cartoons and how we had to explain (poorly) what that was to a 6 year old girl. Unforgivable.

[turbogg]

What are you doing for TV access - can you live w/o cable or sat?

1.) Cable

2.) Not in this lifetime!

[BigBoyPinoy]

TWC 15-30Mbps basic cable with local HD channels $40
Panasonic BL player w/Netflix access $12
Redbox/BBbox latest movie rentals $1
Hulu/Network show streams
Over the air digital for garage/kitchen TVs

[gunn]

I'm constantly amazed to hear when my friends tell me they pay $99-120 for cable tv/internet bundles/phone -- especialyl when they never use the phone portion but its "free".

In SF, I pay ~$45/mo for cable internet... I believe it will go to $60/mo after the first year. Hopefully, in 1 year I can get them to go down to a more reasonable price for another 12 months but we'll see.

-g

[sd_shooter]

I would _love_ to get rid of cable (ok, we have Dish, but they are functionally equivalent.) I already have Netflix and have been able to stream their movies through our Wii, but there aren't that many good movies in their streaming library.

My requirements:
- Wife still needs to be able to watch cooking & garden shows, QVC and Fox News
- Kids need cartoons, Discovery, History and Science Channel
- Easy interface
- Final output must be to our old tube TV
- Must hear audio through our stereo
- Must be able to play back our old VCR tapes and SD DVDs
- Must be able to record shows (I'm not sure about this one, but I can see my wife wanting to keep a certain Glenn Beck show or something.)
- And how can I watch Impossible Shots? (Outdoor Ch.)

Components I already have:
- Wireless-G network throughout the house
- Nintendo Wii
- DVR with standard DVD player. This functions as the "hub" for all video streams.
- Tape VCR
- Standard Def TV
- Dish Network satellite receiver (this component would go away.)
- Audio output routed from back of TV

Questions:
- Do I need to buy or build a "Media Center" PC?
- Do I need to buy a Roku box or something similar?
- Is there a current HOWTO guide online for how to do all of this? I've googled it up and down, and everything seems to be at least 1-2 years old. Many of the streaming sites are now defunct.

[high_revs]

[QUOTE=FastFinger;4649612]I bought a ooma voip system, ...$50/m or so. The voip quality is pretty good - not quite as clear as ATT pots, but close.

i just installed my ooma too. will be ditching comcast digital voice on monday after a 2-day test to ensure all is good, which is seems to be.

My ROI will be about 6 months. So even if the company tanks over, I'll be break even after 6 months.

[Shady]

direct tv is the ****
time warner is the devil