Canceling cable

[TheTed]

I'm strongly considering canceling my cable for at least the spring/summer months.

But I have a few concerns that perhaps someone could help me out with.

*DVR: Not having a DVR is the biggest hurdle for me. I've priced HD DVRs online, and they're very expensive, like hundreds of dollars. If I keep Cox internet, can I keep my DVR? And is it possible to use the DVR to record over the air HDTV? Is there any other way to rent a DVR?

*Reconnection: Is Cox gonna charge some massive fee to reconnect me in six months?

[Noodlez]

Get a capture card fr your PC. or use online video sites and other more questionable means (torrents) to get your TV fix

[TUalum0982]

quote:Originally posted by TheTed

I'm strongly considering canceling my cable for at least the spring/summer months.

But I have a few concerns that perhaps someone could help me out with.

*DVR: Not having a DVR is the biggest hurdle for me. I've priced HD DVRs online, and they're very expensive, like hundreds of dollars. If I keep Cox internet, can I keep my DVR? And is it possible to use the DVR to record over the air HDTV? Is there any other way to rent a DVR?

*Reconnection: Is Cox gonna charge some massive fee to reconnect me in six months?

I am not familiar with any of other places to rent a DVR so I can't help you out there....

But in regards, to a reconnect fee, I don't think you will have to pay one.  In fact, anybody is elgible for their "specials" if you haven't had service with them within the previous 90 days.  So you might actually get a decent deal when you do decide to reconnect.  

You might try calling cox customer service (806-6000) and ask them.  I am sure they would be willing to answer your questions.

[patric]

quote:Originally posted by TheTed

If I keep Cox internet, can I keep my DVR? And is it possible to use the DVR to record over the air HDTV?

Arent Cox's DVR's rented?
Other than a stand-alone DVR like TiVo, buying a tuner adapter for a computer and using DVR software (often included with the tuner) would be a good solution.
Make sure you have a BIG hard drive (externals are fine) and that your tuner will tune digital (ATSC) transmissions.

[nathanm]

quote:Originally posted by TheTed

I'm strongly considering canceling my cable for at least the spring/summer months.

But I have a few concerns that perhaps someone could help me out with.

*DVR: Not having a DVR is the biggest hurdle for me. I've priced HD DVRs online, and they're very expensive, like hundreds of dollars. If I keep Cox internet, can I keep my DVR? And is it possible to use the DVR to record over the air HDTV? Is there any other way to rent a DVR?

You can get a TiVo HD for as little as $200 if you watch their website and catch a refurb deal. They're usually available for $250 new, and almost always available at $300.

[Neptune]

I'm considering canceling cable too.  

I've been impressed with the changes coming with digital TV broadcasting.  That may decide it for me.

[MDepr2007]

I use the earlier version of this on my laptop.
I would think you could use an HDMI connection from a pc to the tv for HD
AVerMedia AVerTV Hybrid Ultra USB

quote: With a push of a button, users can watch TV or use the PVR and Time-Shift features to pause, rewind and replay Live TV so as to never miss a moment of favorite TV programs. In addition, AVerTV Hybrid Ultra USB supports up to 1080i High Definition TV viewing with different aspect ratio including 4:3 and 16:9. Last but not least, with the FM Radio reception, AVerTV Hybrid Ultra USB allows you to have simple access to FM Radio stations. Users can easily enjoy live FM radio while working on their desktop or notebook.

[sauerkraut]

I'm a bit out of the loop I am very happy with  my 5 year old VCR. Color me old fashioned I guess. I just can't get intrested in this digital craz and HDTV, I like good 'ol fashioned analog TV. IMO digital TV and digital recorders are still too full of bugs and the flat screen TV's don't seem to last very long, most everyone I know who has a flat screen TV has had trouble with it of one kind or another. I'm keeping with CRT sets for the time being.

[Hoss]

quote:Originally posted by sauerkraut

I'm a bit out of the loop I am very happy with  my 5 year old VCR. Color me old fashioned I guess. I just can't get intrested in this digital craz and HDTV, I like good 'ol fashioned analog TV. IMO digital TV and digital recorders are still too full of bugs and the flat screen TV's don't seem to last very long, most everyone I know who has a flat screen TV has had trouble with it of one kind or another. I'm keeping with CRT sets for the time being.

Don't forget that converter box; in about a week your outdated CRT TV will be an end table.

[nathanm]

quote:Originally posted by Hoss


Don't forget that converter box; in about a week your outdated CRT TV will be an end table.

He could have a CRT TV with a digital tuner. If they weren't 250 or 300 pounds, I'd probably be the proud owner of a nice widescreen CRT HDTV. A nice Trinitron still has better black levels and dark detail than anything else out there (even a Kuro)

As far as his issue with LCD/Plasma reliability, if he was bright enough not to buy whatever was cheapest at Wal-Mart that day and to actually take care of the thing per the manufacturers instructions, he wouldn't have a problem.

You do have to treat them right, but I recall that being the case back in the 60s and 70s, too. You had to take care of your expensive TV set. Gee, who'dathunkit? Well, you gotta take care of your plasma. LCD is much more fire and forget if you get a decent one.

[TheTed]

Thanks for the tips. After getting my latest cable bill, I'm definitely gonna have to do something.

Added side benefit: I can take a step back from the brink of insanity when I stop seeing those nonstop Tulsa gold ads on late night cable TV. That constantly nodding Rick Haugen who drove all the way from Springfield, Mo. appears in my nightmares.

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by sauerkraut

I'm a bit out of the loop I am very happy with  my 5 year old VCR. Color me old fashioned I guess. I just can't get intrested in this digital craz and HDTV, I like good 'ol fashioned analog TV. IMO digital TV and digital recorders are still too full of bugs and the flat screen TV's don't seem to last very long, most everyone I know who has a flat screen TV has had trouble with it of one kind or another. I'm keeping with CRT sets for the time being.

That makes two of us at least; I couldn't care less about HD either.  My 5 year old Panasonic 32" CRT TV still looks great, using a digital converter box for broadcast reception, and I would match it in brightness, contrast, and anything but horizontal resolution against any new HDTV made today.  I still can use my old JVC VCR to record broadcast digital, the inconvenience being that I have to leave the converter box on, tuned to the station I want to record, since the converter has no timer.  I didn't do much timer recording anyway, so it is not a huge adjustment for me.

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by TheTed

Thanks for the tips. After getting my latest cable bill, I'm definitely gonna have to do something.

I don't know what your viewing preferences are, but people often forget that there is a free alternative called broadcast television.  I have even encountered some young people today that did not know you could get free TV without paying a monthly bill.

I dumped Tulsa cable back in 1997 (before Cox invaded Tulsa) and have never looked back.  You get used to it very quickly, especially not receiving a monthly charge/bill.  If it ain't free broadcast, then it ain't worth my effort to watch.

[sauerkraut]

quote:Originally posted by Steve

quote:Originally posted by sauerkraut

I'm a bit out of the loop I am very happy with  my 5 year old VCR. Color me old fashioned I guess. I just can't get intrested in this digital craz and HDTV, I like good 'ol fashioned analog TV. IMO digital TV and digital recorders are still too full of bugs and the flat screen TV's don't seem to last very long, most everyone I know who has a flat screen TV has had trouble with it of one kind or another. I'm keeping with CRT sets for the time being.

That makes two of us at least; I couldn't care less about HD either.  My 5 year old Panasonic 32" CRT TV still looks great, using a digital converter box for broadcast reception, and I would match it in brightness, contrast, and anything but horizontal resolution against any new HDTV made today.  I still can use my old JVC VCR to record broadcast digital, the inconvenience being that I have to leave the converter box on, tuned to the station I want to record, since the converter has no timer.  I didn't do much timer recording anyway, so it is not a huge adjustment for me.

I agree, also no flat screen TV can match the color "black", or fast movement as good as a CRT set can. A CRT set also has a brighter picture with a proven history of lasting for decades, I have a 1969 Zenith TV that still works, will a 40 year old plasma, or LCD TV still work in 40 years? I bet not. The LCD TV has light bulbs behind the picture display screen to light up the screen thus the color "black" shows up as being "gray" Fast movement is also a problem for flat/thin screen TV sets I think the Plasma sets show fast movement better than the LCD sets or I may have it backwards, The plasma sets do have deeper colors than the LCD sets. IMO the best buy is the CRT set and soon you won't be able to buy them. The CRT is much cheaper.

[nathanm]

quote:Originally posted by sauerkraut

I agree, also no flat screen TV can match the color "black", or fast movement as good as a CRT set can. A CRT set also has a brighter picture with a proven history of lasting for decades, I have a 1969 Zenith TV that still works, will a 40 year old plasma, or LCD TV still work in 40 years? I bet not. The LCD TV has light bulbs behind the picture display screen to light up the screen thus the color "black" shows up as being "gray" Fast movement is also a problem for flat/thin screen TV sets I think the Plasma sets show fast movement better than the LCD sets or I may have it backwards, The plasma sets do have deeper colors than the LCD sets. IMO the best buy is the CRT set and soon you won't be able to buy them. The CRT is much cheaper.

The CRT will have an advantage in black level over all but the higher-end plasma screens. Both plasma and LCD will utterly destroy nearly any CRT in white level, however. LCD by a mile.

All sets, including my wonderful Sony Trinitron CRT have gray blacks. It's just a matter of degree.

One of my favorite things about my LCD TVs is that the picture quality is much better in a brightly lit room.

And that 40 year old tv that works? Sure, it "works" for the definition of the word that means "functions." It isn't going to function well. Old CRTs have whole lot of issues, ranging from phosphor wear to defocusing, to shadow mask separation. They get darker and fuzzier as they age. Some of it can be fixed (the focus on the electron beams), the rest can't.

It's much easier to replace the backlights on an LCD than it is to replace the entire picture tube on a CRT.

Besides, I've had CRTs give up the ghost after a few years, while I've had others that were built before I was born and are still going strong. They don't all last a long time, we just see the ones that do and think "oh, how reliable those CRTs are," forgetting the millions upon millions that are currently inhabiting our landfills.