Comments on: Finding a Cable Alternative

By: Chris | JumpstartMyPC.com

Chris | JumpstartMyPC.com — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 20:39:00 +0000

Yes, that is an issue and something I outlined in my more in-depth articles about this on my own site.

I get Season Passes for shows that are not on the local channels (like Sons of Anarchy, Alphas, Breaking Bad) from Amazon and even figured out how to make them automatically download to my TiVo so they are there waiting on me when I get home. (http://j.mp/startmypc216) There is an added cost for these shows, but it is much cheaper than paying for a full cable bill every month.

By: Thomas Serio

Thomas Serio — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 20:23:00 +0000

Yes, but you still can’t watch SyFy, FX, HBO or other cable channels with an HD antenna. I believe that was the point of the original comment.

I’ve recently cut the cable myself (a few months ago) and was planning to just get season passes of the shows I watch on iTunes (all my shows come to about half what I paid DirecTV per year). I’ll definitely look into Tivo for the network shows (depending on hardware costs vs what I’ll spend on iTunes)…

By: Chris | JumpstartMyPC.com

Chris | JumpstartMyPC.com — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 19:57:00 +0000

Hey Kevin – TiVo units will automatically record live TV, going back an hour (or maybe 30 minutes – can’t remember right now). Not only can you rewind that show you are watching, you can also turn on your TV and (assuming you don’t change the channel) jump back to the beginning of a program that you weren’t even watching. I love that feature.

By: Chris | JumpstartMyPC.com

Chris | JumpstartMyPC.com — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 19:55:00 +0000

The HD Antennas that I have in place take care of all the local channels. I receive 20+ stations, including all the basics ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, CW

By: Chris | JumpstartMyPC.com

Chris | JumpstartMyPC.com — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 19:53:00 +0000

Hey Mark – A discount is offered for additional boxes, so I only pay yearly subscriptions of $129 (for the first box) and $99 (for the second). Also, there is always the option of going with the lifetime service that TiVo offers

By: Maria

Maria — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 02:09:00 +0000

I’m confused about the TiVo unit for $99 with one year agreement. Above it said $20 a box. What is the difference?

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:02:00 +0000

No, that’s the really cool thing about Tivo, and what makes it more than worth the excessive $20 a month fee – you can go back in time! It’s a freak’n time machine! “Live” over-the-air broadcast? Not for Tivo! “does it only work on programs that have already been recorded?” Seriously, did you really ask that question?

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:53:00 +0000

Low fee’s? Really? Your numbers are wrong. The fee is $20 per box! If you have 2 or 3 TVs in your home, that’s $40-60 just in Tivo fees alone, not to mention the expensive equipment you have to buy up-front.

By: Ijeijeeokp2de2

Ijeijeeokp2de2 — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:36:00 +0000

this makes no sense. if you get tivo and want to watch cable, you still need cable. so how can you watch your normal tv if you cancel it?

By: Kevin

Kevin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:24:00 +0000

Great article and info. I’m moving soon and want to drop my cable for good while still utilizing my TiVo Premiere. Quick question: While watching the local HD channels over-the-air, can you still pause and do the 6 second rewind on live shows or does it only work on programs that have already been recorded?

By: Chris Sully

Chris Sully — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:02:19 +0000

@Adnan – Thanks so much for reading the article and taking the time to comment. You make a good point about the remote and keyboard thing with the HTPC. A key point of my switch was making sure that my wife could also operate whatever we decided on and a traditional remote was all that would fly in our house.

Also, TiVo has recently lowered their pricing structure and is offering the TiVo units for $99 (with a one year agreement).

By: Chris Sully

Chris Sully — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:38:01 +0000

@Hector – Thanks for the compliment and taking the time to read the article.

By: Adnan

Adnan — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 09:35:11 +0000

Wow I always assumed TiVo was just a DVR unit with a better UI. I am currently doing the HTPC thing powered by a Mac Mini (mainly hulu plus, Netflix and streaming from network sites) which is nice at times but I haven’t found the right remote control/ keyboard/ mouse setup to make it feel like a couch experience instead of a bad desk experience. I will give TiVo a try someday it sounds like I could solve a few issues and simplify my cable free tv watching experience. Thanks for the info!

By: Hector

Hector — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 06:39:50 +0000

Great read!
Although not much of a TV watcher it’s great to see, with a little bit of effort, you can get what you want and how you want it without paying the big companies for mediocre service/product. A full year is plenty of time to be sure the change is consistently better too.. nicely done.