Looking to Cut the Cord on Paid Television

We have a Toshiba HD DVD recorder that lets us record onto re-writable DVDs. If I use RAM DVDs I can use the pause button while recording. It works just like a Tivo.
This is an older model that will not pickup digital signals. We use it with basic cable, no box.

Ths one receives OTA digital signals
Walmart version

We pulled the plug on DTV, last March when we sold our home. I own the receivers, and have auto satellite in the Motorhome.

We did not reconnect due to several factors, social programming, crappy news reporting, talking heads that don't have a clue/propaganda, and cost of crappy programming.

Flash back, don't miss it a day. We choose which crappy news reporting and headlines we want on the computer. Sometimes there are even well written articles that tells the entire story.

We buy Blu-Ray movies as we choose, and have recorded all our privately owned standard dvd's onto an external hard drive (easy storage solution).

We probably spend as much on dvd movies/internet access, but it sure is nice to choose our own programs. There is one series we liked that we will purchase as the new season ends and becomes available on dvd.

Otherwise, the receiver and satellite collects dust and has become ornaments.

Don't envision returning to satellite TV until they offer ala carte, is that like ala mode. So most likely will never return.

When we visit family, we don't even watch their cable network. It's amazing how reruns of John Wayne is still enjoyable, Michenor's Texas, et. al. We purchase history dvds, which results in some great and interesting video.

Kindle reading fills in the blank times.

This was our solution.

rav wrote:
here's what we did- dumped direct TV, there was nothing on it we really enjoyed. got a TIVO, paid the lifetime subscription and a ROKU for each TV. we can record off the TIVO for the local channels and the ROKU lets us stream Amazon and Netflix. the TIVO subscription paid for itself in 5 months and now we pay 8.00 per month for the Netflix and the Amazon is included with our prime membership. I find we watch less TV and better TV. we have brought the ROKU with us and have streamed off our Verizon jet pack, we rarely watch TV when we camp.JMHO

How do you stream Amazon and Netflix when in the motorhome??

We are doing pretty good with the OTA NATL BROADCAST setup from the local towns. usually picks up 6-36 full blown HDTV digital Stations just about everywhere we go using our BATWING antenna. Most of our trips are on the East side of the US which probably has more close-by local towns to deal with.

If we want to watch the "cable" stations then have downstreamed them over the internet. If we wanted to get into this mode big time would probably get at least the 20GB DATAPLAN from MILLENICOM... My current 3GB DATAPLAN with Verizon MIFI will only do a few one hours TV shows a month before running out of my DATAPLAN.

This same way of thinking is definitely on our horizon for HDTV at home as well.
Roy Ken

My bride and I haven't watched TV for over 40 years. We've saved a bundle, not to mention had lots more time for important stuff. Hey, does this mean I get to go buy that Lamborghini with the money we've saved?

here's what we did- dumped direct TV, there was nothing on it we really enjoyed. got a TIVO, paid the lifetime subscription and a ROKU for each TV. we can record off the TIVO for the local channels and the ROKU lets us stream Amazon and Netflix. the TIVO subscription paid for itself in 5 months and now we pay 8.00 per month for the Netflix and the Amazon is included with our prime membership. I find we watch less TV and better TV. we have brought the ROKU with us and have streamed off our Verizon jet pack, we rarely watch TV when we camp.JMHO