ROKU 3: Cut the Cable

Thinking of getting rid of cable TV? Home Phone?
I did years ago via a small, $40 RCA a.c. amplified fractal antenna bought at Walmart and placed in my attic, as high as possible.
It gets awesome, uncompressed HD tv.
I also cut the phone bill via Magic Jack @ under $2 bucks a month, 5 years @$99!
I am currently also using the Republic Wireless cell phones which access Wi-fi along with Sprint wireless. Service for 2 unlimited Android phones cost $44 a month total for both including taxes! (However there is no phone selection offered other than a Motorola DEFT XT because of the Wi-Fi feature).

Now I see that there is a ROKU 3: http://www.roku.com/...azing-interface
I have bought 2 different versions of ROKU and given them to people trying to cut their cable TV bill. They love 'em.
I don't need it since I use my computer and connect it to the TV via a 20 foot long VGA cable.

The newest ROKU 3 features look especially good. (Headphones built into the remote!!! (which also has movement sensors for game players)
BUT you still must have internet access.
And ESPN live is not available.
I really like the features of the Apple TV box but it accesses less content from what I've read.


The TV world is really suffering, primarily because of the tremendous volume of content provided on the internet.
We now watch streaming content as much as broadcast programs, if not more.

Standard TV is really suffering and Aereo has them up in arms:
News Corp. could go rogue and pull Fox broadcasts if Aereo keeps winning
"You might not be able to catch The Simpsons or the NFC Championship game without cable if startup video streaming service Aereo keeps winning court battles.
That's because Fox could pull its broadcast signal to keep the Barry Diller-backed startup from snagging that signal off the air and streaming it to users' mobile devices and computers."

Broadcasters Struggle To Tap Into The 'Zero TV' Crowd
"Broadcasters will convene this week in Las Vegas to discuss how to win back the "Zero TV Crowd": a rapidly growing demographic of people who don't subscribe to cable or satellite TV services."

Edited by Rogerdodger, 14 April 2013 - 09:31 AM.

I might do you one better - I don't have a TV.

I can get over the air TV stations on my computer with one of these.
http://www.hauppauge...r_external.html

Most cable shows I'm interested in can be found on line without commercials - some are live. You have to know where to look.

I've been watching Homeland, Dexter, Game of Thrones, Fox News and other nets.

I'm still using Sprint for my cell phone. I travel a lot. I'm not sure I can use what you are using.

I might do you one better - I don't have a TV.
I can get over the air TV stations on my computer with one of these.
http://www.hauppauge...r_external.html
Most cable shows I'm interested in can be found on line without commercials - some are live. You have to know where to look.
I've been watching Homeland, Dexter, Game of Thrones, Fox News and other nets.
I'm still using Sprint for my cell phone. I travel a lot. I'm not sure I can use what you are using.

I'm crazy about Candice Glover on American Idol.
Sadly I missed her best live performances this week so I just did a search and watched them when it was more convenient.

Likewise with a news story.
My son-in-law is on the police force and he is often seen on the live newscasts.
If I miss seeing the story, I just go to the news station's web site and often they will have the video which I can watch on my computer or TV..
Windows has an option for 2 monitors and that's what I use.
Visitors are amazed when I "grab" my computer screen and simply slide it to the TV screen as a 2nd monitor.

Republic Wireless has a free trial period and you could try it.
Porting my old number to the new phone was seamless and performed within 24 hours of the request.
It's a great idea to have both the Wi-fi as well as cell coverage, since one may be out of service but not the other.
Sprint is not known for good coverage in many areas.
However recently my wife called from the middle of a cemetery in an adjoining state with good call quality.
The Wi-Fi connection is often better than the cell coverage, especially in large buildings where the cell signal is weak.
Many businesses offer free Wi-Fi and it's easy to connect. Once the connection is established for the first time, it will automatically connect the next time you enter that Wi-Fi coverage area.

Limited choice in phones is a bit of a drawback for now.

Edited by Rogerdodger, 14 April 2013 - 01:01 PM.