Internet Security, music, and Dad Jokes. And pets - it's a blog, after all.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Hulu + Netflix + Chromecast = Cable replacement
I ditched the expensive cable TV package that we've been getting for the last four years. I've replaced it with a $39 Chromecast and a combination of Netflix and Hulu Plus.
There's a ton of good stuff to watch and I'm saving money each month.
I agree internet based content model and have used it myself off and on for years. Currently, I have cable tv and satalite. I have the cable just to get broadband. It was cheaper as a package than getting internet separately. I still have satalite because the wife won't change.
The real question though is the sustainablility of this model. As more people catch onto it, won't bandwidth supply fail to keep pace with demand? isn't this a cool thing for early adopters but unsupportable for the masses?
I have Netflix and Amazon. Amazon has some great original programing, but what I use more than anything else is KODI. You can run KODI on your Chromecast, Roku or Fire TV. You get everything you would get from those other streaming services and so much more, plus it's all free and most in 1080p. I run mine on a Raspberry Pi and my phone when I'm out and about.
I have Netflix and Amazon. Amazon has some great original programing, but what I use more than anything else is KODI. You can run KODI on your Chromecast, Roku or Fire TV. You get everything you would get from those other streaming services and so much more, plus it's all free and most in 1080p. I run mine on a Raspberry Pi and my phone when I'm out and about.
With digital OTA, reception is a trickier beast. I have an unamplified antenna at home, and I live outside of Dallas proper, but well inside the urban area, and I only get about 4 channels cleanly, and about 5 more, but very choppily, and not really watchable. I haven't had enough interest to spend enough on an amplified antenna to know if it would work or not.
We run Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon prime here, with an antenna for the local stuff (ie local news, etc)
Been doing this for about the last year or two, with a movie server, and running it all off a $50 android HDMI mini pc stick.
Best investment we've done. Netflix and hulu are $14 a month, Amazon Prime we've done for the shipping bonus for years, and we save $150 on the cable bill by going with the smallest broadband package we can get.
I agree internet based content model and have used it myself off and on for years. Currently, I have cable tv and satalite. I have the cable just to get broadband. It was cheaper as a package than getting internet separately. I still have satalite because the wife won't change.
ReplyDeleteThe real question though is the sustainablility of this model. As more people catch onto it, won't bandwidth supply fail to keep pace with demand? isn't this a cool thing for early adopters but unsupportable for the masses?
I have Netflix and Amazon. Amazon has some great original programing, but what I use more than anything else is KODI. You can run KODI on your Chromecast, Roku or Fire TV. You get everything you would get from those other streaming services and so much more, plus it's all free and most in 1080p. I run mine on a Raspberry Pi and my phone when I'm out and about.
ReplyDeleteI have Netflix and Amazon. Amazon has some great original programing, but what I use more than anything else is KODI. You can run KODI on your Chromecast, Roku or Fire TV. You get everything you would get from those other streaming services and so much more, plus it's all free and most in 1080p. I run mine on a Raspberry Pi and my phone when I'm out and about.
ReplyDeleteso you get local programing on an antenna or not at all? I'd love to drop my cable subscription.
ReplyDeletebruce, while there is an antenna here at Camp Borepatch, I don't have it hooked up. I don't watch any local programming at all.
ReplyDeleteWith digital OTA, reception is a trickier beast. I have an unamplified antenna at home, and I live outside of Dallas proper, but well inside the urban area, and I only get about 4 channels cleanly, and about 5 more, but very choppily, and not really watchable. I haven't had enough interest to spend enough on an amplified antenna to know if it would work or not.
ReplyDeleteWe run Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon prime here, with an antenna for the local stuff (ie local news, etc)
ReplyDeleteBeen doing this for about the last year or two, with a movie server, and running it all off a $50 android HDMI mini pc stick.
Best investment we've done. Netflix and hulu are $14 a month, Amazon Prime we've done for the shipping bonus for years, and we save $150 on the cable bill by going with the smallest broadband package we can get.