I cut the cord...now what...

[pmui]

We finally canceled our CATV and Land line which was costing $160 a month, and was hardly ever used.
We still have Fios internet which is fast, but not cheap. We also have our cell phones (smartphones) and Netflix for entertainment.

I've currently have an old aerial antenna on the top of my house. Not sure if it's fully working. I connected it to my digital equipment only seem to get a few digital signals and many are weak. Any advice on boosting the signal? I do notice the wire that comes off the antenna is flat with 2 copper leads.

Thanks.
Peter

 

[Widdy]

Check what's available in your area http://www.hdtvantennalabs.com/index.php

For phones, I use Ooma -- even then it's rarely used. But readily available if needed.

 

[thirty5]

There is always Magic Jack Costs is ridiculous cheap, service is not "the best" I personally use Vonage for PHone and love it!

As for TV, maybe you should pick up an HDTV antenna! That may help you out.

 

[arnaldolex]

ive seen signal amplifiers in radio shack and they like under 30 dollers

 

[skene]

get yourself something like an apple tv, or roku box. those are nice to use and utilize online entertainment... well not so much the apple tv unless you have a subscription to netflix.

 

[pmui]

i do p/u some stations, but i only get 13 out of 23. Planning to get a new antenna and a rotator this summer and see what i can p/u.

I've seen OOma before, just can justify paying for the hardward and taxes(?). I found a Vtech phone that will connect via bluetooth to your cell phone and use the minutes on your plan.
http://www.vtechphones.com/vtechpho...?event=ehCatalog.productDetail&ProductID=1586

 

[pmui]

get yourself something like an apple tv, or roku box. those are nice to use and utilize online entertainment... well not so much the apple tv unless you have a subscription to netflix.

i already have several devices that has netflix on it. I don't think a ATV would work, but i do like Roku but currently don't need that.

 

[Widdy]

Ooma just an option. If there's no need for landline, then it's moot.

If you have a PC that'll connect to your TV (15pin VGA or HDMI) look into Boxee. Don't need to buy DLink's hardware, just use your own hardware with their software. Runs better than Apple TV imo; streams 1080P as well vs. 720P on ATV2. Though I have an jailbroken ATV2 running XBMC. Either solutions works, just depends on how fancy and how much control you want.

 

[mbg75]

I was just thinking my $200 cable, internet, phone bill is almost as much as my $250 electric bill.


Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

 

[MatthewScars]

I agree with the PC to TV solution. Apple TV and R boxes are usless if you can swing that. You have your cell, then just use Skype so you have a redundant phone connection.

Between Netflix, Hulu Plus, and bit torrent, what else do you really need for entertainment?

 

[noelskii]

I just go to my neighbor's house to watch tv.

 

[pmui]

i think my neighbors are pretty private
I'm not a TV addict, so i really don't miss watching TV. I'm a big gamer, so as long as there is a decent internet connection i good. My kids just watch PBS and netflixs. The wife like glee that's also on netflix. The only show i do watch is Fringe, and that can be found on the net.
I was trying to figure out if a $250 investment into a new Aerial Antenna, amplifier and auto rotator was worth it.