After yet another increase in cable rates from my local company, I did the Popeye thing (sans a can of spinach)and am in the process of cutting the cord.
A few things are in order, one of which has me weeping right now
I will be getting rid of my beloved assembled in USA Toshiba 27 inch energy guzzling tube for a couple of reasons. One, it is 16 years old Two, I would need a converter box to go over-the-air. Three, more and more programming is being broadcast in 16 x 9 ratio and as such , I am losing almost 1/4 of the program being aired due to screen constraints.
It tears me up but I have to realize that programming has far outrun my Toshiba's ability to broadcast it to where I can actually watch it. THere is no adjustment on it or the cable box to correct this. It is an analog design, it is what it is. I really got good use from it and I am proud that it was assembled in USA, someplace in TN I believe so at least I helped a few remain on the job.
Having said that, I am going to secure a flat screen from a somewhat local appliance store. Like the SQ purchases, I want to go local for service after the sale. That means BIG BOX stores are out of the question for me. I have decided on a 50 inch LG made in Mexico (gag, cough, wretch, sweat, vomit)that is also a smart TV so I can stream Speed Queen vids, yes even my own, on it. Amazon prime is $9.95/month for instance and I have a host of streaming choices besides. I looked at tons of "brands" (would you believe Hitachi is on a box at Sam's?). I asked questions, went online, did the homework and LG appears to be the best choice as they make not only their units but also source parts to other "brands" as well. 3 appliance stores carry LG because they give fewer problems than the other brands.
The action plan is:
1. Wait for the model I want to be in stock at a local store; LG is bringing out new models this summer
2. buy the thing, have it delivered, say a tearful goodbye to the Toshiba
3. Remain on cable whilst I suss out the nuances of the LG, test the streaming capabilities.
4. Research OTA omnidirectional antennas. I cannot mount one outside, because, well, I don't want to! An attic mount is not an option either because I have engineered roof trusses 16 on center and NO place to even run a plank of sorts. Thus I am relegated to an indoor unit. Which I am ok with.
Antennaweb.org is a great site and if I get the right type of antenna, I can theoretically get 43 OTA channels, some in hi def. Including the ones I currently pay a mint for from my local cable company.
Once I find a good omnidirectional indoor antenna, get it hooked up and see if I can get the channels I want, it is goodbye cable. I do realize the weather channel goes bye. As does CNN and some others but I never watched them anyway unless the weather channel was running "why planes crash" or something. I can get Fox so I will still be able to see Ramsay yell and cuss, if not I know I can stream it on fox's site.
FWIW, I have been to some homes where the families are OTA and I was blown away at the picture quality they were getting. In fact, I swear it could pass for cable or satellite. That's how good it was.
Hi frig!
A few things are in order, one of which has me weeping right now
I will be getting rid of my beloved assembled in USA Toshiba 27 inch energy guzzling tube for a couple of reasons. One, it is 16 years old Two, I would need a converter box to go over-the-air. Three, more and more programming is being broadcast in 16 x 9 ratio and as such , I am losing almost 1/4 of the program being aired due to screen constraints.
It tears me up but I have to realize that programming has far outrun my Toshiba's ability to broadcast it to where I can actually watch it. THere is no adjustment on it or the cable box to correct this. It is an analog design, it is what it is. I really got good use from it and I am proud that it was assembled in USA, someplace in TN I believe so at least I helped a few remain on the job.
Having said that, I am going to secure a flat screen from a somewhat local appliance store. Like the SQ purchases, I want to go local for service after the sale. That means BIG BOX stores are out of the question for me. I have decided on a 50 inch LG made in Mexico (gag, cough, wretch, sweat, vomit)that is also a smart TV so I can stream Speed Queen vids, yes even my own, on it. Amazon prime is $9.95/month for instance and I have a host of streaming choices besides. I looked at tons of "brands" (would you believe Hitachi is on a box at Sam's?). I asked questions, went online, did the homework and LG appears to be the best choice as they make not only their units but also source parts to other "brands" as well. 3 appliance stores carry LG because they give fewer problems than the other brands.
The action plan is:
1. Wait for the model I want to be in stock at a local store; LG is bringing out new models this summer
2. buy the thing, have it delivered, say a tearful goodbye to the Toshiba
3. Remain on cable whilst I suss out the nuances of the LG, test the streaming capabilities.
4. Research OTA omnidirectional antennas. I cannot mount one outside, because, well, I don't want to! An attic mount is not an option either because I have engineered roof trusses 16 on center and NO place to even run a plank of sorts. Thus I am relegated to an indoor unit. Which I am ok with.
Antennaweb.org is a great site and if I get the right type of antenna, I can theoretically get 43 OTA channels, some in hi def. Including the ones I currently pay a mint for from my local cable company.
Once I find a good omnidirectional indoor antenna, get it hooked up and see if I can get the channels I want, it is goodbye cable. I do realize the weather channel goes bye. As does CNN and some others but I never watched them anyway unless the weather channel was running "why planes crash" or something. I can get Fox so I will still be able to see Ramsay yell and cuss, if not I know I can stream it on fox's site.
FWIW, I have been to some homes where the families are OTA and I was blown away at the picture quality they were getting. In fact, I swear it could pass for cable or satellite. That's how good it was.
Hi frig!