We Are Pulling The Plug......Finally ATSC Box

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When I called DirecTV today to disconnect, they tried to offer me the same package for $45 less and then just tried to talk me into keeping a basic service package for about $30-35/mo. I still declined, I told them that I'm just not turning on the TV anymore so I don't want to pay for service that I'm not going to use. The only complaint I ever had with DirecTV is the fact that they changed their music channel provider - I liked Sirius/XM's programming better: the oldies and swing stations had period accurate news breaks that, as a history enthusiast, I found very fun and interesting.
 
What's "Micro SD" on the Roku box you pointed ou

The SD card is mainly for games and such, it keeps some content readily available.  The unit operates fine without it.  I have sd cards in all of mine mainly because I had them laying around after I pulled the 2G cards out of my phones.
 
the composite inputs on my Sony TV would be analog, correct?

Yes, if all you want is internet streamed video than you wouldn't need a broadcast ATSC to NTSC converter box. But since converter boxes are relatively cheap (and you might be able to get one very cheap off Craigslist) I can't see doing without broadcast digital via a converter box. But maybe that's just me. I depend upon digital broadcasts, and really don't miss having cable.

Just keep in mind that composite and component video signals/cables are two very different things. All you have is composite so the BOL Roku box would fit your current needs just fine.
 
Yesterday I completed my research, and thanks for all the recommendations here.

I ended up with the Homeworx PVR150 digital to analog box. What made that most attractive is that I can connect a external hard disk to it and it'll act like a VCR.

Then I bought a Winegard HD7694P antenna that I'll start with by installing it in the attic. I also bought some Belden RG6 (50 ft) cable to run from the antenna to he box.

I also bought a Netgear N600 router and a Roku XS.

So this should be enough to get me going. According to DTV.gov I'm 34-38 miles from the television transmitter sites. The antenna has a range of 50 miles. So I should be ok.

I mentioned what I was doing to a few of our friends and they were kind of shocked. The most often comment I heard was "Since everything went digital I thought you HAD to subscribe to some kind of cable or satellite company". I told them there is a growing movement to "cut the cable" and in the end they'll be watching more content that is something that they really want to watch.

Did I forget anything?

What do you think about this editorial?

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www.engadget.com
 
Antenna web

I ditched cable long ago in favor of Netflix, but have missed having local stations for news, weather, etc, and this thread inspired me to see what stations I could pick up.

According to antennaweb.org, my area requires a violet code antenna, which would be a large directional antenna with an electric booster, and even with that set up, I was supposed to only pick up 2 channels, channel 34.1, WB, which is 31 miles away, and channel 29.1, KET (PBS), and its 2 sub stations, 23 miles away.

I made a homemade 4 bay antenna with a peice of scrap wood, 2 wire coat hangers, and a 24 inch oven rack as a reflector, using instructions I found online. Once it was mounted on a 12 foot mast, I was able to pick up not just only 2 broadcast stations listed on antenna web, but also channel 20.1, another WB, 100 miles away in Knoxville, and channel 22.1, another PBS, also with 2 substations, 90 miles away in Cookeville.

Seems antenna web gives a very moderate estimate of what sort of channels a person can receive, compared to what one can really expect. Keep in mind, antenna web said I would need a violet antenna with a booster, mounted on a 20 to 30 foot mast. I am picking up more channels than they said using a homemade antenna on a 12 foot mast, with no booster.

I tried swapping my homemade antenna for a 40 dollar one from Walmart, with built in electric booster, and actually lost channel 34.1, which is only 30 miles away, and my signal level on all the other channels went from 75 percent to 45 percent. I put my homemade antenna back on the mast, and am returning the one from Walmart in the morning.

I think I will try using a good antenna booster from radio shack or the like, and see if I can receive any more channels, I would like to at least get channel 13.1, and it's 2 substations, from bowling green, which is 70 miles away, since it broadcasts ABC on one station, and if I understand correctly, fox on one of its substations. I will let you guys know how it works out..
 
Now that we have all of our equipment, I'm thinking about hiring someone to install the rooftop antenna for us. Our roof is very steep. Maybe a 45 degree angle.

Two years ago I went up there to paint the chimney surround. I needed to sand the area before painting. So I took up with me a brand new $125. sander. Just as I got to the peak of the roof I lost my grip on the sander. Within 10 seconds it slid down the roof, landed on the driveway and exploded into a jillion pieces. I was really pissed off about that one.

Right now with our outside temps hovering around 100F(40C) it's way too hot to even think about going up there. I'll wait till fall and cooler temps.
 
 
I got rid of cable TV summer of 2006 after I ran the mower over the part of the line that wasn't buried near the pole and figured I wasn't watching it enough to justify keeping the service active.
 
There is a new service coming to town soon, it's called Aereo. It provides local channels using a dime sized antenna that sits on your television for $8.00 per month. You can add a DVR for $12.00 per month.

One of my friends suggest this so "you won't have to spend money on an antenna."
After reviewing this, in 8 months I am ahead with my antenna than with Aereo. The cost of the antenna and RG6 was about $80.00. With Aereo I'd just continue paying.

Does anyone remember the service called "On-TV"? They provided you with a very strange looking indoor antenna and If I remember it was about $29.95 per month in 1985 or so. It's main feature was that after 10pm they showed soft core porn.
 
Close, but not quite...  Aero does use small dime sized antennas, but at their location.  They send the signal over the Internet.  There is a big brouhaha over this, with lots of law suits.  Read all about it if you wish.  Not sure where I sand on the subject.  Both sides have some valid points.  Seems the networks could wipe out Aero quite easily if they just streamed their content like many other things are streamed -- but they like to live in the dark ages and have to be dragged into the 1990's.

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www.avsforum.com
 

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