Cut the cord and rid yourself of cable or satellite television. It is easier than you might think. Personally, I needed free television. There is more money in my pocket, and I gained the ultimate “DVR” in the process. I think you need this experience too, for your mental and financial well-being.
Take a long hard look at your bills if you have doubts. When I saw what I was paying for my “entertainment” on a monthly basis, the thought crossed my mind — I was a sucker — and that is when I picked up my scissors. Below is a minimum checklist to follow before picking up your own pair of scissors.
Necessary equipment:
· HDTV with HDMI/DVI input
· High-Speed Internet: 5mbps or higher recommended
· Knowledge of favorite shows availability over the Internet
Step 1: Cutting The Cords
No, literally, go ahead if it makes you feel better. Hopefully, your cable or satellite company will not ask for them back. You could just choose to unplug them, bundle them up, and save them for alternative uses. Less clutter, more money, this is a win.
Step 2: My Setup
I have the standard Hi-Speed package from my local provider. It is plenty fast enough, but I cannot recommend highly enough that you ensure the connection is fast. Internet slowdowns or hiccups will make your experience less than popcorn friendly.
Get a television set capable of supporting your intentions. I have the Sharp AQUOS Smart HDTV. Smart TV’s are perfect for making the switch to internet television from cable or satellite, and I recommend them. There are other options, but you will need a television that at least has an HDMI or DVI input. If you just want to watch Internet TV on your computer or laptop, you’re already golden.
Honestly, you can even connect that laptop or computer to your television if both your TV and your computer have those aforementioned HDMI or DVI inputs. I have friends who went this route, and connected it to a projector. It is like watching television at a theater, and it costs them next to nothing.
Step 3: Wire Less
Smart TV’s are awesome; they allow you to easily access the internet content you crave. Of course, you may need to earn brownie points with your wallet after buying one. So check out sites like Crackle and get your viewing experience free. There are many other choices though, like IMDb.com that are also free. If you combine them, you’ll find access to most shows and movies for no charge. You need to do your research though, as some are not legitimate services.
Getting things working, for my setup, was simple. I already had the television set and a wireless router, and of course, my Internet connection. With a wireless network setup, all I had to do is punch in a few settings on the Smart television, and it was up and streaming.
Step 4: Alternative Connections
Yeah you’ll need some cables for this, sorry. I like “Roku as opposed to the laptop to T.V. method. It is a small funny name, and a small funny contraption, but it’s serious business. Roku has some extra content that makes it stand apart from simply hooking up a computer to your television. You can find out more about it by clicking here.
I hope that you find the transition as simple and effective as I have. I don’t really miss having cable television. I certainly don’t miss the huge bill. You won’t either.
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