Reduce Outrageous Monthly Satellite TV Expense

When can I get rid of my outrageous Satellite TV bill? TV is free, so why are we paying so much?

I am currently paying over $110.00 per month for DIRECTV.  This includes 4 DVR’s,  HD content without any movie channels like HBO.  As a result of economic conditions I am continually looking for ways to reduce expenses.  This has prompted me to keep an eye on current and upcoming technologies that will allow me to reduce expenses.  I am looking for a solution that will allow me to keep most of the features and capabilities as my DIRECTV service offers.  I can’t live without my DVR.  The DVR is the best invention since sliced bread.

It seems like people have forgotten that TV is free.  With an inexpensive off air antenna you can receive local channels in HD which I have found recently includes many more channels than you might expect.  All your prime-time favorites like CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC and many more are available for free.  You can even see a Guide that will tell you what is playing on each channel.  What is missing is the ability to record, pause and rewind and best of all subscribe to a season pass.

Option #1:

The closest option for replacing DIRECTV and keeping the features I love is “TiVo” using the free Off Air TV signal (supported on TiVo Premiere & Premiere XL but not Premiere XL4).  Switching has some upfront costs especially when replacing 4 DVR’s.

To go the TiVo route here is the low down on costs.

Costs for 4 TiVo Premiere receivers with multi-service discount:

	DVR's	Monthly	Total Monthly
1st year	$149.00ea	$12.99	$101.63
2nd year+		$9.95	$39.80

Costs for 4 TiVo Premiere XL receivers with multi-service discount:

	DVR's	Monthly	Total Monthly
1st year	$249.00ea	$12.99	$134.96
2nd year+		$9.95	$39.80

What you will be missing:

Unless you pay for Cable in addition to the fees mentioned above, then say good bye to Discovery Channel, Nickelodeon, DIY network, ESPN etc.  The grass isn't always greener on the other side.   I am hesitant to switch although this option is looking increasingly attractive.

Option #2:

What about all the other streaming options where you use your internet connection along with a subscription service to watch TV and movies on demand?

Apple TV and PS3/Netflix users are the only ones that offer HD 1080p content.  Read the fine print.  If they say they offer HD content you are most likely only getting 720p.

There is also Amazon Instant Video, hulu, and Netflix.  Did I miss any?  Here is a good comparison post I came across.  How they stack up.

Show stoppers:

No access to popular prime-time TV shows.
I would need 4 devices, one for each TV.
No DVR for recording live TV and sports from off air signals.

More info coming soon….

Control Iphone on PC Without Jailbreaking

A new enhancement that I hope will be available soon is the ability to control your iPhone/iPad from your PC.  If you are familiar with “Jailbreaking” there is a solution which involves installing software called Veency via Cydia and using VNC software on your PC/Mac all for free.  Installation and usage can and should be much more simple and convenient so that your average user can benefit.  I have been Jailbroken before, but I have been using my phone without Jailbreaking for a while now and I am doing just fine.  I may have to revisit Jailbreaking again though.

 

As an example, I have a radio docking station which plays music from my iPhone.  If I want to make any changes I have to get up and make the change.  If I want to read email or text I have to remove it from the doc.  If I could cut the cord (See Cut the Cord post) this would diminish the need for this feature.  Even if the phone is plugged into the computer I want to be able to control it from my PC.  I work from home so I am on my computer all day.  This would be a great benefit but I would prefer not to have to Jailbreak my iPhone/iPad.

Resources:

There are plenty of videos on how to do this on a Jailbroken phone. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ2FP2Ppz2E

Jailbreaking is legal now and there are tons of sites that will help Jailbreak your phone.  Just Google “Jailbreaking”.  I just found this comprehensive guide on Jailbreaking http://www.idownloadblog.com/jailbreak/

 

iPhone/iPad - Cut the Cord Please!

With Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and soon to be Near-Field Communication we should be able to eliminate the need for the cord to stream music, movies and photos to a PC, TV, Home/Car stereo, PS3, Projector, Printer and other devices? 

I have seen examples of this technology on NCIS and Hawaii Five O and other shows where they swiftly swipe from their iPad in the direction of a screen and the image is magically thrown onto to the nearest TV.  Does this exist or is this just Hollywood special affects?  We are already syncing wirelessly.  Obviously manufacturers would have to add functionality to their devices.  Most new TV's and other devices have WiFi capabilities or are connected via Ethernet already and software updates can provide new enhancements.

If I want to listen to music on my car stereo, I have to purchase and plug into an RF transmitter cradle or if my car stereo has an auxiliary input I can use an audio cable to listen to music.  With  three iPhone's an iPad and iPod in our family, things can become very messy in a hurry on family trips.  Between the 12 volt charger cables, FM Transmitter cradle and/or audio cord and Seagate GoFlex Satellite drive, I have a messy maze of cords and hardware in my center console. If I dock my iPhone in an RF transmitter cradle I sometimes can't read it and wish I had it in my hand (Accept if I am driving of course.  Don't text and drive!).  Good luck texting or answering a phone call from the passenger seat of course while the iPhone is docked in a cradle. I hears Ford is building WI-fi connectivity in their vehicles so this could happen.


Apple Remote is a step in the right direction, but what if I am at a friends house and I want to be the DJ or share some photos on their equipment.


Are you listening Apple?  You are already working on this right?  I would find it hard to believe if I were the first person to think of this.

In the meantime while you wait for this feature and you are looking for an FM Transmitter cradle there are two important features I would like to point out.

1. If you use a cover for your iPhone make sure it will work with the cradle without having to take the cover off.  You will notice this one has a short flexible power connector VS some that have a fixed power connector.  This one works great with my Otterbox Case .
2. The FM Transmitter cradle shown here has an adjustable mount that is NOT flexible.  I would avoid using ones with a flexible neck if possible.  I don't like mine.  For one it is permanently stuck in the 12 volt adapter hole but most of all the adjustable neck won't stay in the position that I like.

Future Technologies - I Can't Wait!

1. iPhone/iPad fling transmitter - Lets cut the cord please
2. Control on iPhone/iPad from your PC without Jailbreaking
3. DVD’s a thing of the past?  Details forthcoming.
4. Near Field Communication
5. Why are we paying so much to watch TV?  Solutions to keep an eye on:
1. Free over the Air TV with TIVO
2. Netflix, HULU, Apple TV, Amazon, Roku
3. HDMI over Air
4. in order to get HD quality signal transferred to your HDTV, both the transmitter and receiver need to be plugged into the same circuit. In other words, both plugs need to be connected to the same breaker in your fuse box.
5. RF TV Remote
6. Near Field Communication

Details to Follow....