Cable/Satellite TV

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Originally Posted By: Stelth
$160/month!


Originally Posted By: Stelth
That would cost about $120/month from Direct TV


$160 a month? $120/month? Is television really worth that much? Do people really pay that much for television?

Even at your $120/month figure, that's $1,440 a year just to watch television. One thousand, four hundred forty dollars each year. At the $160/month amount, it's almost $2,000 a year. Two thousand dollars each year.

I can think of dozens of things I'd rather do than sit around watching television, especially at that price. Toss up an antenna so you can see the local news, and leave the rest of the programming to those who have nothing better to do than park in front of the idiot box and pretend to be entertained. Sit outside on the deck with your significant other watching the stars. Go walking for a couple hours each evening after work with your significant other. Learn to dance and go dancing a couple times a week. Do some volunteer work, or get a part time job and make a couple thousand a year rather than spend it.

I didn't realize that prices had skyrocketed that much. I thought prices were around $30 or $40 a month. Sheesh-$120 a month? That amount leaves me flabbergasted.


I agree totally. But apparently many get VERY upset if you dare question their spending habits. Even if they do leave you (me) flabbergasted.

I dont know when our TV was even turned on last - it has been months!

Originally Posted By: KenO
Originally Posted By: Cutehumor
my sister pays $200 for broadband internet/cable/digital voice with comcast. she and her husband have two smart phones for 180/month. 380 bucks per month for that. these companies trap people in the "monthly payment", you will be working the rest of your life trapped in the monthly payment system. it's the car payment system, how much per month can you afford



People that buy, especially cars, based on what the payment alone is are truly the dumb of the dumb.


Better watch yourself - lots of folks waiting to be offended by such talk, even if its your opinion and youre entitled to it!



You are certainly entitled to your opinion, of course. But what you value, and what others value, are not necessarily the same. Some people want TV and enjoy it. I don't personally watch much TV, I only watch Holmes on Homes/etc. I don't watch anything else. My mom and dad on the other hand watch a lot of TV. I pay the cable bill, which right now I'm only paying sub $100 for 2HDDVRs, 1HD box, 50/5 internet, phone, and security with all prems. And the only reason we have that is because of my job. If it weren't for that I wouldn't have half of what I have.

Personally left to me, I'd only have my internet and the phone line. But other people in the house want TV so I don't mind paying for it for them.

 

[gman2304]

Not a lot of difference between sitting in front of a computer for hours on end acquiring thousands of posts on internet forums than watching TV for hours on end. They both cost money and time and both are sedentary entertainment. Some have more discretionary income than others and $150.00 a month for them isn't keeping them from buying shoes for the baby or food and shelter for the family. At less than $3.00 a day I think my Directv is an entertainment bargain for my family. It also keeps them away from me as I try to acquire thousands of posts from the internet forums I frequent.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: gman2304
Not a lot of difference between sitting in front of a computer for hours on end acquiring thousands of posts on internet forums than watching TV for hours on end. They both cost money and time and both are sedentary entertainment. Some have more discretionary income than others and $150.00 a month for them isn't keeping them from buying shoes for the baby or food and shelter for the family. At less than $3.00 a day I think my Directv is an entertainment bargain for my family. It also keeps them away from me as I try to acquire thousands of posts from the internet forums I frequent.


Well you know, some people think that if you aren't squirelling away every last cent that isn't required to pay utilities then you are being irresponsible.

 

[doitmyself]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2

I agree totally. But apparently many get VERY upset if you dare question their spending habits. Even if they do leave you (me) flabbergasted.


The problem is not so much the opinion, but how some members deliver it in such a self righteous way:

"Self righteous - a feeling or display of (usually smug) moral superiority derived from a sense that one's beliefs, actions, or affiliations are of greater virtue than those of the average person." Wikipedia.

I would imagine you would find it offensive if we passed judgement on your ownership of 7 vehicles regarding the expenses and time associated with that?

Or if I passed judgement on a member for owning 20 firearms regarding the expenses and time related to that?

I think if the judgement (of others) aspect of many opinions was deleted, it would be much more palatable for most.

 

[supton]

I don't think it's as much as utilities as much as future costs. Like saving for retirement. At the risk of going off tangent, as I start to wonder about my own nest egg, I have to wonder, what is going to happen if there is a generation of people who have no savings and no ability to work (too old, too feeble, too out of date)? Will our my taxes go through the roof as a result, taking out my 401k?

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: supton
I don't think it's as much as utilities as much as future costs. Like saving for retirement. At the risk of going off tangent, as I start to wonder about my own nest egg, I have to wonder, what is going to happen if there is a generation of people who have no savings and no ability to work (too old, too feeble, too out of date)? Will our my taxes go through the roof as a result, taking out my 401k?


EXACTLY. Someone gets it.

 

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: Nick R

Well you know, some people think that if you aren't squirelling away every last cent that isn't required to pay utilities then you are being irresponsible.

Then if you get hit by the beer truck on the way home and die, what good is the scrimping and saving doing you? Or end up not being able to enjoy it due to illness? Better to be prepared but enjoy it!

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: gman2304
Not a lot of difference between sitting in front of a computer for hours on end acquiring thousands of posts on internet forums than watching TV for hours on end. They both cost money and time and both are sedentary entertainment. Some have more discretionary income than others and $150.00 a month for them isn't keeping them from buying shoes for the baby or food and shelter for the family. At less than $3.00 a day I think my Directv is an entertainment bargain for my family. It also keeps them away from me as I try to acquire thousands of posts from the internet forums I frequent.


Just like folks on food stamps using iphones - lets not pass judgement

Thousands of posts on an internet forum over more than a decade isnt necessarily a huge amount of time, and sometimes this is amassed while being active (e.g. stationary bicycle - sure you can watch tv when doing that too), or a captive audience - e.g. riding a train or sitting in an airport, or other things. I personally would prefer to be learning stuff on the web than sitting on a sofa watching tv. And there's nothing wrong inherently with watching TV, if it does not become your life, stationary and boob tube from the second you get home until you go to bed, and does not cost an arm and a leg - same for interwebs...

But that is the case for many. Then there is the element of goals and savings. Like supton mentioned above... Long term plans? Nest eggs? Negative savings? It will become a social disorder. I have goals, like two vacation homes, a specific number of rental homes, an amount of travel that Id like to do each year, etc. $160/month, while miniscule in terms of paychcks, just cuts ever more into the resources to meet goals. Plus, with a new baby, I cant imagine sitting around in front of the TV when we could play, go to the park, go to the pool, etc. after work. Plus cooking healthy dinners with my wife and other such things. Then also some of us travel a lot. I know I do. Id rather be learning something on a webforum than wasting time watching the boob tube (sure stations like HGTV, the Holmes show, even some mythbusters, etc are interesting and good to watch)...

Youre absolutely right that it is different strokes for different folks... we can all have an opinion though.

 

[The_Jeff]

I work as a TV broadcast engineer, believe it or not. The stuff that's on in primetime is a laughing stock... Dancing With the Stars, etc. I've seen every premise; it's 90% rubbish. "Arrested Development" was the last (IMO) neat-o show and it got renewed on Netflix streaming-- note this moment in history!

What gets me are the newest cell phones that can get marginally streaming video at good reception moments through a digital pipeline that they pay handsomely for... but setting up an outside aerial on one's attic roof is too much work.

The FCC has allocated spectrum for these "micro-towers" on telegraph poles for "wireless cable". Huh? Seems some people rely on a pay service to "vet" good programming, whatever that is.

If one burnt three gallons of gas every Friday and Saturday night to go to the movies they'd spend the same on entertainment with cable or satellite. I can respect not wanting to brush shoulders with strangers and sit in bed-bugs. While being able to do more work and leisure from home makes us antisocial shut-ins it does help our dependence on foreign oil.

At least the internet is user-directed, with more than a dozen things to see.

I don't criticise "yuppies" all that much for spending money on frivolous stuff like cable as they're fun to watch, kinda like the limping wildebeast you just know is going to trip and get caught by the lions.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Originally Posted By: JHZR2

I agree totally. But apparently many get VERY upset if you dare question their spending habits. Even if they do leave you (me) flabbergasted.


The problem is not so much the opinion, but how some members deliver it in such a self righteous way:

"Self righteous - a feeling or display of (usually smug) moral superiority derived from a sense that one's beliefs, actions, or affiliations are of greater virtue than those of the average person." Wikipedia.

I would imagine you would find it offensive if we passed judgement on your ownership of 7 vehicles regarding the expenses and time associated with that?

Or if I passed judgement on a member for owning 20 firearms regarding the expenses and time related to that?

I think if the judgement (of others) aspect of many opinions was deleted, it would be much more palatable for most.




Yes but everyone having an opinion, even an opposite opinion, is fine. Its tough when folks are discussing personal situations, but then again, they are putting them out there. People can disagree and explain why, which those of us who disagree often do. Dissenting opinions with basis, just like in a court case, are fine.

You want to hit me or others on those items mentioned, go ahead. I have my plans, I know my numbers, Ihave my basis for why I can handle it and why it works out. In other words, a plan. Kind of like supton states above thinking about nest eggs and the negative savings rate of the population at large. To some extent, peer review and stating why something isnt smart or isnt good or have you condidered this or Id rather do that is the most valuable thing. There are lots of gifted folks on this forum, with lots of good ideas, and though we may not agree or talk the way each other wants to hear, that peer review from folks with their heads on straight is most excellent and valuable.

 

[Vikas]

Why won't you give the same benefit of doubt to others that you expect for yourself? I mean two drivers in the family does not *need* seven cars but we presume that you know what you are doing and can handle it. We don't ask you to justify us your decision.

 

[JHZR2]

My point being, if someone wanted to ask and make such comments (about my car ownership), I'm ok with it. No benefit of the doubt needed and if im uncomfortable with details ill say so or not answer. It's a public Internet site, the world can view, and the world can interpret. You dont put out info you dont want the world to see and discuss on a discussion forum. But peer review and discussion is fine, and otgers interpreting and making criticism/discussion/putting thought into others' situations and scenarios is why we talk about them on open discussion forums Frankly I think anyone can/should. Why you're data mining about my car ownership in a tv thread is a bit odd though... But I'm open to discussing it and why we do and our logic because I've mentioned it on a PUBLIC forum. If you started a thread about my car ownership, it sure would be odd, but if you made that discussion in my parallel battery thread, though slightly OT, it sure wouldn't bother me. Because you may have your opinion/experience/findings/etc to add. Now if talking with zero basis or experience would also be odd...

But this is a cable tv thread not an attack my vehicle ownership thread so...

 

[Vikas]

No, the point was that people spend money on things that they find worthwhile and there is really no reason for you to give them grief over it. Mind you, I am not blameless but when I do it, I don't take the "holier than you" route to it.

We can name *two* posters here, JH & P_R who seem to be always waiting to pounce on less fortunate souls about their questionable financial decisions. Lot of us agree with both of you in principle but we don't have the same attitude towards the less fortunate.

 

[AP9]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
Why won't you give the same benefit of doubt to others that you expect for yourself? I mean two drivers in the family does not *need* seven cars but we presume that you know what you are doing and can handle it. We don't ask you to justify us your decision.


You'd be surprised about how many people are unaware of OTA/antenna television. Even though the "switch-over" in which all high-power NTSC OTA signals were cut off was over 4 years ago, confusion still abounds. Not implying that the OP doesn't know what they're doing.

Lots of people don't realize that HDTV signals from antenna are usually of better picture quality than cable (and even satellite) can provide. They just remember the snowy NTSC signals of years past that were exacerbated by EMF and use of small bunny-ear antennas.

Sorry, just had to throw in my 2 cents.

 

[wally6934]

I dumped my satellite years ago and put up a off air antenna just after digital television started broadcasting. I use windows media center with a dual TV tuner to schedule and record off air TV shows. I can watch one show while recording another or record two shows while watching a previously recorded one. In my area we get at least 30 digital channels of off air TV. I have trouble keeping up with the shows i recorded.

TOP SECRET information, DO NOT make public.

Almost every tv show on cable is available for free on the web site of the network that made it. If you want to watch any of the major network shows just go to there website and watch them. They are free but you are not allowed to fast forward through the embedded commercials. Again i use windows media center to watch TV so my computer is always connected to the TV. So watching the network shows is easy on the big screen.

DOUBLE TOP SECRET information DO NOT make public.

Biggest secret on the net. Youtube has thousands of full movies and TV shows on it that have expired copyrights. Some of the shows i watch. The old sherlock holmes with Basil Rathbone, More B grade science fiction movies from the 50’s and 60’s then you could throw a stick at, old cartoons, full fairly current shows from history channel and the military channel, old tv shows like Rat Patrol, Space 1999, and Joan of Arcadia,

It takes a little while to get the hang of searching for a movie, because there are hundred of videos that are only intros, trailers, best moments. But usually if you put in the name of the movie and full movie after it you will get a hit. You may also see your movie or TV show broken down into parts 10 min long. That is to get around the copyright laws. From what i have read a law was made mostly for news broadcasters that if you only show 10 min of something you are not violating the copyright.

Any song from any artist is probably on youtube.

If you are a military or WWII buff there are enough videos on youtube for a lifetime.

 

[Mykl]

I've been looking for ways to cut costs between television and cell phone expenses. It looks like Straight Talk Wireless is a good way to basically cut that bill in half as long as you can live without streaming media. Not having internet connectivity isn't really an option for me, so we've been thinking about going with the Netflix/Hulu option to hopefully save a few bucks a month.

 

[supton]

I've been watching youtube while on the exercise bike for a while; once in a while something will be longer than 10min (probably no copyright?). Is nice. I just wish there was a full size screen, or larger than the default.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: supton
I just wish there was a full size screen, or larger than the default.

What do you mean? Can't you switch to full screen view at any time?

 

[Vikas]

Nobody has responded to my claim of semi-forced bundling of TV done with the internet. Any comments on it?

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: supton
I just wish there was a full size screen, or larger than the default.

What do you mean? Can't you switch to full screen view at any time?


Can you? I've never played with it. It's all the comments and links to other videos on the sides that would be nice to get rid of. Didn't think to click on the various options around it, will have to give that a shot.