[MediocreButArrogant]

A lot of people I know are dumping cable and going with OTA plus NetFlix. I couldn't do it, too addicted to Food Network, DIY Network, SpeedTV, BBC America, History Channel, and Bravo (Top Chef).

As long as you aren't in the shadow of the hills the transmitters are on, a simple pair of sub-$20 rabbit ears is enough to receive OTA HD in the valley. Kinda hard to imagine a viable business built on that, unless you can find a lot of ignorant TV viewers who you can take advantage of.

TVfool.com can probably tell you the information for free that you think is worth $50.

[yellowsnow]

I don't live close to the mountains and I can get NOTHING OTA. Why? I don't know and I don't want to waste any more money buying equipment that may or may not work for me.

That's one of the reasons I think this would be a huge success.

I'd also like to know what cell service would work at my house.

I think I live in some kind of signal dead zone!

[Robustus]

Originally Posted by MediocreButArrogant

A lot of people I know are dumping cable and going with OTA plus NetFlix. I couldn't do it, too addicted to Food Network, DIY Network, SpeedTV, BBC America, History Channel, and Bravo (Top Chef).

Yup. I just buy internet from Cox and do Netflix and Hulu+ via Roku. Saves over $500/yr, and I get everything on-demand, plus tons of movies. There are obviously trade-offs, but it's a totally viable option.

[Atlas1337]

A megaupload account & some nice indexing sites like sidereel.com are all you need...

[MediocreButArrogant]

Originally Posted by yellowsnow

I don't live close to the mountains and I can get NOTHING OTA. Why? I don't know and I don't want to waste any more money buying equipment that may or may not work for me.

That's one of the reasons I think this would be a huge success.

As long as you're not obstructed, and not in the shadow of Black Mtn, you should be able to receive a strong signal. Antenna aiming on UHF can be tricky though, a few degrees can make the difference between a strong signal and zero signal. VHF seems to be less sensitive, and that's where the four major networks are located.

I'm on the west side of town and I get 100/100 with unamplified rabbit ears. I'm pretty good at aiming an antenna though.

[mojavedxer]

Holy thread resurrection Batman. It looks like somebody is now running with Yellowsnow idea. http://www.mrantenna.com/?gclid=CMq32eKn9asCFW7ftgodx1pp6Q I just saw the ad running on This TV network.

[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by mojavedxer

Holy thread resurrection Batman. It looks like somebody is now running with Yellowsnow idea. http://www.mrantenna.com/?gclid=CMq32eKn9asCFW7ftgodx1pp6Q I just saw the ad running on This TV network.

I hate it when that happens. I've had plenty of ideas like that, and not the capital to do it (and also an aversion to risk -- some of these hairbrained schemes are just that)

What *I* want is a cable/dish system where I can select the dozen or so channels we watch, and only pay for those channels.

Why the **** am I paying for Telemundo and CSPAN (and dozens and dozens more) when I will never, ever, watch them?

[Buzz123]

Compelling ain't it? I'm thinking about it, but have been hooked on some of the cable stations. Then there is the phone and internet hook-up from Cox to consider. But I find most of my viewing is from over the air stations, and having worked in broadcast TV most of my life, I have always hated cable for not only screwing broadcast stations whenever they could, but for taking so much out of the community and not giving anything back. Former fellow Ch-3 employee, Steeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeve Shore, at Cox Cable, has changed some of that though.

BTW: 38 local stations? When did that happen?

[mojavedxer]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

Compelling ain't it? I'm thinking about it, but have been hooked on some of the cable stations. Then there is the phone and internet hook-up from Cox to consider. But I find most of my viewing is from over the air stations, and having worked in broadcast TV most of my life, I have always hated cable for not only screwing broadcast stations whenever they could, but for taking so much out of the community and not giving anything back. Former fellow Ch-3 employee, Steeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeve Shore, at Cox Cable, has changed some of that though.

BTW: 38 local stations? When did that happen?

Every month when I pay the bill I go through the same thing. Untill the phone company can provide a stable and enough bandwith I need for a internet connection. I will continue to stay with Cox. With the local broadcasters and their digital subs. Thirty Eight channels sounds about right.

[Buzz123]

I just saw Centurylink hooking up my new neighbor. Has anyone recently compared them to Cox? I like the idea of whole house DVR, and being able to record (I almost said 'tape) four shows at once. But the internet would have to be at least as fast as Cox, and the price lower, or at least no higher than Cox for me to switch.