I still have internet access but I just got rid of my Cable TV. I really have no use for it at present. Maybe some day in the future when things improve and I can get a TV that can do justice to Discovery HD I'll see about getting it again.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Hmmm. I've been considering getting basic cable TV to get a decent price on changing from DSL to cable internet to increase my speed.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Funny. The Comcast guy just left. I am getting cable for the first time in 20 years!

__________________
1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

man can not live on internet access alone......seriously I have turned into the biggest Fios junkie....I'm loving it and it helps to have that 42" Sony Bravia too.

__________________
"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

Hey Pete!

If your local TV stations are readily available OTA, just get yourself a decent coat-hanger or VHF/UHF antenna (don't get suckered into something that has HIGH DEFINITION!! on the box...you're just paying extra for the ink telling you it's HIGH DEFINITION!!...

Unless DISCOVERY HD is coming off some satellite channel you're able to pull in yourself, you'll still need either cable or some satellite-pay-service to get it, decode it and then display it. And by that time, the picture will be all "muddied up" like it was when you had cable.

I've got two converter boxes...and I can't use 'em due to the fact that I have a 400' ridge between the stations and me in this market...so I have to have, at least, "Broadcast Basic" from the local cable outfit. About $12.49/month and I get channels 2 through 23...local stations, too many "barker channels" and WGN on channel 22...more than enough to put me asleep...

If I ever move...then I'll decide if I need to buy a digital set...but until then, I'll be saving my cash for more important things...like store-bought food, clothes on my back and a roof over my head...and, OH YEAH!!! My MB...got to love the baby!!!

__________________

M. G. Burg
'10 - Dakota SXT - Daily Ride / ≈ 172.5K
.'76 - 450SLC - 107.024.12 / < .89.20 K
..'77 - 280E - 123.033.12 / > 128.20 K
...'67 - El Camino - 283ci / > 207.00 K
....'75 - Yamaha - 650XS / < 21.00 K
.....'87 - G20 Sportvan / > 206.00 K
......'85 - 4WINNS 160 I.O. / 140hp
.......'74 - Honda CT70 / Real 125
.
“I didn’t really say everything I said.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ Yogi Berra ~

Actually I can. I've not turned the TV on in over two months. I agree about the 42 inch Bravia. One day down the road I'll see about splurging on something like that. But for me TV is simply unnecessary.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

believe it or not, I went 6 years without a t.v. and then when i got one it was a 13 inch B&W. I saved up my money and bought the Sony. Now those things are really inexpensive, they've come down alot in price.

__________________
"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

All stations are now broadcasting in digital, the above lay out won't work.
Apparently you haven't been watching tv.

__________________
83 SD

84 CD

When I lived in my apartment, I didnt have cable or internet access. Now that I live with my parents, I have both. When I do move again, I will probably not get cable, but since I have a laptop now I will get internet most likely.

__________________
1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

Uh...yah...I know...I'm involved in "the business" a little bit...

All I'm saying is if you have a coat-hanger or paper-clip, in most cases that's all you need and you'll have a few stations...you DON'T need to pay EXTRA for some box that has HIGH DEFINITION printed on the side. Even the old antennas will work just fine...as long as the contact points aren't corroded...

To paraphrase the bard..."That which we call an antenna by any other name would still be able to pull in a signal..."

And yes...the layout will work just fine...antenna, good quality coax, a lightning arrestor and sealed connectors (at least the outdoor ones!) and you have free OTA Digital TV...provided you have a Digital Set or Digital Converter to feed the set.

__________________

M. G. Burg
'10 - Dakota SXT - Daily Ride / ≈ 172.5K
.'76 - 450SLC - 107.024.12 / < .89.20 K
..'77 - 280E - 123.033.12 / > 128.20 K
...'67 - El Camino - 283ci / > 207.00 K
....'75 - Yamaha - 650XS / < 21.00 K
.....'87 - G20 Sportvan / > 206.00 K
......'85 - 4WINNS 160 I.O. / 140hp
.......'74 - Honda CT70 / Real 125
.
“I didn’t really say everything I said.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ Yogi Berra ~

My parents have basic cable ($14 a month) and cable internet. I did comcast for a 6 month promotion then dumped them promptly after. I have DSL through a local company with great offerings. Its fast, and I watch more than I could ever need or want on-line.

If I want cable I could just pick up a sling box and use my parents cable. Haven't felt the need so far. And there's quite a bit of digital broadcasts available over the air around here....I just need a better antenna.

When I had cable + internet for the 6 month $19.99 promotion, I did watch it, but no where near enough to justify the normal price. Their internet connection stinks too, always random speed drops and their network would go down quite regularly for hours at a time. I have not even had 1 minute of downtime in the past 9 months of DSL...it rocks. And my speeds are ALWAYS 100% of what I pay for.

I did not even miss cable after they pulled the cord. I do more productive things with my time, like computer tinkering and working on the fleet of diesels!

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

So a coat hanger on an analog tv will pick up digital signals, oh knowledgeable one?

__________________
83 SD

84 CD

to the OP -> I havent had cable for....9 years or so. Every once in a while I'd watch discovery if I'm in a hotel/travelling, but aside from that. I try to get away from the TV as much as I can (sometimes CSI Miami sucks me in though)


I'd kill me if I went to bed having just sat and watched the boob toob all night.

Couldnt live without internet though.

-John

__________________
2009 Kia Sedona
2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)

Once you go FiOS TV, you almost can't stand cable TV anymore. Night & Day

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

What about no TV? Saves a lot of $$

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)