NetFlix vs. cable/satellite

[Kaleva]

For $18.58 a month, I get all the tv shows and movies I care to watch by using just NetFlix. The cost includes unlimited rental of new releases on Blu-Ray discs that arrive in the mail.

[Curmudgeoness]

1. That is a great idea.

Well, maybe not for me, but for many people who would have the proper setup. I don't have a computer set up for the TV, so I would have to watch everything on my laptop----and that isn't happening. But all is fine, I don't use cable or satellite either. I just get my TV over the airwaves right now....because cable prices went up one too many times!

[Starboard Tack]

2. All you need is a broadband internet connection and this

A ROKU or SAMSUNG (which we use) can be connected to your router, either directly or wirelessly. Very easy to set up for well under $100.

[Kaleva]

3. My LG Blu-Ray player came NetFlix ready.

http://www.amazon.com/LG-BD630-Network-Blu-ray-Player/dp/B004MSI7UQ

Other people like Hula-Plus

http://www.hulu.com/plus-

http://www.hulu.com/plus/devices

[Starboard Tack]

4. Yeah, so did our Samsung.

We subscribe to Netflix and Hulu-Plus as much of the time we get little or no over the air reception.

[Kolesar]

5. The Best Buy salesman said that Samsung TVs were best for Huluplus connections

Their TVs have an added circuit to make the connection. I still have to look into this.

[gejohnston]

6. AFAIK, most people use

cable or DSL for their internet. If you ditch the cable, and you are not close enough to a switch for DSL, any suggestions? I have looked at mobile "hot spots" for $50 a month.

[Starboard Tack]

7. If you already have a cable data plan, keep it.

You don't have to keep the cable TV stations, just the data connection. I have an office at my business partner's house, which is too far from a switch for DSL, so we had to upgrade to a T1 line, which isn't cheap. On the boat we use Verizon Wireless. Fortunately, we are grandfathered in on an unlimited 3G data plan ($59/month). Otherwise it would cost us around $500/month if we switched plans to 4G, or went to another carrier. The wireless industry is in flux right now concerning unlimited data plans and we may lose it, which will be a major drag.

[gejohnston]

8. I have been pondering

ditching ATT for wireless, and going with a TracFone subsidiary Straight Talk. If you buy their GSM SIM, you can get unlimited data and voice for $45. Put the SIM in an unlocked smart phone that I can tether a computer to. That way, phone and internet umm cheap. If you are in the downtown area of Ocala, the City gov provides free wireless as a "guest", Next time I'm there, I'll get the url for the website and the SSID. Ocala is among the least worst Florida cities I have been to. If you don't mind my asking, what kind of business are in?

[Starboard Tack]

9. Interesting.

I am looking at this Straight Talk and it may very well be the answer, but only if you can get 3G speeds, which means hooking up to EV-DO, rather than CDMA, which is too slow. The phone which might do it is the Finesse R810C.
Now I am confused, because I have read that Straight Talk does not allow tethering, except to swap files between cellphone and laptop.
My business is internet based travel. I take care of the back end part of the operation, web development, database integration, systems admin etc..

[gejohnston]

10. won't allow tethering?

Have to look at that closer. That is about the only reason to get a smart phone. Their smart phones are CDMA Sprint, the lower end ones. That is why I would buy the SIM card and an unlocked Nexus or iPhone and use ATT's GSM system.

[Starboard Tack]

11. Let me know how it goes.

[gejohnston]

12. A friend of my son's did that with her iPhone

works great. Like I said about the Spring CDMA phones you get at Wal Mart, they are set for one g or less.
The main reason I am looking at ST is:
inexpensive, and I hate the free phone bait and now big bill switch
One of my nephews tells he he gets great coverage even in Wyoming. He went to the reservation in northern Montana to visit his sister and her family, and still got coverage. Should I manage to escape from Florida............
and I just like the GSM technology better.

[Kolesar]

13. Comcast cable company has been slowing the transmissions of Netflix and Huluplus on the internet

...because the companies are competition for their quite-expensive cable service. I believe that it is against "federal regulations", but they do it anyway.

[NMDemDist2]

14. we dumped Netflix and went with Amazon Prime

course we have Dish too.....

Prime is cheaper per month and has lots of great old movies and TV free, and the rental costs are cheaper than Dish or DVD rentals for new releases