Comments on: Do I really need a TV service? http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2006/02/do-i-need-tv/ Philip Hodgetts Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:31:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Philip http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2006/02/do-i-need-tv/#comment-8416 Philip Sun, 19 Nov 2006 14:28:21 +0000 http://intelligentassistance.com/blog/2006/02/17/35/#comment-8416 Terrestrial broadcast is not an option because we connected to Charter for cable Internet, disconnecting the feed to the apartment from the mast antenna for the community - private antenna's not permitted externally and rabbit ears not permitted internally. Channel carriage is dependent on channel source (encrypted or not). Comedy Central certainly gets something from the cable networks; shopping channels and channels like CNN are free to any network that wants them in order to build the biggest audience for advertisers. Philip Terrestrial broadcast is not an option because we connected to Charter for cable Internet, disconnecting the feed to the apartment from the mast antenna for the community – private antenna’s not permitted externally and rabbit ears not permitted internally.

Channel carriage is dependent on channel source (encrypted or not). Comedy Central certainly gets something from the cable networks; shopping channels and channels like CNN are free to any network that wants them in order to build the biggest audience for advertisers.

Philip

]]> By: Jeff http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2006/02/do-i-need-tv/#comment-8415 Jeff Sun, 19 Nov 2006 13:44:37 +0000 http://intelligentassistance.com/blog/2006/02/17/35/#comment-8415 It's a bit of an old topic, but it seems to be revived on occasion, so I have a few comments here and there. Philip, did you say that terrestrial broadcast is not an option? You mention Lost and House, both are available over the air in HD. You could hook up a $150 eyeTV hybrid and have it record the show every week at no extra cost per episode other than hard drive space, which can be recovered through pruning. I just bought this cute little unit a few weeks ago and it's fetching shows off the air seemingly as if it were an RSS aggregator. Even if I forget about the show, it's ready for me to watch the next day. The unit certainly isn't without its flaws but I'm still loving it. I'm not watching satellite as often except for a few Comedy Central shows and the occasional Discovery show. I happen to have C-band satellite service so I can pay just for the channels that I want. That's not an option for many people though. The shopping networks aren't encrypted, so I'm skeptical when people claim that part of their bill pays for those channels. Those particular channels probably pay their own way. It’s a bit of an old topic, but it seems to be revived on occasion, so I have a few comments here and there.

Philip, did you say that terrestrial broadcast is not an option? You mention Lost and House, both are available over the air in HD. You could hook up a $150 eyeTV hybrid and have it record the show every week at no extra cost per episode other than hard drive space, which can be recovered through pruning.

I just bought this cute little unit a few weeks ago and it’s fetching shows off the air seemingly as if it were an RSS aggregator. Even if I forget about the show, it’s ready for me to watch the next day. The unit certainly isn’t without its flaws but I’m still loving it.

I’m not watching satellite as often except for a few Comedy Central shows and the occasional Discovery show.

I happen to have C-band satellite service so I can pay just for the channels that I want. That’s not an option for many people though.

The shopping networks aren’t encrypted, so I’m skeptical when people claim that part of their bill pays for those channels. Those particular channels probably pay their own way.

]]> By: Philip http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2006/02/do-i-need-tv/#comment-7529 Philip Wed, 18 Oct 2006 14:55:39 +0000 http://intelligentassistance.com/blog/2006/02/17/35/#comment-7529 Hi Buddy, 1) If the digital delivery was made easy enough with priced right there would be reduced desire for "free" distribution on the INternet. Having been down this path for a bit over 6 months now, I would much prefer to pay for the convenience of reliable and consistent deliver, but not pay iTunes-level pricing. 2) Since you won't be locked into a cable or satellite service, just go to another provider of direct digital download or of Internet service. That's the good thing about competition. Philip Hi Buddy,
1) If the digital delivery was made easy enough with priced right there would be reduced desire for “free” distribution on the INternet. Having been down this path for a bit over 6 months now, I would much prefer to pay for the convenience of reliable and consistent deliver, but not pay iTunes-level pricing.
2) Since you won’t be locked into a cable or satellite service, just go to another provider of direct digital download or of Internet service. That’s the good thing about competition.

Philip

]]> By: Buddy http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2006/02/do-i-need-tv/#comment-7528 Buddy Wed, 18 Oct 2006 14:12:51 +0000 http://intelligentassistance.com/blog/2006/02/17/35/#comment-7528 Thanks, Phillip. A very timely and informative article. I can see a near future without the need for broadcast television. But it does beg answers to a couple of questions: 1) If everyone were to stop getting broadcast tv then who would copy and distribute the stuff on the net? 2) How long before the cable and satellite providers get on the band wagon and knock the band off in the dirt, providing poorer service at an inflated price? Thanks, Phillip.
A very timely and informative article. I can see a near future without the need for broadcast television.
But it does beg answers to a couple of questions: 1) If everyone were to stop getting broadcast tv then who would copy and distribute the stuff on the net? 2) How long before the cable and satellite providers get on the band wagon and knock the band off in the dirt, providing poorer service at an inflated price?

]]> By: Philip http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2006/02/do-i-need-tv/#comment-6914 Philip Sun, 24 Sep 2006 14:08:34 +0000 http://intelligentassistance.com/blog/2006/02/17/35/#comment-6914 Yep, I think the "iTV" is indeed my long desired Video Airport Express and I'm looking forward to it. iirc we commented more on the September 21 edition of the show in the BuZZ in Depth segment. Philip Yep, I think the “iTV” is indeed my long desired Video Airport Express and I’m looking forward to it. iirc we commented more on the September 21 edition of the show in the BuZZ in Depth segment.

Philip

]]> By: Luis http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2006/02/do-i-need-tv/#comment-6913 Luis Sun, 24 Sep 2006 13:01:10 +0000 http://intelligentassistance.com/blog/2006/02/17/35/#comment-6913 Phil, your wish for an Airport Video Express seems to be coming soon with the codenamed Apple "iTV." Any comments on this new development either here or in the Buzz podcast? Phil, your wish for an Airport Video Express seems to be coming soon with the codenamed Apple “iTV.” Any comments on this new development either here or in the Buzz podcast?

]]> By: Philip http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2006/02/do-i-need-tv/#comment-5624 Philip Mon, 21 Aug 2006 13:59:18 +0000 http://intelligentassistance.com/blog/2006/02/17/35/#comment-5624 Spot on Chris. One of the things we've noticed is that our total viewing time has dropped quite significantly. Netflix doesn't give me current programming (disposable TV) like Daily Show or Colbert Report but otherwise, it'd be great. In fact I'm thinking it may be a way to catch up with Lost and House - programs that I haven't followed to date. philip Spot on Chris.

One of the things we’ve noticed is that our total viewing time has dropped quite significantly. Netflix doesn’t give me current programming (disposable TV) like Daily Show or Colbert Report but otherwise, it’d be great. In fact I’m thinking it may be a way to catch up with Lost and House – programs that I haven’t followed to date.

philip

]]> By: Chris Ramey http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2006/02/do-i-need-tv/#comment-5348 Chris Ramey Thu, 17 Aug 2006 19:31:41 +0000 http://intelligentassistance.com/blog/2006/02/17/35/#comment-5348 I recently looked at the numbers, the cost of basic cable would get you the Netflix 7 at-a-time Unlimited plan. That's much better value & content. Then use IP to supplement shows you must watch before the DVD release. I recently looked at the numbers, the cost of basic cable would get you the Netflix 7 at-a-time Unlimited plan. That’s much better value & content. Then use IP to supplement shows you must watch before the DVD release.

]]> By: Philip http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2006/02/do-i-need-tv/#comment-879 Philip Wed, 08 Mar 2006 21:59:21 +0000 http://intelligentassistance.com/blog/2006/02/17/35/#comment-879 Still 60c a show but yes, a step in the right direction. When the price for all the TV shows I want to watch reaches roughly the same price as I would pay for cable or satellite, then they're on a winner. Daily Show and Colbert Report would still run $20 a month and, considering Comedy Central gets around a $1 a subscriber from cable or satellite, I don't see it being equal. But definitely a step in the right direction. Philip Still 60c a show but yes, a step in the right direction. When the price for all the TV shows I want to watch reaches roughly the same price as I would pay for cable or satellite, then they’re on a winner. Daily Show and Colbert Report would still run $20 a month and, considering Comedy Central gets around a $1 a subscriber from cable or satellite, I don’t see it being equal.

But definitely a step in the right direction.

Philip

]]> By: Greg http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2006/02/do-i-need-tv/#comment-878 Greg Wed, 08 Mar 2006 21:37:07 +0000 http://intelligentassistance.com/blog/2006/02/17/35/#comment-878 And now Apple are offering "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report" from Comedy Central for a monthly fee - $9.95 for 16 shows (about a month's worth, depending on Jon Stewart's Oscar commitments). That's still $20 per month for just 2 programs, but is yet another step in the right direction. And now Apple are offering “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report” from Comedy Central for a monthly fee – $9.95 for 16 shows (about a month’s worth, depending on Jon Stewart’s Oscar commitments). That’s still $20 per month for just 2 programs, but is yet another step in the right direction.

]]> By: Chris Conroy http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2006/02/do-i-need-tv/#comment-877 Chris Conroy Wed, 08 Mar 2006 17:24:30 +0000 http://intelligentassistance.com/blog/2006/02/17/35/#comment-877 Your post points out that not only are the content producers (people making the shows) losing because of this, the people who supply the content are losing too. I know there are people out there who have cancelled their cable and are now downloading what they want to watch. Who needs 6 shopping channels when all you really want is Comedy Central? Your post points out that not only are the content producers (people making the shows) losing because of this, the people who supply the content are losing too.

I know there are people out there who have cancelled their cable and are now downloading what they want to watch. Who needs 6 shopping channels when all you really want is Comedy Central?

]]> By: Philip http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2006/02/do-i-need-tv/#comment-875 Philip Fri, 03 Mar 2006 03:12:50 +0000 http://intelligentassistance.com/blog/2006/02/17/35/#comment-875 I get the feeling they plan to help me replace my TV. Philip I get the feeling they plan to help me replace my TV.

Philip

]]> By: Greg http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2006/02/do-i-need-tv/#comment-874 Greg Fri, 03 Mar 2006 01:59:25 +0000 http://intelligentassistance.com/blog/2006/02/17/35/#comment-874 Maybe Apple could help you replace cable/satellite TV?: http://applexnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1749 Maybe Apple could help you replace cable/satellite TV?:
http://applexnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1749

]]> By: Philip http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2006/02/do-i-need-tv/#comment-865 Philip Fri, 24 Feb 2006 14:36:15 +0000 http://intelligentassistance.com/blog/2006/02/17/35/#comment-865 Well, the middle of the story may possibly, be in a grey legal area :). Hypothetically, if I were to step outside the purely legal download area, say from the Apple store, I might go looking at bittorrent, and would, hypothetically, consider using something like TVrss.com to monitor when new episodes of shows came out. Hypothetically. Now with the new Democracy player I could, hypothetically, use something like this http://jnewland.com/articles/2006/02/22/how-to-subscribe-to-tv-shows-using-the-democracy-player-bittorrent-rss Hypothetically yours Philip Well, the middle of the story may possibly, be in a grey legal area :) . Hypothetically, if I were to step outside the purely legal download area, say from the Apple store, I might go looking at bittorrent, and would, hypothetically, consider using something like TVrss.com to monitor when new episodes of shows came out. Hypothetically.

Now with the new Democracy player I could, hypothetically, use something like this
http://jnewland.com/articles/2006/02/22/how-to-subscribe-to-tv-shows-using-the-democracy-player-bittorrent-rss

Hypothetically yours
Philip

]]> By: Steve Hullfish http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2006/02/do-i-need-tv/#comment-864 Steve Hullfish Fri, 24 Feb 2006 14:20:41 +0000 http://intelligentassistance.com/blog/2006/02/17/35/#comment-864 What are you talking about Philip? :-) You left something out. I got lost immediately after "jump ahead a week." What happened? You got some kind of service on your computer that makes cable irrelevant, but you didn't explain what it was. I've never heard of whatever it is that you replaced it with. Your story has an excellent beginning and a fascinating ending, but where was the middle? If your blog was on TiVo, I'd search back and review the part that I missed while I took a leak. What are you talking about Philip? :-)

You left something out. I got lost immediately after “jump ahead a week.” What happened? You got some kind of service on your computer that makes cable irrelevant, but you didn’t explain what it was. I’ve never heard of whatever it is that you replaced it with. Your story has an excellent beginning and a fascinating ending, but where was the middle? If your blog was on TiVo, I’d search back and review the part that I missed while I took a leak.

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