Thinking of killing satellite service

[damnskippy]

I use my satellite service mainly to watch a few shows specifically, Stargate Atlantis and Battlestar Gallactica. There are some other shows on SciFi I like as well but those are my main two. I like to watch movies as well but the ones on major networks are watered down and I don't have HBO etc.

So, I am thinking of killing satellite and going with something like netflix. They say they have the TV shows but I can not tell if they have them in the streaming part. Also if they do have them in streaming how up to date are they (specifically for the ones above)? If I can still watch my fav shows (mainly SciFi channel stuff) on NetFlix it will be cheaper and I get the benefit of the DVDs.

Do they charge any different price to rent the BD/HD DVD titles?

Any info yall have would be appreciated.

[pharbath]

The TV shows are by no means up to date. Most of the streaming stuff is
stuff one woudn't go out of their way to watch. There are some gems in there, but far and few.

[Chrisb187]

Currently there is not a difference in pricing for BD/HD DVD titles vs DVDs.

Could this change in the future I guess, but I a mixed renter and have always been charged the same amount.

[CochiseGuy]

I killed my satellite service recently - Dish HD package - for a couple of reasons.

- 80% of my TV viewing is the national broadcast channels (NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox), and I get those free over-the-air, in HD for primetime shows.

- I HATE the satellite channel packaging, they package them to try to get to constantly upgrade your package. Watch news? Yep, I get CNN, but want Fox? Nope, need to pay for another 99 channels I'll never watch to get it. I got CNBC, but want MSNBC, nope - pay for another 99 channels. I felt for $60 / mo. they had me up to, it's was the worst value; I estimated I spend twice the amount of time watching rentals from my $19/mo. plan from Netflix. HD Movie Net & ESPN HD were about the only satellite channels I watched.

- Writer's strike & football. With the writer's strike, most of the shows I like have all gone into re-runs. I love football, but it's the only sport I do follow, so with the college season over & the NFL playoffs & Superbowl on OTA channels, no need for ESPN.

- Netflix. I'm at 3 @ a time, $18.95 / mo., and average over 10 discs per month, so that's under $2 per rental. Yes, DVD / BD / HD DVD are all the same price. They used to be great for high-def, but since last summer they have been slow as crap, with most new releases in "very long wait". But, you'll find as a new subscriber the service is terrific at first, they slow you down and get worse at giving you new releases the longer you're a subscriber. But, it's still a great deal and you find ways to work around it. Their streaming video service is now unlimited, but I find the video quality so poor it's not worth it.

- HD DVD/Blu-ray. I have players for both, and between purchases & Netflix, I watch a lot of movies. It will probably be next Fall football season before I consider going back to satellite.

[damnskippy]

Thanks for the info guys, I will have to look and see what shows are on the over air channels in my area. If I like some I might go ahead and get rid of my satellite. I will miss my SciFi channel though

[CochiseGuy]

Originally Posted by damnskippy

Thanks for the info guys, I will have to look and see what shows are on the over air channels in my area. If I like some I might go ahead and get rid of my satellite. I will miss my SciFi channel though

Go to antennaweb.org

You can type in your address for street level mapping or just your zip code and it will display what stations are available over the air, their channel #, broadcast tower location, and how far away they are to give you an idea of what type of antenna you need. In most major cities, a simple indoor antenna will work to get all the major networks in crystal clear reception with digital broadcasts.