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Get Rid of Cable With TiVo and a Converter Box

In January 2009 I returned my cable box for good. I no longer pay any cable bill. I get my TV shows the old fashioned way—over the air. However, I’m a tech junkie too. I still need to have the ability to pause and schedule the recording of my favorite shows.

Also there are certain channels I need to have. I have three kids, ages six, four, and two. They like to watch kids’ shows. So that’s why I really needed to the ability to schedule recordings of PBS shows like Caillou, Thomas and Friends, Electric Company, and Wordgirl.

With those requirements I set out to build a system that would meet my picky requirements. I will show you how I did it in this article.

Why Would You Do Such a Thing?

When I tell people about my TV setup at home, they usually respond with surprise. “Wow. I wish I could do that—but I’d sure miss my DVR.” Or, “I know I watch too much TV, but the kids would hate it if they couldn’t watch their shows.”

But you can do this. I did it for four reasons. First, the obvious one, I save money. I had the digital cable package and I was paying close to $50 a month for cable. I’m sure most of the visitors to this page pay even more than that. Having no monthly cable bill sure is nice.

Secondly, I have more free time now that I’ve kicked cable to the curb. Sure I had some good shows to watch, but there was a lot of junk on there that I didn’t watch. Plus I didn’t even like some of the shows that I found myself watching. I’d be flipping channels and see something cool, like a tiger chasing a wallaby, but two hours later I’m watching “The History of Window Cleaning Fluid.” What happened?

Now with my new setup I only record shows I like to watch and I skip commercials to boot. I can watch live TV if I want to—but I’m less inclined to, because there’s always something on in my recorded programs list.

This leads to my third reason. I now enjoy the TV shows I watch even more because I’m a lot more picky about what I’ll watch. Instead of sitting through that entire episode of the history of window cleaning fluid I’d much rather see if one of my favorite shows is ready to be watched.

And finally, I mention the fourth reason. It’s fun and satisfying to pull TV signals out of the air and watch your shows for free. I like feeling like I’ve saved my family some money. I also love the great digital picture that my free solution provides.

How Much Does it Cost?

Of course I will need to tell you what you’re getting yourself into. What will this sort of thing cost, you ask?

This is tricky because there are many ways to set this up. You may already have some of the needed parts. Maybe you want to opt for the deluxe antenna on the roof. Maybe you want to splurge and pay for a lifetime TiVo subscription (I did).

I’ve decided to create three Paultastic Pricing Tiers. A “Good” solution will run you around $192.00 with $12.95 monthly fees, the “Better” solution will cost about $256.00 with $12.95 monthly fees, and the “Best” solution will cost about $776.00 with no monthly fees.

Paultastic Good Solution

A good solution will let you record and pause live TV. You won’t need to pay your monthly cable bill, but you will need to pay a monthly TiVo subscription fee. Still, this is really all you need to eliminate your cable bill.

TiVo Series 2 (About $145)

TiVo Series2 80-Hour Dual-Tuner

A TiVo is like a VCR on steroids. It is also much easier to use. If you are unfamiliar with DVRs, make sure you check out the DVR Section in the Recommended Reading below.

There are many different TiVos to choose from. For this setup you really only need a TiVo Series 2 (NOTE: Series 1’s don’t have the ability to control a Converter Box). Dual Tuner is nice for flexibility, but really you only need a single tuner TiVo—but those are hard to find.

The TiVo may seem expensive, but once you own one you soon realize it’s worth every penny. Even if you’ve used DVRs from your cable company or your dish provider, I think you’ll find the TiVo’s interface superior to the other devices.

Antenna (About $37)

Terk HDTVa Indoor Antenna

I didn’t want to mess around with running wires through the house, so I wanted the best and easiest indoor HDTV antenna. There really is only one that fits that bill and it’s the Terk HDTVa Indoor Amplified High-Definition Antenna for Off-Air HDTV Reception.

What I really like about this antenna is it's ability to pick up so many stations in my area. I normally pull 13 channels in my basement here in Omaha. That's more than the other antennas I have tried. If I point it just right I can pull in 6 more channels from Lincoln (about 50 miles away).

For the price, this is the best indoor HDTV antenna you can find. You can still get a better reception from an on-roof antenna or maybe an attic antenna, but those are usually more of a hassle and more expensive.

Converter Box (About $50, $10 After Coupon)

Tivax STB-T8 Converter Box

I recommend the Tivax STB-T8 Digital to Analog Converter Box.

This converter box works great with the TiVo Series 2. I’ve used a few other converter boxes, but really this one was all I needed. What’s really cool about this converter box is that it can keep the antenna signal strength on the screen indefinitely if you need it, which is helpful when you are positioning your antenna. It does have a built-in guide, but you won’t need it with the TiVo. If you do buy a higher end “smart antenna” (the box can tell the antenna where to point) this supports that as well.

If you haven’t gotten it already, make sure you apply for and receive your $40 coupon from www.dtv2009.com. This coupon can be applied to this converter box on Amazon.com.

Monthly Fees ($12.95/month or $129/year)

You will still need to subscribe to the TiVo monthly service. This allows you to download TV listings, get updates to your TiVo’s software, and download movies from the Internet.

The “Paultastic Good Solution” adds up to a grand total of roughly $192.00 with a monthly fee of $12.95. If you are currently paying $50.00/month for cable, this solution will pay for itself after 5.2 months, including the monthly fees.

Paultastic Better Solution

This setup is slightly better because I add an RCA Selector (so you can hook up your other devices to your TV easier) and a Wireless G Network Adapter so you can download movies to your TiVo faster and share multimedia between your home network and TiVo.

We still need to buy the TiVo (about $145), Antenna (about $37), Converter Box (about $10 after coupon), and the TiVo monthly fees ($12.95/month or $129/year).

TiVo Wireless G USB Network Adapter (About $39)

TiVo Wireless USB Network Adapter

This handy little guy gives you the ability to connect your TiVo to your wireless network for transferring shows between other TiVos, share up music and photos to your TV, and even setting up online scheduling of recordings. It gives you more download speed so you can buy movies online and watch them on your TiVo faster.

Connect your TiVo Series2 DVR to your wireless home network with this TiVo Wireless G USB Network Adapter, and enjoy TiVoToGo, multi-room viewing transfers, music and photos served up to your television, and easy online scheduling of recordings. If used with a broadband connection, it also eliminates the need for a phone line. With the TiVoToGo feature, you'll be able to transfer programs from your TiVo box to a Windows-based desktop or laptop PC. It works with 802.11g and 802.11b wireless networks.

Video Selector (About $25)

Philips PH-61153 Video Selector

This device (Philips PH-61153 4x1 Automatic Video Selector and RF Modulator) allows you to hook your DVD Player, Video Game Console, VCR, and TiVo all to the same TV. It’s smart, too, because you don’t need to directly control it. It’s smart enough to switch to the device you want to watch by prioritizing them. This also supports S-Video, which you can mix with RCA cables. That’s what I do in my setup.

The “Paultastic Better Solution” adds up to a grand total of roughly $256.00 with a monthly fee of $12.95. If you are currently paying $50.00/month for cable, this solution will pay for itself after 6.9 months, including the monthly fees.

Paultastic Best Solution

This is the setup I’m using. It includes all the stuff mentioned previously with the addition of a Logitech Harmony 880 Remote and a TiVo Lifetime Subscription.

Logitech Harmony 880 Remote (About $121)

Logitech Harmony 880 Remote

This remote is truly a great universal remote. I have it set up as three activities: “Watch TV,” “Watch DVD”, “Watch VCR.” The universal remote’s LCD screen shows these custom activities and I just select the “activity” I am interested in. “Watch TV” controls the TiVo and the TV. It shuts off any unneeded devices so my video selector automatically selects the TiVo as my input device.

When I want to watch a DVD, I just use my Logitech Harmony remote for that too. I choose “Watch DVD” on the activity screen and bam! The DVD Player turns on, the video selector switches to the DVD as the input source, and my remote’s LCD screen switches to DVD Player mode. It controls both the TV (volume, TV Power) and the DVD player. I only need this one remote.

TiVo Lifetime Subscription (About $399)

This one is pricey, but it’s nice for not having that monthly bill arrive from anyone whatsoever. With a TiVo lifetime subscription you will never have to pay for software updates and TV listings, ever. I’ve owned two TiVos now and I’ve insisted on the TiVo Lifetime Subscription on both of them.

You can buy a TiVo service plan at https://www3.tivo.com/store/plans.do.

The “Paultastic Best Solution” all adds up to a grand total of roughly $776.00 with no monthly fee. If you are currently paying $50.00/month for cable, this solution will pay for itself after 15.5 months.

Okay, How Do I Hook all This Stuff Up?

It’s pretty easy, but if you are skittish about fiddling behind your television set, I’ll help you. Stay tuned for my next article on how to set all this up.

Caveats

Before you do this, I recommend buying the antenna and converter box first. You may not be satisfied with the channels that you get in your area. Research the return policy of the store you buy these from. For Amazon Returns, see http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=15015711.

Also, check out the TV stations you could possibly pick up in your area. See http://www.antennaweb.org/. You just enter your street address and it shows you what stations you should be able to see and where they broadcast from.

I placed this article out there to help you out. I own all this stuff and use it in my setup. If it doesn’t work for you, be cool, don’t blame me. I’m just trying to make the world a cooler place. I don’t claim this will work for everyone who tries it. Your area may not have the right signal strength, you may have bought faulty equipment, maybe you shouldn’t be hooking up electronics, or maybe there’s a large badger that has a nest right over your house—it could be nearly anything!

	# Comment from	+1 -1 +3
2 months ago. Gotta say I love the article and I am surprised at how similar it is to one I just put together. http://j.mp/startmypc159 I have a DirecTV setup with TiVo and a Terk antenna right now. I'm about 30 miles from the HD broadcasts in Houston and I get about 92-95% strength on all the major stations. Making the leap to 2 - TiVo Premieres and no cable this month. Bye, bye DirecTV!!! Hello savings.
	# Comment from	+1 -1 0
3 months ago. @Tim: I've been watching the development of the Boxxee myself. I signed up when it was in Beta. I still love my TiVo for all the intangibles it offers, but the Boxxee does look interesting. I don't think it streams Hulu anymore, though, which is a huge knock against it.
	# Comment from	+1 -1 +6
3 months ago. @Darth: 1. You should be good to go. It depends on how far away they are and the potential interference you are running into. I point my Terk in a general direction (225ish) and get all my local channels. My local channels range from 5 to 20 miles away and are at 214, 21, 20, 253, 45, and 53. 2. Yes, the Tivo Premiere will record two shows at once over the Antenna. Even with the different directions. 3. The omnidirectional antenna I recommend is found at http://amzn.to/bIzMax It is the Terk FDTV1A. Good luck!
	# Comment from	+1 -1 +3
4 months ago. How about adding an old Mac Mini or an old laptop running Linux Ubuntu running Boxee (www.boxee.tv), or later this year a Boxee Box from D-Link for the non-adventurous. You get access to a ton of content and aggregate Hulu, Netflix, and other providers.
	# Comment from Darth Smurf	+1 -1 0
4 months ago. I have a few questions. I'm looking at the TiVo Premiere and an HD antenna. 1) I've used the AntennaWeb page and it seems that all of the channels stem from only two locations: 235º and 241º. If I get the Terk you are recommending, do I need to constantly switch between the 2 directions or place it inbetween (238º) and get them all? 2) Will the TiVo be able to record 2 different shows at once between the 2 directions? 3) Do you have any recommendations for an indoor omni-directional antenna?
	# Comment from	+1 -1 0
4 months ago. @Lex: You do not need a converter box! You already have a High Def TV which has a built-in tuner (the part that says NTSC/ATSC/Clear-QAM (combined) Tuner tells me that). However, you must not purchase a Tivo Series 2, but instead a Tivo Series 3 or a Tivo HD. That's because you will be missing out on so much more without one of those Tivos. You still can kick cable to the curb--the monthly fee/lifetime subscription is the same--but now you can see all the pixels. :) Good luck!
	# Comment from	+1 -1 +2
4 months ago. First of all thanks for the very informative writeup, Youv'e given me the courage to have a go at this. and then on to my question... My TV has the following specs Specifications Description: 720p 50" HDTV Product Color: Jet Black Resolution (720P / 1080P): 1365 X 768 (720p) Number of Pixels: 1,049,088 Panel refresh rate: 60 Hz Brightness: 1500 cd/m² Contrast Ratio (static): 10,000:1 Aspect Ratio: 16:9 NTSC/ATSC/Clear-QAM (combined) Tuner Mono/Stereo/Virtual surround: Stereo MTS/SAP Do i need to purchase a converter box? i'm thinking from the description on the tv that i will just be able to do without. Do you know if i'm correct in my assumption.... Again, Thanks
	# Comment from	+1 -1 0
4 months ago. @LAF: "Do you know, by chance, if you need a converter box with a Tivo HD?" Thanks for the question! No, you don't need a converter box with TiVO HD or TiVO Series 3. The tuner is built in and the picture looks crystal clear if you have a good signal and a good antenna. I'm now using a TiVO Series 3 with the Terk HDTVa antenna mentioned in the article and I receive 15 channels without moving the antenna (in Omaha, NE). If I point the antenna toward Lincoln (45-50 miles away) I can pull in some additional channels, but my signal for the Omaha PBS stations diminishes, so I don't do that. Let me know if you have more questions!
	# Comment from	+1 -1 0
4 months ago. Good tips, thanks Na. I have the same Netflix plan. It works with Tivo Series 3 and Tivo HD. I love it.
	# Comment from	+1 -1 0
4 months ago. Great idea, I am tired of Cable and looking into TIVO lifetime plan too. I have netlix for about 9.99 per month with UNLIMITED movies streaming with one dvd per month. It is so worth it. Thanks for the tip. I am going to look into getting that antenna after I get my new HDTV. HEy HSN has great flex pay plans on HDTV's
	# Comment from LAF	+1 -1 0
4 months ago. Paul, Thank you so much for this information. You've inspired me to kick cable to the curb. Do you know, by chance, if you need a converter box with a Tivo HD?
	# Comment from	+1 -1 +5
5 months ago. @Rick: I actually use Qwest DSL for my Internet, but I have used a cable modem without cable before. Cox here in Omaha will give you an Internet-only connection with no extra cable TV services. I'm sure your cable provider can do the same.
	# Comment from	+1 -1 +2
5 months ago. How do you get home access to the internet ? do you keep internet access via cable or get it via land line ? Land line here can be $100 plus per month without internet.
	# Comment from	+1 -1 0
9 months ago. Car--that's great! I've heard of the Roku box, but I never thought to include it in my writeup as a potential option. I've been buying movies on my Tivo Series 2 using Amazon and I've been pretty happy with it. I might buy 3 movies or so a month, which comes to around $10 depending on the movies...so I kinda have the Netflix Experience. :) Thanks for the tips!
	# Comment from	+1 -1 0
9 months ago. Sorry Kay-- I will show how to hook it up in the future. It's very simple, but I will try to make it very easy to follow.
	# Comment from	+1 -1 +4
9 months ago. How funny- we have almost the exact same set-up with Tivo Series 2 with lifetime subscription, digital converter box, Terk antenna. The only difference is we use Netflix with the Roku box for free internet movie streaming. All we pay monthly is 12.95 for Netflix. Love it!
	# Comment from	+1 -1 +1
10 months ago. So how do you hook it all up?