Home audio & video: Lots of PC->HDTV threads...People dumping cable?
Lots of PC->HDTV threads...People dumping cable?
by bearvp - 4/16/09 7:03 AMI haven't noticed this many "how to" threads about connecting a PC to a HDTV in a while and I was wondering if everyone thinks this is due to people canceling their cable/sat subscriptions to try to save money so they can watch shows via streaming online.
Personally, I think building a quality PC to be able to stream HD content of high quality wouldn't be worth the price to completely replace a HD-DVR type set-top box. Also, doing the streaming without cables adds another $200-$300 to the total price (unless you already have a PS3 or a 360).
I don't think
by samkh - 4/16/09 7:39 AM In reply to: Lots of PC->HDTV threads...People dumping cable? by bearvpit's a rush by desktop PC owners to hook up HDTVs or a sudden growth in HTPCs, although both categories are getting bigger over time. Most likely consumer laptops with HDMI are spurring the exercise...watch on big screen your BDs, DVDs, Youtubes, streaming, downloads, whatever.
Younger users perhaps
by Pepe7 - 4/16/09 8:03 AM In reply to: Lots of PC->HDTV threads...People dumping cable? by bearvpI would say a trend is towards more younger users who are savvy on online content (but having less income) substituting the expensive premium cable/sat services with more home baked tech solutions. I don't see it happening in droves yet for other (older) TV viewers since they often want something more spoon fed/reliable and are willing to keep paying for it out of habit. YMMV.
-Pedro
No...I think people with the big screen...
by ahtoi - 4/16/09 11:16 AM In reply to: Lots of PC->HDTV threads...People dumping cable? by bearvpjust want to make better uses of it. I am thinking about doing the same as soon as I get a $100 to spare (and I definitely have not look at internet video).
Streaming
by mediawork - 4/18/09 1:55 AM In reply to: Lots of PC->HDTV threads...People dumping cable? by bearvpI like to stream live sport as cable subscriptions would cost me 100 Euro-plus a month.
Question: my Wibdows XP Home Edition does "not recognise the protocol"
of some of the necessary software such as TVAnts. How can I get my PC to run this software?
I'm doing it!
by oregonlj - 4/19/09 1:22 PM In reply to: Lots of PC->HDTV threads...People dumping cable? by bearvpI'm 67 and I figured it out so boo to the "younger" bs. My reason is that Dish Network isn't giving me ABC any more due to a disagreement with Fisher. I have several programs I want to continue to watch. I have a HP laptop which doesn't have HDMI output but oh well, my TV only has two inputs and both are in use. One is for satellite and one is for the DVD player. So I hooked up with S Video and the RC audio connections. It is not the high end solution I would like, but allows me to watch my programs on the "big" screen. I hope Fisher settles with Dish before I get ready to spend the bucks for a new TV and laptop.
Of course there are always exceptions...
by Pepe7 - 4/19/09 6:33 PM In reply to: I'm doing it! by oregonlj...but if you can name five of your friends in your age group who did the same thing, I'm all ears. Keep in mind your age group has more disposable income to play with statistically speaking. Heck, my contemporaries between 35-45 aren't switching yet(!)
cheers,
Pedro
age
by oregonlj - 4/20/09 6:18 PM In reply to: Of course there are always exceptions... by Pepe7I don't think I have five friends in my age group.
Bandwidth
by mwooge - 4/20/09 5:51 AM In reply to: Lots of PC->HDTV threads...People dumping cable? by bearvpA problem with streaming-anything is bandwidth. As more people get their content though their modem, their server won't be able to send content to everyone at the same time. Lag will be a major problem.
Having watched a very limited amount of streaming TV, I'll stick to regular cable-supplied TV. The quality is much better.
data caps
by bearvp - 4/20/09 9:03 AM In reply to: Bandwidth by mwoogeAlso with higher bandwith necessary for lots of streaming content on the internet as video/audio quality increases, these new data caps from cable providers are going to really tick off alot of people that opt for the lower tiered data packages. A household would eat up ALOT of data transfer if they watched the majority of their TV via their PC, streamed Netflix, downloaded movies, etc.
I think when I eventually upgrade my PC to one with Vista/Windows 7 I'll buy one of those media center extenders or use my Xbox 360 to add internet streaming content to my home theater. I know I can access youtube and hulu.com on my PS3's browser but I'd like more flexibility.
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