Can you tell me how to get rid of my cable TV?

[jazz0007]

I'm desperately trying to save some $$ and we have an additional child going into an expensive (because we're not members of the church) private school this fall.

We don't watch too much TV and could easily get away with just the networks and a few additional channels. I know this can be done, I just don't know how! We have a newer LCD TV. Can anyone tell me what I need to do?? Thanks if you can!

-Lorri

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

While I do not know the technical speak, your tv must be equipped to receive an HD signal over the air. If I am not mistaken, new tv's come that way. If not, you will have to purchase some kind of adaptor.

Next, unplug the cable and check the signal quality of the channels you do receive. If the quality is poor, you will need to purchase an antenna (rabbit ears in the good ol' days).

How close you are to a major metropolitan area, in particular the proximity to their tower determines the quality of the signal.

Where we used to live, we were simply too far away to rely on over the air broadcasting. We tried the big expensive antenna and even that did not work. Not sure about where we are at now. Cable is included in the HOA fee and there is no option to opt out to save money.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I guess I'm missing something. Here, I'd just call the cable company and tell them I no longer want their services.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I guess I'm missing something. Here, I'd just call the cable company and tell them I no longer want their services.

I assumed it was more of a question of how a tv gets a signal without a cable box.

 

[jazz0007]

That IS what I'm asking Lisa loves Pooh. Thank you! So I could just try it by unplugging the cable?? And then I assume I do that step where you let the TV auto program the channels that have a signal?? We're about an hour from 3 three different major cities so I hope I get something!

 

[Liberty Belle]

I assumed it was more of a question of how a tv gets a signal without a cable box.

But then you wouldn't be paying for it, right? I'm confused.

 

[jazz0007]

Yes Liberty Belle...I want to completely get rid of my cable service. I just need to know how to get reception without it. I know the new TV's get crystal clear reception because of the digital signal....I just don't know how to get there.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Yes Liberty Belle...I want to completely get rid of my cable service. I just need to know how to get reception without it. I know the new TV's get crystal clear reception because of the digital signal....I just don't know how to get there.

Oh, I see.

 

[ICF]

Yes Liberty Belle...I want to completely get rid of my cable service. I just need to know how to get reception without it. I know the new TV's get crystal clear reception because of the digital signal....I just don't know how to get there.

Just be aware that the channels you are likely to get are the national broadcast networks such as...abc/cbs/nbc/fox/pbs and maybe a public interest channel or two. You won't get any "cable" channels such as CNN/ESPN/HGTV/Disney or the like.

If that works for you, you may well be able to get them free and clear and drop the cable bill.

 

[DrCavin]

Yes Liberty Belle...I want to completely get rid of my cable service. I just need to know how to get reception without it. I know the new TV's get crystal clear reception because of the digital signal....I just don't know how to get there.

You will need an antenna, especially living an hour away from the source.

Check this website, it will tell you what type of antenna you need. http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

 

[golfgal]

That IS what I'm asking Lisa loves Pooh. Thank you! So I could just try it by unplugging the cable?? And then I assume I do that step where you let the TV auto program the channels that have a signal?? We're about an hour from 3 three different major cities so I hope I get something!

I would unplug your cable and see if you get anything before you cancel. Chances are you MIGHT get a channel or two but not much more than that without an antennae on your house. Most cable companies have a very basic package for around $10-15/month that will give you the local stations and maybe a couple more popular cable channels. You could look into that as well.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Is this what you have to buy to do this and an antenna?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Magnavox-Digital-to-Analog-TV-Converter-Box/8283870

Oh and this is interesting. It says that you could get a DVD player combo thing, possibly? I don't know but it is worth checking it all out.

You can buy a digital converter box that will accept the digital feed from the antenna and convert it into analog signals your TV can accept. That would enable you to receive digital broadcasts, but they will be converted to lower-quality analog signals—even if your TV is an HD-ready set or an HD monitor. Those converters are starting to show up in stores now, at costs ranging from $40 to $70. Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, Sam's Club, Sears, Target, and Wal-Mart are among the retailers that will be offering the boxes and participating in a government coupon program to defray the cost (see below).

You can also buy a new VCR, DVD recorder, or digital hard-disk recorder (sometimes called a DVR) that contains a digital tuner and route signals from the antenna through that device to your TV. A number of such recorders are already available from various brands, many selling in the $200 range. As with TVs, verify with a salesperson that the model you've selected contains an ATSC tuner. You would have to keep the recorder turned on in order to watch TV. An HD-ready set or HD monitor would then be able to display HD, but a standard-definition set would downgrade the signal to analog quality

(further down article)

Antenna choices. Rabbit ears and indoor antennas might work, but a larger roof-mounted antenna is generally more effective at pulling in signals. Larger antennas can also be mounted in attics. You'll find antenna advice at the AntennaWeb. Web site and the HDTV Antenna Labs Web site, an enthusiast site dedicated to reviews of DTV antennas and technical articles

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...-computers/pulling-the-plug-on-analog-tv-206/

 

[Angelhalo]

You could also opt to just get super basic cable service. I had this when I was single and living in my old apartment. I called the cable company and told them I wanted to downgrade to the most basic service they had. Took me a minute or two to convince her that yes I really did want the absolute lowest tier of cable that they had. It cost about $12 a month and I got about 24 channels, and since I was still paying for their services, it all came in crystal clear and I sytill had their support services if something went wrong with it.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You could also opt to just get super basic cable service. I had this when I was single and living in my old apartment. I called the cable company and told them I wanted to downgrade to the most basic service they had. Took me a minute or two to convince her that yes I really did want the absolute lowest tier of cable that they had. It cost about $12 a month and I got about 24 channels, and since I was still paying for their services, it all came in crystal clear and I sytill had their support services if something went wrong with it.

For the investment of basic cable it may add up to be a better deal than buying boxes and antennas. IDK.

Oh here is the government site which explains "how to" steps as well.

http://www.dtv.gov/

 

[SC Minnie]

You need an (digital?) antenna. You can get one at Walmart. THey come in different signal strengths. I got the medium one and it was around $40. We use it every day at work to watch our soaps in the breakroom. We also have a converter box for the tv. They are not difficult to hook up (we do it every day!)

 

[Kathi OD]

You need an (digital?) antenna. You can get one at Walmart. THey come in different signal strengths. I got the medium one and it was around $40. We use it every day at work to watch our soaps in the breakroom. We also have a converter box for the tv. They are not difficult to hook up (we do it every day!)

You only need the digital converter antenna/box IF your TV isn't already set up to receive the digital signal. Since OP has a new TV, hers might already be programmed to receive the digital signal.

 

[bicker]

We don't watch too much TV and could easily get away with just the networks and a few additional channels. I know this can be done, I just don't know how! We have a newer LCD TV. Can anyone tell me what I need to do?? Thanks if you can!

You've come to the right place.

First, could you please post the model number of your television? That'll help provide you with specifics, if necessary.

Second, you will need a proper antenna connected to your television, but in order to know what is "proper" you'll either need to do some trial-and-error (which could be inconvenient and costly), or use the TV Signal Locator located HERE. If you don't understand the results, there is a link that they provide that you can post here, and some of us can help interpret it for you.

 

[bicker]

Is this what you have to buy to do this and an antenna?

The OP probably won't need that converter box. When the model number of the television is posted, we'll know for sure. (If the OP doesn't need the converter box, then using it would actually result in degraded quality as compared to not using it.)

 

[bicker]

You could also opt to just get super basic cable service. I had this when I was single and living in my old apartment. I called the cable company and told them I wanted to downgrade to the most basic service they had. Took me a minute or two to convince her that yes I really did want the absolute lowest tier of cable that they had. It cost about $12 a month and I got about 24 channels, and since I was still paying for their services, it all came in crystal clear and I sytill had their support services if something went wrong with it.

Two things.

First, the various subscription television service provider competitors who have been exempt from providing local channels as part of their service have been starting to do so anyway. As that becomes the case in an area, then the legacy subscription television service providers serving those communities are being allowed to do away with basic cable, and they are indeed doing so in many communities.

Second, the average price for basic cable is over $20 per month (nationwide), so if you don't need cable then there is a good reason to do without it.

 

[NotUrsula]

Like someone else said, first just unplug the cable box connection wire from the back of your TV and see what you get when you scan the channels. You may not need to do a darn thing if you have a digital-ready TV.

If your reception is poor with the TV alone, then you'll need to follow Bicker's advice re: a broadcast antenna.