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Set top on demand receiver (Photo by Roku)
Save money. I've found a couple of ways to save money on expensive subscriber TV viewing. Cable, satellite dish, digital TV services like Uverse, all have their good sides. Subscriber television services have bad sides, too. They are expensive.
If you purchase a satisfying package, you fork over $50/month for DVR, high definition programming, all the available cable-type channels and your local networks. Then come add-ons: Really cool HD channels, premium service channels like HBO and Showtime, on-demand products.
Bill shoots up over $70 - even over $100?
Save your money - get control of TV subscriptions
Keep your eyes open, change is coming. I found that using an online service like Netflix or Amazon's on demand, that just rolled out last week, can save a bundle on TV while providing favorite shows, movies, and specials.
Netflix instant download service
Netflix, pioneer of at home video rentals, no late charges, is a good idea. They recently partnered with Roku, maker of multi-media solutions. Roku makes a set-top receiver box that allows Netflix subscribers to pull movies and other programming right off the internet, right this minute, fast.
The box, priced at $99, works nicely. Signal is clean, audio crystal and the response to input is quick. Easy setup. Pause, fast forward, reverse - like a DVR.
Starting at $8.95 per month, Netflix hooks you up with an account with a set amount of videos by mail each month - plus unlimited video downloads.
The selection of instant download movies isn't impressive. Lots of "B" movies, lots of older films. Good selection of TV series. But the price is right, the convenience, perfect. The library will expand quickly, and none of this gives a hoot about analog to digital TV conversion hysteria.
Roku receiver brings you Amazon movies and TV
What I really love is the just rolled out Amazon on demand service - it's click and play. The library is huge. New movies. Old movies. TV series. Children's stuff. Independent films. I downloaded Maverick, the TV show, and Rockford Files (dating myself…) episode by episode.
You need an Amazon account and you download when you freakin' please. Movies prices are comparable to a video store or pay per view. TV shows, well, they need to rethink that since episodes run $1.99 each. Cut that price point in half, Amazon, and you have something real here.
Money saving home media plan
Here's how I see a real money saving coup, and I'm going to try it for the summer, since TV is all reruns anyway.
I'll dump my $72 plus tax TV service. Replace it with Netflix at $8 a month. Basic cable antenna service to get network channels, $19.95. That leaves a lot of wiggle room to rent movies on Amazon or download TV episodes.
Want to save MORE money? Read how VOIP can cut the cost of home telephone service.
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