How We Got Rid of DirectTV and Watch TV for Free or Cheap.
Monday, February 22, 2010 Posted by Felicia
I was recently inspired by a post at The Thrifty Mama about "How We Cut Cable and Still Watch Our Favorite Shows." I have been thinking for a while about how much money we waste each month on our DirectTV bill. Sure, it is a lot less than some people's, but still too much for us! We really don't watch TV enough to be paying those hefty bills. Most of the shows that we are loyal to come on local stations anyway.
So what did we do?
I took portions of what Crystal wrote about and made it work for our family and our budget. First of all, I earn Amazon gift cards a few different ways. One of those ways is through SwagBucks! If you do not use SwagBucks you need to start! You earn points just for searching for things on the Internet (something we all do every day). Those points add up and you can redeem them for things like Amazon gift cards! Fridays are Mega SwagBucks days when you can earn even more by searching. You automatically earn 3 SwagBucks just for signing up.
I used the Amazon gift cards I had saved up and purchased this Direct DB4 Multi Directional HDTV Antenna. I thought I should go mid range since we live in a rural location ($38.73). You can find out about your local stations and the reception map for your area to get an idea of what stations you may receive.
DTV Reception Map (just enter your zip code)
HDTV Station List (just press ctrl + F and enter the closest major city's name in the search box)
Use this Antenna Mapping Website in order to find out the best direction and location to place your antenna. Just enter your street address and zip code. Make sure to uncheck the boxes at the bottom and do not submit your email unless you want marketing emails in your inbox.
Streaming Netflix, Hulu and more.
Option 1 (You want to stream from your computer):
We are lucky enough to own two laptops, but if you are not, you can also use your desk top computer if it is close to your TV (I'm assuming you know you need an Internet connection). In order to use this method you will need a VGA Cable with 3.5mm audio (or look up the compatability of your computer and TV). This will take care of the picture as well as the audio when you connect your TV and the computer. You can purchase Netflix for $8.99 per month and stream a ton of different movies and television shows to your TV. Typically there is a 2 week free trial when you sign up. What I love about it is you can watch the shows instantly and they also send videos in the mail that you have put in your Queue. Once you send a movie back, they automatically send the next choice in your line up. You can also stream Hulu which is FREE! Both Netflix and Hulu offer most of the popular shows that you and your family are watching.
Tip: We use Zinc TV in order to make it easier to navigate streaming shows. What Zinc TV does is incorporates all of the providers in one place (Netflix, Hulu, etc) and lets you organize it all from one location. It really makes this process a lot smoother.
Option 2 (You do not want to stream with a computer):
You can go in several different directions:
**If you DO NOT have an HD ready TV then you are going to need to buy a converter box or a new TV. You can buy a converter box for about $40 at Amazon depending on what you want. You will need this in order to pick up the local stations from the antenna.
Bottom Line:
The trick to all of this is doing your research and deciding what is going to be the cheapest option in the long run for your family. Sometimes you have to spend a little extra in order to save in the long run. It is all about priorities and finding what works for you. For our family, we are instantly saving $600 a year! That is important to me! I have actually found that this method allows are family to spend LESS time in front of the television and lets Graham watch shows he loves any time without waiting for them to air (ok... us too)!
I was not paid by any company for this post. This is a useful tip I wanted to share with my readers. It may not work for everyone, but it's what works for us. This post uses a SwagBucks link that will earn SwagBucks for me and my family if you sign up through my links.
Subscribe to Go Graham Go as well as follow us on Twitter!
So what did we do?
I took portions of what Crystal wrote about and made it work for our family and our budget. First of all, I earn Amazon gift cards a few different ways. One of those ways is through SwagBucks! If you do not use SwagBucks you need to start! You earn points just for searching for things on the Internet (something we all do every day). Those points add up and you can redeem them for things like Amazon gift cards! Fridays are Mega SwagBucks days when you can earn even more by searching. You automatically earn 3 SwagBucks just for signing up.
I used the Amazon gift cards I had saved up and purchased this Direct DB4 Multi Directional HDTV Antenna. I thought I should go mid range since we live in a rural location ($38.73). You can find out about your local stations and the reception map for your area to get an idea of what stations you may receive.
DTV Reception Map (just enter your zip code)
HDTV Station List (just press ctrl + F and enter the closest major city's name in the search box)
Use this Antenna Mapping Website in order to find out the best direction and location to place your antenna. Just enter your street address and zip code. Make sure to uncheck the boxes at the bottom and do not submit your email unless you want marketing emails in your inbox.
Streaming Netflix, Hulu and more.
Option 1 (You want to stream from your computer):
We are lucky enough to own two laptops, but if you are not, you can also use your desk top computer if it is close to your TV (I'm assuming you know you need an Internet connection). In order to use this method you will need a VGA Cable with 3.5mm audio (or look up the compatability of your computer and TV). This will take care of the picture as well as the audio when you connect your TV and the computer. You can purchase Netflix for $8.99 per month and stream a ton of different movies and television shows to your TV. Typically there is a 2 week free trial when you sign up. What I love about it is you can watch the shows instantly and they also send videos in the mail that you have put in your Queue. Once you send a movie back, they automatically send the next choice in your line up. You can also stream Hulu which is FREE! Both Netflix and Hulu offer most of the popular shows that you and your family are watching.
Tip: We use Zinc TV in order to make it easier to navigate streaming shows. What Zinc TV does is incorporates all of the providers in one place (Netflix, Hulu, etc) and lets you organize it all from one location. It really makes this process a lot smoother.
Option 2 (You do not want to stream with a computer):
You can go in several different directions:
- Blu-Ray Player (only certain ones work so look for the one with the Netflix logo)
- Roku player (starts at $79.95 which can be cheaper than the Blu-Ray)
- Playstation 3, XBOX 360, Wii (coming this spring)
- Internet Ready HDTVs (expensive!)
**If you DO NOT have an HD ready TV then you are going to need to buy a converter box or a new TV. You can buy a converter box for about $40 at Amazon depending on what you want. You will need this in order to pick up the local stations from the antenna.
Bottom Line:
The trick to all of this is doing your research and deciding what is going to be the cheapest option in the long run for your family. Sometimes you have to spend a little extra in order to save in the long run. It is all about priorities and finding what works for you. For our family, we are instantly saving $600 a year! That is important to me! I have actually found that this method allows are family to spend LESS time in front of the television and lets Graham watch shows he loves any time without waiting for them to air (ok... us too)!
I was not paid by any company for this post. This is a useful tip I wanted to share with my readers. It may not work for everyone, but it's what works for us. This post uses a SwagBucks link that will earn SwagBucks for me and my family if you sign up through my links.
Subscribe to Go Graham Go as well as follow us on Twitter!
February 22, 2010 12:58 AM
I would love to do this. I don't watch any TV shows. Abby does like Disney, PBS and Nick Jr.
February 22, 2010 7:40 AM
Jenny, that sounds just like us! It is completely doable! The great news is that PBS Kids is a local station! We actually receive two different PBS Kids stations from the antenna that come in crystal clear. Most of the Disney and Nick Jr shows can be found on Hulu or Netflix. Just go to either of those sites and type in her favorite shows to make sure.
February 22, 2010 8:14 AM
Thanks Felicia, I only watch local stations and have been asking people how to get an antenna (i know nothing about this) and get rid of cable. Our bill is $50/month but we have to cut back and this makes since to me. Thanks so much for this post!!
February 22, 2010 10:16 AM
This wouldn't work for us on our main tv since we are reality tv junkies, but I may think about doing this in the childrens rooms and save us the extra receiver fees!
February 22, 2010 11:49 AM
Simply Being Mommy.. Oh.. but that is the beauty! It WILL work! It may mean watching your reality shows a day or week later.. but who cares if you are saving that much money!! We love The Biggest Loser and have to wait until the next week to watch it.
February 22, 2010 1:19 PM
Great tips! I've never tried this. Fortunately my husband works for Dish Network so our television shows are free anyway.
February 22, 2010 2:08 PM
WOW!! you explain so clear than another blog... thanks and I will tell my fiance about it !!
February 22, 2010 9:44 PM
I'm researching this now. The big screen in the living room is too old and isn't HD ready. I know my husband can figure out how to set this up, if I do the research what we'll save!
February 24, 2010 12:16 PM
Since I am home so much because of my disability, I watch WAY too much TV and love all the extra channels I get with my DirecTV and my 3 (yes, I said three) DVRs so I can tape really good old movies and shows that are on during the late night or at the same time for me to watch during the day when all the "crap" is on.
February 25, 2010 3:17 AM
Great how-to! One other tip that's worked well for us is to check out what's available at your local library. Ours has DVDs and DVD sets of both movies and TV shows. If you keep on top of the release date and get in line early, you can be one of the first to see it when a show is released on DVD. I know that doesn't work for everyone, but we enjoy having little season marathons! :) No commercials, either!
March 5, 2010 9:34 PM
I love swagbucks and have used hulu before. However, I don't think my hubby will let go of his dish!
March 6, 2010 11:55 PM
My only problem with this is that Hulu or Netflix are not gonna give me my ESPN. I am a sports junkie and I can't live without it.
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