The Cable is Gone...Now What...
We are refocusing this year, and have taken the cable out of the house. In fact, all TV is gone so if something big is happening, someone text me. 
We are looking for an online solution, and are looking at both Apple TV and the Roku device. I have read up on both in terms of what we get, but I am curious to hear if any of you have / do use either system.
Thanks in advance!
~ P
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When I bought a new computer for my daughter going away to college 3.5 yrs ago, I set up her old laptop on the TV exclusively. I have used Netflix, Hulu+, and the various network websites to watch things, such as Universal.com last year for the Spring Classics and Giro, etc. Roku and Apple TV are just ways to get computer data into the TV, and you can hook the computer in directly if you want, if you've got the right cables and inputs. My son set up an apple TV at our house in CO, and I'll be trying that out in a few days.
As far as I know, there's not a way to get CNN, ESPN, or the Fox Soccer Channel (or whatever cable channel floats your boat). On the other hand, Netflix, HULU, etc give you a lot of entertainment options.
But how are you handling news and sports? Or is that just the sacrifice you're making?
Roku works well. That is in my pain cave. Plays Netflix,Pandora for the music, etc. Quick and slick.
Also our dvd player allows us to play things like Netflix.
Netflix streaming is a great way to watch stuff, along with utilizing iTunes as a source for movies instead of owning physical disks.
I have extensively tested Roku, Boxee and AppleTV. Roku wins hand down because of content, ease of use, etc. Way more than ATV and Boxee. Apples upside is it plays well with other Apple devices, but with little content . . . . . I was very disapointed.
Apple will be coming out this year with a new ATV device. We shall see if they cut a deal with the TV networks to up their game.
You can stream Netflix form almost any device imaginable. My 9 yo son watches most of his shows via Netflix.
If you can get them, Vudu, Amazon on Demand (via Amazon Prime) are also good alternatives for content.
Lastly, there are ABC and NBC apps that give you some shows. No CBS, though.
Hope this helps.
John
Almost forgot - Roku's iPad app is pretty cool as well. Makes gettimg around the UI very easy.
Congratulations on cutting the cable. Much better for everyone.
P:
My wife and I discussed this last night. How did you and the Maureen come up with the idea of cutting the cable? We are now noodling the same thing. Hate to say it but I will be the one hurt most by it. I LOVE my HBO and Showtime shows.
John
For the family though we have Roku boxes as they are very easy to use and work great. Like John I looked into all the solutions and roku won for me too.
I pay for both huluplus and netflix and we can find most movies and shows that we want. The only big gap is that CBS shows are not on hulu but the other networks are.
Coach P,
Nothing useful to add other that to admit my fear of this topic before I realized that I was in the club house. I thought you were bringing news of no underwater cable in lake placid this year. Carry on and sorry for the distraction.
Gordon
I check in with Mr. Stark every few months to see what he has tested lately. He's tested everything
x4 on Roku. Set up couldn't be easier. You're not going to find EVERYTHING there but certainly enough to keep you busy. Your girls are gonna be EXTRA smart even if they don't like you for it now! Just think, rocks and sticks and legos and *** gasp *** BOOKS!
I sure wish I could pick and choose my cable channels, though. Given Netflix, I could get it down to 10 or fewer pretty easily. :-)
BUT, what would be the easiest route to catch a ballgame? I like most of the sports out there, especially come playoff or tourney time. I ASSUME you buy one of the 'ticket' subscriptions and then you have access to it thru the Roku? 'Ticket' subscriptions usually apply to the pro's, how about the college sports? And what about the cycling? I usually watch the non-mainstream stuff on Versus.
Considering the options.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203550304577138841278154700.html?mod=WSJ_hps_sections_lifestyle
John , we decided on no cable when I did the math and realized it would pay for a cleaner.
Seriously though, I only watch one show, M watches two more, and they are all available on hulu. Now I do like me my sports, but I get to watch a lot on ESPN and Universal...or I might have to go to a bar this weekend to watch the Patriots (oh no!). That's really it.
My kids now watch a 20' DVD every now and then, so they are all set. The only thing I fear is when my inlaws come in a week to watch the kids...my FIL won't be able to figure it all out!!
ESPN & Universal: Last night I watched the BCS game on ESPN streamed live on my computer, would have hooked it to my TV but I'm away from home.
Last spring, I used Universal.com for 3 weeks to watch the Giro. Neither was top quality HD like I might have on TV, but serviceable at the price (free for the LSU/Tide game, and $35 for a year's cycling pass at Universal.
Two more computer-based options for getting needed real-time sports action oaway from cable.
As far as Dish goes, we have the cheapest they offer plus the local channels. Costs us $30 a month and we use only about 7 channels total. But then again, neither Carole or I are TV junkies.....