I'm still in two minds about cutting the cord this winter, when my contract with DirecTV expires. I know I'm ditching them, but the rest of it comes down to going with OTA plus subscriptions or additional DVD/BD purchases, or seeing if Verizon (who already handles my Internet) will cut me a good enough deal to switch to them for the near term.
With any of the satellite/cable companies, the real hidden cost is the equipment - $10-$20 per month per set-top box in addition to the service rates adds up quickly. So, I'm looking hard at the SiliconDust idea - the CableCard version due out this winter/early spring plus my plans for a proper home theater network that I'm doing in any event means I would need no Verizon equipment rental except $5/mo. for a single CableCard. My big question will be if I can eventually use the CableCard model with an OTA feed in the longer term.
Because the flip side of the subscription model is that it isn't fully there, yet. The content providers have yet to really embrace the individual subscription model, much of which reluctance may be driven by existing contracts with service providers rather than lack of desire or competence.
With any of the satellite/cable companies, the real hidden cost is the equipment - $10-$20 per month per set-top box in addition to the service rates adds up quickly. So, I'm looking hard at the SiliconDust idea - the CableCard version due out this winter/early spring plus my plans for a proper home theater network that I'm doing in any event means I would need no Verizon equipment rental except $5/mo. for a single CableCard. My big question will be if I can eventually use the CableCard model with an OTA feed in the longer term.
Because the flip side of the subscription model is that it isn't fully there, yet. The content providers have yet to really embrace the individual subscription model, much of which reluctance may be driven by existing contracts with service providers rather than lack of desire or competence.