Extreme Cord Cutting for your Bachelor/Bachelorette Pad

• George Takei explains Cord Cutting
• How much you will save
• What you will need
• How to use it
• Considerations

What is Cord Cutting? See George Takei's explanation below

I've been advocating cord cutting ever since 2007, and I am excited to see technology go in this direction (away from television providers).  I always push my friends and family to run "everything" on their phone but this is always received as super complicated and expensive, but it's the total opposite.  In this article, I take George Takei's explanation of cord-cutting and take it a step further, to save even more.   It is super easy and will save you money in the long run!

How much you will save

I have broken down the typical average cost for mobile, internet, and cable per month.  If you can see how that adds up in a year, you will be able to save on average, $865 a year!

Typical household bill			Extreme Cordcutting Bill
Mobile	$90.00		Mobile	$106.00
Internet	$46.00		(1) Streaming Service	$7.99
Television	$50.00
Monthly	$186.00		Monthly	$113.99
Per Year	$2,232.00		Per Year	$1,367.88
			Savings of	$864.12

What you will need

1.  Use your Smartphone as your primary internet provider.  Get a T-Mobile Galaxy S4, S5, or S6 (or a LG G3 or G4) through T-Mobile.  The reason I suggest these phones is because they have the Screen Mirroring feature (we will talk about this later) and T-mobile offers an Unlimited Data plan (which means unlimited streaming) and a 5GB Mobile Hotspot data plan (which turns your phone into a router to allow your laptop or any internet connected device to run on).  A new Galaxy S6 with an $80/mo plan will run you about $106/mo.  If you have an old S4 you can increase your savings even more!

2.  Determine the type of mirroring you will do: Wireless or corded. This "extreme" cord cutting method cuts your home internet as well, so in order to do video streaming, you will need to choose a method to get your video onto your tv.  See the videos below:

Corded

vs Wireless 

You will need one of these, depending on your preferred mirroring method:

Corded (reliable):  Micro USB to HDMI Cable, Rankie 6.5 feet MHL Adapter Cable with integrated USB Charging Cable 
Wireless (convenient):  A Screen Mirroring Capable SmartTV or a Miracast Adapter:  Belkin Miracast Video Adapter (Supports HDMI 2.0)
More info on wireless screen mirroring (Miracast) here.

3.  Determine which streaming service suits you better.  General rule, if you prefer to watch movies, go with Netflix.  If you prefer to watch more current TV shows, go with Hulu.  To find out which streaming service has your favorite TV shows and movies,  www.canistream.it will tell you the availability of almost every video available online

How to use it

1. To watch a video, enable screen mirroring on your phone and TV and open the video streaming service app on your phone to play it on your TV
2. To use the internet on your laptop, enable hotspot on your phone and connect to your hotspot.

Considerations

This setup is ideal for a single-person household (maybe two, max) and in order for this setup to work, you will need to make sure:

• You have a good T-Mobile signal at home.  Ask a friend with T-Mobile to come over to test their signal
• You don't online game or download huge files on your computer.  5GB hotspot data is more than enough for most users, but if you're an online gamer or downloader, then this cord cutting method may not work for you.
• You don't have a ton of internet connected devices.  If you have several internet connected devices at home that rely on a constant internet connection (i.e. IP Video Camera, server) then this will not work for you.

Although I have tried all the technologies discussed in this article, I have never made it my primary source because cable and internet is provided by my landlord.  But if you are seriously looking to reduce your monthly bills, this is definitely a way to do it!  Let me know what you think! 

Considering ditching your Cable/Satellite TV, Home Internet, and/or Bundles?

In 2008, I wrote this article: Alternative to buying DVDs, Blu-rays, & even Cable TV w/ HTPC and online streaming video .  With a lot of people I know ditching cable, I wanted to revisit this topic and review your many different options.  Five years ago, I expected that every home would have a computer attached to it and we would be using that to view all our content.  I never expected that mobile devices would be our primary device to the internet.  With all the advances in SmartTVs, DVRs, Rokus, etc - I think the best device you can buy at the moment is a Google's Chromecast which will unlock your mobile devices potential on the big screen.


Ditching your home internet provider
I've seen home internet bills from $34.99 to $52.99.  If you use a mobile device most of the time, then why spend that much when you can buy an 4G mobile enabled device and use the internet anywhere you go.  Combine it with a Chromecast and a Hulu Plus or Netflix account and you are set with your TV watching (see below).  The two carriers I recommend for your mobile use is T-Mobile and Verizon.

Who I recommend ditching home internet providers (only one of these requirements need to be met)

1. Households of less than three
2. Light internet usage (less than 2GB of data/mo)
3. Majority internet usage on a mobile device (i.e. iPad, tablet, smartphone)

How much data do I need?

Karl Tate / TechNewsDaily - http://www.technewsdaily.com/4014-2-minute-expert-smartphone-data.html

T-Mobile 

• I recommend this for your single household.
• Less money down
• Devices 
• iPad Air 16GB 10.1" Tablet w/ 2.5GB of data ($56/mo) - link
• Nexus 7 16GB 7" Tablet w/ 2.5GB of data ($46/mo) - link
• Note III 32GB 5.5" Phone w/ Unlimited data ($99/mo) - link (I recommend this for Netflix, Hulu, & NBA League Pass users)
• HP ENVY TouchSmart 14-k110nr Sleekbook  ($799 w/ 2 years free 200mb/mo) 

Verizon 

• I recommend this if you are a current Verizon subscriber or if you need Verizon's excellent coverage area in your home.
• This is perfect for a household of two with low data usage.  Verizon allows you to share your data plan so $30 4GB plan + $10 Tablet access + $10 Tablet access = $50 month for two lines.
• I don't recommend Verizon if you plan on streaming a ton of videos from Netflix or Hulu on your mobile device.
• Devices
• iPad Air 16gb 10.1" w/ 4GB of data ($529 down + $40/mo) - link
• Samsung Galaxy® Tab 2 8GB 10.1" w/ 4GB of data  ($249 down + $40/mo) - link

FreedomPop

• I recommend this if you have light internet usage and an existing tablet or mobile device.
• Devices
• Freedom Spot Overdrive Pro (Refurbished) w/ 500mb of rollover data ($59.99 down + $7.98/mo) - link
• Freedom Spot Overdrive Pro (Refurbished) w/ 2GB of data ($59.99 down + $19.99/mo) - link

Ditching your cable/satellite provider

I was amazed at how much my family members' were spending on their cable, internet, and mobile bills.  When I ask them why they pay so much, they usually say they need it to either 1) watch sports or 2) watch the Filipino channel.  I will try to show you some alternatives to save you guys some money.

Streaming Movies and TV

Five years later your two major providers for online content are still Netflix or Hulu Plus.  This is from my article 2008:

Netflix. Instead of paying $25 for the one new Blu-Ray, rent it instead for $8.99/mo... also allows you to stream movies directly to your computer. Advertising more than 40,000 movies to watch instantly, it has most of the movies in my DVD collection
Hulu. This is my alternative to TV DVD collections and DVRs. Fox, NBC, & USA have teamed up to provide web surfers the ultimate in streaming video...

in 2013:

• Netflix (starting at $6.99/mo). Is still the leader in streaming movies and tv shows. Although Netflix is reducing their content, they still offer great streaming plans from 6.99 for standard definition.
• Hulu Plus (starting at $7.99/mo). Has tons of full series for you hardcore TV watchers

OTA HDTV

Most network stations, ABC, NBC, CW, & CBS provide Over-The-Air (OTA) Content to your HDTV tuner for free.  All you need is an DTV antenna and you can pick up most of those channels.  Please check out this website to see what channels are available in your area: Antennaweb.org 

Antennae

1. Make your own. (< $10)  These videos will show you how you can make your own antenna:
1. http://lifehacker.com/5138746/build-your-own-dtv-antenna
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P69KuHum7wQ
2. Indoor Mohu Leaf Paper-Thin Indoor HDTV Antenna - Made in USA $40 
3. Outdoor  Eagle Aspen 2-Bay UHF Outdoor Antenna $25

 Depending on the type of antenna that you have, you can:

1. Connect one antenna to each HDTV
2. Get one powerful antenna (and an amplifier) and connect it to your existing cable tv wiring to use with all the tvs in your house.
3. Use one antenna to stream to your home network and watch TV on any (2) computers or mobile devices using SiliconDust HDHomeRun HDHR3-US .  This will also turn any Windows Media Center or XBMC enabled PC into your own personal DVR.

Sports Channel Streaming Alternatives

• NBA League Pass (from $39.99/season) - http://www.nba.com/leaguepass/
• NFL Mobile ($5/mo for Verizon Subscribers only) - https://insidersguide.vzw.com/inside/nfl/

Filipino Channel Streaming Alternatives

• The Filipino Channel ($12.95/mo or $119/yr) - http://tfc.tv/Subscribe/Details
• DishWorld ($19.99/mo) - http://www.dishworld.com/filipino#language-channels

Alternative to buying Blu-Ray/DVDs and Cable/Sat TV Service

Alternative to buying DVDs, Blu-rays, & even Cable TV w/ HTPC and online streaming video

definition: HTPC - Home Theater PC, computer media center

I figured it was time to break this need to consume physical digital media and invest in a good HTPC, which set me back about $500. But how does that replace my DVD collection? Here's what it can do:

• Netflix. Instead of paying $25 for the one new Blu-Ray, rent it instead for $8.99/mo for 1-Blu-ray at a time on Netflix. Sure you can't keep it to display your artistic tastes, but it is available to rent almost anytime. In addition to that, with my HTPC, Netflix also allows you to stream movies directly to your computer. Advertising more than 40,000 movies to watch instantly, it has most of the movies in my DVD collection, and makes my collection pale in comparison.
• Hulu. This is my alternative to TV DVD collections and DVRs. Fox, NBC, & USA have teamed up to provide web surfers the ultimate in streaming video in 480p HD! Think of it as a HD YouTube for TV and Movies. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, one of my favorite shows, has the entire 1st and 2nd season available online, for free! If I bought the DVD box set, I would have spent $30+. Not only that, they have all the recent NBC and Fox shows to watch instantly, making DVRs a thing of the past.
• ABC.com, CBS.com. Hulu-like network independent players. They have all their recent episodes available to watch instantly in HD, making a DVR not necessary.
• Movie6.net. It may be questionably illegal, but you can watch all the newest in theater flix here!

Just like mp3s replaced cds, the future of video will be electronic digital media stored online. Sony, Cox, DirecTV, are all crapping their pants hoping that consumers won't realize this. Sure, Blu-ray looks great, and I do have a Blu-ray player on my HTPC, but it's primarily used for Netflix Blu-rays. Blu-ray is a "transition media", and will only be good up until HD streaming content is optimized online.

Cost of Cable/Satellite HD DVR:

• DVR Box Rental- $5.99/mo
• HD Service - ~$49.99/mo+
• Yearly Total- $671.76/yr+
• 3-Year Total - $2015.28+ for cable/sat hd service & DVR rental

Cost of Cable/Satellite + Tivo:

• HD Service - ~$49.99/mo
• Tivo- $149.99- $599.99
• Tivo Service - $12.95/mo or $399 lifetime
• Yearly Total- $905.27 - $1355.27 on monthly Tivo plan
• 3-Year Total- $2348.63 - $2798.63 on lifetime Tivo plan

Cost of buying Blu-Ray every month:

• Blu-Ray Player - $200.00
• Blu-Ray- ~$25.00
• Yearly Total- $300.00/yr
• 3-Year Total- $1100.00 for 36 movies & Blu-ray player

Cost of watching online HD content with an HTPC

• HTPC (One Time Cost)- $300 - ~$1,000
• Internet Service - Most of you already pay for this anyway
• Netflix- $8.99/mo
• Yearly Total - $107.88 for Netflix 1-DVD at a time plan
• 3-Year Total - $623.64 - ~$1,323.64 More than 50,000 TV shows & Movies on demand.

If you have cable/sat service and buy a blu-ray every month for 3 years, you're looking to spend about $3,100!!! If you have Tivo service and get a blu-ray every month for 3 years, expect to pay even more!

About Cable Satellite programming. One thing I have yet to mention is that, a lot of the satellite/cable programming is not available online just yet. A few have followed the major networks road to streaming media, like MTV, but who knows when the masses like HGTV, Food, VH1, etc... will follow. For those of you who think that this is a major con in your decision to switch to an HTPC, here is my argument, "TV rots your brains!" I think network TV is enough for anyone! And the amount of stored tv shows, movies, and videos on the sites I provided above is more than enough to keep you occupied for months of watching!

Not ready to buy/build an HTPC? Don't worry, any fairly new computer w/ high speed internet is still capable of viewing the sites above. What that means is, if you have a computer in your room, you have TV! Just visit those sites above.

Gone are the days where you walk into the store to buy a dvd, go into Blockbuster to rent a Blu-ray, wait until 8pm to watch your favorite show, or forget to set a recording on your Tivo. Everything online is on-demand, watch it when you want to watch it. I know it is hard to break our consumeristic habit and stop our urge to physically have the newest movie or control the recording of our tv shows to our DVR. But if you can break it, you'll end up saving money and more prepared for the future of digital video in the end.

Coming soon: Basic Guide to Buying or Building an HTPC

DVDs & Blu-Rays: who needs em?

DVDs & Blu-Rays: who needs em? No one. TV, movies, & media promote our consumeristic nature, conveying the idea that flashing the newest, greatest, & trendiest as the American way. That's why we all spend, spend, spend to fill the void our lives with materialistic things. Some may say that people drive luxury cars and wear name brand clothes to define themselves. If that's the case, then we grow our dvd collection and display them as a trophy, as a conversational piece, to establish our artistic perspective and maybe even, our personalities?

Or at least that's what society seems to force upon us.

The HD-DVD and Blu-ray war was a way to trick us, to keep us in anticipation. Even though, they didn't know who was going to win, they knew the winner would be the one to lure us into believing that a physical digital media is still needed. Blu-ray is by far superior in video and sound quality than anything in terms of physical discs, but at $25+ a pop, it is by no means a cost-effective way to enjoy movies.

Piracy. With the high cost of building a good Blu-Ray/DVD collection, it may seem better to download movies illegally. Finding these movies online or on the black market is easy, if you know where to look online, or if you visit a 3rd world Asian country. I admit I used to download all my movies (illegally) in the past, but file storage became a problem. I would burn most of them to CDs, DVDs, or store them in an external hard drive. So when I wanted to watch a movie, I had to either 1) skim through my 200-disc cd holder, put it in the dvd, watch it, then put it back or 2) search and retrieve the movie from one of my multiple external hard drives or even 3) download the movie, and wait for it to download(usually a couple hours), taking up time and bandwidth from my internet connection. Storage space, time, and bandwidth is valuable! Downloading or buying pirated movies is just too inconvenient to download, store, organize, and watch.

Cost. A collection of 10 blu-rays will set you back $250. DVDs still cost about $15, so a collection of 20 is worth, on average, $300. I took a look at my dvd/bluray collection and found 6 blu-rays and over 50 DVDs, worth about $900+!!!

Future. Eventually, broadband internet & streaming technologies will evolve to the point where physical discs will no longer be needed and everything will be available online. So, DON'T BUY BLU-RAYS OR DVDS!
Join me for my next segment: Alternatives to Buying Blu-ray/DVDs & Cable/Sat TV service