So being the cheap-scate that I am, wanting to donate as little as I can to the corporate dollar-chasing evil, and also demanding more choice in how our Family lives our lives, I've decided to cut the cable - we're dropping cable TV - bye bye TimeWarner Cable. I do however, maintain our internet connection through TWC. It's a DOCSIS30 connection - meaning I get 30Mbps down, 5 up (blazing fast). You can just as easily do the same thing with a slower (more normal) connection speed, but ensure it's considered "broadband". Watch out for ISP's who put a cap on downloaded content - that can put an interesting twist on cost savings.

I used to pay $67 for TWC cable (basic digital). I now pay $7.99/mth for Netflix unlimited download, $7.99/mth for Hulu+ unlimited. I do also pay $70/yr for an Amazon Prime account, which allows me some free movies from Amazon Prime selection, as well as access to all other movie/show/media content Amazon has. I watch it all on a Roku device - this device has replaced our cable box. The Roku was a one-time $80 investment.

Previous monthly entertainment bill: $67 + tax

Current monthly entertainment bill: ~$16 + tax

Savings: $51/mth

I'll break it all down.

Firstly, here's an article that will save me some typing, but it's not altogether true and doesn't cover all the details.

http://www.businessinsider.com/11-alternatives-to-paying-for-cable-2013-1

(thanks Andrew Parker for the link)

Take a quick breeze through it, but don't get lost in it's details. Remember, there's $$$'s behind that article whereas mine is offered free and with no bias.

The Roku: www.roku.com

The roku is a small (about the size of a deck of cards) device that you will place next to your TV(s). You'll want one at each TV at which you plan to watch TV. Get the Roku 2 XS - it has 1) ethernet port, so you can choose to be hardwired or wireless - all other models are wireless only. You want hard-wired in my opinion so-as not to drain your wireless band at home. 2) a game controller to play the games available on the roku device menu.

The roku then plugs into your TV via an HDMI cable or composite video (RCA cables - red white and yell). If your TV is old and doesn't have either HDMI or composite, then you're S.O.L - don't try to buy a converter cable on the internet - it doesn't exist. Yes you can buy one on amazon.com, but the pin-out is different and simply can't be converted. These cables are sold by people who care more about the almighty dollar than they care about goodness. Trust me I know these things.

The Roku has "channels". Some of the channel names you'll recognize are links to Netflix, Hulu+, Amazon instant video, and 700+ more you can see here. There are more channels being added all the time.

Now you won't be surfing these channels with an up/down button like you do cable. You'll click on the channel (say Netflix), and then be presented with all the content that the channel provider offers - similar to using Netflix from your computer - you browse all the movies/shows they have. Notice the different experience - if you think you the type who likes to sit back, switch your brain off and surf around to see what's on...this will be different. You'll have to get used to finding a show you want to watch and choose it and start watching the show from the beginning. A benefit here is you won't find yourself dropping in on a show that's half way through.

Note these channels are not all full-show channels. Some provide clips, some are a little more specialized, etc.

Note also that many big-name Cable channels are not present, but you can get their TV shows from other places (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, etc). For example, you won't find "The History Channel" as a Roku channel, but you can find content from The History Channel via Hulu+, Netflix, etc. Get it? Ok let's move on.

You can install as many channels as you want on the Roku. Or as little as you want. Some are even premium pay-for channels like HBO-Go. Choose for yourself if you want them but we get by very well without all the cruft. I like simple and cheap...the rest are just fantasy items who want to get in your wallet. It's amazing how simple life can be when you just learn to let go. The kids? Well when they earn their way they can pay for any channels they think are missing. That's just my .02.

To see if you think you can get by with Netflix, Hulu+, Amazon Prime, go check out their websites.

Why did I choose Roku?

It has the most flexibility, channel offerings, and other add-on technology for the price. AppleTV is expensive and doesn't offer any of the geeky stuff yet. GoogleTV is out-of-this-world expensive. The rest aren't really worth mentioning at this time.

Local TV channels: Roku won't provide your local TV (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, etc). So for this you either get a good antenna (I don't have a recommendation yet, but most cheap rabbit ears or flat panel will work fine. Don't spend more than $30-40 dollars, in fact a $20 will work fine. You're not buying yourself any extra by spending more). Another option is to wait for Aereo. Yes, this is an internet based provider of above mentioned channels. Best of all you can watch all their content on any browser, anywhere (did someone say iphone/pad/pod or android based device?). And yes, Aereo will also be a channel on the roku, and not the other competitor devices. I'm in Raleigh NC and have to wait til March for their offering. Another $7.99/mth, but I'll decide whether I want to subscribe or keep my antenna. They also offer DVR service for recording shows you don't want to miss (shows which are likely already available on Hulu.

Another bonus add-on: Plex Media Server.

Plex Media Server is an application/program that you install on your PC at home. It's kind of like having iTunes, except it streams your media (downloaded movies, music, pictures) to any other computer/i-device/Roku. Yes, Roku has a Plex channel. This means that you can listen to all your music, see all your family pictures, and watch any movies that you've downloaded or ripped from DVD. So I can listen to my entire music collection at my entertainment center in the family room (supports iTunes playlists!). Or I can look at all my pictures on my ipad. Or I can watch all my downloaded movies on my ipad in our bedroom (don't yet have a roku in the bedroom, but it's coming next month with the savings from my non-existent cable bill). Better yet I can do port-forwarding on my home router and do all this while I'm on the road also!

A Plexi bonus: Any video content you find on the web, say a clip on youtube, you can save it to your plex server via a button on your browser. Say you found a cool video at work, and you want to watch it later or save it to your Plex queue at home. Click a button on your browser and done.

Oh yes...it's FREE.

There are other similar server applications (XBMC, etc) but...wait for it...none of the others are an available channel on Roku.

Have movies you don't want the kids to watch? Install another plex media server on another computer and access it separately.

Yet another Roku Bonus: There's an App for it.

Yes, with Roku you can watch content available on Roku from any Apple i-device or Android device. You can watch Roku in your room while the device is out in the living room. You can watch Roku when you're on the road. This app also functions as a Roku remote so you can flip channels, etc, in case your dog eats the Roku remote.

Yet another Roku Bonus: Going on vacation? Put your roku in your pocket and take your TV experience with you.

There will be more goodness coming to Roku - they're more visionary leaders than any other similar media device technology out there, imo.

What you'll miss by cutting the cable (for now):

Sports: Who cares? Sorry, that's just me. In my world, I decide the winners and losers, not the dollar-chasers. Go to espn.com or whatever your vice is. Wait, then post it to your plex server and watch it on roku...hmm.

Post edit: Here's your sports fix: http://voices.yahoo.com/how-watch-sports-through-roku-11926361.html

Parental Control: There is none, yet. Yeah, I know. Cable boxes offer it, but who uses it? Yes...it's important. I'm sure it's coming...

A browser on your TV: Well, get on your ipad, netbook, or whatever. You need a full keyboard for best browsing anyway. Believe me, it's coming soon to Roku anyway.

Remote for TV: The Roku remote controls the Roku, not the TV. What you'll miss most is power on/off and volume control. For this I've just ordered this (also because my dogs just ate the Roku remote)

SMK-Link PS3 Blu-Link Universal Remote Control

This is a universal remote which does blutooth (Roku) and infrared which is likely what your TV is. It will learn the Roku commands.

Be aware that for TWC in Raleigh, when you go to close your account, they will want you to return the cable box and remote it to their office. The technician who comes to actually cut it off will be able to take the box for you, but then they'll charge you $30 for that "service". The only way to get around it is to spend about an hour arguing that you disagree with paying a person who is at your house to take a cable box away from you, then after speaking with a supervisor they might send you a pre-paid shipping label. You still have to box it up and take it to Fed-Ex (the Fed-Ex office in Raleigh is next door neighbors with the TWC central office), or drop it at a Fed-Ex mailing station somewhere. Unbelievable, I know.

Also sure they know you want to discontinue TV only, not your internet connection, if applicable. I had to mention this to them on 3 different occasions to 3 different people.

There might be things I missed, but for now I think this is good. I hope you enjoy the switch. Now go get your cable clippers and make the snip. Make your cable company squirm...they never did you any favors anyway.

Questions? Post a comment or reply to my FB post.

Thanks for reading.