Watching TV Without Cable: Netflix

Last month, irked at paying $100 per month for the privilege of watching House and Law & Order reruns in high-definition (or cable’s version of it).  Honestly, I was watching about 12 or 13 channels – which works out to about $7 a channel.  I’d watch Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow on MSNBC – cost $7 per month.  I’d watch Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert – cost $7 per month.  I’d watch 30 Rock and The Office – cost $7 per month.

Before you roll your eyes and call me an elitist – this is not about how television rots your brain.  I like television.  I have a small set of shows that I loyally watch.  I am not anti-television in the least.  This is about how to save money.  I did an honest assessment of my television habits and watching behavior and then did a cost/benefit analysis.

I have routines and would look for certain programs based on, in my opinion, there being nothing else good available.  I don’t watch reality television or “Biggest Loser/Survivor” type programs or “Extreme Makeover” programs.  I watch serial dramas, Discovery series like Mythbusters and Man vs. Wild, MSNBC news programs, and The Daily Show and The Colbert Report.  Looking at that set of programs, I looked to see if I could replicate that through Netflix and ZunePass.  And by and large, yes.

I’ve now been watching Netflix streaming.  I bought a pair a 50′ ethernet cables at $25 apiece from Staples and ran them from the router to the consoles.  Between the PS3 and the XBox 360, the 360 does a better job of streaming content.  When there is a throughput change, the PS3 will stop for over 30 seconds to adjust.  It’s enough to really ruin an experience.  The 360 pauses somewhat often, for about 5 seconds each time, to adjust resolution when there is a throughput change.  And recently, the pauses are less and less frequent on the 360.

Another thing to consider is going with wired networking instead of wireless.  Staples has 50′ lengths of ethernet cable for about $25 and you can also shop at sites like Monoprice.com.  50′ is a good length as it allows the cable to be run under or around furniture and even in large rooms.  The original 360 wireless adapter was $100 and that was for a/b/g.  There is now a wireless n adapter, also $100.  The PS3 has built-in wireless but that is just a/b/g.  So, for best speeds, go with wires.  Plus, you’ll get lower lag time when online gaming.

Something you need to keep in mind if you live in an apartment building – you are ultimately sharing quite a bit of bandwidth with your neighbors.  During primetime, you will see signal degradation because your neighbors are home and surfing the internet, which will take away from your signal.  Sorry, but that’s how it works.  Otherwise, during non-peak hours, Netflix-streaming in HD is in HD.  On the PS3, it streams in 720p; on the 360, it streams in 1080i (the 360’s maximum resolution).  Both are fine – especially if like me, you are watching on a set that is less than 42″ diagonal.

The selection of streaming content is still pretty damn good.  I’ve been going through LOST in HD and in a week, watched all of Season 1.  At the suggestion of my friend, I may up my plan from 1 disc to 3 discs, which based on her usage of Netflix as a cable substitute, worked out best for television-viewing.  The selection of streaming HD on Netflix is a bit limited but, with time, it is sure to grow.

I’m still tweaking my media server to be able to stream my Zunecasts – which will allow me to watch Olbermann and Maddow on the TV for free.  I am also paying attention to upcoming products like the Boxee box.  Is it perfect? No.  What do I miss? Some reruns.  But a lot of what I’m “missing” is because I simply haven’t explored.  And premium movie channel can be replicated with the disc.  I don’t care about network news.  And I can live with watching TV on DVD.

Netflix (and XBox Live) is something I was paying for anyway.  Except for the $50 outlay for the ethernet cable, I’m not paying anything extra.  So in the long-run, I am saving money.  I was paying $100 per month for a lot of television service that I was not using.  It was the ultimate wasting asset.  $3 per day for television whether you watch it or not.  The $50 cabling cost to me is in essence a capital improvement.  It’s a frakkin’ pair of cables.  When I move, I take the cables with me.  They’re mine and like most wiring, if you don’t screw around with them, they’ll last indefinitely.

Bottom line: the privilege of watching House reruns without a 5 second hiccup is not worth $100 per month.  Look at your cable bill.  Look at what you are actually watching.  Ask yourself honestly whether what you watch is worth what you are paying.  If it’s not worth it, cut the cable and go with Netflix.