Forget Cable and Watch TV On Your PC
Most people are trying to save money these days. With cell phone bills, internet fees, and insurance rates being pricey, it makes sense to cut back on things that you might not need. Cable television might be one of those luxuries that you feel that you can afford to lose. However, you don’t have to miss your shows entirely if you have an internet connection and a computer.
Several TV websites like ABC will let you watch their shows online for free and you don’t even have to download any special software to do it. But there are some issues with this. Some of the websites only show the latest broadcasts, which means you cannot go back and watch ones you have missed. Others will only let you watch if you live in the USA. This can really be an issue if you are in another country and want to catch up on the latest episodes.
You can also download some shows on iTunes. They cost about $1 to download, and you have to download the iTunes application, but once you have done this, the shows are you to keep. You can watch them over and over, even if you are in another country.
There are also some websites that offer software that allow you to receive all of the cable channels right there on your computer. These programs charge you a small fee, usually around $50. However, once you pay it you don’t have to pay it again. These programs are known as “streaming-media.” They basically decode the airwaves that the television stations transmit and put them right onto your computer in picture format.
The good thing about most of these programs is that you can download them and install them on various computers. So you can have the program on your PC in your office, as well as on your laptop for when you’re on the road.
There are a couple of downsides to using your PC as a TV. For one thing, PC screens are generally smaller. Some people hook their computers up to their televisions in order to alleviate this. It can also be uncomfortable to watch TV from your office chair.
It might be difficult to give a program your full attention if you have the Internet running. There are a lot of distractions on the Internet that might keep you from watching the program at hand. It could be hard watching “Desperate Housewives” when you are updating your Facebook status.
However, when you are watching TV on your PC you normally don’t have to worry about commercials. There are many sites where you can download TV shows and movies without the commercial breaks.
Windows Vista offers a DVR that some people claim works better than the ones that cable companies currently offer. You can add an HDTV antenna and record your favorite shows right to your computer. You can also streamline shows from ABC, Fox, and other popular channels. Doing this could possibly cut down on the need for cable.
The best thing about watching features on your computer is that it costs either nothing, or a lot less than basic cable. Even if you do choose to download fee system or software, the upfront fee that you pay is still a lot less than what you would pay for cable.
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