Canceling Cable, out with AT&T, or dropping DirecTV -- a step by step guide

If you care about canceling cable out dropping, this guide gets straight to the point. We break down what actually matters, skip the fluff, and show you how to put it to work today.

Key Takeaways

• Here's what we did to cancel cable yesterday (OK, technically, satellite!).
• DirecTV with no premium movie channels, etc., had been running us $62.11/month after all the taxes and fees, or $745.32 a year.
• Think: What do you watch that is worth $2.00 a day, and can you replace that with cheaper alternatives?
• Worth noting: the hardware we bought Here's what we purchased.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

And yes, we've done the call, threaten to cancel, get the rate dropped aspect multiple times, but it consistently creeps back up -- that $62.11 already reflects an $11/month credit from the last time we called and played that game. We may also later hook up a computer so that we can stream demonstrates from network sites, etc. to the TV, but will see how it goes first and if we actually require more to watch.

• Mashup kindly took some pictures illustrating how he hooked up the antenna and so on.
• See the handy Flickr photo set for his explanations!
• More importantly, hardware we bought: Antennas Direct Clearstream 2tm Long Range HDTV Antenna with Mount.
• We actually got this at Fry's for cheaper -- So figure near $100 for an antenna.

Is Canceling Cable Out Dropping Worth It?

We tried an indoor antenna at first, but it wouldn't pick up channel 5 and didn't pick up as numerous channels as the roof-mounted one -- and the quality we're getting is awesome. If you don't have an HDTV, you'll also require a converter box to convert the digital over-the-air signal to an analog signal your TV can read.

• Remember that this runs about $40 (and up, depending on what kind you purchase).
• Read reviews before you purchase, since some have pretty bad reviews.
• For an example of a decently reviewed one at a decent price, see Zinwell ZAT-970A Digital to Analog TV Converter Box (for Antenna Apply).
• We also picked up a Panasonic DMP-BDT110 Wi-Fi Ready 3D/2D Blu-ray Disc Player for $110 from Video & Audio center.

Where the Real Savings Hide

As a rule, lastly, we wanted a method to record demonstrates, so bought a Channel Master CM-7000PAL Digital Video Recorder for $342.43. While this has a greater initial cost than something like TiVo, there is no monthly fee as there is with TiVo and numerous of the other services, so it pays itself back relatively fast.

• So that all ran about $560 -- which is about 9 months of DirecTV, so will pay itself back in less than a year.
• There are also other, cheaper DVR alternatives, or your setup may be cheaper if you already have a Blu-Ray player or stream Netflix through a Wii or PS3, etc.
• In short, content Here's where we are receiving content: Over the air.
• We are receiving 52 channels in the Western Chicago suburbs, but what you can pick up will vary, depending how far you are from a city center, how high your house is, and what's in the method.

A Closer Look at Canceling Cable Out Dropping

Check AntennaWeb for a conservative estimate -- it estimated we would pick up about 23 channels, and we're getting almost twice that numerous. We have a $7.99/month Netflix streaming subscription, which we just dropped down to streaming-only this month when they raised the price of DVDs by mail.

• Worth noting: if you don't do Netflix already, what I'd suggest is signing up for the free trial and seeing if there is enough of the types of demonstrates you wish to make it worth it to you.
• The Blu-Ray player we purchased has built-in streaming for both Netflix and Amazon Instant Video, and other services.
• Amazon provides out free instant video credits sometimes, and also runs sales fairly frequently.
• We're both signed up for the monthly Redbox free rental text club.

What to Know About Canceling Cable Out Dropping

More importantly, we occasionally rent from Blockbuster Express with the free codes -- which I've been trying to post for you at least weekly 🙂 They're out of business. We apply our library heavily.

• Numerous will let you put reserves on movies and TV demonstrates on DVD, so even if they're sought after and frequently checked out, you'll get them eventually -- or they'll send them from another library in the system.
• Put yourself on the list for several items, and something typically comes in each week.
• Remember that numerous network sites also have certain demonstrates available online the next night or the next week.
• We don't currently have a PC hooked up to the TV, but can watch on the computer.

How Canceling Cable Out Dropping Really Works

We have not signed up for Hulu Plus -- if you're a heavy TV watcher and your demonstrates aren't available over the air, do their one week free trial and see if it will work for you at $7.99/month. Also see what is freely available at Hulu.com.

• As a rule, several years ago, we owned a Roku box, but it broke some time ago and we at no point replaced it -- since by that time we were watching Netflix through the Wii.
• If you do Hulu Plus or another online service, you can stream through a computer to the TV or look into something like Roku if you wish a cheaper solution -- the boxes run near $60 and up.
• We already had Netflix, so I'm not counting that as a new cost -- but $7.99/month is $95.88 a year, if you're a new signup.
• Again, even if I add that in, we're still paid back in less than a year.

Getting the Most From Canceling Cable Out Dropping

In short, so if we genuinely wish to, we can also throw in the occasional new on-demand TV reveal or movie. What we're missing We are no longer receiving channels like Food Network, CNN, or TLC -- no Extreme Couponing or Toddlers and Tiaras for me.

• We don't get Cartoon Network or Nickelodeon, but the amount of kids content in Netflix is more than enough, and we're getting a couple of PBS channels over the air.
• We don't get A&E (no Hoarders!) but numerous of their demonstrates are available on their site.
• Worth noting: what we're getting We are receiving all of the network stations over-the-air -- NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, PBS -- plus several other stations.
• So for those of you who are sports fans, any games that would normally be broadcast on Fox, etc. are still there for the watching.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save money on canceling cable out dropping?

Compare prices across a few retailers, look for active coupon codes, and time bigger buys around sales events. We may also later hook up a computer so that we can stream demonstrates from network sites, etc. to the TV, but will see how it goes first and if we actually require more to watch.

Is it worth shopping around for canceling cable out dropping?

Usually yes. Mashup kindly took some pictures illustrating how he hooked up the antenna and so on.

Smart Ways to Save More on Canceling Cable Out Dropping

• Stack a coupon code with an existing sale whenever the store allows it.
• Sign up for the retailer newsletter to catch first time and seasonal discounts.
• Compare the final price including shipping, not just the headline number.
• Check for student, military, or first order offers you may qualify for.
• Time non urgent purchases around major sale events for the deepest cuts.

Final Thoughts

The bottom line on canceling cable out dropping: a little research goes a long way. Compare your options, watch for seasonal offers, and never pay full price when a better deal is a click away.

Originally published at mashupmom.com.