Also - on chromecast, we have the cheap comcast internet for $30 a month - it works fine. and the hd antenna is for local news, pbs, pbs british channel.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have Roku box, HD antenna (Mohu leaf) and Amazon Prime. No landline, so I just pay for internet (currently on a promotion for $30/month).

+1, but i suggest the Google Chromecast - you can stream netflix directly, anything in a google chrome browser (so hulu or amazon prime)..and the chromecast is only $35....you can even do it from your smartphone.

can you tell us more about Google Chromecast? Do you recommend it instead of roku box? HD antenna, etc.? do you need a computer?, etc,. Thanks!

We have an HD antenna (Mohu leaf) and the Chromecast - yes, you need a computer, ipad or mobile device - it basically has to run google chrome (browser) -
For us, it's been really fun. it works over your existing wifi network. the chromecast plugs into the hdmi port on your tv - and you download chrome and the chromecast extension onto your device. We use it most commonly with our ipad. For instance, we pull up netflix (streaming) and find what we want to watch. from that point, there is an icon that looks like a tv - and you select that - and the video jumps from your ipad or computer directly to the tv. It's magic.

For things that we watch through a browser, like hulu or amazon prime - it's the same, pull it up, there's an icon from where you installed it...click the icon and magic, it's on your tv.

Mostly, it's cheap and I think google is positioning itself as the opening to a lot of content.

And, if you hate it, it's only $35.

We have no cable and use the things most have already cited.

For the phone, we have a google voice account. There is a box that attaches to the phone line. You pay maybe $60 for the box, then no charges after that. And you get a local phone no. Not sure that works with your alarm system, but you should look into it.

Does Roku box and/or other streaming devices work well with "performance" internet (10 Mbps, I think) or do you need 20 Mbps or higher? thanks!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have Roku box, HD antenna (Mohu leaf) and Amazon Prime. No landline, so I just pay for internet (currently on a promotion for $30/month).

+1, but i suggest the Google Chromecast - you can stream netflix directly, anything in a google chrome browser (so hulu or amazon prime)..and the chromecast is only $35....you can even do it from your smartphone.

can you tell us more about Google Chromecast? Do you recommend it instead of roku box? HD antenna, etc.? do you need a computer?, etc,. Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone succesfully switched back to Verizon copper from Verizon digital voice? How much is Verizon copper? Thanks!

AFAIK, Verizon tends to cut the copper wire if you switch off it, so there is no switching back.

Has anyone succesfully switched back to Verizon copper from Verizon digital voice? How much is Verizon copper? Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:I have Roku box, HD antenna (Mohu leaf) and Amazon Prime. No landline, so I just pay for internet (currently on a promotion for $30/month).

+1, but i suggest the Google Chromecast - you can stream netflix directly, anything in a google chrome browser (so hulu or amazon prime)..and the chromecast is only $35....you can even do it from your smartphone.

Anonymous wrote:
Not true, the landline is not always on. During the 2012 storms, we lost the landline too. It is not the same like we had back 20 years ago with the rotary type phones. When the cell phone towers went out in our neighborhood, the landline was dead too.

I was insistent on having the landline for emergencies after the 911. But what's the point, if it is serviced by the same cellphone tower?

My landline is still copper. It is always on. We have yet to lose phone no matter the length of power outage. At some point in the future, I'm sure that'll change, for example if Verizon ever needs to do a repair (like what they did in NJ after Sandy). At that point I'll reconsider maintaining the landline, although I still have concerns about "child digging around for a cell phone in an emergency."

Anonymous wrote:
Thanks for the response. What is your copper landline provider?

Verizon manages my service. Which is the main reason I won't go with FIOS for anything. Some people I know asked to keep their copper when they switched to FIOS, and Verizon cut the copper anyway. I understand why they do it, it's an ongoing cost for them and getting people off copper suits their business plans going forward.

My DH and I read a lot of books (library). DD also loves books and loves going to the library.

DH and I both listen to stuff on the radio (talk shows, NPR, sports).

We check out movies from the library for DD (Dora, Kai Lan, Sesame Street, Ruby and Max, etc.) (the side effect of this is she is still "culturally literate" and knows who all these characters are, etc. if anyone is thinking we are strange and DD will be doomed to become a strange child!)

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One expected bonus (and I know you can get this with Tivo also) is DD gets exposed to NO commercials. I mean: zero, nada, none, zilch. She truly forms her opinions in a vacuum uninfluenced by corporate marketing, which I never really thought about seriously before this, but I have come to appreciate it more and more as it has become revealed to me. McD's is not pushed down her throat, movie commercials are not crammed down her throat so then she bugs me about them, she isn't aware of happy meals type stuff, she doesn't know about sugary cereal, etc.)