Turns out that the decision was the simple part of the process of dropping cable. Providing a semi-convenient video substitute to each of the viewing areas is the hard part. Let’s begin with a description of the current setup.
Family room: 42″ LCD rear projection HDTV (broken), DVD player, and TWC HD DVR. Bonus room: 27″ CRT TV, TWC DVR, DVD player, and Wii. Bedroom: 32″ LCD HDTV and TWC HD DVR.
In summary by gadget, three TVs each with a DVR. Two are HD and one of those needs to be replaced. The CRT doesn’t have a digital tuner. Note than none of these currently have a computer attached and only the bedroom TV has a VGA input. Also, all the computers we own are Macs, three of the four are PPC, and the lone Intel is Maria’s laptop (original Core Duo Macbook circa 2006).
Issues per room: Family room has digital tuner and DVD player, but no source for internet streaming. Bedroom has digital tuner and can accept laptop for streaming, but no DVD player. Bonus room has DVD and Netflix streaming via Wii, but no generic streaming and no digital tuner (so no OTA). Don’t forget that none of the rooms has a DVR substitute.
What all this means is that I’m going to have to spend money on gadgetry in order to save money on monthly cable fees. I’m okay with that, but it means there are a lot of options to consider and choices to be made.