Lets face it. We all hate paying upwards of $100 dollars per month or more on a cable bill. Plus, the current economic climate has been hard on a lot of American families. For these reasons and more, consumers are looking for a way to realistically maximize their dollar-to-TV programming consumption ratio, hating to spend hard-earned cash on a large cable bill for one or two must-watch shows.
Wouldn’t it be easier on your wallet to wait until the end of the season and watch a beloved series in its entirety? Plus, can you really afford to spend extra money on TV stations you aren’t watching?
The good news is that Internet-driven media centers are leveling the programming field by allowing people to choose specifically what content they want to watch — and when — while paying reasonable rates for that content.
Aside from the economic benefits, choosing a networked media center over your traditional cable box can positively alter your relationship to media. Consider how our daily lives are filled with content overload, especially from the TV world. Recently theGrio posted an article citing the dangers of background TV noise to early childhood development. Choosing an Internet-driven media center may be an indirect way of forcing you and your family to curb its normal viewing habits.
What are the typical requirements needed to set up this type of home media center? If you have a wireless network at home you already have one third of the equation in place. Once you add the equipment and connect it to your TV via an HDMI cable, you’re ready to enjoy the benefits of streaming content directly onto your HDTV. However, there are so many options and questions revolving around these do-it-all media centers that most people feel intimidated and then cling to the shackles of their cable bill.
If you’re eager enough to free yourself from that monthly dead weight — that brings you tons of programming you don’t even consume — check out the three media centers below, which can potentially replace your set top cable box.
Apple TV: The champion of its weight class
Weighing in at 0.6 lbs and only 4 inches is Apple TV. This media center packs a powerful punch in such a small package. Once you connect this humble device up to your HDTV, your home network and your digital media life will finally play nice with your TV world. How so you ask?
Many have heavily invested in Apple’s iTunes ecosystem. Apple knows this, so has created Apple TV as an extension of their digital offerings, made for your living room. Apple TV allows you to buy and rent HD Movies from iTunes in 1080p quality, which is perfect for those spontaneous movies nights. You can also purchase and catch up on your latest, favorite TV shows — commercial-free and in HD.
If you’re tired of watching Netflix on your tiny laptop screen, you can link your current subscription with Apple TV, which puts the entire Netflix catalog at your disposal. The same goes for all of you diehard sports fans. Link your current subscription on NBA.com , NHL Game Center or MLB.tv to your Apple TV and you’ll feel like you are right in the game.
If you are not quite sold on Apple TV yet, consider that it is no one trick pony. Apple TV does more than just stream TV content. It brings your entire digital lifestyle into your living room. Apple’s Airplay allows you to display pictures, videos and music from your iPhone or iPad right on your TV screen. To top it off, the brushed aluminum remote pairs well with the beautiful design and intuitive user interface making you feel more like your watching a TV than using a media center.
Apple TV features:
- Plays Netflix, HD movies and TV shows from iTunes, YouTube and Vimeo, plus live baseball, basketball, and hockey games.
- Includes Airplay, for wirelessly streaming content from your iOS device to your HDTV, or to mirror the screen of your device on your TV.
- Downloadable remote app from the iTunes store for controlling your Apple TV with your iPhone or iPad.
- A brushed aluminum remote.
- Connects to your TV via HDMI cable.
- Connects to your home network via wi-fi or Ethernet network cable.
- Optical digital audio cable is optional.
- Cost: $99.00
Rock on with the Roku 2
Apple TV isn’t the only media center clamoring for your living room’s entertainment space. The Roku, similarly to Apple TV, also boasts a small form capable of fitting in the palm of your hand. The only difference is the Roku comes in four different flavors — LT, HD, XD and XS — with the basic LT version starting at $49.95.
Once your Roku is connected, you have access to over 500-plus channels of streaming 720p content at your fingertips, including Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video and much more. The XS Roku, which is the high-end version of the four units, has access to the same channels as all of the other versions. However, it adds the ability to stream content at 1080p, a microSD storage slot, USB ports and an enhanced remote with motion control for video games. Yes, that’s right — the Roku has the ability to play video games via a controller in a Wii-like style, which includes a free full edition of Angry Birds. With a slew of features, access to tons of content, and 30-plus video games, the Roku gives great bang for your buck.
Roku features:
- Plays Netflix, Hulu Plus, 500-plus entertainment channels, and more.
- XS version comes with a Wii-style like controller to play video games.
- Roku remote app allows you to control your experience via an Android or iOS device.
- HDMI connection.
- Standard definition output via audio/video cable — doesn’t require HDTV!
- Cost: $49.95 to $99.00.
Boxee: Swap your cable box for a new cube
Boxee began as a software solution for people who were already connecting their laptops to their HDTVs. Over time, the Boxee began to evolve. Today we have the all-in-one Boxee Box by D-Link. The Boxee boasts a cube-like quirky design, which weighs 2.5 pounds and is roughly five inches square. In comparison to the two previous contenders, it’s a bit bigger and weighs more. However, Boxee still possesses a set of features and access to great streaming content that will pique your interest.
The beauty of Boxee is that it gives you access to most shows that are already available on the Internet via a clean intuitively designed user interface. So instead of going through the long-winded task of visiting NBC.com to watch The Office, you can click Boxee’s “TV shows” channel and all of the episodes are right there at your fingertips. Boxee has also partnered with several content providers such as Pandora and Spotify to bridge your online personal media selections with your flat screen TV.
Boxee features:
- Netflix, MLB, NHL, VUDU Movies, Pandora, and Spotify integration.
- A double-sided remote control: One side is a traditional remote, the other a full qwerty keyboard.
- A Boxee Live TV USB extension to watch live free channels broadcast over HD.
- Streaming of your personal media to the box through your network or directly to your Boxee via USB.
- HDMI out port (HDCP cable included).
- Ethernet port.
- 802.11n wireless capability.
- Two USB 2.0 ports.
- Optical Digital Audio outputs.
- Composite Audio connectors.
The economy is slowly improving, but it is always the right time to economize. One of these options can help you curb your cable habit, and optimize your TV viewing time. Like what you read? Check out more on DFRAGG, a technology and lifestyle digital magazine. We’re here to hook you up with the latest in the world of mobile devices, apps, social media and more. Follow DFRAGG on Facebook and Twitter for more great technology updates.
Sajjad Musa is a tech specialist and creative director at DFRAGG.com.