Cutting Cable, Has anyone done this?

[Pitt87]

Working on developing a media & content server that uses cablecard & a Windows Media machine. Goal is that the FIOS programming is not expensive when you have a 'triple play' ($95 for Phone & Internet vs $110 for the lowest Digital tier). What is killing me is the DVR & Multiroom costs ($20/mo for Whole House DVR + $16/mo for one extra box in our BR). What I will end up with is one cablecard that I can placeshift around the house with a Windows box & an antenna.

Cost for equipment will be ~$350 (I have an old Dell with 2.1gHz processor & 4gb ram in 2 DIMMs) for the tuner and new 2TB HDD, plus some freebie items from a buddy who attempted an gave up. Interestingly, by the time i am ready to renew and get a lower price, I will only be recovering costs at that time, but the point is that I want to OWN the hardware, begin recording HD OTA via the antenna, and figure out a better, more expandable platform that can simply serve an option in another room.

[scb147]

Question for DirecTV subscribers - since the NHL is the only real reason I have DirecTV, can I downgrade my package from the Choice Ultimate to the Entertainment level and save $20 a month, then switch back? Or does it affect my contract terms/length?

I believe you can do that without affecting the contract length or terms. I'd call them to confirm though.

[mac5155]

I really dont want to call because I dont want to go through their BS of trying to get me to keep my other package.

[pittsoccer33]

a video of my dvr/movie library