Maximum PC

Hey guys, so recently my cable has skyrocketed in my area just for basic cable and internet. I want to join the "Cable-Cutter" movement, and I've already specc'd out a HTPC on NewEgg pending "tax season."

My question is...how do I do this? Do I get a tuner and if so, can I "tune" to OTA signals (ie - "basic programming")? Netflix isn't what it used to be...what other options are there out there? I hear of people using Justin.tv and Hulu Plus, but their interfaces are nothing if not infuriating.

What would be a "true" cable-free setup? I know Gordon has done several write-ups on the hardware, but never instructions on what to subscribe to or anything of that nature.

So, in essence, what are my options here? Thank you all for your time.

True cable-free setup... go outside, be a hippy... :p

In terms of multimedia, I just watch hulu for more of the recent tv shows then jump on the big network shows website like cbs or nbc since they stream shows as well (sometimes in full HD). Amazon also have gotten quietly big in the streaming video/movies scene now, which is nice since I have an amazon premium account as well. I stopped watching netflix since the summer with their whole self identity crisis and I'll wait till they get back on their feet and get more shows than it losses.

Everything else I torrent or hop onto my parents TV since I have a sling box on one of their cable box's. hehe

Get a tuner for OTA if you watch any of the programming. (I couldn't live without football in the fall myself.)

Window 7's built in Media Center is wonderful and stable.

So tuner + decent sized HDD = recording chores.

Throw in the free Hulu, YouTube, ESPN3, and other free video services and you have a decent selection of material.

If you do a lot of online shopping, consider subscribing to Amazon Prime. $80 a year gets you two day shipping on most items and free streaming. Unfortunately there is no Media Center plugin yet.

n0b0dykn0ws

Thanks a lot guys! I really appreciate it!

Its funny because Amazon's own EC2 service houses netflix. Yeah, I buy a lot from amazon and its a nice free addition if you use amazon a lot. I buy parts and other goods like dry foods from them, with free shipping over a year, saves me a few bones while I can watch some movies and shows. It's slimmer than netfilx so don't expect 300k movie bank. It's more like 5k and most of the B rated or old school stuff.