Just a thought. Don't give up your land line until you make sure that your cell phones...or whatever you intend to use...is/are 911 friendly. In some areas of the country...they're not...and you wouldn't want to be stranded in case of an emergency.

Anne

We have DirecTV and an HD antenna. If you drop DirecTV, you lose the ability to record as DirecTV is providing the DVR service. That's the rub....

You're outside Chicago and should be able to get lots of channels over the HD antenna. I know we used to when we lived there.

Thanks for the cautions.

Our cells have fine reception and can call 911.

TiVo has HD DVR. You can connect it to cable, satelite...or an antenna. I'm just concerned we would miss some channels with only the antenna.

If you drop DirecTV, you'll only receive channels that are broadcast locally. That means Fox, CBS, ABC, PBS, WFLD, WCIU etc. You won't get CNN or A&E because they are licensed to satellite and cable providers.

You may want to check your TiVo information carefully; generally TiVo service is only provided with satellite and cable providers. If you drop DirecTV, you're going to lose TiVo service.

I think I'm dreaming of a better solution! LOL

The TiVo webpage does say you can connect to antenna, but...looks like I can't get CNN or "Mad Men" without either cable or satelite services. Fooey.

Time to call and make threats to cancel DirecTV to see if I can get a better price...isn't that so darn SILLY?

call and demand to speak to the retention department, they want to keep you, they are losing people daily to streaming video. Tell them what you want and what you don't want and what you want to pay, they will work with you to get a package that works. You may be asked to go under contract with them for them doing it that too can be negotiated. if you stay and work out a deal also demand that you get all new updated equipment including the new dish that rain doesn't bother. I am going through this process and was told exactly what to do by one of the direct TV management I know. They cut my bill significantly but we are still working on the details, I want stuff for my RV. I don't mind going under contract with them for the right deal.

I use a roof antenna that picks up OTA channels including HD channels. With an HDTV, all I need to do is hook it up directly to the HDTV. HDTV has its own tuner no need anything else in between. My DVR is hooked up directly to the TV for recording. Although, I don't do this often. Be awared that some channels will block out certain programs for recording.

Except for the initial cost of the new antenna (on sale for $54 at the time), all my TV watching is free.

I have not missed cable in the last 6 years but I'm not particular to certain programs neither. Prior to that I was watching cable for free but that's another story.

If you ever consider of getting a roof antenna, here's the one I got: http://www.channelmasterstore.com/Digital_HDTV_Outdoor_TV_Antenna_p/cm-4228hd.htm

More information on antennas and which to get: http://www.dennysantennaservice.com/1265440.html

Don't forget that certain programs can be watched over the internet for free as well.

I only use a roof antenna to get OTA channels and a TiVo unit. My TiVo also has Netflix available.

With a paid subscription to Netflix for under $8, you can stream unlimited amounts of movies and TV shows without commercials. Right now there are five seasons of "Mad Men" that you can see on Netflix.

That is plenty of entertainment for me. I do not miss cable at all.

We dropped cable quite a while ago including the DVR - everything except basic cable for network TV reception and internet which we get through Comcast. We have found plenty of things to watch on demand with a Roku device - much of it on Amazon and a lot of it "free" with Amazon Prime. The only thing really missed so far are a few sporting events that are only on ESPN or the Golf channel. Not enough to make it worth the extra $100 plus per month.

DH did have a stroke when he was home alone and had to call 911 from his cell phone. Drawback of the cell vs. land line is they don't automatically know your location - you have to tell them your address. That was a little difficult for him to do since he couldn't talk straight. He got through it though after repeating a few times so the operator could understand. Something to consider.

Beaucoup thanks to all! I think my only option is to stay with DirecTV until 'something better comes along'. I want to get sports events, CNN and current broadcasts of series like "Mad Men". Am I correct in thinking I could not stream those things and use an antenna for the rest?

I'm leary of starting up a new 2-year commitment with satellite or cable now that we are finally nearing the end of a previous contract. But, thanks, Ravencajun, for the instructions on how to *bully* them!

Gotta love the KT. Somewhere on here is an answer for *anything*!

Don't know what sports events you're talking about. Some are broadcast locally. You could check on that. Don't know what channel Mad Men is on, but again, you could check and see if it's on the internet. Many shows can be watched after the airing date on the internet. Sometimes they do it after the season is over if you look for it. CNN used to be broadcast occasionally around her on one of the independent stations. As I recall WGN used to do this too but they don't anymore, they're now a CW affilliate. I'd guess if you want the broadcast of CNN you need cable or satellite. Don't know a way around that.

However, you might look into Dish Network. They have a $20/month package. See if that has the stations you want. It's for something like one year at that price and then you have to dot the "I"s and cross the "T"s to avoid an autorenewal.

One thing though that hasn't been mentioned, you're thinking you can drop the landline and keep the broadband. Yes, you CAN do that, but the cost of broadband will go up without the landline and normally it'll be lots more than the $17 you say it costs to have it. So check into that. If you cancel the service and then try to get it back, there's usually wrist-slap charges too.

The 911 service can not locate a cell phone unless the phone's GPS locator is turned on. Some 911 services can get close by triangulation if there are 3 towers in range, but that is a big if and they have to be eqipped to do so.

After I learned about this, I activated my GPS locator even though it is not a smart phone and there are no aps for it. The GPS locator does add some drain on the battery but it is not excessive. Also, if someone steals your phone, the phone company may be able to locate your phone provided the thief has not turned off the GPS locator.

I will never give up my land line!!I just have a cheapie cell from tracfone for when we are out and about.We have a bundled pkg from Cox and have one box.We pay 140.00 a month and have unlimited local and long distance calling.We don't t have hbo or any of those types of channels;nor do we want them.

A few times over the years we were the only one that could use our phone when the power went out.Those with cells had to worry about reserving their batteries;and those with just cordless phones were ul sh**s creek with no phone service
Kathi

I will never give up my land line!!I just have a cheapie cell from tracfone for when we are out and about.We have a bundled pkg from Cox and have one box.We pay 140.00 a month and have unlimited local and long distance calling.We don't t have hbo or any of those types of channels;nor do we want them.

A few times over the years we were the only one that could use our phone when the power went out.Those with cells had to worry about reserving their batteries;and those with just cordless phones were ul sh**s creek with no phone service
Kathi

Thanks for all the info. I called DirecTV yesterday, and they are reducing our bill by $25 a month for the next 12 months.

Can't help you on the HD antenna but I did drop my landline quite a few years ago. When I cancelled, the woman at the local phone company told me that I still have 911 so I could leave it plugged in. You might want to check on that. I actually have had to call 911 once and it did work. You may want to check on that.

My cell is the only phone I use. I registered my cell number with the city and I think it comes up on 911. I know they have my cell as the one for robo calls in case of emergency such as flooding.

Linda - your cell phone might be recognized as yours - but they may not be able to track your location.

If the signal happens to be going off a different tower, it could even go to a different 911 dispatch - so make sure you are able to state your location.

If, for example - your 911 call went to Boone or Polk county, due to going off a different tower location - I am not sure how they handle it for sure - but it is possible that they would have to route your call to the correct county. They often can't dispatch EMS to locations out of their jurisdiction.

Just something to keep in mind if you ever need their services - make sure you know where you are, even if it is in your own house!