This entry is for everyone:
IDK about the rest of the country but I've been having some serious financial hardships. I need to save every penny that I can and keep my basic bills under control. The idiot box has been our lord and master for quite a while. Picture this: It's been a long day - your 4th 12HR shift in a row and you're tired. All you want to do is kick back with the beverage of your choice and let the TV do the thinking for an hour before you pass out in bed and get up to do it all over again. The problem is; $50 a month for what little TV you actually watch is a waste. Plus you have 1300 channels and nothing is ever on (Except you cartoon network - and god bless you). Then there's the telephone; you use your cell for 90% of everything but you still need that land line. It does very little (other than provide the sweet sweet internet). But, if your like me; your cell doesn't work worth a damn in your house. So when you're home, no one can get a hold of you (doesn't sound too bad but still...). That and I strait up can't afford another $35 on top of my other utilities.
So here's what I did:
(Disclaimer: This isn't a step by step walk through and i'm not responsible for anything you or anyone else does. If you ruin your life, lively hood, equipment, etc. I am in no way responsible ever!)
1. Order a Roku and an OBI100 from amazon.com - Total investment $80
2. Pick yourself up a decent wireless router (there a bajillion lists out there) - Make sure you get a gaming unit. Even if you're not gaming they will take the punishment of handling all your other services w/o a hiccup. - This should cost you around $30
NOTE: Put your DSL / Cable modem in BRIDGE MODE - google it or get a professional to help. Don't just hook it up. You will end up with a double NAT and that is a bad thing. Also, DMZ your OBI100 and setup a static DHCP reservation for it and your PC. Again, Google it or have a pro help you (this is one of the few things that technical support can actually help with). If you insist on using your ISP provided equipment; be prepared to reset it about every 3 days or less.
3. Get yourself a free google voice phone number and DO NOT ENABLE 2 STEP AUTHENTICATION! There is a reason for that: the OBI100 doesn't like it so save yourself the headache.
4. Configure your Roku and OBI100
5. You'll notice that Roku has a lot of paid content. Google "unofficial roku channels" and add them. There - movies and some TV. If you'd like an expanded experience go grab PlayOn.tv and install it on your PC. Then, add some of the 3rd party scripts available to it.
6. OK at this point you have your OBI running your Telephones and your Roku handling the TV - Run it like this for a month and make sure you're OK with it. Also remember: It's all free at this point!
7. If you're good to go - Cancel all other services EXCEPT YOUR INTERNET CONNECTION
There $120 /month down to $35-40
NOTE: I also added a Netflix subscription and I already had Amazon Prime for the free freight. Both of those have native Roku apps. With PlayOn you can add Hulu and most major networks stream offerings. If you want music grab Pandora or Slacker Radio. I work a lot so that's pretty much all the TV I can watch.
I'll be writing more about Playon.tv some other time.
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