Keeping up with your favorite TV series can get expensive when you are tied to providers like cable and satellite companies. The only option in my area is DirecTV or Dish. I’ve been with DirecTV for over 20 years and am happy with their service and content, but not the monthly bill. Ouch! A few months ago I called to have my programming package changed so I could lower my monthly bill below $100. It was fine for a couple of months but now it’s back above $100. Grrrrrr. I’ve seriously considered cutting the cord many times but haven’t taken that step yet because I’m not quite sure which solution to choose. If you’re in the same boat, this new book from LeanPub might help.
Cut the Cord, Ditch the Dish, and Take Back Control of Your TV by J. and K. Fidler is an easily-understood, cord cutter’s roadmap for readers of all technical levels. The 400-page ebook explains terms and technologies, what you need to get started, and technical skills needed. It then goes forward with a “cookbook” of fun, documented, and tested DIY projects, including:
- Integrating AndroidTV with broadcast-to-air TV, network accessible TV tuners and DVRs
- Optimizing a home network for streaming media traffic using a laptop
- Fun with Chromecasting and watching broadcast-to-air TV on Android or iOS devices.
- Creating an entertainment computer and DVR for the living room using either Windows or Linux OS software and an Intel NUC
- Optimizing a home network for streaming media traffic using a laptop
- Watching 4K content and trying out hardware accelerated video
Cut the Cord, Ditch the Dish, and Take Back Control of Your TV is available is compatible with Kindle, iBook, Nook, and PDF format. It can be purchased through LeanPub, and is regularly priced at $20.00, which includes a year of updates for new information and technologies. The authors are currently offering a 20% discount using this link: http://leanpub.com/control_your_tv/c/March_Madness. The discount is valid until April 20, 2017.
