If you are like us then the way you watch TV has changed. The stuff on Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Vudu, Vimeo keeps getting better and you can watch it everywhere. You end up watching less traditional TV, but continually pay more for it, which doesn’t make much sense.
The problem with canceling your cable subscription and relying just on the Internet has been the lack of live sports, local news, special events and live TV shows (think Dancing with the Stars). But these things are all available on broadcast TV channels like ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC for free, over the air in HD. With Boxee Live TV you can watch them all on your Boxee Box (and still get all the regular Boxee stuff you love to watch too).
Last year, 89 of the top 100 shows were on broadcast networks – they remain the most popular channels on cable. The Superbowl, the World Series, the Oscars, the Grammys, presidential debates and addresses, the Olympics… they’re all on broadcast. Yes, there are hundreds of cable channels, but make a list of the stuff you actually watch. You will probably find that most are on broadcast and the rest are available on Vudu/Netflix/Network sites.
What is left on your list? Is it really worth $85 a month?
We believe the combination of Netflix/Vudu/Vimeo/TED/etc. with over-the-air channels delivers a much better experience for less money.
Cable companies keep telling the press and investors that “cord cutting” is not real, and that if it exists then it’s limited to people who can no longer afford cable. We are sure they are conducting objective and unbiased research, but we are meeting more and more “cord never getters” and “cord cutters” every day. They are more than just people tightening their belts in tough economic times, these are people who have left cable TV behind because it does not fit their lifestyle. They are part of a changing culture, with a changing expectation of how they watch the shows they love.
The cord cutters we talk to have changed the way they watch “TV”. They don’t sit in front of it and channel surf hoping to land on something to watch, they don’t know when shows air, they sometimes don’t even know what channel shows are on. They love “TV”, but not necessarily on an actual TV. The only time they tune into a channel is to watch something live.
The cable companies’ efforts to adapt are more focused on protecting a decades-old business model than delivering a great experience to their customers. The cable companies think you should have no choice but to accept:
-high (and constantly rising) prices,
-a bad user experience on old set-top boxes,
-signing up for a $79 package but getting billed $104.26,
-taking off work to wait for hours for an installation guy who shows up late,
-pushing you to get triple-play including phone service (you don’t want) to get a lower price, only to see your bill double after 6 months,
-letting you sign up on their website, but making you call them to cancel,
-making you physically return the set-top box during working hours in a remote part of town.
There is a better way for you to get TV… and we think Boxee with Live TV can deliver that promise. We want Boxee to be your alternative to Cable TV.
It will start shipping in January, but you can pre-order it today. Here are a few screenshots of the experience.
Read more about Boxee Live TV at http://boxee.tv/livetv.
FAQ
Will Boxee Live TV be available outside the US?
To begin with, Boxee Live TV will be available in US & Canada only. We will update once we have more information for international users.
Does Boxee Live TV have a DVR?
No. The focus of Boxee Live TV is well… Live TV… having said that if we get enough users asking for DVR then we could take advantage of that other USB input on the back of the box and let a user connect a drive for recordings. Plus we still have all the shows the web has to offer.
Will it work with Boxee’s on PC/Mac?
No. It will only work with the Boxee Box. An updated Mac/PC version of Boxee is in the works, but it will not include support for Boxee Live TV.
Will the Boxee Box support other TV tuners?
Not at this time.
Will it connect to my cable box?
It will support unencrypted cable channels (clearQAM), so if you get basic cable channels from your cable provider you will be able to connect the coax cable coming out from the wall to Boxee Live TV.
How can I know what channels I’ll get?
We will update our website once the product launches to include an easy way for you to see which channels are available in your area. In the meantime, visit AntennaWeb.org. Click “Choose an Antenna”, input your zip code, hit continue, and you’ll see channel listings in your area.
How is this different from Google TV’s support for TV?
Google TV’s set top box requires you to connect it to a cable/satellite set-top box.
It does not have a TV tuner built in.
No reception? No problem!
If you don’t have reception in your area you may not be ready to cut the cord, but you may be able to give it a serious shave. Call your cable company and ask for Basic Cable. That would be a service level that includes the local ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC stations (and some others) and should cost you between $10-$20 depending on who is your cable provider. You will not need a set-top box. You just take the coaxial cable and connect it to the Boxee Live TV dongle and you should get the basic channels with no reception issues.
Been listening to this track while writing the post. Thought it was appropriate… 
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IP TV support would be great. That in combination with a DVR feature would make me buy another 2 boxes to substitute my set top boxes.
DVR support please
For Canadians the features of this device are not clear.
please EXPLAIN EXACLTY what canadian going to get.
I am not sure what the difference is between using this gear, and using a rabbit antenna (which I have already). Is there some other features to this gear other than getting local OTA channels? I must be missing something.
some tvs do not have a digital tuner
DVR is simply a must – so consider this note as a request for it now. You can multiply that request by a thousand, since many people won't see this post – and others won't bother to make the request – yet! Still, Boxee folks surely know that here in the 21st century – DVR experience is indispensable – so this makes me wonder why they are waiting for "enough requests". I'm so exasperated with this con job nonsense that EVERY COMPANY is feeding us. Don't do it because we asked. Do it because it is the RIGHT thing to do.
When is avalaible for TDT / TNT tv in spain?
Please DVR!
If you add in DVR, we'll buy. Love the idea of your Live TV, but it really needs DVR, too.
This has NO benefit over the pre-installed ATSC tuner already on most HD TV's. It does have a pretty interface but it really only saves you from hitting the input button on your tv remote. Now if they added DVR capabilities… I WOULD DEFINITELY BUY ONE THEN. "Cutting the cord truly would become a reality for me".
I would definitely cut the cord if Boxee + Live TV could include DVR support. My wife and I are rarely near the TV when a show is broadcast, so a DVR is a must. We presently have a TiVo + FiOS, so Boxee with DVR would help simplify and save us a lot of money!
Completely agree that in an on demand world like today DVR is a must feature.
What's the point of this device when I can alraedy hook up a HD (UHF) antenna directly to my TV and then have my Boxee Box sitting on the HDMI input? That's the configuration I have now, and it works just fine. All I need to do to switch from Over the Air (OtA) TV to the Boxxee is hit the HDMI button on the remote. To return from the Boxee Box back to OtA channels, all I need to do is hit the Channel Up button.
Hey–as to DVR functionality–just give me the ability to install DVR software and to write to external USB storage. That would be fine.
What is holding up the Hulu Plus deal? Is there anything Boxee fans can to pressure Hulu along here?
No dongle for me until DVR is available.
Looks great. I will purchase one as soon as DVR functionality is included.
thank you
I love the idea of this thing. However I demand DVR capability.YOU add the software and I buy the one terrabyte drive. Deal?
PLEASE!!!!!!
No DVR, No purchase. Period. Must have DVR capability now, not promised "down the line". Been there, done that with boxee
Definitely need the DVR functionality. I don't get OTA here, so rely on cable for live TV, but I haven't watched my favorite shows live for years. I'd only be saving money on the cable DVR rental, but would still switch to Boxee Live TV if it had a better, more intuitive DVR function than the cable DVR (not hard).
I'm in the same boat as most users. We currently have three MCE machines in the house and all are able to watch any broadcast TV as well as pausing, recording, etc. There is also an ease of use in spending 2 minutes to record all the series that we watch (including PBS/Kids programs) and at any point instantly playing it without waiting.
Until the networks provide better online methods and people don't have to illegally download theirs shows, I feel like DVR is an absolute must have.
I'd switch to boxee if the tuner offered DVR (and I'd even pay the $50 for the tuner and another $100 for an external HD).
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