# Teach a TV addict how to drop cable **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 7, 2013, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-a-tv-addict-how-to-drop-cable/646318 "2013-01-07T05:12:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-a-tv-addict-how-to-drop-cable/646318/21 "2013-01-09T01:32:48Z")
Somehow I borked the XBMC thing. It started not being able to connect on my PC, so I uninstalled and reinstalled. None of the preloaded channels reloaded. In fact, the were all MIA. I can’t figure out how to get Channel 1 back. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-a-tv-addict-how-to-drop-cable/646318/22 "2013-01-09T01:39:05Z")
I’ve never had a problem with it. Only thing I can think of is to be sure you start the main program and shut it down _before_ installing the XBMC Hub add-on. Probably best to try their support forum. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-a-tv-addict-how-to-drop-cable/646318/23 "2013-01-09T02:15:48Z")
I did open and shut down the program before installing the wizard. I might try again tonight and see if I can get it to work. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-a-tv-addict-how-to-drop-cable/646318/24 "2013-01-09T02:41:47Z")
Hey! I’m back in! I have no idea why it wasn’t working last night. Maybe I needed to shut my whole system down before trying again. Anyway…how do you add stuff to playlists? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-a-tv-addict-how-to-drop-cable/646318/25 "2013-01-09T02:56:51Z")
> [@Lukeinva](#): > > Cable companies are required to provide you with basic service at no cost. No, in two ways. First, no cable company is required by law to provide ANYTHING to a subscriber at no cost. You can’t get free cable. In addition, please refer to this recent news article: > **[StreamTV Insider](https://www.streamtvinsider.com/)** > > StreamTV Insider is the streaming video industry’s daily monitor. Its independent team of experienced editors provides relevant and insightful information on the dynamic streaming video market, covering topics ranging from streaming video... Until December 2012, the FCC required all cable companies to provide basic cable unencrypted (but not free). Now they are allowed to encrypt, and at least one company (Charter) has announced they will do that in February in my neighborhood. This means that while you can get basic cable without a converter box, you won’t be able to view unscrambled signals on ANY channels, even basic, without it. A converter box is proprietary to the cable provider, so your only choice is to rent. Charter charges $7 per month here. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-a-tv-addict-how-to-drop-cable/646318/26 "2013-01-09T03:08:54Z")
I’ve never messed with the playlist. I just watch stuff. They have a very active support forum [XBMC forums](http://forum.xbmc.org/) Here you go. [http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Playlists](http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Playlists) ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-a-tv-addict-how-to-drop-cable/646318/27 "2013-01-09T19:04:46Z")
> [@Lukeinva](#): > > Cable companies are required to provide you with basic service at no cost… > [@Musicat](#): > > No, in two ways. First, no cable company is required by law to provide ANYTHING to a subscriber at no cost. You can’t get free cable. > > In addition, please refer to this recent news article: > > [StreamTV Insider](http://www.fiercecable.com/story/basic-cable-tier-encryption-allowed-starting-today/2012-12-10) > > Until December 2012, the FCC required all cable companies to provide basic cable unencrypted (but not free). Now they are allowed to encrypt, and at least one company (Charter) has announced they will do that in February in my neighborhood. > > This means that while you can get basic cable without a converter box, you won’t be able to view unscrambled signals on ANY channels, even basic, without it. A converter box is proprietary to the cable provider, so your only choice is to rent. Charter charges $7 per month here. Thanks for the correction… and I should know that there is a minimal cost. However, there is no cost for the set-top box (I have two that I am not charged for). And yes channel selection is limited (no HBO, etc). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-a-tv-addict-how-to-drop-cable/646318.md?page=1)