Our post the other day about the Aereo MLB/NFL legal dispute got us thinking about some alternatives to the big cable and satellite TV providers. It is pretty shocking how many reliable alternative there really are to cable and satellite TV. Though, to be 100% clear, while these are viable, inexpensive, and useful alternatives to cable and satellite TV, all have their shortcomings. That said, here are some alternatives to cable and satellite TV, in no particular order:

Antenna

On June 13, 2009, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) oversaw the wholesale transition of all free over-the-air television from analog to exclusively digital broadcasts, as mandated by the Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005.¹ Essentially, the free television channels that you used to be able to pick up with rabbit ear antenna, are now broadcast in a digital signal in a much higher quality – many times you can pick up an HD signal. The channels are still free, but they require a digital antenna. There are a ton to choose from, but the three in the picture above are your best bet. Left to right they are: RCA – Indoor HDTV Antenna ($18.99 on CDW.com); Terk HDTVa Amplified ($39.99 on Amazon); Winegard SS-3000 (from $70.95 on Amazon).² While an antenna is an excellent way to keep up with local channels, that is just about all you get. However, this is a good choice for the sports lovers as the local NBC, ABC, FOX, and CBS affiliates usually cover the big games. A digital antenna is, perhaps, best used as a way to supplement one of the other cable and satellite alternatives below.

Roku 3

The Roku 3 – and all of the other entries below – require an internet connection to power the streaming programs. The Roku 3 stands out as being the absolute best streaming product on the market. Roku boasts a selection of “1,000+ channels of movies, TV shows, sports, and more to any HDTV.”³ The Roku 3 box allows for the streaming of subscription based programming, like Netflix and Hulu, but also includes hundreds of free-to-watch channels. What’s more, the Roku 3 remote doubles as a motion-control remote, allowing you to play games – think of the Nintendo Wii. Overall, the Roku 3 is the best set top box streaming player on the market, and at $99.99, it is a steal.

VIZIO Co-Star

The Main reason the VIZIO Co-Star made it to this list is the fact that the box incorporates Google TV. Today, you would be better served to spend the exact same amount, $99.99, on the Roku 3. However, there is something about Google TV. Although there are reports that Google is shuttering the Google TV brand, in favor of Android TV, the platform has some potential.⁴ Reports note a wide variety of reasons for this, but the most prominent is the success of the next item on the list:

Chromecast

The Chromecast dongle was the next logical step for Google’s TV. According to Janko Roettger of GigaOM, “In many ways, it [the Chromecast] encapsulates everything Google learned from Google TV’s failures.”⁵ The Chromecast doesn’t boast nearly the selection of the channels or apps of the Roku 3, but at $35 that is just fine. It does support HBO GO, Pandora, Hulu Plus, Netflix, all of the various Google Play Channel. However, the Chromecast has YouTube streaming built right in; YouTube streaming still eludes Roku. Further, in linking directly with your computer, tablet, or smartphone – through Bluetooth – the Chromecast could not be easier to use.

It is clear that both the Roku 3 and the Chromecast are excellent products. Both have their advantages: the Chromecast is $35 and includes easy access to YouTube; the Roku 3 has more than 1,000 free and premium content channels. You can’t go wrong with either of the two.