Cutting the cord

[paimon.soror]

Very interesting.... I just came across this after checking some blogs about how to record OTA to a DVR

https://www.amazon.com/Tablo-HDTV-An...210fd2de33c98a

Got a ton of amazon reviews... might have to start watching some youtube to see if it does multistream DVR (record multiple 'shows' at once)

[alex2364]

I ditched my cable TV and got YouTube TV. 40+ channels including ABC/CBS/FOX/NBC plus cloud DVR for $35.

[paimon.soror]

I wanted youtube tv, because im a huge google fanboy, but one thing that made me sad was the lack of TBS. But i suppose if i go the route of supplementing with an hd antenna that would be moot. Ill add it to my list to check out thanks!

[BayMoWe335]

The Celtics most likely won’t even make the Eastern Conference Finals.

[paimon.soror]

[sullycrx]

Have you looked into Hulu Live? Local channels, DVR and unlimited devices to stream.

Total cost is like $40-60 for the package...

Sully

[P1]

My problem is that "just internet" through my provider is pretty expensive vs. going with their entire bundle.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by P1et

My problem is that "just internet" through my provider is pretty expensive vs. going with their entire bundle.

Same here. Adding 100 or so channels takes the cable only bill from something like $50 / month to more like $65. This is prior to 101 taxes and fees of course ending up w/ a monthly payment of about $90. I like tech and am a DIYer but for that little difference I just go with it.

I have a lifetime subscription Tivo that's still going strong after nearly 10 years. We are still 1080 not 4k though The Tivo, the TV, etc.) and we are fine with that for now. We record what we want and stream the rest through Netflix and Amazon.

Probably not the best solution but it works for us. Am also interested in what others do.

[paimon.soror]

Originally Posted by P1et

My problem is that "just internet" through my provider is pretty expensive vs. going with their entire bundle.

Is that still the case even after the 'promo' period? I had a great deal for a first time subscriber. Granted I only do TV/Internet (not all 3), but after the promo period expired, and after multiple years of the call/ask for deals, its almost leveled off where i may still make some savings.

They told me that the Internet only @ 300mbps would run me about 80 before taxes.

The good thing is that im not in any "rush" so to speak. I am off contract so I wont get hit with a penalty, so I can realy take this time to do the math and see if it makes it at all worth it.

Im thinking that at the end of the day, we would be comparing a streaming service + hulu (essentially minimizing the need for a DVR) + hd antenna (one time cost) vs the TV bundle from Cox

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by paimon.soror

300mbps

That's pretty quick. We do 50 and have never had a (1080) streaming problem, it's double Netflix's recommendation for 4k as well. It's a nice speed for sure but if you're undertaking this whole endeavor to save a few bucks, that might be a place to look unless you have other requirements that need it.

[paimon.soror]

fantastic point. Im a huge tech guy so i operate under "moar is bettar" but honestly, i dont PC game, and when i do game, its usually single player xbox games (i just dont have the patience for MP COD style games anymore lol)

[Chihuahua]

Any recommendations for a good digital antenna for local stations? Thank you for creating this thread OP, just this weekend we were talking about 'cutting the cord'. we're now just jotting down the stations we use on a regular basis to see what our best option is. Anyone here using Apple TV or Roku?

[Benedict1957]

I don't watch much TV other than the news and occasionally ESPN and TNT for sports, but my wife is a huge fan of the channel 'lifetime.' Any cord cutting options that include lifetime tv?

We're paying around $160-$200 month currently and it's very difficult to justify given that 90% of our collective TV watching experience is my wife binging lifetime movies in the bedroom.

[infinitekidM2C]

subbed to see results and utter frustration...

[BayE30]

I cut out COMCAST about a year ago, as SONIC offered Gigabit internet in my area. I have been using PSVUE as my streaming TV service, it has been ok but im looking at Sling now as there are some channels not offered on PSVUE. Don't miss Comcast at all.

[El Cheapo Loco]

Kodi + OTA antenna. You are welcome.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

Any recommendations for a good digital antenna for local stations?

There are websites dedicated to it. I.e. https://www.channelmaster.com/Antenn...tion-a/134.htm

You can get a rough idea of what you need and go from there. Placement is huge, doesn't take much to block the signal so you (might) need to be OK with either something quite visible or a bit of work to hide it.

[P1]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

There are websites dedicated to it. I.e. https://www.channelmaster.com/Antenn...tion-a/134.htm

You can get a rough idea of what you need and go from there. Placement is huge, doesn't take much to block the signal so you (might) need to be OK with either something quite visible or a bit of work to hide it.

I literally attached a coax cable and was able to pick up loads of channels...

[amgraham]

Going through the same thing and commented in the other cord-cutting thread. PS Vue seemed to be the best "cable replacement" for our needs. I'm in the same "evaluation" phase. In fact, we were still unsure after the 5-day free trial so I paid for a month to use side-by-side with cable so we could be sure about whatever decision we end up making.

As I mentioned in that thread, the savings isn't huge, $30, maybe $40/month. But... the savings could increase because I could add cheap "sticks" or boxes to additional TVs without incurring the $10/month fee from Comcast.

Also, as I indicated in the other thread, the Amazon Fire box does a better job streaming Plex than the app built-in to at least one of the Smart TVs. I have noticed that the frame rate over Vue seems to momentarily drop every now and again. The picture doesn't completely freeze and buffer but... the frame-rate just seems to drop for a few seconds then it returns to normal. Not a huge deal and over the next month, we'll see how much of a problem it is.

Lastly, in the same boat as some of you... Getting my wife to like/use it. The kids, no problem. They pick that stuff up quickly. Because of the way you find, surf, use the guide, etc. is different than Xfinity X1... she's not "adapting" so well.

We'll see... For us... it's not just the money. After paying more for "unbundled" internet, it's only $30 or $40 savings but... that's pizza on movie night or something, right? It's also the "single-source", one box, simplicity and the addition of some features, like being able to use Alexa, better Plex performance and a few other things.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by P1et

I literally attached a coax cable and was able to pick up loads of channels...

Nice. I tried at my last house, was within 10 miles of the HDTV towers, dedicated good antenna, and practically zilch for useful reception. It just depends on... so much. Your house construction type, neighboring houses, your elevation, etc.

Good idea though, start simple and go from there. If you have appropriate parts on hand anyhow.

[paimon.soror]

So far Sling has been interesting. I watched a few basketball games last night on TNT, but mostly we have been sitting and watching some TBS. I honestly have been "pretending" that i dont have cable (my wife, not so much yet lol), and so far so good. Every once in a while a channel will 'hang'... so i basically have to open the guide and re-open the channel i was watching.

An earlier point on cost was a good one.... it gets very interesting if you start factoring in buying an hd antenna, maybe adding a hulu subscription, plus streaming (we already have netflix so it isn't 'added expense'). I'm sure if it only comes down to 30 bucks, the curiosity will be "is it worth the hassle".... My guess is no.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

There are websites dedicated to it. I.e. https://www.channelmaster.com/Antenn...tion-a/134.htm

You can get a rough idea of what you need and go from there. Placement is huge, doesn't take much to block the signal so you (might) need to be OK with either something quite visible or a bit of work to hide it.

Thank you!